US5037178A
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Amorphous memory polymer alignment device
Assignee: Kingston Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1990-01-12
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2010-01-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a device and method for precise positioning, or alignment of one or more articles with respect to the device or to each other. The device comprises one or more elements of Unistructural Mass of Inherent Memory Polymer with one or more internal cavities which have inherent shapes with at least one cross-sectional configuration which is congruent to a cross-sectional configuration shape of the said article(s) in the positioned or aligned position(s). The unistructural mass has cross-sectional configurations which are the same or smaller than those corresponding to the positions of the articles. The unistructural mass is deformed such that the articles can be readily inserted into the corresponding cavities. In one embodiment, a single unistructural mass has a single cavity for precision positioning of the article. In another embodiment, the mass has at least two cavities for article alignment. In another embodiment, a plurality of unistructural masses are aligned or connected and each contains at least one such cavity. Once the articles are inserted into their corresponding cavities, the inherent memory polymer is returned to its inherent shape by non-mechanical stimulus to force the articles into precisely defined position.
Inventors
- 👤 Vladimir A. Stoy
- 👤 Francis T. Delahanty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:38
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/003; B29C61/06; G; G01; G01B; G01B5/00; G01B5/24; G01B5/25; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3833; G02B6/3865; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/049; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for precise positioning of one or more articles with respect to said device, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having at least one open cavity formed into the inside of said mass, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined, inherent shape and position within said mass, said inherent shape of said open cavity having at least one cross-sectional configuration of the article to be precisely positioned, said cavity cross-sectional configuration being of equal or smaller size than said cross-sectional configuration of said article to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of said article; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed and enlarged shape of said mass wherein said cross-sectional configuration of said open cavity is larger than said cross-sectional configuration of said article so as to loosely and freely receive at least a portion of said article; said mass being in said second shape and being capable of being returned to said first shape for precise positioning of said article by application of non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
190 words
A device for precise positioning of one or more articles with respect to said device, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having at least one open cavity formed into the inside of said mass, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined, inherent shape and position within said mass, said inherent shape of said open cavity having at least one cross-sectional configuration of the article to be precisely positioned, said cavity cross-sectional configuration being of equal or smaller size than said cross-sectional configuration of said article to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of said article; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed and enlarged shape of said mass wherein said cross-sectional configuration of said open cavity is larger than said cross-sectional configuration of said article so as to loosely and freely receive at least a portion of said article; said mass being in said second shape and being capable of being returned to said first shape for precise positioning of said article by application of non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material has been initially formed in said first shape, then swollen, then partially shrunk to said second shape for subsequent return to said first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus thereto.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the said unistructural mass is crosslinked amorphous organic polymer with a glass transition temperature higher than 25 degrees C. but lower than 200 degrees C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature between 50 degrees C. and 150 degrees C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer consists of at least one monomer selected from derivatives of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 5 wherein the said derivatives is ester of methacrylic acid and alcohol with one to ten carbon atoms.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
226 words
A device for precision alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having three dimensions and having at least two cavity-containing ends which include a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends formed into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends formed into the inside of said mass to and in a predetermined alignment with said first-cavity, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of articles to be aligned with one another; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed and enlarged shape of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have an enlarged predetermined cross-sectional configuration greater than the cross-sectional configurations of the portions of the articles to be held so as to loosely and freely receive said portions of said articles; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material being in said second shape and being capable of being returned to said first shape for precision alignment of said two or more articles by application of a non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
226 words
