Patents by Inventor Nicolas FRANÇOIS

Nicolas FRANÇOIS 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).

  • Publication number: 20230137675
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a luminescent timepiece component for a portable object includes producing a pre-mixture of a phosphorescent pigment in an amount of 10 to 40% by weight, a fluorescent pigment in an amount of 1 to 4% by weight and a plasticiser in a maximum amount of 10% by weight; mixing a polymer base with the pre-mixture and extruding a first time the mixture obtained to obtain a homogeneous polymer mixture; extruding a second time the polymer mixture to form a strip of a predetermined thickness; and cutting the strip to obtain the desired luminescent timepiece component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Sophie Napoli, Nicolas FRANÇOIS
  • Patent number: 11639791
    Abstract: A decorative item including an element made at least partly of a metallic, polymeric or ceramic based material and including a face visible to an observer, at least one light source external or internal to the element, the decorative item further includes at least one optical fibre embedded in the material of the element, the optical fibre serving as a guide for the light from the light source in order to produce, during use, a light effect on the visible face of the element. A method for manufacturing the decorative item is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Olga Reinauer, Agnes Marlot Doerr, Nicolas Francois, Pierpasquale Tortora, Stewes Bourban
  • Publication number: 20230075984
    Abstract: A casing of an aircraft turbomachine includes an annular shell extending around an axis A and made of a composite material having fibers that which are woven and embedded in a resin. An annular layer made of abradable material extends inside the shell, around axis A and is obtained by spreading and polymerizing a paste. Support panels extend around axis A and are interposed between the shell and the abradable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicants: SAFRAN AIRCRAFT ENGINES, SAFRAN AEROSPACE COMPOSITES
    Inventors: Meredith ROBERTS, Chris ANDERSON, Nicolas François Paul BROUSSAIS-COLELLA, Ambroise Nicolas Marie MALFROY, Foster Alexander MAXWELL, Paul MYSLINSKI, Adrienne RETIVEAU-LECA
  • Patent number: 11583045
    Abstract: A piece, in particular for jewellery or timepieces, is made of a material comprising a synthetic matrix loaded with particles of a precious or semi-precious stone. The particles have a particle size d90 between 50 ?m and 2 mm, preferably between 100 ?m and 1 mm, and more preferably between 150 ?m and 500 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Stephane Lauper, Gregory Kissling, Stewes Bourban, Agnes Marlot Doerr
  • Patent number: 11583044
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an external component for watches or jewellery, especially a bracelet, includes the steps of: providing a substrate including a first face opposite to a second face and co-extrusion coating the first face and the second face of the substrate respectively with a first and a second band of synthetic material. The first band forms on the first face a transparent or translucent layer so that all or part of the substrate remains visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Claire Rannoux, Nicolas Francois
  • Publication number: 20230046918
    Abstract: The invention relates to a casing (3) of an aircraft turbomachine, said casing comprising:—an annular shell (9) extending around an axis A and made of a composite material comprising fibres which are woven and embedded in a resin,—an annular layer (4) made of abradable material extending inside the shell, around axis A, and obtained by spreading and polymerising a paste, and—support panels (10) which extend around axis A and are interposed between the shell and the abradable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Ambroise Nicolas Marie MALFROY, Nicolas Francois Paul BROUSSAIS-COLELLA, Matthieu Patrick Jean Roger PERLIN, Adrienne RETIVEAU-LECA
  • Publication number: 20230014460
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bracelet or strap, in particular a watch band, comprising at least one organic material based portion intended to be placed in contact with the user's skin, said organic material containing at least one functional agent, such as an antibacterial agent. According to the invention, said organic material also contains a cosmetic agent for the skin, arranged to be able to be in contact with the user's skin when the bracelet is worn. The invention also concerns methods for manufacturing such a bracelet or strap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Omega SA
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20220389190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a luminescent horological component for a portable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Sophie NAPOLI, Nicolas FRANÇOIS
  • Patent number: 11499060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule comprising a shell containing a transparent and thermally conducting liquid, particles having a thermochromic coating and particles having a photochromic coating, the thermochromic particles being bulkier than photochromic particles, the liquid being such that, within a first range of temperatures, its density is greater than the density of the thermochromic particles and than the density of the photochromic particles, and such that, within a second range of temperatures greater than those of the first range, the density of the photochromic particles is less than the density of the liquid, which is itself less than the density of the thermochromic particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas Francois
  • Publication number: 20220240633
    Abstract: A fashion item (100) including a thin wall with locally and selectively expandable areas including: an internal core (30) made of a lining material which can expand in contact with a liquid; a support layer (10) having an external face (11) opposite an internal face (12) on which the internal core (30) is arranged, the support layer (10) being configured so that the expansion of the lining material does not substantially cause its deformation; and an impermeable covering layer (20) attached to the support layer (10) so as to tightly enclose the internal core (30), the layer including one or a plurality of through holes (21) opening onto the internal core (30) and arranged relative to each other so as to form a predefined matrix, the covering layer (20) being configured such that the expansion of the lining material substantially causes its deformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas FRANÇOIS, Sophie NAPOLI
