Patents by Inventor Robert Pickens

Robert Pickens 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: 11945166
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects on a rotor, the plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects via the rotor. The method can further include applying energy to the plurality of additively manufactured objects to cure a portion of each additively manufactured object while the plurality of additively manufactured objects are on the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20240091906
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing additively manufactured objects are described herein. In some embodiments, for example, a system includes a controller configured to provide one or more control signals; a heater coupled to the controller, where the heater comprises one or more heating elements arranged to heat a blasting medium in response to the one or more control signals; a chamber coupled to the controller, where the chamber comprises an agitatable drum shaped to receive a plurality of additively manufactured objects, and to agitate the plurality of additively manufactured objects in response to the one or more control signals; and an applicator coupled to the controller, where the applicator comprises a nozzle operative to direct, in response to the one or more control signals, a plurality of thermally conductive particles in the blasting medium toward the plurality of additively manufactured objects within the agitatable drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Paramjot Singh, Lance Robert Pickens, Chunhua Li
  • Patent number: 11851510
    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: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Blaine Carter, Jennifer Chavez, Lance Robert Pickens, Michael Christopher Cole, Peter Dorfinger, Yan Chen
  • Publication number: 20230191702
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects on a rotor, the plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects via the rotor. The method can further include applying energy to the plurality of additively manufactured objects to cure a portion of each additively manufactured object while the plurality of additively manufactured objects are on the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230158716
    Abstract: Implementations describe systems and methods for manufacturing and performing quality assessment of dental appliances. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a dental appliance comprises receiving, at a holder, a feature of the dental appliance, the feature comprising a first surface having a first shape, wherein the holder holds the feature of the dental appliance at a reference position. The method further includes automatically placing an object against the feature at the reference position using a robot arm, wherein the object comprises a second surface having a second shape that mates with the first shape. The method further includes applying pressure to press the object against the feature of the dental appliance and bonding the object to the feature of the dental appliance while applying the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: James Nishimuta, Enrique Soltero Borrego, Enrique Jonathan Guzman Olivas, Jun Sato, Kevin Daniel Rodriguez Trujillo, Jose Kiyotaka Blanco Romo, Erick Enriquez de Anda, Lance Robert Pickens, Wesly Wong, Gabriela Perez Vallejo, Carlos Alberto Garcia Carmona, Omar Barraza Alvarez, Miguel Angel Hurtado Soltero
  • Publication number: 20230137027
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include receiving sensor data indicative of a cleaning status of the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can further include adjusting, based on the sensor data, an operational parameter that enhances removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230134234
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving a plurality of additively manufactured objects having excess material thereon. The method can include removing the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects by rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The method can also include adjusting an environmental temperature while rotating the plurality of additively manufactured objects according to a dynamic temperature profile that facilitates removal of the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The dynamic temperature profile can include (a) a first temperature configured to decrease a viscosity of the excess material, and (b) a second temperature configured to increase a stiffness of the plurality of additively manufactured objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20230133005
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for post-processing additively manufactured objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system includes a plurality of containers configured to receive a plurality of additively manufactured object having excess material thereon. The system can include a rotor having a central shaft and a plurality of arms, each arm having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of each arm can be coupled to the central shaft and a second end of each arm can be coupled to a respective container of the plurality of containers. The system can also include an actuator configured to spin the rotor so as to remove the excess material from the plurality of additively manufactured objects. The system can further include at least one heat source carried on the rotor to heat the excess material to decrease a viscosity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Viswanath Meenakshisundaram, Srinivas Kaza, Chunhua Li, Lance Robert Pickens, Shawn Stromenger, Jun Sato, Siobhan O'Leary, Peter Webber, Brett E. Kelly, Jennifer Chavez
  • Publication number: 20210277152
    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: March 2, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Blaine CARTER, Jennifer CHAVEZ, Lance Robert PICKENS, Michael Christopher COLE, Peter DORFINGER, Yan CHEN
  • Publication number: 20160258053
    Abstract: The current invention teaches a process to add transition metals to a substrate with careful, spacial control to build up regions selectively, and a machine to enable this process to be performed. The process is amenable to doping with other gases to provide dispersion strengthening and/or to form metal matrix composites. In addition, the process is capable of forming laminar or topologically layered materials. In the present invention, a heated nozzle with a variable orifice projects carbonyl gas or gases at the appropriate temperature to precise locations on a surface. The coordinates on the substrate over which the nozzle is located can be computer controlled. Furthermore, the orifice of the nozzle and the flow rate are controlled to widen or narrow the area of deposition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Robert Pickens
  • Publication number: 20160092041
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system configured to facilitate material selection for a physical three dimensional object to be manufactured by additive manufacturing. In some implementations, the system may comprise one or more of a processor, a user interface, external resources, electronic storage, and/or other components. The system may be configured such that users may upload an electronic three-dimensional representation of the object that is to be manufactured, receive specified material properties for the (eventually) manufactured object from the user, present the user with a virtual model of the object, facilitate interaction with the virtual model of the object to simulate real world use of the object, and determine one or more materials for use during manufacturing of the physical object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventor: Lance Robert Pickens
  • Publication number: 20160008780
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system configured to determine an amount of color dye and/or pigment to add to a photopolymer mixture to produce an object of desired color after additive manufacturing. The system may comprise one or more of an additive manufacturing device, a color dispensing device, a physical computer processor, a user interface, electronic storage, external resources, and/or other components. The system is configured such that the color of a final object after additive manufacturing is controlled based on the light absorbance characteristics of the photopolymer, and/or other characteristics. Because of this, the final color of the object formed via additive manufacturing closely matches a target color specified by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Lance Robert Pickens, Brian Martinez
  • Patent number: 9162279
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for fabricating a mold positive via additive manufacturing to form a casting mold. The mold positive material may have a first portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a first temperature and a second portion that undergoes a solid to gas phase transformation at a second temperature. The first portion may be formed within the second portion, and the first temperature may be low relative to the second temperature. The first portion of the mold positive may thermally decompose at a lower temperature than the second portion, which may create voids within the mold positive so that during the higher temperature combustion of the second portion of the material, the second portion may expand into the newly empty spaces instead of into a ceramic casting mold. This may greatly reduce stress on the casting mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: MADESOLID, INC.