A device for precision alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having three dimensions and having at least two cavity-containing ends which include a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends formed into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends formed into the inside of said mass to and in a predetermined alignment with said first-cavity, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (a) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of articles to be aligned with one another; and, (b) said second shape being a deformed and enlarged shape of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have an enlarged predetermined cross-sectional configuration greater than the cross-sectional configurations of the portions of the articles to be held so as to loosely and freely receive said portions of said articles; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material being in said second shape and being capable of being returned to said first shape for precision alignment of said two or more articles by application of a non-mechanical stimulus to said mass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material has been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape), then swollen, then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape) for subsequent return to said first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said swelling is by solvent swelling.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 7 wherein a plurality of cavity-containing ends in excess of two cavities are included, and each contains at least one cavity for receiving at least a portion of an article to be aligned, for precision alignment of more than two articles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said first cavity and said second cavity are formed for alignment and subsequent connection of two or more articles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said cavities are formed such that the articles are not in direct contact with one another when held by said device upon return to said first shape.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 7 wherein the said unistructural mass is crosslinked amorphous organic polymer with a glass transition temperature higher than 25 degrees C. but lower than 200 degrees C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature between 50 degrees C. and 150 degrees C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 13 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer consists of at least one monomer selected from derivatives of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 15 wherein the said derivatives is ester of methacrylic acid and alcohol with one to ten carbon atoms.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said first cavity and said second cavity contain central axes which are in linear alignment with one another.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 17 wherein said unistructural mass is trapezoidal and the largest of its rectangular faces is about parallel to the central axes of said cavities.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said first cavity and said second cavity contain central axes which are not linearly aligned with one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said central axes are parallel to one another.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 19 wherein said central axes are not parallel to one another.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said unistructural mass has a shape which is asymmetrical.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of preparing a device for precision alignment of two or more articles which comprises: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture of inherent shape memory polymer so as to create a unistructural mass having three dimensions and having at least two cavity containing ends which include at least a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass to and in a predetermined alignment with said first cavity, each of said cavities having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration equal to or less than the cross-sectional configuration of at least a portion of articles to be aligned; (b) swelling the inherent shape memory polymer to an enlarged size such that each of said cavities has an enlarged cross-sectional configuration which is greater than the cross-sectional configuration of a portion of said articles to be aligned; (c) partially shrinking the swollen inherent shape memory polymer by solvent removal to a deformed shape such that each of said cavities has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration which is less than the fully swollen cross-sectional configuration but nonetheless greater than the cross-sectional configuration of the portions of said articles to be aligned.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of preparing a device for precision alignment of two or more articles which comprises: (a) polymerizing a monomer mixture of inherent shape memory polymer so as to create a unistructural mass having three dimensions and having at least two cavity containing ends which include at least a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass to and in a predetermined alignment with said first cavity, each of said cavities having a predetermined cross-sectional configuration equal to or less than the cross-sectional configuration of at least a portion of articles to be aligned; (b) swelling the inherent shape memory polymer to an enlarged size such that each of said cavities has an enlarged cross-sectional configuration which is greater than the cross-sectional configuration of a portion of said articles to be aligned; (c) partially shrinking the swollen inherent shape memory polymer by solvent removal to a deformed shape such that each of said cavities has a predetermined cross-sectional configuration which is less than the fully swollen cross-sectional configuration but nonetheless greater than the cross-sectional configuration of the portions of said articles to be aligned.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said polymerizing is carried out to create said unistructural mass by being reacted about portions of one or more select articles to be aligned or duplicates thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said swelling is performed by soaking in one or more thermodynamically good solvents.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 25.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 24 wherein, after said swelling, at least one slightly enlarged duplicate of a portion of an article to be aligned is inserted into said cavities and then said shrinking is performed while said slightly enlarged duplicate is inserted, and further wherein said slightly enlarged duplicate is removed after said shrinking.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 27.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 24.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 23 wherein swelling is performed by soaking in one or more thermodynamically good solvents.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 30 wherein, after said swelling, at least one slightly enlarged duplicate of a portion of an article to be aligned is inserted into said cavities and then said shrinking is performed while slightly enlarged duplicate is inserted, and further wherein said slightly enlarged duplicate is removed after said shrinking.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 31.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 30.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 23 wherein, after said swelling, at least one slightly enlarged duplicate of a portion of an article to be aligned is inserted into said cavities and then said shrinking is performed while said slightly enlarged duplicate is inserted, and further wherein said slightly enlarged duplicate is removed after said shrinking.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 34.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said monomer mixture is selected from derivatives of acrylic acid and methacrylic acids.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 36.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said derivatives are esters of alcohols.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 38.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said alcohols have 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 40.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said monomer mixture includes methylmethacrylate and butylmethacrylate.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 42.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 23.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
