Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Matthew R. Hooper
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Patent number: 6455261Abstract: A method for determining the presence and/or the amount of an analyte in a sample which method comprises contacting the sample containing the analyte with a peroxidatively-active material to produce a peroxide, a substance capable of producing a detectable response in the presence of the peroxide as a measure of the analyte present in the sample, and a microperoxidase catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 1990Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Inventors: Sie-Ting Wong, Sung-Chul Lee
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Patent number: 5753186Abstract: A disposable reaction vessel for performing nucleic acid amplification assay. The disposable reaction vessel has a penetrable cap that can be penetrated by an automated pipettor to aspirate a portion of an amplified reaction product. The disposable reaction vessel contains the reagents necessary to perform a nucleic acid amplification assay. A patient specimen is added to the unit dose reagents in the disposable reaction vessel and the penetrable cap is closed. The disposable reaction vessel containing the reaction mixture and the specimen undergoes amplification, typically by placing it in a thermal cycler. After amplification the intact disposable reaction vessel is transferred to an automated analyzer where an automated pipettor penetrates the closure membrane and aspirates a portion of the amplified sample for further processing, without removal of the reaction vessel cap. This avoids the generation of potentially contaminating aerosols or droplets.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1995Date of Patent: May 19, 1998Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Kathleen A. Hanley, A. David Hofferbert, Helen H. Lee, Curtis J. Pepe, Timothy J. Perko, Thomas F. Zurek
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Patent number: 5578459Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a cell sample from a liquid specimen utilizes a collection receptacle in which the specimen is deposited, with a filter media being place in communication with a discharge port in the collection receptacle and a transfer device for drawing specimen from the collection receptacle and through the filter for capturing the cellular component of the specimen on the filter media for defining a cell sample for analysis. The collection receptacle, filter media and carrier therefor and the transfer device may be supplied in kit form for use in a clinical environment. A hypobaric vessel may be used and the transfer device and this vessel may also serve as a disposal receptacle for the liquid specimen passed through the filter media.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1993Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Julian Gordon, Donald I. Stimpson, Wang-Ting Hsieh
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Patent number: 5445972Abstract: A Raman label which, upon radiation, produces a detectable Raman scattering signal in a ligand-binding assay for an analyte in a test sample. A conjugate containing a Raman label attached to a specific binding member.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 1993Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: Abbott LaboratoriesInventors: Peter J. Tarcha, Thomas E. Rohr, Therese Cotton, Gary E. Winter
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Patent number: 5354402Abstract: A method of producing a thermoplastic foam sheet comprising the step of (a) foaming, by extrusion, a mixture comprising polystyrene and a thermoplastic reclaim material obtained from a multi-layer sheet manufacturing process, wherein said thermoplastic reclaim material comprises polystyrene and a thermoplastic barrier resin selected from the group consisting of (i) copolymers of ethylene and vinyl alcohol, and (ii) polymers comprising a copolymer of acrylonitrile, to produce a foam sheet having an upper and lower surface.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1993Date of Patent: October 11, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Melvin L. Luetkens, Jr., Robert D. Pischke, John C. Schubert
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Patent number: 5340846Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining polyester articles, including foamed articles, containing low levels of extractable branching agent. The process comprises: (1) forming a molten mixture comprising (i) a major amount of a first resin composition comprising polyester and from 0 up to about 1 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, and (ii) a minor amount of a second polyester resin composition comprising at least about 50 wt. % polyester resin and greater than about 2 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, wherein the relative amounts of (i) and (ii) are such that said molten mixture comprises from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of said branching compound; (2) adding a blowing agent to the molten mixture; and (3) extruding the resultant mixture to obtain a foam. The invention is also directed to the second composition used in the above process, and foamed polyester articles obtained from the process.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1993Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: George E. Rotter, John L. Melquist, Weilong Chiang, Boh C. Tsai, John J. Kelly
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Patent number: 5335787Abstract: A food and beverage tray for holding food and drink which is designed to be grasped in one hand of a user, wherein the user's thumb is placed on a thumb placement region on the upper surface of the tray and the user's remaining fingers grasp the tray along the bottom surface, which comprises a tray having a bottom comprising a beverage container recess and a continuous sidewall having a height which is lower adjacent to a beverage container recess located next to the thumb placement region.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1992Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: John A. Finchum, Timothy K. Sheehan
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Patent number: 5324458Abstract: The invention includes a blowing agent composition useful in the production of insulating styrenic foams comprising ethylchloride, propane and a halogenated ethane selected from the group consisting of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-fluoroethane, 1-chloro-1,1-difluoro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (FC-142b) and mixtures thereof. The invention further includes a method to produce dimensionally stable insulating styrenic foams using the blowing agent composition by confining operating temperatures within a narrow range. The blowing agent composition has a significantly reduced ozone reactivity potential compared to previous commercial styrenic foam blowing agents.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventor: Edward C. Leduc
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Patent number: 5310584Abstract: The invention provides a thermoformable sheet comprising a resinous polymer of propylene and an effective amount of a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, a process for making the sheet and articles thermoformed from the sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1992Date of Patent: May 10, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Philip Jacoby, Jesse Wu, Mark Heiden
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Patent number: 5296542Abstract: This invention pertains to novel copolyesters consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1## and blends of these polymers and articles made from both. Units (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are present in specified proportions as defined in the "Description of the Invention."The instant copolyesters display orientation in the molten state, good fiber ratings and high strength; they have melting points in the range of from about 340.degree. to about 400.degree. C. and are melt-processible. Advantageously, these compositions filled with about 30 weight percent of glass fibers display heat distortion temperatures of over 240.degree. C. up to about 280.degree. C. and higher, when measured under a load of 264 psi. When blended, certain properties are improved, particularly they are easier to melt fabricate, have a decreased tendency to blister and increased strength.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: March 22, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Richard Layton, James W. Cleary, Paul J. Huspeni, Paul D. Frayer, Markus Matzner
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Patent number: 5288764Abstract: Disclosed is a process for obtaining polyester articles, including foamed articles, containing low levels of extractable branching agent. The process comprises: (1) forming a molten mixture comprising (i) a major amount of a first resin composition comprising polyester and from 0 up to about 1 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, and (ii) a minor amount of a second polyester resin composition comprising at least about 50 wt. % polyester resin and greater than about 2 wt. % of a compound capable of branching the polyester, wherein the relative amounts of (i) and (ii) are such that said molten mixture comprises from about 0.1 wt. % to about 1 wt. % of said branching compound; (2) adding a blowing agent to the molten mixture; and (3) extruding the resultant mixture to obtain a foam. The invention is also directed to the second composition used in the above process, and foamed polyester articles obtained from the process.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1993Date of Patent: February 22, 1994Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: George E. Rotter, John L. Melquist, Weilong Chiang, Boh C. Tsai, John J. Kelly
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Patent number: 5236963Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions capable of being converted into oriented microporous films having microvoid cells, interconnecting pores between the cells, and improved elongation, softness and tear strength, comprising an ethylene-propylene block copolymer having an ethylene content of about 10 to about 50 wt %, a low flexural modulus propylene-based polymer, a propylene homopolymer or copolymer having up to about 10 wt % of a comonomer of ethylene or an .alpha.-olefin of 4 to 8 carbon atoms, an inorganic filler such as calcium carbonate, a beta-spherulite nucleating agent, and optionally, a low molecular weight polypropylene and to microporous films formed from such compositions.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1992Date of Patent: August 17, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Philip Jacoby, William T. Tapp
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Patent number: 5224623Abstract: An improved open-top container which is reinforced by ribs which wrap around the container side walls to supply reinforcement in both the axial and radial directions, while also providing for nesting into a similar container for improved transport and durability.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 1991Date of Patent: July 6, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventor: John A. LaFleur
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Patent number: 5221395Abstract: The invention comprises a method for producing the multi-layer sheets of the invention comprising extrusion coating multi-resin layers onto each side of the foam core layer and then lamination of a barrier film layer onto one of the multi-resin layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1992Date of Patent: June 22, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Melvin L. Luetkens, Jr., Robert D. Pischke, John C. Schubert