    Inventor: Lance Robert Pickens
  • Patent number: 8015310
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes requesting accelerated delivery of a specified media stream. The media stream contains a plurality of video frames. The method also includes receiving a response to the accelerated delivery request. The method also includes selecting, based on the response, a media stream source. The method also includes receiving a media stream from the selected media stream source into a buffer, and decoding the received media stream from the buffer, at a selected playout rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua B. Gahm, Kapil Sharma, Carol Etta Iturralde, John Robert Pickens, William C. Ver Steeg
  • Patent number: 7886073
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes requesting accelerated delivery of a specified media stream. The media stream contains a plurality of video frames. The method also includes receiving a response to the accelerated delivery request and selecting, based on the response, a source media stream. The method also includes receiving the source media stream into a buffer and decoding the received media stream from the buffer, at a selected playout rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua B. Gahm, Kapil Sharma, Carol Etta Iturralde, John Robert Pickens, William C. Ver Steeg
  • Publication number: 20100036962
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes requesting accelerated delivery of a specified media stream. The media stream contains a plurality of video frames. The method also includes receiving a response to the accelerated delivery request and selecting, based on the response, a source media stream. The method also includes receiving the source media stream into a buffer and decoding the received media stream from the buffer, at a selected playout rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Joshua B. Gahm, Kapil Sharma, Carol Etta Iturralde, John Robert Pickens, William C. Ver Steeg
  • Publication number: 20100036963
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes requesting accelerated delivery of a specified media stream. The media stream contains a plurality of video frames. The method also includes receiving a response to the accelerated delivery request. The method also includes selecting, based on the response, a media stream source. The method also includes receiving a media stream from the selected media stream source into a buffer, and decoding the received media stream from the buffer, at a selected playout rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Joshua B. Gahm, Kapil Sharma, Carol Etta Iturralde, John Robert Pickens, William C. Ver Steeg
  • Publication number: 20090304476
    Abstract: A load-restraining barrier net for use in a motor vehicle capable of securing cargo within the trunk area of a vehicle in accordance with established safety requirements. The barrier net includes a body primarily made up of diamond/square or hexagon shaped netting, frame strap webbings around the perimeter of the net, and at least two horizontal and at least two vertical central strap webbings across the center of the net. The net is securely affixed on one side through a first set of attachments including oval rings bolted to the vehicle. These attachments prevent the cargo from slipping below the net to an unsecured position. Further, corner oval rings act as the joint attachment for the vertical and horizontal frame strap webbings, allowing the barrier net to withstand angular momentum from inertial forces. A second, releasable, set of attachments including hooks and/or D-ring connections that attach to D-rings and/or fasteners pre-installed in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Pickens, Omar Jose Ruiz, Martin Parsons, Carlos Medina
  • Patent number: 6722542
    Abstract: A side entry storage net useful for securing items in a storage area comprises an upper and lower front panel, a back panel, and two sides formed from a piece of netting folded at upper and lower folds. Edges of the folds are spaced apart to form an opening to allow items to be placed inside the net from the side. The storage net further includes a plurality of elastic cords that allow the storage net to be opened and to hold stored items in place without shifting. The storage net also includes means for attaching the net to a desired external surface, such as a storage area in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: McMurray Fabrics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. McMurray, Robert Pickens
  • Publication number: 20020043543
    Abstract: A side entry storage net useful for securing items in a storage area comprises an upper and lower front panel, a back panel, and two sides formed from a piece of netting folded at upper and lower folds. Edges of the folds are spaced apart to form an opening to allow items to be placed inside the net from the side. The storage net further includes a plurality of elastic cords that allow the storage net to be opened and to hold stored items in place without shifting. The storage net also includes means for attaching the net to a desired external surface, such as a storage area in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Brian McMurray, Robert Pickens