Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Brown

Christopher J. Brown 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: 20070238906
    Abstract: A process for producing dry alcohol includes at least one stage wherein a gaseous feedstock, which includes alcohol and water, is contacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a water-gas shift catalyst, at a temperature sufficiently high so that carbon monoxide and water are consumed and carbon dioxide and hydrogen are produced, thereby removing a portion of the water. The process may include multiple stages; the dry alcohol produced contains 99.5 wt. % or greater of alcohol and 0.5 wt. % or less of water. A preferred alcohol is ethanol; dry ethanol can be combined with gasoline to afford a gasohol. The water-gas shift reaction is exothermic. The heat generated may be used to increase the energy efficiency of the process. In one embodiment, the heat is used to generate high-pressure steam. The high-pressure steam may be used, for example, to convert feedstock to gaseous feedstock or in the operation of a production plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Christopher J. Brown, Marian Simo, Vladimir Hlavacek
  • Patent number: 6948540
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an envelope sealing apparatus, preferably for use in an inserter (210), for sealing a stuffed envelope having a moisture activated adhesive on its flap. Includes a moistener (30) for wetting the moisture-activated adhesive, a sealer (252) for applying the envelope flap to the stuffed envelope body to seal the same and a control system for arresting the moistened envelope for an adjustable dwell time before the sealing operation. The dwell time is adjusted according to the number of inserts/documents in the envelope or according to the thickness of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Graham J. Brignell, Christopher J. Brown, Geoffrey A. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20040035528
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an envelope sealing apparatus, preferably for use in an inserter (210), for sealing a stuffed envelope having a moisture activated adhesive on its flap. Includes a moistener (30) for wetting the moisture-activated adhesive, a sealer (252) for applying the envelope flap to the stuffed envelope body to seal the same and a control system for arresting the moistened envelope for an adjustable dwell time before the sealing operation. The dwell time is adjusted according to the number of inserts/documents in the envelope or according to the thickness of the contents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Graham J. Brignell, Christopher J. Brown, Geoffrey A. Farmer
  • Patent number: 6605666
    Abstract: A polyurethane dispersion and method of making are provided. The dispersion is stable in an alcohol-water mixture. The dispersion is a reaction product of: (i) at least one oligomeric polyactive hydrogen compound, wherein said compound is an alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl structure optionally substituted in and/or on the chain by N, O, S and combinations thereof, and wherein the compound is insoluble in 50:50 weight percent of said alcohol-water mixture; (ii) at least one polyisocyanate, and (iii) at least one polyactive hydrogen compound soluble in the alcohol-water mixture selected from the group consisting of a compound containing an ionic group, a compound containing a moiety capable of forming an ionic group, a compound containing a polyester, polyether, or polycarbonate group having a ratio of 5 or less carbon atoms for each oxygen atom, and mixtures thereof; and (b) at least one polyfunctional chain extender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Steven S. Kantner, Kristen L. Comstock, Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 5875239
    Abstract: A system for screening telephone calls that include a caller identification information signals has a caller identification processor connected to a telephone line for generating caller identification information signals to a computer that retrieves an image associated with the caller from a database and displays the image on a television. A time delay also can be stored in the database to delay the display of the image by a predetermined amount. A user can change both the image and the time delay. The image can be alphanumeric and/or pictorial and can include audio information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Karen L. Koralewski, Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 5259670
    Abstract: In a mixer comprising a body defining a mixing chamber in which two rotors are rotatably mounted, a processability sensing system is disposed in a port in the body. The system is operative to monitor the flow and deformation characteristics of the material being mixed. It is connected to a feedback control loop which leads to a computerised control operative to control mixing characteristics. This enables mixing to be closely controlled to provide a better product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Francis Shaw & Company
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 4444652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for upgrading low grade gasoline made from synthesis gas, especially the gasoline made from coal-based processes. The process comprises contacting in the vapour phase the low-grade gasoline either alone or admixed with a C.sub.3 /C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed with a gallium/aluminosilicate catalyst.The product gasoline so formed has an octane rating RON (clear) above 100 and a bromine number below 2. The process enables synthesis gas and coal to be used as a source of high grade gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: The British Petroleum Company Limited
    Inventors: Christopher J. Brown, Antony H. P. Hall