US5066091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Amorphous memory polymer alignment device with access means
Assignee: Hymedix International Inc
•
Filing: 1990-03-12
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a device and method for precise positioning, or alignment of two or more articles with respect to each other. The device comprises a Unistructural Mass of Inherent Memory Polymer with two 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 cavities have cross-sectional configurations which are the same or smaller than those corresponding to the positions of the articles. The unistructural mass also includes at least one separate access cavity. It is deformed such that the articles can be readily inserted into the corresponding cavities. 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 and inspectional or operational access to the article(s) at or near the alignment portions is available through the separate access hole.
Inventors
- 👤 George P. Stoy
- 👤 Francis T. Delahanty
- 👤 Vladimir A. Stoy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3801; G02B6/3803; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/003; B29C61/06; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/04; B29C35/049; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1328
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A device for precision alignment of two or more articles with the device permitting access to said articles, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory 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 and at least one separate access cavity formed into said mass and intersecting with at least one of said first or second 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 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 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 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A device for precision alignment of two or more articles with the device permitting access to said articles, which comprises: a unistructural mass of inherent shape memory 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 and at least one separate access cavity formed into said mass and intersecting with at least one of said first or second 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 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 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 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said inherent shape memory material is a memory metal material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said inherent shape memory material is a memory polymer material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 3 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 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said swelling is by solvent swelling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 3 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 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer has a glass transition temperature between 50 degrees C. and 150 degrees C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the said amorphous crosslinked polymer consists of at least one monomer selected from derivatives of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and styrene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the said derivatives is ester of methacrylic acid and alcohol with one to ten carbon atoms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity at right angles.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said separate access cavity intersects at least one of said first and said second cavities at a right angle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said device contains at least one aligning pin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 1 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 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 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 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first cavity and said second cavity contain central axes which are in linear alignment with one another.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 16 wherein said separate access cavity intersects at least one of said first and said second cavities at a right angle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 18 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity at right angles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first cavity and said second cavity contain central axes which are not linearly aligned with one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said separate access cavity intersects at least one of said first and second cavities at a right angle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 21 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity at right angles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 20 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said unistructural mass has a shape which is asymmetrical.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said unistructural mass is trapezoidal and the largest of its rectangular faces is about parallel to the central axes of said cavities.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of preparing a device for precise positioning of one or more solid articles which comprises: (a) forming a substantially amorphous covalently crosslinked polymer mass around a solid mandrel which has at least one cross-sectional configuration congruent to at least one cross-sectional configuration of said articles so as to create a cavity therethrough and removing the mandrel therefrom; (b) forming a separate access cavity into said mass so as to intersect said cavity; (c) deforming the said mass so that the cavity formed around the said mandrel has said cross-sectional configuration enlarged as to freely and loosely accept at least a portion of said article; (d) solidifying (vitrifying) the said polymer mass in a shape corresponding to the said enlarged cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of preparing a device for precise positioning of one or more solid articles which comprises: (a) forming a substantially amorphous covalently crosslinked polymer mass around a solid mandrel which has at least one cross-sectional configuration congruent to at least one cross-sectional configuration of said articles so as to create a cavity therethrough and removing the mandrel therefrom; (b) forming a separate access cavity into said mass so as to intersect said cavity; (c) deforming the said mass so that the cavity formed around the said mandrel has said cross-sectional configuration enlarged as to freely and loosely accept at least a portion of said article; (d) solidifying (vitrifying) the said polymer mass in a shape corresponding to the said enlarged cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said formation of crosslinked amorphous mass is accomplished by polymerization of mixture of bi-functional monomers or reactive polymer precursors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 wherein crosslinking is accomplished in the presence of liquid plastifying the said polymer mass.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said formation is accomplished by crosslinking of a linear polymer precursor.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 29 wherein crosslinking is accomplished in the presence of liquid plastifying the said polymer mass.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said deformation of the said polymer mass is accomplished by pressure at temperature higher than softening temperature of said polymer mass.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said deformation is accomplished in the presence of such concentration of a thermodynamically good solvent in the said polymer that the said polymer mass has a softening temperature which is depressed below ambient temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said solvent concentration is equilibrium concentration in said polymer at a temperature of the said deformation.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said pressure is swelling pressure of thermodynamically good solvent of said polymer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said solidification (vitrification) is achieved by polymerization of reactive plasticizer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said solidification (vitrification) of the said polymer mass is under stress so as to maintain said deformed cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said solidification (vitrification) is achieved by removal of plasticizing solvent.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said stress is achieved by inserting a mandrel with at least one cross-sectional configuration which is larger than the cross-sectional configuration of said article into the said cavity prior to the removal of solvent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said separate access cavity intersects both of said first cavity and said second cavity at right angles.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 26 wherein said separate access cavity intersects at least one of said first and said second cavities at a right angle.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
232 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) forming a separate access cavity into said mass by any available technique so as to intersect at least one of said first and second cavities; (c) 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; (d) 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-section configuration of the portions of said articles to be aligned.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
232 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) forming a separate access cavity into said mass by any available technique so as to intersect at least one of said first and second cavities; (c) 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; (d) 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-section configuration of the portions of said articles to be aligned.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 42 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 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 43 wherein said swelling is performed by soaking in one or more thermodynamically good solvents.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 44.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 43 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 50
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 46.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 43.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 42 wherein swelling is performed by soaking in one or more thermodynamically good solvents.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 49 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 54
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 50.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 49.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 42 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 57
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 53.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said monomer mixture is selected from derivatives of acrylic acid and methacrylic acids.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 55.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 55 wherein said derivatives are esters of alcohols.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 57.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 57 wherein said alcohols have 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 59.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said monomer mixture includes methylmethacrylate and butylmethacrylate.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 61.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product resulting from the method of claim 42.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-11-18 | 1995-05-20 | 1995-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-18 | 1999-05-20 | 1999-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-18 | 2003-05-20 | 2003-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |