Patents by Inventor David A. Ritchie

David A. Ritchie 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: 20140079808
    Abstract: Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, David Ritchie, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards, Thomas W. Lindsey, Jonathan S. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20140013465
    Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified plants of the species Papaver bracteatum wherein the type or amount of one or more alkaloids produced by the plants has been modified. Specifically, the genetically modified plants have an increased expression of one or more of thebaine 6-O-demethylase, codeine O-demethylase and/or codeinone reductase relative to wild type P. bracteatum such that the genetically modified poppy plants produce an increased quantity of an alkaloid selected from codeine, oripavine and/or morphine relative to a wild type P. bracteatum. Also provided are progeny plants having the genetically modified poppy plants described above as a parent; mutant or derivative plants of the aforementioned plants; reproductive material derived from, straw produced from, straw concentrate produced from, latex derived from, or one or more isolated cells derived from, the aforementioned plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TPI ENTERPRISES LTD.
    Inventors: Justin Taylor Coombs, Jarrod David Ritchie, Mark Alfred Tester, Damien Lightfoot, Deepa Jha
  • Patent number: 8618149
    Abstract: Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, David Ritchie, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards, Thomas W. Lindsey, Jonathan S. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20130302377
    Abstract: Methods of treatment or prevention of a cancerous or pre-cancerous condition, of slowing or preventing growth of a cancerous condition, of stimulating a cell-mediated immune response, stimulating a Th1 helper T cell response against a pathogen in a mammal and of treating or preventing inflammatory diseases or disorders that involve administration of N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) or a physiologically acceptable salt, solvate, tautomer or prodrug thereof are provided. Also provided are formulations of an active agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: PETER MACCALLUM CANCER INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Andy Kang-Wei Hsu, Jake Shortt, Paul Neeson, Ricky Wayne Johnstone, David Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20120328577
    Abstract: Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, David Ritchie, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards, Thomas W. Lindsey, Jonathan S. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 8338656
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separating an olefin stream into at least two olefin streams. The olefin stream that is to be separated is low in diene composition, which allows the olefin stream to be compressed at a relatively high temperature without causing fouling problems in the compressor system. The invention is particularly relevant to separating olefins obtained from an oxygen to olefins unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Lummus Technology Inc., ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Ram Mallik, Wadie Malaty, Malcolm Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 8278340
    Abstract: Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, David Ritchie, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards, Thomas W. Lindsey, Jonathan S. Lindsey
  • Publication number: 20110306766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of an N-demethyl morphinane or a protected form thereof. In one form the preparation of the N-demethyl morphinane or a protected form thereof involves the N-demethylation of an N-methyl morphinane or protected form thereof. In particular the present process is useful in the preparation N-demethyl morphinane or a protected form thereof by N-demethylation of N-methyl morphinanes or protected forms thereof extracted from plants of the genus Papaver of the family Papaveraceae. An example of a suitable N-methyl morphinane that may be usefully subjected to the process of the present invention is thebaine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: TPI Enterprises Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Bos, Jarrod David Ritchie
  • Patent number: 7952564
    Abstract: A touch sensor method and device are described that allow one or more simultaneous touches to be sensed and mapped to Cartesian coordinates. The device utilizes closely spaced multiple conducting strips to provide digital location of a touch position according to the position strip and analog location along the length of the strip. When the strips are energized individually and in coordinated ways, multiple touches are individually sensed and their positions are reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventors: G. Samuel Hurst, Robert J. Warmack, Rufus H. Richie, Donald W. Bouldin, David Ritchie
  • Publication number: 20110084031
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing a redox active contaminant in a waste stream in a waste treatment system involve performing a unit process of the waste treatment system by contacting redox active contaminant in the waste stream with oxyhydrogen-rich gas generated on-site by an oxyhydrogen gas generator that implements water dissociation technology. The oxyhydrogen gas generator involves applying a pulsed electrical signal to a series of closely spaced electrodes that are submerged in the waste stream to produce oxyhydrogen-rich gas from a water component of the waste stream. Operation of the oxyhydrogen gas generator in the waste stream may accomplish one or more unit processes for waste treatment, such as oxidation, stripping, floatation, disinfection, conditioning, stabilization, thickening, and dewatering, among others.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Xogen Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David Ritchie VAN VLIET, Hector Alvarez-Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20110047653
    Abstract: The present invention relates to poppy cultivars and their use to produce thebaine. In specific forms, the present invention relates to cultivars of Papaver bracteatum that produce thebaine in the first growing season after germination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: TPI Enterprises Ltd.
