Patents by Inventor Ian MacMillan

Ian MacMillan 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: 7257568
    Abstract: The present invention provides a search method and system for matching a commodity to one or more applications for using the commodity. A plurality of properties associated with the commodity are identified. A collection of documents for searching for a plurality of combinations of the identified properties is also defined, wherein the combination includes a single property or multiple properties. The defined collection of documents is searched for all occurrences or indications of the combination of properties, and the hits are retrieved for those documents that include one or more of the identified properties. The hits are then associated with one or more subclasses of a classification scheme, and reviewed for those hits that include the identified properties of the commodity, but that need not otherwise identify the commodity per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Sizatola, LLC
    Inventors: Steven O. Kimbrough, Ian MacMillan, John Ranieri
  • Publication number: 20070106662
    Abstract: A method of managing information comprises generating a categorized document base. Generating the document base comprises providing a pre-existing classification of things other than documents, providing a source collection of documents, and automatically assessing the documents using Information Retrieval techniques to assign at least some of the documents to one or more taxa of the classification. For each taxon in the classification one or more numerical scores are assigned, based at least in part on a composition, makeup or constitution of the documents assigned to the taxon of the categorized document base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: Sizatola, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Kimbrough, Ian MacMillan, John Ranieri, James Thompson
  • Publication number: 20050131791
    Abstract: A method and system for determining investment value adds data representative of real options value of forecast revenues to data representative of net present value, and subtracts data representative of real options value of cost forecasts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan, Alexander Van Putten
  • Publication number: 20040213977
    Abstract: A composite material comprising an inorganic filler material and a oriented fibrous polymeric material characterised in that the fibrous material has areas of adjacent fibres fused together to form a network or continuous matrix while retaining oriented fibrous structure in the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Noe Hugo Ladizesky
  • Publication number: 20040161996
    Abstract: A composite material comprising an inorganic filler material and a oriented fibrous polymeric material characterised in that the fibrous material has areas of adjacent fibres fused together to form a network or continuous matrix while retaining oriented fibrous structure in the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Noe Hugo Ladizesky
  • Publication number: 20040113324
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibres of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibres to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibres have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidising environment, for example acetylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: BTG Internationl Limited
    Inventors: Richard Albert Jones, Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Publication number: 20040062789
    Abstract: A composite material comprising an inorganic filler material and a oriented fibrous polymeric material characterised in that the fibrous material has areas of adjacent fibres fused together to form a network or continuous matrix while retaining oriented fibrous structure in the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Noe Hugo Ladizesky
  • Publication number: 20030093421
    Abstract: The present invention provides a search method and system for matching a commodity to one or more applications for using the commodity. A plurality of properties associated with the commodity are identified. A collection of documents for searching for a plurality of combinations of said properties is then defined, wherein the combination includes a single property or multiple properties. The defined collection of documents is searched for all occurrences of the combination of properties, and the hits retrieved for those documents that include the properties. The hits are then associated with one or more subclasses of a classification scheme, and reviewed for those hits that include the properties of the commodity but not the commodity, wherein subclasses not including hits that include the commodity are matched as applications for the commodity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Steven O. Kimbrough, Ian MacMillan, John Ranieri
  • Patent number: 6458727
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibers of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibers to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibers have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidising environment, for example acetylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: University of Leeds Innovative Limited
    Inventors: Richard Albert Jones, Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Publication number: 20020101009
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibers of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibers to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibers have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidising environment, for example acetylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Applicant: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Albert Jones, Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Publication number: 20020031652