269 words
A method of precise alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: (a) inserting portions of at least two articles to be aligned into an alignment device having a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having three dimensions and having at least two cavity-containing ends which include a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass to and in predetermined alignment with said first cavity, said mass having a first shape which is unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold portions of articles to be aligned in precise alignment with one another; and, said mass having a second shape which deformed shape is caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a swollen predetermined cross-sectional configuration than that of the portions of articles to be aligned so as to loosely and freely receive said portions of said articles to be aligned; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape) prior to the insertion of said portions of said articles to be aligned; and, (b) after said insertion, applying a non-mechanical stimulus to said unistructural mass so as to return it to its inherent shape to align and hold said portions of said articles.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
269 words
A method of precise alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: (a) inserting portions of at least two articles to be aligned into an alignment device having a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having three dimensions and having at least two cavity-containing ends which include a first cavity at one of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass, and a second cavity at another of said cavity-containing ends into the inside of said mass to and in predetermined alignment with said first cavity, said mass having a first shape which is unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold portions of articles to be aligned in precise alignment with one another; and, said mass having a second shape which deformed shape is caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity and said second cavity each have a swollen predetermined cross-sectional configuration than that of the portions of articles to be aligned so as to loosely and freely receive said portions of said articles to be aligned; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape) prior to the insertion of said portions of said articles to be aligned; and, (b) after said insertion, applying a non-mechanical stimulus to said unistructural mass so as to return it to its inherent shape to align and hold said portions of said articles.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 45 wherein said non-mechanical stimulus is heat.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: (a) a plurality of unistructural masses of inherent shape memory polymer material, each such unistructural mass having at least one cavity-containing end which includes a first cavity into the inside of said mass positioned for predetermined alignment, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (i) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity has a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of an article to be aligned; and, (ii) said second shape being a deformed shape caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity has a swollen predetermined cross-sectional configuration greater than the cross-sectional configuration of a portion of an article to be held so as to loosely and freely receive said portion of said article; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape), and capable of being returned to said first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus thereto; and, (b) means for aligning said plurality of unistructural masses to one another.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
208 words
A device for alignment of two or more articles, which comprises: (a) a plurality of unistructural masses of inherent shape memory polymer material, each such unistructural mass having at least one cavity-containing end which includes a first cavity into the inside of said mass positioned for predetermined alignment, said mass having a first shape and a second shape: (i) said first shape being a unique, recoverable, predetermined inherent shape wherein said first cavity has a preset cross-sectional configuration to accommodate and tightly hold at least a portion of an article to be aligned; and, (ii) said second shape being a deformed shape caused by solvent swelling of said inherent memory polymer material wherein said first cavity has a swollen predetermined cross-sectional configuration greater than the cross-sectional configuration of a portion of an article to be held so as to loosely and freely receive said portion of said article; said mass of inherent shape memory polymer material having been initially formed in said first shape (inherent shape) and having been swollen then partially shrunk to said second shape (deformed shape), and capable of being returned to said first shape by application of a non-mechanical stimulus thereto; and, (b) means for aligning said plurality of unistructural masses to one another.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 47 wherein said means for aligning said plurality of unistructural masses to one another is an independent means for holding the masses as desired.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 48 wherein said means for aligning said plurality of unistructural masses to one another is a means which is designed into and built into one or more of said unistructural masses.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 48 wherein the said unistructural masses are crosslinked amorphous organic polymer with a glass transition temperature higher than 25 degrees C. but lower than 200 degrees C.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature between 50 degrees C. and 150 degrees C.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 50 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer consists of at least one monomer selected from derivatives of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 52 wherein the said derivative is ester of methacrylic acid and alcohol with one to ten carbon atoms.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |