Patents by Inventor Bruce R. Smith

Bruce R. Smith 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: 20240125927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for network-based ultrasound imaging are provided, which can include a number of features. In some embodiments, an ultrasound imaging system images an object with three-dimensional unfocused pings and obtains digital sample sets from a plurality of receiver elements. A sub-set of the digital sample sets can be electronically transferred to a remote server, where the sub-set can be beamformed to produce a series of two-dimensional image frames. A video stream made up of the series of two-dimensional images frames can then be transferred from the remote server to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Josef R. CALL, Henry A. DAVIS, David M. SMITH, David J. SPECHT, Viet Nam LE, Lang J. MCHARDY, Joseph James DIGIOVANNI, II, Nathan W. OSBORN, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Publication number: 20240081787
    Abstract: A method of full-field or “ping-based” Doppler ultrasound imaging allows for detection of Doppler signals indicating moving reflectors at any point in an imaging field without the need to predefine range gates. In various embodiments, such whole-field Doppler imaging methods may include transmitting a Doppler ping from a transmit aperture, receiving echoes of the Doppler ping with one or more separate receive apertures, detecting Doppler signals and determining the speed of moving reflectors. In some embodiments, the system also provides the ability to determine the direction of motion by solving a set of simultaneous equations based on echo data received by multiple receive apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Donald F. SPECHT, Kenneth D. BREWER, David M. SMITH, Josef R. CALL, Viet Nam LE, Bruce R. RITZI
  • Patent number: 6932753
    Abstract: A pressing apparatus for producing a food service paperboard container from a paperboard blank so that the paperboard container possesses an overturned rim provided with folds includes a first die and a second die that are movable relative to one another. The first die includes a first base and a first platform that is movable with respect to the first base, with the first base having a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank. The second die is positioned in opposing relation to the first die and includes a second base and a second platform that is movable with respect to the second base. The second die is movable with respect to the first die and the second base has a curved surface for engaging the outer periphery of the paperboard blank so that the outer periphery of the paperboard blank is pressed between the curved surface of the first base and the curved surface of the second base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce R. Smith, Albert D. Johns, Mircea Sofronie, Mark B. Littlejohn, Thomas W. Zelinski
  • Publication number: 20040232154
    Abstract: A splash minimizing lid assembly for a container comprises a lid and a baffle insert with a number of openings. The lid comprises a continuous lid bead having a horizontal portion and a radially extending portion. The lid snaps onto the brim of the container and sandwiches the baffle insert between the horizontal portion of the lid bead and the brim. The bead is designed to accommodate the baffle insert which can be snapped into the bead, wherein the height of the bid should be sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the baffle insert and the brim of the container. The lid typically stacks or nests in a conventional manner separately from the baffle insert. The baffle insert can be snapped into the lid bead when the lid is used to close a container. The lid and the baffle insert can be manufactured from the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: FORT JAMES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruce R. Smith, Jonathan E. Rush
  • Patent number: 6601374
    Abstract: A component kit allowing a user to removably attach a gasoline engine weed trimmer to a push-type deck lawnmower allowing a user to activate the weed trimmer during the mowing of a yard to trim areas beside the mower while mowing the yard, eliminating duplicate effort and also to relieve the stress of carrying the weed trimmer, the component kit placing the vertical weight of the weed trimmer on the lawnmower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Inventor: Bruce R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20020083693
    Abstract: The invention is a component kit allowing a user to removably attach a gasoline engine weed trimmer to a push-type deck lawnmower allowing a user to activate the weed trimmer during the mowing of a yard to trim areas beside the mower while mowing the yard, eliminating duplicate effort and also to relieve the stress of carrying the weed trimmer, the component kit placing the vertical weight of the weed trimmer on the lawnmower.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Bruce R. Smith
  • Patent number: 6056145
    Abstract: A lid for use on a cup having a radially outwardly projecting non-helical brim extending around a mouth thereof. The lid is formed of plastic and comprises a center portion, and a flexible skirt extending downwardly from an outer periphery of the center portion. The skirt includes a radially inwardly projecting annular restriction ring adapted to be positioned beneath the cup brim. The skirt includes a plurality of threads spaced apart circumferentially around the skirt. Each thread extends generally helically upwardly from a location disposed between the restriction ring and a bottom edge of the skirt. The threads intersect the restriction ring to form circumferentially spaced caesurae in the restriction ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Rush, Bruce R. Smith, Thomas R. Toczek, Daniel J. Geddes, Warren G. Wiedmeyer
  • Patent number: 5348181
    Abstract: The drinking cup lid includes a cover portion and at least one tab extending from the cover portion and movable into a retaining position adjacent the sidewalls of the cup to securely attach the lid to the cup while providing a gripping area insulated from the thermal effects of the contents of the cup. The tabs include a retaining groove adapted to receive the rim of the cup and a latching lip for sealingly engaging the rim when the tabs are moved into the retaining position. A gripping portion of each tab is positioned adjacent the sidewalls when the tabs are in the retaining position. The gripping portion is maintained a spaced radial distance from the sidewalls by both a hinge which provides a pivot axis about which the tab rotates and a rib formed by a stiffening groove extending along the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: James River Corporation of Virginia
    Inventors: Bruce R. Smith, Reinhold Gerber
  • Patent number: 4969986
    Abstract: Electrochemical regeneration in an electrochemical cell of spent scrubbing solutions containing polyvalent metal chelates is accomplished without substantial degradation of the chelate by controlling the anolyte pH and maintaining the anode potential of the cell above the oxidation potential of the polyvalent metal chelate but below the oxidation potential of the chelate portion of the polyvalent metal chelate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. McIntyre, Bruce R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4851265
    Abstract: The surface of a polymer is treated to improve the adherence of paint, ink and glue thereto by contacting its surface with a solution of an ortho-benzoquinone or it substituted derivative together with an organic carboxyic acid or its anhydride or cyanic or thiocyanic acid in an inert organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Bruce R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4832937
    Abstract: Electrochemical regeneration in an electrochemical cell of spent scrubbing solutions containing polvalent metal chelates is accomplished without substantial degradation of the chelate by controlling the anolyte pH and maintaining the anode potential of the cell above the oxidation potential of the polyvalent metal chelate but below the oxidation potential of the chelate portion of the polyvalent metal chelate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. McIntyre, Bruce R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4826554
    Abstract: The invention is a method for forming a solid polymer electrolyte structure comprising:(a.) forming a mixture of a binder and a plurality of catalytically active, electrically conductive particles;(b.) forming the mixture into a particle containing film;(c.) contacting the film with a fluorocarbon membrane in its thermoplastic form;(d.) contacting the particle-containing film with an electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable matrix, thereby forming a laminate having a membrane on one side, a matrix on another side and a plurality of catalytically active particles therebetween; and(e.) applying sufficient pressure to the laminate to embed at least a portion of the matrix into the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. McIntyre, Jeffrey D. Birdwell, Bruce R. Smith
  • Patent number: 4824508
    Abstract: The invention is a method for forming a solid polymer electrolyte structure comprising:a. forming a suspension of catalytically active, electrically conductive particles and a liquid such as dibromotetrafluoroethane;b. applying the suspension to at least one side of a fluorocarbon membrane sheet, while said sheet is in its thermoplastic form;c. removing substantially all of the liquid, leaving the particles on the membrane sheet;d. pressing at least a portion of the particles into the membrane sheet;e. contacting the side of the so-treated membrane having the particles on the surface with an electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable matrix;f. subjecting the membrane/matrix combination to a pressure sufficient to embed at least a portion of the matrix into the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. McIntyre, Bruce R. Smith, Jeffrey D. Birdwell
  • Patent number: 4654104
    Abstract: The invention is a method for forming a solid polymer electrolyte structure comprising:(a) heating a fluorocarbon membrane, while it is in its thermoplastic form, to a temperature at which it softens;(b) contacting a plurality of electrically conductive, catalytically active particles with at least a portion of one face of the membrane, while said membrane is in a softened state;(c) subjecting the membrane/particle combination to a pressure sufficient to embed at least a portion of the particles into the membrane;(d) contacting the particulated membrane with an electrically conductive, hydraulically permeable matrix,(e) subjecting the particulated membrane/matrix combination to a pressure sufficient to embed at least a portion of the matrix into the particulated membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventors: John M. McIntyre, Jeffrey D. Birdwell, Bruce R. Smith