Patents by Inventor Brian L. Butler

Brian L. Butler 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).

  • Publication number: 20090076705
    Abstract: An engine capitalizes on the advantages of alternative fuels such as ethanol, E-85, and other alcohols, with a small displacement engine, two cylinders or more, and at least a divided fuel tank or alternatively two tanks. An electronic engine control module selects the fuel for operating conditions and delivers the fuel through separate injection systems. The module selects unleaded gasoline for starting, light load and light cruising conditions. Upon greater demands for engine power, the module adds or switches entirely to a secondary fuel such as alcohol, ethanol, E-85 or other ethanol/gasoline blends and reduces or eliminates the introduction of gasoline fuel. The secondary fuel provides more power than unleaded gasoline, thus reducing the engine displacement required for operating a vehicle under a variety of loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Robert L. Colesworthy, Brian L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7494605
    Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dayrit, Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7318524
    Abstract: A package includes a non-thermoformed thermoplastic pouch including a first and second panel; and an optical data storage medium disposed in the pouch; wherein the pouch comprises an oxygen barrier material, and an oxygen scavenger. Two methods of making a package include (1) providing a web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the thermoplastic web, the pouch comprising a first and second panel; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein the web includes an oxygen barrier material and an oxygen scavenger; or (2) providing a first and second web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the webs; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein at least one of the webs includes an oxygen barrier material, and at least one of the webs includes an oxygen scavenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen F. Compton, Drew V. Speer, Brian L. Butler, Janet W. Rivett, Scott W. Beckwith, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Ronald L. Cotterman
  • Patent number: 7238300
    Abstract: A method comprises subjecting ant oxygen scavenger to actinic radiation; and then optionally storing the oxygen scavenger in a container, the container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The dosed oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, if stored therein, subjected to a second dose of actinic radiation to trigger the oxygen scavenger, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, untriggered, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Inventors: James A. Solis, Richard Dayrit, Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 7219362
    Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Janet W. Rivett, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 6942821
    Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Dayrit, Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040129554
    Abstract: A method comprises subjecting ant oxygen scavenger to actinic radiation; and then optionally storing the oxygen scavenger in a container, the container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The dosed oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, if stored therein, subjected to a second dose of actinic radiation to trigger the oxygen scavenger, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, untriggered, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Solis, Richard Dayrit, Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040081584
    Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Dayrit, Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20040008613
    Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Scott W. Beckwith, Brian L. Butler, Ronald L. Cotterman, Frank B. Edwards, Thomas D. Kennedy, Janet W. Rivett, Drew V. Speer