    Inventor: Jarrod David Ritchie
  • Patent number: 7837882
    Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a waste stream in a waste treatment system involve performing a unit process of the waste treatment system by contacting the waste stream with oxyhydrogen-rich gas generated on-site by an oxyhydrogen gas generator that implements water dissociation technology. The oxyhydrogen gas generator involves applying a pulsed electrical signal to a series of closely-spaced electrodes that are submerged in the waste stream to produce oxyhydrogen-rich gas from a water component of the waste stream. Operation of the oxyhydrogen gas generator in the waste stream may accomplish one or more unit processes for waste treatment, such as oxidation, stripping, floatation, disinfection, conditioning, stabilization, thickening, and dewatering, among others. At least a portion of the oxyhydrogen-rich gas can be conveyed for a second use in the waste treatment system, such as a source of combustible fuel for incineration or power generation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Xogen Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David Ritchie Van Vliet, Herbert Wallace Campbell, Stephen Barrie Chambers
  • Publication number: 20100292521
    Abstract: This invention pertains to separating an olefin stream into at least two olefin streams. The olefin stream that is to be separated is low in diene composition, which allows the olefin stream to be compressed at a relatively high temperature without causing fouling problems in the compressor system. The invention is particularly relevant to separating olefins obtained from an oxygen to olefins unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicants: LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC., EXXON MOBIL CHEMICAL COMPANY
    Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Michael Peter Nicoletti, Ram Mallik, Wadie Malaty, Malcolm Pettigrew
  • Patent number: 7678958
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The method includes distilling the olefin stream so that the dimethyl ether is separated out of the olefin stream with propane. The olefin stream can then be further distilled to provide a polymer grade ethylene stream and a polymer grade propylene stream, with each stream containing not greater than about 10 wppm dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc
    Inventors: Minquan Cheng, Jeffrey J. Phillips, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., John Richard Shutt, Jeffrey Alan Kabin, Wilfried Borgmann, Josef Kunkel, Helmut Fritz, Roland Walzi, Gerhard Lauermann, Klaus Muller
  • Publication number: 20090143230
    Abstract: Disclosure is provided for methods of preventing, removing or inhibiting microbial biofilm formation or microbial infection in a plant or plant part thereof, including applying thereto a treatment effective amount of an active compound as described herein, or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof. Methods of enhancing a microbicide (e.g., including a copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator are also provided, including applying an active compound as described herein. Compositions comprising an active compound as described herein in an agriculturally acceptable carrier are also provided, and in some embodiments the compositions further include a microbicide (e.g., including copper, antibiotic, bacteriophage, etc.) and/or plant defense activator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Christian Melander, John Cavanagh, David Ritchie, Robert W. Huigens, III, T. Eric Ballard, Justin J. Richards, Thomas W. Lindsey, Jonathan S. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 7385100
    Abstract: This invention is directed to removing contaminants from an oxygenate-containing feedstream for an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. Oxygenate feeds used in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, and which contain contaminants, are heated to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The heating is conducted so that a majority of the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst contaminants is contained in the liquid stream. The vapor stream is separated from the liquid stream, and the separated vapor stream is contacted with the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form olefin product. The heating of the feedstream and the separation of the vapor stream can be carried out in one or more stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Cor F. Van Egmond, Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7376515
    Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method of collecting, EM data in the context(s) of hydrocarbon exploration, appraisal, development, and surveillance, which provides improved ground coupling between the electrodes and the earth or surface ice and, as a consequence, a higher quality transmitted and received signal is obtained thereby. Where the surface of the ground is saturated and frozen (e.g., in the case of a survey conducted on sea ice or frozen tundra), the survey instruments (sources and receivers) may be coupled more faithfully to the surface by drilling or melting holes into the ice (or frozen tundra) and inserting electrodes into the resulting holes. Each hole may (or may not) be lined with material to retard the loss of water therefrom. Preferably, each of the holes (source and receiver) will be filled with water (fresh or salt) before data collection begins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Smith, Bryan David Ritchie, Leon Thomsen
  • Patent number: 7323147
    Abstract: A feed vaporization process and apparatus for oxygenate to olefin conversion is provided which uses a vapor-liquid disengaging drum to separate non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles from volatiles in the oxygenate feed and produce a vaporized effluent that is reduced in non-volatiles and/or partial non-volatiles while at the same time maintaining the effluent at optimal temperature and pressure as a feed for oxygenate to olefin conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., James H. Beech, Jr., Michael Peter Nicoletti
  • Patent number: 7214843
    Abstract: This invention is directed to removing contaminants from an oxygenate-containing feedstream for an oxygenate to olefin reaction system. Oxygenate feeds used in the conversion of oxygenates to olefins, and which contain contaminants, are heated to form a vapor stream and a liquid stream. The heating is conducted so that a majority of the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst contaminants is contained in the liquid stream. The vapor stream is separated from the liquid stream, and the separated vapor stream is contacted with the metalloaluminophosphate molecular sieve catalyst to form olefin product. The heating of the feedstream and the separation of the vapor stream can be carried out in one or more stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Beech, Jr., Cor. F. Van Egmond, Ronald G. Searle, Michael Peter Nicoletti, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7135604
    Abstract: The present invention is a process for removal of carbon dioxide from a reactor effluent stream comprising water, carbon dioxide and olefin(s), where a portion of the carbon dioxide is removed in a quenching step with a quench medium and more carbon dioxide is removed by contacting the quenched effluent stream with an alkaline stream. A portion of the alkaline stream is added to the quench medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Zhong Yi Ding, James Richardson Lattner, David Ritchie Lumgair, Jr., Jeffrey Alan Kabin