Patents by Inventor Michael S. Sheppard
Michael S. Sheppard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11473291Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an expandable field kitchen is disclosed. The expandable field kitchen includes an expandable intermodal container. The expandable intermodal container has a floor panel, a ceiling panel, a wall panel including an opening, an access door disposed on the wall panel, an appliance utility port disposed on an interior surface of the expandable intermodal container, and a service door having a low-profile door handle. The addition, the expandable intermodal container includes an expansion unit that deploys from the interior portion of the expandable intermodal container through the opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: NEXGEN COMPOSITES LLCInventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard, Robert LaPoint
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Patent number: 11339569Abstract: A process for fabricating a unitized structure comprises creating a multilayer structure by applying a flame-retardant resin to a first layer and stacking, on the first layer, an intermediate layer comprising a honeycomb structure. Further, a second layer is stacked on the intermediate layer and the flame-retardant resin is applied to the second layer. The multilayer structure is then heated to a desired temperature and a pressure is applied about the multilayer structure for a predetermined process time. Moreover, the flame-retardant resin is prevented from entering spaces of the honeycomb structure. After elapse of the predetermined process time, the pressure is released, creating the unitized structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: NEXGEN COMPOSITES LLCInventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20210180314Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an expandable field kitchen is disclosed. The expandable field kitchen includes an expandable intermodal container. The expandable intermodal container has a floor panel, a ceiling panel, a wall panel including an opening, an access door disposed on the wall panel, an appliance utility port disposed on an interior surface of the expandable intermodal container, and a service door having a low-profile door handle. The addition, the expandable intermodal container includes an expansion unit that deploys from the interior portion of the expandable intermodal container through the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard, Robert LaPoint
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Publication number: 20210017723Abstract: A platform panel is disclosed. The panel includes a core having a top surface and a bottom surface. The core has a composite skin disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface of the core. Further, recessed pockets having a fastener port. Moreover, the panel includes a first hinge member disposed on a first side of the core, and a second hinge member disposed on an opposing side of the core in relation to the first hinge member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Patent number: 10865942Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a process of fabricating a unitized container panel is disclosed. The unitized container panel is fabricated by forming a multilayer insulated panel, which has opposing external layers and an intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer is a combination of an insulation material (e.g., vacuum insulated panel, aerogel, etc.), and a buffer material (e.g., a foam board, polystyrene, fiberglass, minerals, plastic, natural fibers, wood, plastic, etc.) that bounds the insulation material. Pressure is applied about the multilayer insulated panel for a predetermined process time, causing the external layers to encase the intermediate layer. After elapse of the predetermined process time, the pressure is released about the multilayer insulated panel, thereby resulting in a unitized container panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: NEXGEN COMPOSITES LLCInventors: Robin Banerjee, Robert L. Lapoint, Michael S. Sheppard
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Patent number: 10427725Abstract: A unitary floor system comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and, and an intermediate layer including a longitudinal central floor axis. Further, the intermediate layer comprises floor components that define at least one edge line, wherein the floor components are tiled together and sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer to provide an integral structure that comprises a continuous surface, unitary floor and a frame that surrounds the floor components. Each of the floor components comprises a composite assembly of a first set of material strips and a second set of material strips. The first set of material strips has a different density compared to the second set of material strips, and edge lines of the floor components span between the longitudinal central floor axis and the frame, wherein the floor components do not cross the longitudinal central floor axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: NEXGEN COMPOSITES LLCInventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20190128478Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, a process of fabricating a unitized container panel is disclosed. The unitized container panel is fabricated by forming a multilayer insulated panel, which has opposing external layers and an intermediate layer therebetween. The intermediate layer is a combination of an insulation material (e.g., vacuum insulated panel, aerogel, etc.), and a buffer material (e.g., a foam board, polystyrene, fiberglass, minerals, plastic, natural fibers, wood, plastic, etc.) that bounds the insulation material. Pressure is applied about the multilayer insulated panel for a predetermined process time, causing the external layers to encase the intermediate layer. After elapse of the predetermined process time, the pressure is released about the multilayer insulated panel, thereby resulting in a unitized container panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Robert L. Lapoint, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20180298609Abstract: A process for fabricating a unitized structure comprises creating a multilayer structure by applying a flame-retardant resin to a first layer and stacking, on the first layer, an intermediate layer comprising a honeycomb structure. Further, a second layer is stacked on the intermediate layer and the flame-retardant resin is applied to the second layer. The multilayer structure is then heated to a desired temperature and a pressure is applied about the multilayer structure for a predetermined process time. Moreover, the flame-retardant resin is prevented from entering spaces of the honeycomb structure. After elapse of the predetermined process time, the pressure is released, creating the unitized structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20180178855Abstract: A unitary floor system comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and, and an intermediate layer including a longitudinal central floor axis. Further, the intermediate layer comprises floor components that define at least one edge line, wherein the