Patents by Inventor Ronald Alan Coffee
Ronald Alan Coffee 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).
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Patent number: 8074640Abstract: A housing has a dispensing outlet (400) and contains: a liquid supplier (7) for supplying liquid containing at least one volatile component to a liquid outlet (7a); an electric field provider (41, 42, 7) for causing liquid issuing from the liquid outlet to provide electrically charged droplets from which at least a part of the at least one volatile component evaporates to produce vapour; a collection receptacle (92) for collecting electrically charged droplets to inhibit the electrically charged droplets from passing through the dispensing outlet; an attraction electrode (91) for attracting electrically charged droplets into the collection receptacle (90); and a flow director (95) for directing vapour away from the collection receptacle (92) and towards the dispensing outlet (400).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: David Neville Davies, Alastair Bruce Pirrie, Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 7977527Abstract: Described is a method of supplying an active ingredient to a location beneath the outer layer of skin or into soft tissue which includes the steps of providing a polymer-containing liquid comprising an active ingredient; subjecting the liquid issuing from an outlet to an electric field to cause the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet that breaks up to provide charged fiber fragments or fibrils containing an active ingredient, the fiber fragments or fibrils being capable of sticking onto the outer layer of skin or soft tissue to supply the active ingredient beneath the outer layer of skin or soft tissue; and contacting skin with the fiber fragments or fibrils.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Baltelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 7972622Abstract: Consumable or dissolvable tablets are manufactured by supplying a liquid containing a biodissolvable carrier to an outlet; establishing an electric field between the outlet and a support surface to cause liquid issuing from the outlet to form at least one fiber or fibrils of the biodissolvable carrier which fiber or fibrils deposit(s) onto the surface to form a fiber web or mat; separating the web or mat into a plurality of individual tablets; and incorporating at least one active ingredient on or in the tablets.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Battelle (Memorial Institute)Inventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, Alastair Bruce Pirrie, David Neville Davies
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Patent number: 7891578Abstract: A method of providing a droplet spray, includes supplying a liquid polymer formulation within which substantially inert particulate material is suspended to an outlet and subjecting liquid issuing from the outlet to an electric field that causes the liquid to break up into droplets.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: David Neville Davies, Marie Pollard, Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 7883032Abstract: Methods are described of delivering biological material, which methods include the steps of providing a liquid formulation containing the biological material, supplying the liquid formulation to an outlet and subjecting liquid issuing from the outlet to an electrical field thereby causing electrohydrodynamic processing of the liquid without denaturing the biological material. In one example, the liquid formulation is provided by removing salts from a formulation containing biological material that does not denature in alcohol and then adding an alcohol to the formulation before supplying the liquid formulation to the outlet. An acid may be added to the liquid formulation before supplying the liquid formulation to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Lee Adrian Davies, David Neville Davies, Margaret Sin Ka Wan, Ronald Alan Coffee
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Publication number: 20100286591Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2010Publication date: November 11, 2010Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Publication number: 20100266668Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dosage form is described wherein a liquid solution of a biologically compatible polymer containing a suspension of particulate material that is insoluble in the polymer is supplied to a liquid supply tube (2) having an outlet (2a) and an electrical field is established between the outlet (2a) and a surface (19) spaced from the outlet (2a) to cause liquid issuing from the outlet to form a jet which dries to form a polymer fibre containing particles of the particulate material and which deposits onto the surface (19) to form a dosage which consists of said particulate containing fibre which fibre dissolves or disintegrates in a wet environment such as the mouth.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, David Neville Davies, Johnathan Essex-Lopresti, Margaret Sin Ka Wan, Anna Busby
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Publication number: 20080119772Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: May 22, 2008Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 7193124Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 6880554Abstract: An inhaler, comprising an electrohydrodynamic comminution means, a means for partially or fully discharging the liquid comminution and a conduit through which the liquid comminution is administered, wherein the discharging means is arranged to be activated by inhalation of the user.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Publication number: 20040170666Abstract: An eye covering (700) for covering an exposed surface portion of an eye, the covering comprising a body having front and rear surfaces (702a and 701a) with the rear surface being shaped to conform to said exposed surface portion (701, 702) and at least a portion of the body comprising biologically compatible polymer fibre.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Richard Keates, Ronald Alan Coffee, Jonathan Essex-Lopresti, David Neville Davies, Margaret Sin Ka Wan, Marie Pollard
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Publication number: 20040131673Abstract: A method of manufacturing a dosage form is described wherein a liquid solution of a biologically compatible polymer containing a suspension of particulate material that is insoluble in the polymer is supplied to a liquid supply tube (2) having an outlet (2a) and an electrical field is established between the outlet (2a) and a surface (19) spaced from th outlet (2a) to cause liquid issuing from the outlet to form a jet which dries to form a polymer fibre containing particles of the particulate material and which deposits onto the surface (19) to form a dosage which consists of said particulate containing fibre which fibre dissolves or disintegrates in a wet environment such as the mouth.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2004Publication date: July 8, 2004Inventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, David Neville Davies, Johnathan Essex-Lopresti, Margaret Sin Ka Wan, Anna Busby