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Patent number: 5216092Abstract: This invention relates to a blend comprising a first LCP polyester polymer consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1## having a melting point under about 420.degree. C., p is approximately equal to r+q, r is from about 0.05 to about 0.9, q is from about 0.95 to about 0.1 and s is from about 0.05 to about 9, and a second LCP polyester polymer comprising at least one moiety selected from the group consisting of hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxynaphthalene carboxylic acid, dihydroxy naphthalene, naphthalene dicarboxylic acid, oxybisbenzoic acid and substituted hydroquinones wherein the said moiety or moieties comprise(s) at least about 5 mole percent of the units in said second LCP polyester.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Paul J. Huspeni, Brian A. Stern, Paul D. Frayer, Richard Layton, Markus Matzner
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Patent number: 5216091Abstract: This invention pertains to novel copolyesters consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1## and blends of these polymers and articles made from both. Units (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are present in specified proportions as defined in the "Description of the Invention."The instant copolyesters display orientation in the molten state, good fiber ratings and high strength. Advantageously, the polymers of the present invention display a significant improvement in viscosity and moldability of the neat polymer. The polymers have excellent mechanical and surface properties including blister resistance, strength, toughness, and ability to vapor phase solder, and form strong fibers while still maintaining a high heat distortion temperature. They have melting points in the range of from about 250.degree. to about 360.degree. C. and are melt-processible. Advantageously, these compositions filled with about 30 weight percent of glass fibers display heat distortion temperatures of up to 240.degree.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1992Date of Patent: June 1, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Brian A. Stern, Markus Matzner, Richard Layton, Paul J. Huspeni, Paul D. Frayer, James W. Cleary
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Patent number: 5213256Abstract: A container assembly comprising a container having a first section having a bottom wall, sidewalls, and end walls and a second section adapted to lie over the open top of said first section to selectively close the open top of said first section and an insert means adapted to separate the contents of said sections, said insert being removable from said container while said container is in a closed position. The container assembly of the present invention is particularly useful in maintaining the hot/cold or moist/dry components of a food product separate until just prior to consumption at which time the insert is removed and the components of the food product are combined. The insert is removable while the container is closed so that the components of the food product can be combined without necessitating handling by the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1987Date of Patent: May 25, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventor: Stephen J. Cyr
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Patent number: 5206282Abstract: This invention provides molding compositions which comprise reinforced filled wholly aromatic polyesters and which can be molded into useful articles having low warpage values and good tensile strengths.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1990Date of Patent: April 27, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventor: Paul D. Frayer
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Patent number: 5204417Abstract: This invention pertains to novel copolyesters consisting essentially of units (I), (II), (III), and (IV). ##STR1##and blends of these polymers and articles made from both. Units (I), (II), (III), and (IV) are present in specified proportions as defined in the "Description of the Invention."The instant copolyesters display orientation in the molten state, good fiber ratings and high strength. Advantageously, the polymers of the present invention display a significant improvement in viscosity and moldability of the neat polymer. The polymers have excellent mechanical and surface properties including blister resistance, strength, toughness, and ability to vapor phase solder, and form strong fibers while still maintaining a high heat distortion temperature. They have melting points in the range of from about 250.degree. to about 360.degree. C. and are melt-processible. Advantageously, these compositions filled with about 30 weight percent of glass fibers display heat distortion temperatures of up to 240.degree.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1992Date of Patent: April 20, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Brian A. Stern, Markus Matzner, Richard Layton, Paul J. Huspeni, Paul D. Frayer, James W. Cleary
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Patent number: 5187254Abstract: A melt processible molding resin in which polymeric chains present therein comprise amide-imide repeating units having the following general formula: ##STR1## and wherein terminal amine groups of said polymeric chains are endcapped with phthalic anhydride moieties.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: February 16, 1993Assignee: Amoco CorporationInventors: Howard B. Yokelson, James H. Han, Jeff J. Felberg