Patents by Inventor Peter DORFINGER

Peter DORFINGER 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).

  • Patent number: 12642626
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides multi-material orthodontic appliances useful for expanding a palate or arch of a patient, and, in some case, moving one or more teeth of the patient from a first to a second location according to a treatment plan. Further provided herein are methods for producing and using such multi-material orthodontic appliances on an individualized basis where each appliance is tailored to the specific treatment requirements of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Jennifer Marie Chavez
  • Patent number: 12636831
    Abstract: Substrates and associated materials for additive manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments, a device for manufacturing an object from a curable material includes a substrate configured to support the curable material during an additive manufacturing process. The substrate can be at least partially transparent to a wavelength of energy that cures the curable material. The substrate can include a first layer with a first material configured to inhibit adhesion to the curable material. The substrate can also include a second layer with a second material having one or more of increased mechanical strength or increased heat resistance relative to the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Michael Christopher Cole
  • Patent number: 12605889
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for additive manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes: coupling a plurality of build platforms to a carrier; forming a plurality of 3D objects on the plurality of build platforms using an additive manufacturing process, where each build platform receives at least one 3D object thereon; removing the plurality of build platforms from the carrier; performing post-processing of the plurality of 3D objects while the 3D objects remain on the respective build platforms; and separating the plurality of 3D objects from the respective build platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Förster-Romswinckel, Robert Gmeiner, Otmar Martl, Oliver Kesel, Bernhard Busetti, Markus Kury, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Shawn Stromenger, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Lance Robert Pickens
  • Patent number: 12600094
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for additive manufacturing of objects are provided. In some embodiments, a device for supporting an object during an additive manufacturing process includes a build platform having a surface, and a plurality of support structures extending above the surface of the build platform. Each support structure can be configured to couple to a portion of an additively manufactured object. The device can also include a plurality of actuators, each actuator being configured to adjust a position of a corresponding support structure relative to the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Cole, Brett E. Kelly, Bastien Pesenti, Masoumeh Pourali, Paul Hassell, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Peter Dorfinger
  • Patent number: 12594147
    Abstract: Provided herein are curable compositions for use in a high temperature lithography-based photopolymerization process, a method of producing crosslinked polymers using said curable compositions, crosslinked polymers thus produced, and orthodontic appliances comprising the crosslinked polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Liska, Christian Gorsche, Gyorgy Harakaly, Markus Kury, Jurgen Stampfl, Peter Dorfinger, Yan Chen, Chunhua Li, Srinivas Kaza
  • Publication number: 20260084379
    Abstract: Methods for additive manufacturing and associated systems are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a 3D digital representation of an object. The method can include generating a plurality of grayscale slices corresponding to a plurality of 2D cross-sections of the 3D digital representation, where each grayscale slice comprises a plurality of grayscale units. The method can also include generating a plurality of discretized slices based on the plurality of grayscale slices, where each discretized slice comprises a plurality of discretized units, and where each discretized unit is generated by applying a discretizing function to a corresponding grayscale unit of a corresponding grayscale slice. The method can further include outputting instructions for fabricating the object via an additive manufacturing process based on the plurality of discretized slices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2025
    Publication date: March 26, 2026
    Inventors: Xirui Peng, Yuxiang Wang, Wolfgang Steiger, Alexander Hochwallner, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Peter Dorfinger, Jun Sato
  • Patent number: 12583194
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing objects are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a digital data set representing an object, and applying energy to a curable material based on the digital data set to form the object. The object can include at least two object portions formed from the curable material using different energy application parameters. The method can further include removing residual curable material from the object. A different amount of the residual curable material can be removed from each of the at least two object portions. After the residual curable material is removed, the at least two object portions can each have different material properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Michael Christopher Cole
  • Patent number: 12576585
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for additive manufacturing of objects are provided. In some embodiments, a system for fabricating an object includes a flexible substrate, a carriage coupled to the flexible substrate, an actuator, at least one recoater supported by the carriage, and an energy source. The flexible substrate can be configured to carry a precursor material. The carriage can vertically displace an active region of the flexible substrate away from a remaining region of the flexible substrate and toward a build platform. The actuator can be configured to move the carriage relative to the flexible substrate. The at least one recoater can be configured to apply the precursor material to the flexible substrate. The energy source can be configured to output energy toward the precursor material at the active region of the flexible substrate to form a portion of an object on the build platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Scott Stromenger, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger
  • Patent number: 12552090
    Abstract: A 3D printer comprises a platform, a dispenser, and a light source. The dispenser comprises a nozzle to extrude photo-curable material onto the platform to form a first layer according to one or more digital files. The first shape of the one or more extruded photo-curable materials corresponds to a first minimum line width that is based on a diameter of the nozzle. The light source is to emit a light beam directed onto the first layer according to the one or more digital files to cure a portion of the first layer. A first cured layer of the one or more photo-curable materials corresponds to a second shape of a first layer of a 3D printed orthodontic aligner specified by the one or more digital files. The second shape has a second minimum line width that is smaller than the first minimum line width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehdi Mojdeh, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Shiva P. Sambu
  • Publication number: 20260027773
    Abstract: A system includes a build platform configured to support an object that is being formed from layers of resin. The system further includes one or more blades configured to provide the layers of resin to form the object on the build platform. At least a first blade of the one or more blades is configured to vibrate to reduce viscosity of the layers of resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2025
    Publication date: January 29, 2026
