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The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Patent No.:

US 12528389 B1

PDFFull Text
Date of Patent:
Jan. 20, 2026

Filed:

Apr. 15, 2022

System and method of in-place functionalization of 3d regions and arrays thereof, in vlap cushions, as integrated vlap pressure sensing cushions

Applicant:

Piana Nonwovens, Llc, Cartersville, GA (US);

Inventors:

Andrea Piana, Cartersville, GA (US);

Michael Stephen Defranks, Cartersville, GA (US);

Nicola Coppede, Parma, IT;

Andrea Zappettini, Reggio Emilia, IT;

Manuele Bettelli, Reggio Emilia, IT;

Marco Villani, Parma, IT;

Assignees:

Piana Nonwovens, LLC, Cartersville, GA (US);

Consiglio Nazionale Delle Richerche, Rome, IT;

Attorney:

WCF IP

Primary Examiner:

Freddie Kirkland, III

Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B60N 2/00 (2006.01); B60N 2/70 (2006.01); A47C 31/10 (2006.01); A47C 31/12 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B60N 2/0025 (2023.08); B60N 2/0033 (2023.08); B60N 2/7017 (2013.01); A47C 31/10 (2013.01); A47C 31/123 (2013.01); B60N 2210/40 (2023.08);
Abstract

Methods include functionalizing, into a compressible pressure varying electrical conductance device, a portion of a compressible nonwoven material (CNM) cushion. A process includes forming within a three-dimensional (3D) target region of the CNM cushion a columnar distribution of non-solidified conductive polymer, and converting the columnar distribution of non-solidified conductive polymer into a columnar compressible pressure varying electrical conductance structure. The columnar distribution of non-solidified conductive polymer extends along a column axis. Forming the columnar distribution includes injecting into at least a portion of the 3D target region a liquid carrying conductive polymer in suspension. The columnar compressible pressure varying electrical conductance structure includes mutually separated masses of solidified conductive polymer respectively supported by mutually separated flexible fibers of the compressible nonwoven material. Optionally, forming the columnar distribution of non-solidified conductive polymer includes a first injection followed by partial drying, and a second injection.

Find Patent Forward Citations

Piana, Andrea. (2026). System and method of in-place functionalization of 3d regions and arrays thereof, in vlap cushions, as integrated vlap pressure sensing cushions (U.S. Patent No. 12528389). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://idiyas.com/patent/badge/12528389

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