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Publication number: 20040079360Abstract: An inhaler has a housing containing a chamber (1a) providing a reservoir (8) for liquid providing an active ingredient to be supplied to a liquid outlet (10a). First and second electrodes are spaced apart (11 and 12) with the first electrode being provided at or adjacent the liquid outlet (10a). A voltage supply (5, 7) is activated in response to air flowing through an air inlet (30) of the housing to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrodes (11 and 12) to create an electric field for causing comminution of liquid issuing from the liquid supply outlet (10a) to produce a stream of electrically charged comminuted matter for supply to the nasal passages of a user via an outlet (4) of the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: April 29, 2004Inventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, Alastair Bruce Pirrie, David Neville Davies
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Patent number: 6684879Abstract: An inhaler has a housing containing a chamber (1a) providing a reservoir (8) for liquid providing an active ingredient to be supplied to a liquid outlet (10a). First and second electrodes are spaced apart (11 and 12) with the first electrode being spaced apart (11 and 12) with the first electrode being provided at or adjacent the liquid outlet (10a). A voltage supply (5, 7) is activated in response to air flowing through an air inlet (30) of the housing to provide a potential difference between the first and second electrodes (11 and 12) to create an electric field for causing comminution of liquid issuing from the liquid supply outlet (10a) to produce a stream of electrically charged comminuted matter for supply to the nasal passages of a user via an outlet (4) of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, Alastair Bruce Pirrie, David Neville Davies
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Publication number: 20030173219Abstract: Methods are described of delivering biological material, which methods include the steps of providing a liquid formulation containing the biological material, supplying the liquid formulation to an outlet and subjecting liquid issuing from the outlet to an electrical field thereby causing electrohydrodynamic processing of the liquid without denaturing the biological material. In one example, the liquid formulation is provided by removing salts from a formulation containing biological material that does not denature in alcohol and then adding an alcohol to the formulation before supplying the liquid formulation to the outlet. An acid may be added to the liquid formulation before supplying the liquid formulation to the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2003Publication date: September 18, 2003Inventors: Lee Adrian Davies, David Neville Davies, Margaret Sin Ka Wan, Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 6595208Abstract: A supply pipe (33) supplies a liquid to a comminution site (40) at which the liquid is subjected to an electric field so as to produce charged comminuted material. An electrical discharge electrode (5) produces ions to at least partially electrically discharge the comminuted material. A further electrode (60) spaced from the comminution site (40) by the electrical discharge electrode (50) electrically attracts ions produced by the electrical discharge electrode (50) away from the comminution site (40) until sufficient space charge is built up to divert the ions towards the charged comminuted material to enable the ions at least partially to discharge the comminuted material.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Ronald Alan Coffee, Alastair Bruce Pirrie
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Patent number: 6457470Abstract: An inhaler for enabling inhaled administration, has a housing having an outlet duct defining a passageway through which air can be drawn by inhalation on the part of a user. The housing contains a capillary nozzle; a container for containing a quantity of liquid to be supplied to the capillary nozzle; and an electric field controller for applying a voltage to the liquid prior to issue from the container via the capillary nozzle to expose the liquid to an electric field to cause comminution of the liquid emerging from the capillary nozzle to product a spray of electrically charged droplets such that upon inhalation by the user, electrically charged droplets for the deposition in the user's airways.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Electrosols Ltd.Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 6386195Abstract: A dispensing device has a liquid supplier having a liquid outlet; an electrical charger for generating an electrical field to cause liquid issuing from the liquid outlet to be comminuted to provide electrically charged comminuted matter; an electrical discharger for providing ions for at least partially electrically discharging the comminuted matter; and an ion attracter for attracting ions generated by the electrical discharger away from the electrical charger until a spray cloud of electrically charged comminuted matter has been established by the electrical charger.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Electrosols Ltd.Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 6318640Abstract: A comminuting liquid device, a medicament delivery device, an inhaler, a method of providing droplets for delivery to the respiratory tract, a pocket-sized dispenser, and a method of mixing liquids by droplet coalescence. Liquids are subjected to electrical potentials to produce electrically charged droplets for delivery to the upper respiratory tract.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: Electrosols, Ltd.Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee
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Patent number: 6252129Abstract: A dispensing device and method for forming a least partially solid or gel-like material from a liquid. At least one liquid issuing from an outlet is subjected to an electric field causing the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet which, after formation, forms a fiber (F) or breaks up into fiber fragments (FF) or particles (D). The thus formed at least partially solid or gel-like material may be directly deposited, by virtue of the energy in the electrical field, onto a surface area, for example an area of skin enabling, for example, formation of a dressing for a wound or burn which is of high specific area and extremely absorbent. A biologically active ingredient such as a pharmaceutical ingredient or biological matter such as DNA may be incorporated into the fibers (F), fragments (FF) or particles (D). Fibrils, particles or microcapsules incorporating a biologically active ingredient may be supplied for oral or nasal administration to an animal such as a human being.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Electrosols, Ltd.Inventor: Ronald Alan Coffee