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Peter Dorfinger, Umesh Upendra Choudhary, Michael Christopher Cole
  • Publication number: 20260015450
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems and processes to control multiple temperatures in additive manufacturing. Such temperature control adjusts polymer properties and facilitates processing of materials to form 3D objects. The systems and processed disclosed herein also facilitate the processing of typically difficult-to-process materials and deliver such materials to a photocuring zone configured to photopolymerize materials into 3 dimensional objects with a layer-by-layer process. Such processes can include the steps of heating a resin to a flowable temperature, applying the resin to a carrier, cooling the film to increase viscosity or to solidify the resin, and applying the film containing the resin onto an area being printed, then photocuring the film. Also provided herein are resins and related polymer materials having properties that are tunable with exposure to more than one temperature zone. The formed polymers can include multiple regions of polymer material, each independently having distinct properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2025
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Christopher COLE, Peter DORFINGER
  • Publication number: 20260008933
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel polymerizable compositions that can produce coating layers on polymeric materials thereby imparting excellent stain resistance. Further provided herein are methods of producing polymerizable coatings, coated devices, and coated polymeric materials. Also provided herein are methods of using polymer coated materials, and coated polymeric materials fabricated via additive manufacturing processes (e.g., via 3D printing), such as orthodontic appliances with increased stain resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2025
    Publication date: January 8, 2026
    Inventors: Michael Christopher Cole, Garrett Frederic Bass, Adam Leung, Peter Dorfinger, Liang Chen, Umesh Upendra Choudhary, Xiance Wang
  • Publication number: 20260001280
    Abstract: Methods and systems for additive manufacturing of objects are provided. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a digital representation of an object to be fabricated via an additive manufacturing process; identifying an internal portion of the object that would be unstable during the additive manufacturing process without an internal support structure, based on the digital representation; modifying the digital representation of the object to remove at least part of the internal portion; and generating instructions for fabricating the object via the additive manufacturing process, based on the modified digital representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Michael Christopher Cole, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Christopher Carner, Simone Rossi, Richal Abhang
  • Publication number: 20260001277
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes coupling a substrate to a frame, where the substrate is carrying an additively manufactured object having excess material thereon. The method can further include rotating the frame to remove at least some of the excess material from the additively manufactured object. The method can further include moving the substrate to a plurality of different tilt angles relative to the frame during the rotation of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2025
    Publication date: January 1, 2026
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Thomas Förster-Romswinckel
  • Publication number: 20250289919
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, systems, devices, and kits for creating composite materials from a single resin, the composite materials having multiple continuous phases. The disclosure includes a process to three-dimensionally print objects (e.g., orthodontic appliances) with composite properties. In some aspects, the composite properties are formed from a single formulation with components that, when processed, have hard and soft continuous phases. In some aspects, the composite properties are formed by separately processing the hard phase components and the soft phase components. In some aspects, the composite materials and devices are three-dimensionally printed using the processed material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Peter Dorfinger, Michael Christopher Cole
  • Publication number: 20250289910
    Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: September 18, 2025
    Inventors: Blaine CARTER, Jennifer CHAVEZ, Lance Robert PICKENS, Michael Christopher COLE, Peter DORFINGER, Yan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20250276378
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for additive manufacturing are provided. In some embodiments, an assembly for supporting 3D objects during an additive manufacturing process is provided. The assembly can include a plurality of build platforms, each build platform configured to support one or more 3D objects during the additive manufacturing process. The assembly can also include a carrier configured to support the plurality of build platforms. The assembly can further include an attachment mechanism configured to releasably couple the plurality of build platforms to the carrier during the additive manufacturing process such that the plurality of build platforms collectively form a build plane having a vertical deviation no greater than 500 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2025
    Publication date: September 4, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas Förster-Romswinckel, Robert Gmeiner, Otmar Martl, Oliver Kesel, Bernhard Busetti, Markus Kury, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Shawn Stromenger, Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Lance Robert Pickens, Mario Pavic, Kažimir Bekavac
  • Publication number: 20250262031
    Abstract: Modular dental devices and methods of forming the same. The dental devices may include a first region having a first joining surface and a second region having a second joining surface. The first joining surface may have one or more protrusions and the second joining surface may include one or more corresponding features configured to mate with the one or more protrusions. The first and second regions may be coupled together at the first and second joining surfaces, where the one or more protrusions of the first joining surface mate with the corresponding features of the second joining surface to align the first region with the second region and to interlock the first and second regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2025
    Publication date: August 21, 2025
    Inventors: Jennifer CHAVEZ, Peter WEBBER, Peter DORFINGER
  • Patent number: 12351660
    Abstract: This disclosure provides low-viscosity resins for producing polymers with properties suitable for use in various mechanical appliances, such as orthodontic appliances (e.g., aligners). The low-viscosity resins may be photo-curable and can be used with direct fabrication methods and equipment. In various embodiments, the polymeric materials produced from the low-viscosity resins described herein have high toughness while remaining resistant to stress relaxation. Low-viscosity, photo-curable resins described herein have reduced hydrogen bonding in comparison to traditional materials (e.g., materials having high urethane content) used in orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine Carter, Jennifer Chavez, Lance Robert Pickens, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Yan Chen
  • Patent number: 12343938
    Abstract: A system includes a build platform configured to support an object that is being formed from layers of resin. The system further includes one or more blades configured to provide the layers of resin to form the object on the build platform. At least a first blade of the one or more blades is configured to vibrate to reduce viscosity of the layers of resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: Align Technology
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Peter Dorfinger, Umesh Upendra Choudhary, Michael Christopher Cole