    Abstract: A composite material comprising an inorganic filler material and a oriented fibrous polymeric material characterized in that the fibrous material has areas of adjacent fibers fused together to form a network or continuous matrix while retaining oriented fibrous structure in the composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: IAN MACMILLAN WARD, NOE HUGO LADIZESKY
  • Publication number: 20020003317
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is produced by hot compaction of an assembly of melt spun oriented fibers. It has been found that good compaction can be achieved at relatively low compaction pressures, less than 10 MPa. Compaction can be carried out in an autoclave, rather than in a hot compaction press, and the mechanical properties of plaques so produced range from good to excellent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: IAN MACMILLAN WARD, PETER JOHN HINE, MARK JAMES BONNER
  • Patent number: 6328923
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is made by hot compaction of an assembly of fibers of the oriented polymer. It has been found to be beneficial to subject the fibers to a prior crosslinking process. Hot compaction is then less temperature-sensitive and produces plaques with excellent hot strength properties. Preferably the fibers have been subjected to prior stages of irradiation and annealing, both in a non-oxidizing environment, for example acetylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Albert Jones, Ian Macmillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Patent number: 6312638
    Abstract: A polyolefin plaque is produced by hot compaction of an assembly of melt spun oriented fibres. It has been found that good compaction can be achieved at relatively low compaction pressures, less than 10 Pa. Compaction can be carried out in an autoclave, rather than in a hot compaction press, and the mechanical properties of plaques so produced range from good to excellent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: BTG International
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Mark James Bonner
  • Patent number: 6277773
    Abstract: Polymeric monoliths having high stiffness and strength can be produced by heating an assembly of polymer fibres under a contact pressure to a temperature at which a proportion of the fibre is selectively melted and then compressing the assembly. Preferably at least 5% of the polymer is melted so that on compression the molten materials fills the voids within the assembly. The use of polyolefin fibres especially melt spun polyethylene fibres is preferred. The products are useful e.g. as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian Macmillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Keith Norris
  • Patent number: 6278707
    Abstract: A communication system includes an interface between two networks, for example the public telephone system and an IP-based network. The system includes a modem bank which receives bearer channel inputs and provides outputs to the second network. A protocol converter interfaces with a signaling network such as a common channel signaling (CCS) network (e.g., an Signaling System 7 network). The protocol converter communicates signaling information to the modem bank. A resource manager is coupled to the protocol converter and includes a memory which stores status information relating to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: MCI communications Corporation
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan, Frederick A. Sherman, Ranga Dendi, Dale Gil Read
  • Patent number: 6162843
    Abstract: Polypropylene is crosslinked by means of an ionizing radiation followed by annealing at a temperature of at least 110.degree. C., in the presence of an unsaturated monomeric compound such as acetylene or 1,3-butadiene or 1,3,5-hexatriene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: Harold M. Fisher, Richard Albert Jones, Ian Macmillan Ward
  • Patent number: 6017834
    Abstract: Polymeric monoliths having high stiffness and strength can be produced by heating an assembly of polymer fibres under a contact pressure to a temperature at which a proportion of the fibre is selectively melted and then compressing the assembly. Preferably at least 5% of the polymer is melted so that on compression the molten materials fills the voids within the assembly. The use of polyolefin fibres especially melt spun polyethylene fibres is preferred. The products are useful e.g. as orthodontic brackets, bone prostheses and in body armour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Peter John Hine, Keith Norris
  • Patent number: 5910346
    Abstract: Tubular workpieces of oriented polymers such as polyethylene polyester and PVC are formed by drawing a workpiece over an expanding former in the absence of any force perpendicular to the axis of the workpiece. The processes do not require the use of any liquid lubricant. They enable greater degrees of expansion and hence orientation in the direction perpendicular to the axis to be achieved and result in products of improved appearance and strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Ian MacMillan Ward, Gordon Craggs, Alan Selwood, Ajay Kumar Taraiya
  • Patent number: RE37700
    Abstract: A bulk ionically conductive polymer gel is prepared by dissolving a salt such as lithium trifluoromethanesulphonate (which would provide lithium ion conductors) in an organic compound such as N-formylpiperidine. The organic compound dissolves the salt at 20° C. but is not a solvent at 20° C. though it is at 215° C.) for polyethylene terephthalate. The last-named is a crystallizable polymer which is added in a minor amount at a high temperature to the other components and provides the required mechanical rigidity for the product at lower temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventors: Hugh Vyvyan St. Aubyn Hubbard, James Eric McIntyre, Victor Rogers, Ian Macmillan Ward