Patents by Inventor Spencer Jacob Null

Spencer Jacob Null 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: 11920263
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Patent number: 11766835
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20230143501
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Patent number: 11555263
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20220064828
    Abstract: A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Shokoofeh Ghasemi, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Margaret Kathryn Firman, Spencer Jacob Null, Steven John Zika
  • Publication number: 20220064823
    Abstract: A hybrid material may be configured as a hybrid fabric. An illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a differential in moisture spreading speed one a first face of the hybrid fabric compared to that of a second face. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two yarns engaged with one another and exhibit a moisture absorbency of ten seconds or less and a planar wicking rate of at least 2.5 mm/min. Another illustrative embodiment of a hybrid fabric may be constructed of two welded yarns produced via welding processes differently configured such that the resulting welded yarns have one or more differing properties. Illustrative embodiments of such hybrid fabrics include but are not limited to pique and jersey and pique fabrics constructed of cotton.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Shokoofeh Ghasemi, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Margaret Kathryn Firman, Spencer Jacob Null, Steven John Zika
  • Publication number: 20210372011
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20210301459
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Patent number: 11085133
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Patent number: 10982381
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20200173063
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate comprised of short staple fibers into a welded substrate having significantly increased strength as compared to the raw substrate. When applied to a one-dimensional substrate, such as a yarn, the welding process may also reduce the diameter of the welded substrate compared to that of the raw substrate. Additionally, the welding process may be configured to impart superior color properties to the welded substrate compared to the color properties of the raw substrate, which superior color properties may be very pronounced when performing a welding process on a raw substrate comprised of colored and/or dyed recycled fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20190358913
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20190055675
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20180291536
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate comprised of short staple fibers into a welded substrate having significantly increased strength as compared to the raw substrate. When applied to a one-dimensional substrate, such as a yarn, the welding process may also reduce the diameter of the welded substrate compared to that of the raw substrate. Additionally, the welding process may be configured to impart superior color properties to the welded substrate compared to the color properties of the raw substrate, which superior color properties may be very pronounced when performing a welding process on a raw substrate comprised of colored and/or dyed recycled fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Patent number: 10011931
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Natural Fiber Welding, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20170350050
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20170233914
    Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null
  • Publication number: 20170190850
    Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Luke Michael Haverhals, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Jonglak Choi, Xiling Tang, Michael Molter, Spencer Jacob Null