Patents by Inventor Kevin A. Gray
Kevin A. Gray 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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Publication number: 20020136754Abstract: A purified and modified phytase enzyme from Escherichia coli K12 appA phytase is provided. The enzyme has phytase activity and improved thermal tolerance as compared with the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the enzyme has improved protease stability at low pH. Glycosylation of the modified phytase provided a further improved enzyme having improved thermal tolerance and protease stability. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Jay M. Short, Keith A. Kretz, Kevin A. Gray, Nelson Robert Barton, James B. Garrett, Eileen O' Donoghue, Eric J. Mathur
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Patent number: 6274372Abstract: The invention provides a novel flavin reductase, which has been isolated from Rhodococcus strain sp. IGTS8 and purified to homogeneity. The flavin reductase is of use in the biocatalytic desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds. The method comprises the steps of (1) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon—sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of the flavin reductase of the present invention, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture; (2) maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon—sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; and (3) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1999Date of Patent: August 14, 2001Assignee: Enchira Biotechnology CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs, Charles H. Squires
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Patent number: 6080712Abstract: Thickened aqueous compositions comprising soluble peracids, particularly peracetic acid, are provided. The compositions are thickened by the use of one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates having the general formula: R.sup.1 R.sup.2 CH-- (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each either hydrogen or linear or branched alkyl such that R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 has a total of from 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and n is selected in the range of 1 to 15, such that the number ratio of carbon atoms in R.sup.1 plus R.sup.2 :n is greater than or equal to 3:1; a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amine oxides, amphoteric surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds; and one or more aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates in which the ratio of the number of carbon atoms in the alcohol moiety to the average number of ethoxylate groups is less than 3:1, and/or alkylphenol ethoxylates.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: Solvay Interox LimitedInventors: Christopher Revell, Andrew Kevin Gray
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Patent number: 6008405Abstract: The current invention relates to the stabilisation of peroxyacid solutions. There is provided a tin based stabiliser composition obtained by the ageing of an alkaline solution of a tin compound and a phosphorus containing compound. The stabiliser is particularly suitable for the stabilisation of non-equilibrium solutions of peroxyacids.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Solvay Interox LimitedInventors: Andrew Kevin Gray, Alun Pryce James
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Patent number: 5985650Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of a flavoprotein to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of a flavoprotein, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Charles H. Squires, Wan Ji, Lei Xi, Beatrice C. Ortego, Olga S. Pogrebinsky, Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs
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Patent number: 5919683Abstract: The invention provides a novel flavin reductase, which has been isolated from Rhodococcus strain sp. IGTS8 and purified to homogeneity. The flavin reductase is of use in the biocatalytic desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds. The method comprises the steps of (1) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of the flavin reductase of the present invention, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture; (2) maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; and (3) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs, Charles H. Squires
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Patent number: 5846813Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of an oxidoreductase to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of an oxidoreductase, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gray, Charles H. Squires, Daniel J. Monticello
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Patent number: 5811285Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of an oxidoreductase to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of an oxidoreductase, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gray, Charles H. Squires, Daniel J. Monticello
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Patent number: 5804433Abstract: The invention provides a novel flavin reductase, which has been isolated from Rhodococcus strain sp. IGTS8 and purified to homogeneity. The flavin reductase is of use in the biocatalytic desulfurization of a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds. The method comprises the steps of (1) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of the flavin reductase of the present invention, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture; (2) maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; and (3) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs, Charles H. Squires
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Patent number: 5777098Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying DNA which has relatively high molecular weight from a biological sample containing DNA is described. The method comprises the steps (1) lysing the red blood cells in the sample; 2) lysing DNA-containing cells; (3) precipitating the proteins from sample; and (4) and rehydrating and recovering the DNA. method offers the advantages of performance in less than 15 minutes, not requiring organic or poisonous materials, compatibility with most anticoagulants, and requiring less solutions than conventional purification procedures, thus making it simpler and more economical to use.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1996Date of Patent: July 7, 1998Assignee: University of North Dakota Medical Education Research FoundationInventors: Thomas Kevin Gray, Mark A. Doll
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Patent number: 5736498Abstract: Neutral or alkaline thickened aqueous hydrogen peroxide compositions and processes for the production thereof are provided. The compositions are thickened with a polymeric thickener comprising a polyethylene backbone, with pendant carboxylate groups and pendant groups of the formula --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.m (OCHXCHY).sub.n --O--R, where m is a position integer, n is zero or a positive integer, X and Y are independently selected from hydrogen atoms, methyl and ethyl groups and R is a hydrophobic group comprising eight or more carbon atoms; and one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethyoxylates, alkylbenzenesulphonates comprising ten or more carbon atoms, alkylsulphates comprising six or more carbon atoms, alcohol ether sulphates, alpha-sulphoesters and alkylglucosides.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1996Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Solvay Interox LimitedInventor: Andrew Kevin Gray
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Patent number: 5733773Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that the rate of reaction of the desulfurization of fossil fuels is enhanced by the addition of a flavoprotein to the biocatalyst. The invention is drawn to a method for enhancing the rate of desulfurizing a fossil fuel containing organic sulfur compounds, comprising the steps of:a) contacting the fossil fuel with an aqueous phase containing a biocatalyst capable of cleaving carbon-sulfur bonds and a rate-enhancing amount of a flavoprotein, thereby forming a fossil fuel and aqueous phase mixture;b) maintaining the mixture of step (a) under conditions sufficient for cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bonds of the organic sulfur molecules by the biocatalyst, thereby resulting in a fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content; andc) separating the fossil fuel having a reduced organic sulfur content from the resulting aqueous phase.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 1996Date of Patent: March 31, 1998Assignee: Energy BioSystems CorporationInventors: Charles H. Squires, Wan Ji, Lei Xi, Beatrice C. Ortego, Olga S. Pogrebinsky, Kevin A. Gray, John D. Childs
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Patent number: 4690658Abstract: A toy vehicle launcher having a hand grip which can be squeezed to move expandable scissors members forward in order to launch a toy vehicle. The scissors members form an expandable parallelogram linkage which is slidable mounted inside the launcher. When the hand grip is squeezed, a trigger member pivotably mounted to the grip moves a sliding plate mounted inside the launcher. As the sliding plate moves, two pins attached to the sliding plate operably engage elongated slots in two of the scissors members, pulling the two members backward and causing the linkage to expand forward. A launching plate supported on top of the scissors members moves forward with the expanding linkage pushing a toy vehicle forward. Since the linkage expands forward in a relatively smooth and uniform manner, the toy vehicle is also launched in a relatively uniform manner, helping to avoid activating or damaging any impact-activated mechanisms in the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1986Date of Patent: September 1, 1987Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Peter Crosson, Terry Sanchez, Kevin Gray, Samuel M. Goldstein
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Patent number: 4577667Abstract: A log splitting apparatus comprising an elongated driving shaft, a wedge shaped splitting tip attached at one end of the driving shaft and an elongated driver sleeve in which the driving shaft is telescopically mounted. The driving sleeve includes a catch coupled through the sleeve wall and adapted for releasable engagement with respect to the driver shaft. The catch is biased to a nonengaging position to allow the driver shaft to freely move within the encasement except when the catch is depressed by the user. When depressed, the catch locks the shaft in an intermediate position to enable the user to transport the apparatus in a vertical orientation.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1984Date of Patent: March 25, 1986Assignee: Frederic A. JohnsonInventors: Kevin Gray, Frederic A. Johnson
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Patent number: D361928Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1993Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Inventors: Kevin Gray, John Holdamph