floor components are tiled together and sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer to provide an integral structure that comprises a continuous surface, unitary floor and a frame that surrounds the floor components. Each of the floor components comprises a composite assembly of a first set of material strips and a second set of material strips. The first set of material strips has a different density compared to the second set of material strips, and edge lines of the floor components span between the longitudinal central floor axis and the frame, wherein the floor components do not cross the longitudinal central floor axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9896137Abstract: A unitary floor includes a top layer, floor components, and a bottom layer. The floor components are sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer to provide an integral structure that comprises a continuous surface, unitary floor. Each of the floor components has a material strips. Moreover, the material strips that make up a corresponding floor component is a composite assembly that includes a first set of material strips, which may be interleaved with a second set of material strips. The first set of material strips includes a different density compared to the second set of material strips. Moreover, the unitary floor may be fabricated by a vacuum process, such as a vacuum infusion process.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: NEXGEN COMPOSITES LLCInventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20170247063Abstract: A unitary floor comprises a top layer, floor components, and a bottom layer. The floor components are sandwiched between the top layer and the bottom layer to provide an integral structure that comprises a continuous surface, unitary floor. Each of the floor components has a material strips. Moreover, the material strips that make up a corresponding floor component is a composite assembly that includes a first set of material strips, which may be interleaved with a second set of material strips. The first set of material strips includes a different density compared to the second set of material strips. Moreover, the unitary floor may be fabricated by a vacuum process, such as a vacuum infusion process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Robin Banerjee, Michael S. Sheppard
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Patent number: 9731472Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny E. Tilton
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Patent number: 9186863Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny E. Tilton
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Publication number: 20150258746Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny E. Tilton
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Patent number: 8663791Abstract: A composite core panel is produced by arranging a plurality of foam strips in adjacent relation and advancing the strips with one or two flexible sheets of porous reinforcement material and adhesive between platens to form a panel. The sheet on one side of the strips is folded between adjacent strips to form double wall pleats which may project either partially or fully between the strips and may have folded end portions overlying the other side of the strips. The second sheet may also form double wall pleats between the strips and be connected to the pleats in the first sheet. The core panel may be cut to form reinforced strips which are connected by adhesive in various arrangements to form other core panels. A core panel may also be formed by wrapping each foam strip longitudinally with a strip of reinforcing material and connecting the strips with adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, John P. Jones, Thomas John Ewry, Danny E. Tilton, Frederick Stoll
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Publication number: 20130251935Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny Tilton
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Patent number: 8470425Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny Tilton
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Patent number: 8389104Abstract: A composite core panel has opposite side surfaces for receiving skins to form a composite sandwich panel. The core panel includes a plurality of spaced blocks of low density cellular material such as foam plastics and have opposite side surfaces forming the side surfaces of the core panel and opposite edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. A plurality of parallel spaced elongated primary strips of structural cellular material such as balsa wood or engineered foam have a higher density and extend between the blocks, and the blocks have side surfaces adhesively attached to edge surfaces of the blocks. A plurality of parallel spaced secondary strips of structural high density cellular material such as balsa wood or engineered foam extend transversely to the primary strips and have end surfaces adhesively attached to the primary strips and side surfaces adhesively attached to the blocks.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard
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Publication number: 20120251814Abstract: A composite core panel is produced by arranging a plurality of foam strips in adjacent relation and advancing the strips with one or two flexible sheets of porous reinforcement material and adhesive between platens to form a panel. The sheet on one side of the strips is folded between adjacent strips to form double wall pleats which may project either partially or fully between the strips and may have folded end portions overlying the other side of the strips. The second sheet may also form double wall pleats between the strips and be connected to the pleats in the first sheet. The core panel may be cut to form reinforced strips which are connected by adhesive in various arrangements to form other core panels. A core panel may also be formed by wrapping each foam strip longitudinally with a strip of reinforcing material and connecting the strips with adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, John P. Jones, Thomas John Ewry, Danny E. Tilton, Frederick Stoll
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Publication number: 20110081514Abstract: The plurality of pieces of low density cellular material, such as foam plastics, form a core panel having opposite side surfaces and with adjacent pieces having opposing edge surfaces extending between the side surfaces. Sheets of flexible material, such as veils or mats or scrim, are adhesively attached to the side surfaces, and portions of one sheet extend between the opposing adjacent edge surfaces for limiting flexing of the panel. The pieces may be tapered, and portions of the one sheet may project between the edge surfaces either partially or fully to form double wall webs. The webs may have flanges adhesively attached to the other sheet on the opposite side. One sheet may also be stretchable in areas not adhesively attached to the pieces to provide for curving the panel from a planar position maintained by the sheet on the opposite side.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Inventors: Stephen W. Day, Michael S. Sheppard, Frederick Stoll, Danny Tilton