Patents by Inventor Patrick Michael Thornton

Patrick Michael Thornton 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).

  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SEQUENTIAL PRESSING TO FORM GLASS-BASED ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20260167547
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass-based article comprises depositing molten glass onto a first molding member and pressing the molten glass between the first and second molding members by moving the first molding member and the second molding member towards one another. The pressing of the molten glass comprises moving a portion of one of the first and second molding members relative to a remaining portion thereof to form a first reduced-area pressing zone and, after formation of the first reduced-area pressing zone, moving the portion relative to the remaining portion to form a second reduced-area pressing zone where the molten glass is compressed between the first and second molding members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2026
    Publication date: June 18, 2026
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Patrick Michael Thornton
  • Apparatus and methods for sequential pressing to form glass-based articles
    Patent number: 12570562
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass-based article comprises depositing molten glass onto a first molding member and pressing the molten glass between the first and second molding members by moving the first molding member and the second molding member towards one another. The pressing of the molten glass comprises moving a portion of one of the first and second molding members relative to a remaining portion thereof to form a first reduced-area pressing zone and, after formation of the first reduced-area pressing zone, moving the portion relative to the remaining portion to form a second reduced-area pressing zone where the molten glass is compressed between the first and second molding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: CORNING INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Patrick Michael Thornton
  • GLASS FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING A GLASS RIBBON
    Publication number: 20250304482
    Abstract: A glass forming apparatus configured to form a molten glass ribbon is disclosed, the glass forming apparatus including an edge director assembly positioned to immerse at least a portion of a wire immersion tool in an edge portion of the molten glass ribbon to mitigate lateral contraction of the molten glass ribbon and improve stability of the edge portion. A method of forming a glass ribbon using the edge director is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2023
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Justin Shane Starkey, Brandon Thomas Sternquist, Patrick Michael Thornton
  • APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR SEQUENTIAL PRESSING TO FORM GLASS-BASED ARTICLES
    Publication number: 20240067554
    Abstract: A method of forming a glass-based article comprises depositing molten glass onto a first molding member and pressing the molten glass between the first and second molding members by moving the first molding member and the second molding member towards one another. The pressing of the molten glass comprises moving a portion of one of the first and second molding members relative to a remaining portion thereof to form a first reduced-area pressing zone and, after formation of the first reduced-area pressing zone, moving the portion relative to the remaining portion to form a second reduced-area pressing zone where the molten glass is compressed between the first and second molding members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Roy Burdette, Patrick Michael Thornton