Patents by Inventor Richard M. Collins

Richard M. Collins 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).

  • Patent number: 9315302
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: D&W Fine Pack LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Stone, Gregory Jimenez, Richard M. Collins
  • Publication number: 20140209609
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Stone, Gregory Jimenez, Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 8684212
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph Stone, Gregory Jimenez, Richard M. Collins
  • Publication number: 20130020325
    Abstract: A tamper-evident container having a tamper-evident structure that indicates to a user when the container has been previously opened or otherwise tampered with. The container can include a body and a lid, where the lid is snap fit into a recess of the body. Based on the snap-fit, the lid is difficult or impossible to remove from the body without activating the tamper-evident structure. The tamper-evident structure can remain at least partially attached to the lid or body to thereby indicate to a user that the container has been opened or otherwise tampered with.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph Stone, Gregory Jimenez, Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 5928368
    Abstract: Multiple processors are connected to form a multiprocessor system having interprocessor communicating capability. In the face of a power-fail signal, indicating that possible power loss is imminent, a processor will proceed through a shut-down procedure to save the present operating state so that when power is re-applied the processor can continue from the operating state it left when power was lost. The shut-down procedure concludes with the processor broadcasting messages to all other processors that it is undergoing a power-fail shut-down which is noted by the other processors to later cause them to enter a cautious mode of operation so as to not exclude the processor in any system configuration involving agreement of all processors by reason of the processor's loss of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L Jardine, Richard M. Collins, Larry D. Reeves
  • Patent number: 5687308
    Abstract: Multiple processors are connected to form a multiprocessor system having inter-processor communicating capability. Each processor maintains a configuration option register indicating the resources necessary to operate the multiprocessor system. In the event of a power-fail signal, indicating that possible power loss is imminent, a processor will proceed through a shut-down procedure to save the present operating state so that when power is re-applied the processor can continue from the operating state it left when power was lost. Those processors not receiving a power-fail signal will attempt to reconfigure the multiprocessor system, waiting a reasonable amount of time for the processor receiving the power-fail signal to continue operations. If the processor has not recovered from the power-fail signal after a reasonable amount of time, the other processors check the configuration option register to determine whether that processor is necessary for operation of the multiprocessor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Tandem Computers Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert L. Jardine, Richard M. Collins, A. Richard Zacher
  • Patent number: 5647629
    Abstract: A structure which is a plurality of vertical members with or without one or more vertical support members and with or without a bottom in a configuration which results in the prevention of the reflection of light rays and the prevention of the reflection of images from entering the eyes of viewers. This structure can be of any size and can be placed on horizontal or near horizontal surfaces at or near the bases of windows which are at angles from vertical for the purpose of eliminating reflected images and reflected light rays. In an alternative embodiment, vertical members alone or in any combination with vertical support members and bottoms can be an integral part of a passenger automobile or truck automobile or a building in which windows are at angles from vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventor: Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 5441091
    Abstract: A roller support attachment is mounted on the cross piece of a conventional sawhorse through the use of a pair of bolts. Each of the bolts extends through slots in the side plates of the attachment and through holes in the cross piece of the sawhorse. In an alternate embodiment one bolt extends through an elongated slot in the side plates of the attachment and through a hole in the cross piece of the sawhorse while the second bolt extends through the side plates and rests on top of the cross piece of the sawhorse. The elongated slots may be straight or arcuate. An inverted channel shaped member may be positioned on a plurality of spaced apart rollers and move with the work piece as it moves through the saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Inventor: Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 5371463
    Abstract: A laminated structure may be tested for weak joints by passing a magnet over the surface. If the outer surface is of a magnetic material, weak bonding forces will be overcome by the magnet which causes deflection of the magnetic layer, relative to a non-magnetic substrate. The deflection is sensed and signifies the detection of a weak bond area. The testing procedure is accomplished without destructively testing a structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Richard M. Collins
  • Patent number: 4835674
    Abstract: A computer network system for multiple processing elements in which the multiple processing elements are coupled to a single network bus such that computer instructions from the processing elements may be transimtted simultaneously over the same network during one time interval by more than one processing element. A memory stores the instructions and a controller accepts instructions from one of the processing elements but rejects instructions from all other elements and stores and queues the rejected instructions for subsequent acceptance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: BULL HN Information Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Collins, Edward Beauchemin
  • Patent number: 4747310
    Abstract: A composite analyzer probe, for use with a composite analyzer tester instrument for nondestructively testing and analyzing the physical properties and gaging the thickness of a test material. A cylindrical probe housing has a generally flat end surface designed to be placed flat against the surface of the test material. An annular magnetic induction coil is positioned against the end surface, a piezoelectric element having a hollow cylindrical casing is positioned within the annular magnetic induction coil, and an eddy current coil is positioned within the piezoelectric cylindrical casing. The single improved probe allows four different measurements to be taken at one location on the test material without any required movement or replacement of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Collins, Richard F. Chance
  • Patent number: 4745809
    Abstract: A single composite analyzer tester instrument capable of nondestructively analyzing and testing several different properties of graphite-resin materials, such as the thickness, sonic velocity, relative sonic amplitude and relative electrical conductivity thereof. The instrument incorporates therein a magnetic induction circuit for measuring the thickness of the test material, which includes a magnetic induction probe with a magnetic induction coil which is placed adjacent to the outer surface of the material. The instrument also includes an ultrasonic pulse-echo circuit for performing two separate but related tests, a measurement of the ultrasonic velocity of the test material, and also a measurement of the relative change in amplitude of an ultrasonic pulse as it traverses the test material from an outer surface thereof to an inner surface, where it is echoed back to the outer surface for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard M. Collins, Richard F. Chance