  • Publication number: 20220243662
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical reducer (6) for a turbomachine, in particular an aircraft, this reducer (6) including: a sun gear extending around an axis (61) of rotation, a crown which extends around the sun gear and which is configured to be fixed in rotation around said axis (61), planet gears which are meshed with the sun gear and the crown and which are held by a planet carrier (62) which is configured to be movable in rotation about said axis (61), In addition, the oil distributor (65) comprises a plurality of oil distribution modules (67) assembled together, each module (67) comprising at least one lubrication pipe (68) having an inlet intended to receive oil and an outlet (69) adapted to lead the oil into an opening (63) of the planet carrier (62), the opening (63) being intended for lubricating the reducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Guillaume Pierre MOULY, Frédéric Nicolas François LAISNEZ, Adrien Louis SIMON
  • Publication number: 20220213956
    Abstract: A planet carrier for a mechanical gearbox for a turbomachine includes a one-piece cage that extends about an axis of rotation defining an internal housing configured to receive a sun gear and planet gears of the gearbox. The planet carrier further includes a lubrication system with at least one bore formed in the cage and extending parallel to the axis over more than 30% of a maximum axial dimension (Lmax) of the cage. The lubrication system also includes for the at least one bore, at least two sprinklers which are fitted to the cage and which are each mounted in a recess of the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Guillaume Pierre Mouly, Frederic Nicolas François LAISNEZ, Adrien Louis SIMON
  • Publication number: 20220183426
    Abstract: A timepiece component including a phosphorescent multilayer structure (3) comprising a front layer (1) with a transparent or translucent polymer matrix and comprising phosphorescent pigments and a reflective underlying layer (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Sophie NAPOLI, Nicolas FRANÇOIS
  • Patent number: 11312047
    Abstract: A method for making a bracelet provided with an electronic component insert, the method includes fabricating a basic, flexible support for an insert in the form of a band, making conductive paths on the flexible support or in the flexible support, disposing on the flexible support various electronic components connected to the conductive paths, and coating the electronic components disposed on the flexible support with a transparent or opaque protective layer to finish the insert of the bracelet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Claire Rannoux, Cedric Nicolas
  • Patent number: 11259609
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a timepiece or jewellery component, the component being manufactured from a first material, the process including: obtaining the component, having undergone, at a very latest during the obtaining, a treatment directed toward combining the component with a chromic element, the chromic element including at least one pigment capable of reacting to an energy supply and a matrix for binding the pigment; placing the component in a machine capable of at least locally supplying energy to the component; using the energy supply machine in a predefined operating program at least locally to provide energy to the chromic element to bring about a reaction of its pigment; removing the component from the energy supply machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas Francois
  • Patent number: 11258168
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement (6) for an external watch part (2) of a timepiece. The antenna arrangement is formed of a technical embroidery, which includes an embroidered structure of insulating wires or natural fibres (10) and at least one conductive wire (12) embroidered so as to produce a fine coil integrated in the embroidered structure of insulating wires or natural fibres. The conductive wire is connected to a radiofrequency integrated circuit (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas François, Zoran Randjelovic, Thierry Scordilis
  • Patent number: 11224266
    Abstract: External part for a timepiece or piece of jewellery, this external part being produced by means of a polymer matrix in which piezochromic molecules are dispersed that change from a first stable state to a second stable state while changing colour under the effect of applied pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Claire Rannoux, Stewes Bourban
  • Patent number: 11140951
    Abstract: A piece of jewellery made from elastomer composite material, wherein the elastomer composite material includes a matrix made of elastomer in which between 0.5% and 4% by mass of cellulose fibres, between 0 and 2% by mass of an antibacterial additive, between 0 and 5% by mass of thermally conductive fillers, between 0 and 1% by mass of anti-odour agents, and between 0 and 1% by mass of silica are dispersed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Omega SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Julien Dahan, Gregory Kissling
  • Patent number: 11117304
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bracelet made of synthetic material for watches or jewellery including at least one strand, the method including a step of making, by moulding or extrusion, a band of synthetic material intended to form at least one strand, the method being wherein it then includes a step of chemical mechanical polishing the band. A bracelet made of synthetic material for watches or jewellery includes at least one strand formed of an extruded or injection moulded band, wherein at least one strand has a roughness Rp less than or equal to 3 ?m and preferably less than or equal to 2 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Claire Rannoux, Blaise Poinsot, Nicolas Francois
  • Patent number: 11067838
    Abstract: A thermochromic element including a thermochromic layer including a binder and a thermochromic pigment chosen to react at a specific temperature so that the pigment passes from a first color to a second color when the specific temperature is reached. The thermochromic layer coats a thermally conductive layer, and is protected by an optically transparent layer that protects it from chemical and physical degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas Francois