Patents by Inventor Tim Osswald

Tim Osswald 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).

  • Rotating nozzle structure and method
    Patent number: 11911949
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus involving the extrusion of polymers or other materials. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, a polymer is delivered into an inlet of a nozzle structure having the inlet and an outlet. The polymer is viscously heated and melted by rotating the nozzle structure about an axis extending through the inlet and the outlet, therein facilitating extrusion of the melted polymer through the nozzle structure outlet. A polymer supply may deliver the polymer into the nozzle structure inlet, and a coupler may facilitation rotation of the nozzle structure. A driver may further operate to control rotation of the nozzle structure relative to the coupler, for instance by generating a rotational output that causes rotation of the nozzle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Alec Redmann, Tim Osswald, Allen Jonathan Román
  • ROTATING NOZZLE STRUCTURE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20230032408
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods and apparatus involving the extrusion of polymers or other materials. As may be implemented in accordance with various embodiments, a polymer is delivered into an inlet of a nozzle structure having the inlet and an outlet. The polymer is viscously heated and melted by rotating the nozzle structure about an axis extending through the inlet and the outlet, therein facilitating extrusion of the melted polymer through the nozzle structure outlet. A polymer supply may deliver the polymer into the nozzle structure inlet, and a coupler may facilitation rotation of the nozzle structure. A driver may further operate to control rotation of the nozzle structure relative to the coupler, for instance by generating a rotational output that causes rotation of the nozzle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Alec Redmann, Tim Osswald, Allen Jonathan Román
  • Method and apparatus for micropelletization
    Patent number: 9321207
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for micropelletization of a polymeric material, a melt thread of the polymeric material is formed by an extruder. A flowing gas is directed to the melt thread to form Rayleigh disturbances in the melt thread and break up the melt thread into discrete microdroplets. The discrete microdroplets are then solidified to form micropellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Tim Osswald, Martin Launhardt
  • Method And Apparatus For Micropelletization
    Publication number: 20130234350
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for micropelletization of a polymeric material, a melt thread of the polymeric material is formed by an extruder. A flowing gas is directed to the melt thread to form Rayleigh disturbances in the melt thread and break up the melt thread into discrete microdroplets. The discrete microdroplets are then solidified to form micropellets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Tim Osswald