Patents by Inventor M. Steele

M. Steele 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: 6187221
    Abstract: A controlled release bleach thickening composition comprising bleach, water, and 0.1 to 50 weight percent, based on the total weight of the controlled release bleach thickening composition, of at least one crosslinked carboxylated polymer which is prepared from 30 to 80 weight percent of at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomer, from 20 to 70 weight percent of at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, and from about 0.5 to about 10 weight percent of a degradable crosslinking monomer selected from the group consisting of a crosslinking monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties, a crosslinking monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated moiety and at least one functional group capable of reacting with another functional group on a monomer to form a degradable crosslink, and combinations thereof. In the controlled release bleach thickening compositions, the solubility of the polymer is suppressed by crosslinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher G. Gore, Sonya M. Steele
  • Patent number: 5976110
    Abstract: A catheter system having an epidural needle, an electrically conductive stimulation wire attached to the needle, a multi-purpose connector, which is adapted to connect to intravenous tubing for supplying local anesthesia, and an epidural catheter for supplying regional anesthesia. When the connector and needle are connected to each other, an operator can insert the needle into a patient with the needle's distal end within the nerve sheath and proximate to the nerve plexus. A voltage is applied via the wire to determine correct positioning. Then, the operator can slide the catheter through the connector and needle until the catheter's distal end is protruding out of the needle's distal end and into the nerve sheath, proximate to the nerve plexus. Then, the needle (and its associated wire) and the connector (and its associated tubing) are slidably removed from the catheter, and the catheter may be left in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Roy A. Greengrass, Susan M. Steele, David H. Gleason
  • Patent number: 5945520
    Abstract: Disclosed are rationally designed mixed mode resins which are useful in recovering a target compound from an aqueous solution and methods for use of such resins. The resins described herein have a hydrophobic character at the pH of binding of the target compound and a hydrophilic and/or electrostatic character at the pH of desorption of the target compound from the resin and are specifically designed to bind the target compound from an aqueous solution at both a low and high ionic strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Massey University
    Inventors: Simon C. Burton, Neill Ward Haggarty, David R. K. Harding, Nathaniel Todd Becker, Ben A. Bulthuis, Landon M. Steele
  • Patent number: 5923507
    Abstract: A head-to-medium backer device (37) includes a rigid frame (38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with a magnetic head (14). The rigid frame supports a pair of attachment elements (42, 44; 52; 54) which secure respective opposite ends (46, 48) of the leaf spring, the attachment elements being configured so that, when the leaf spring is installed therebetween, the leaf spring flexes to form a continuous arc (50) which is convex away from the rigid frame with the opposite ends of the leaf spring being secured against rotation relative to the rigid frame, whereby when the magnetic head is forced against a center portion of the arc, the center portion can be flexed toward the rigid frame while the opposite ends of the leaf spring remain fixedly secure against rotation relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Steele, Alan T. Brewen, Patrick J. Argento
  • Patent number: 5764456
    Abstract: A recording head apparatus includes a first rigid frame (80); a magnetic head (14) supported by the first frame; a head-to-medium backer device (18; 37) including a second rigid frame (24; 38) supporting an elastically deformable leaf spring (20; 40) for engaging a magnetic medium (16) to urge the medium into contact with the head; a carrier (100) supported on the first frame for movement toward or away from the head, the backer device being supported by the carrier; and a spring member (110) for biasing the carrier toward the head, the carrier and backer device being moveable away from the head against the bias of the spring member to permit the head to be cleaned without requiring disassembly of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Scott M. Fitzgerald, Frederick J. Oleson, Jan A. Chrisler, Jeffrey M. Steele, Alan T. Brewen, Patrick J. Argento
  • Patent number: 5652348
    Abstract: Disclosed are rationally designed mixed mode resins which are useful in recovering a target compound from an aqueous solution and methods for use of such resins. The resins described herein have a hydrophobic character at the pH of binding of the target compound and a hydrophilic and/or electrostatic character at the pH of desorption of the target compound from the resin and are specifically designed to bind the target compound from an aqueous solution at both a low and high ionic strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Massey University
    Inventors: Simon C. Burton, Neill Ward Haggarty, David R. K. Harding, Nathaniel Todd Becker, Ben A. Bulthuis, Landon M. Steele
  • Patent number: 5514683
    Abstract: The compounds of the formula I ##STR1## and their pharmaceutical acceptable salts, which are defined herein, are ligands for cholecystokinin and/or gastrin receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: James Black Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Sarkis B. Kalindjian, Caroline M. R. Low, Iain M. McDonald, Robert A. D. Hull, Nigel P. Shankley, Ildiko M. Buck, Katherine I. M. Steel, Jonathan M. R. Davies, David J. Dunstone, Elaine A. Harper, Michael J. Pether, Michael J. Bodkin, Matthew J. Tozer, Martin L. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5486597
    Abstract: The C-terminal tetrapeptide of gastrin, Trp-Met-Asp-Phe-NH.sub.2, possesses gastrin pharmacological activity. Replacement of the methionyl moiety in the gastrin tetrapeptide, or its analogs, with a naphthylalanyl group produces compounds which interact with gastrin and/or cholecystokinin receptors, but have reduced gastrin and/or cholecystokinin agonist activity. Such partial agonists or antagonists of gastrin and/or cholecystokinin provide useful therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: James Black Foundation Limited
    Inventors: Sarkis B. Kalindjian, Howard B. Broughton, Caroline M. R. Low, Iain M. McDonald, Robert A. D. Hull, Nigel P. Shankley, Ildiko M. Buck, Katherine I. M. Steel, Jonathan M. R. Davies
  • Patent number: 5385752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating an interior surface in which a spinning vaned plate is used to apply a low-water-content mortar-like substance to an interior surface, such as a manhole, wetwell or similar structure. A tank containing the mortar-like substance is positioned above the vaned plate, and a valve is located between the tank and the vaned plate for controlling the flow of mortar-like substance from the tank to the spinning vaned plate. An agitating element such as a vibrator head is associated with the tank for inducing the mortar-like substance to flow freely. The apparatus may be lowered into a structure, and the mortar-like substance applied to the interior walls without a worker having to enter the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Inventor: Wesley M. Steele
  • Patent number: 5263161
    Abstract: A data structure has a value field for storing values and a lock field for indicating a lock state of the resource associated with the data structure. This data structure is used to implement a locking protocol amongst multiple processes competing for shared resources. If the lock field is a locked state, the process that locked the lock field has exclusive access to the resource. If, however, the lock field is in an unlocked state, any process may gain access to the resource. The lock field also has deferred states corresponding to the locked and unlocked states wherein multiple requests to lock or unlock the resource may be stored until serviced. The locking protocol is useful in a data processing system having multiple processing elements and utilizes a locking means that includes a local memory controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Paul S. Barth, Richard M. Soley, Kenneth M. Steele
  • Patent number: 5204070
    Abstract: A reactor for processing a catalyst material comprises a reaction chamber including a support for the catalyst material. A laser radiation entry means, a gas inlet and an exhaust are provided, each in communication with the reaction chamber. The gas inlet permits entry in the chamber of an oxidizing gas which assists in processing the catalyst material when exposed to laser radiation entering the chamber. Any resulting exhaust gases are then removed from the chamber through the exhaust. A drive means is provided to move the support in a manner such that the catalyst is moved through the laser radiation. The apparatus is useful in reactivate deactivated catalysts, such as hydroprocessing catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources Canada
    Inventors: Michael F. Wilson, Thomas M. Steel, Walter W. Duley
  • Patent number: 5037785
    Abstract: A process for regeneration of a deactivated hydroprocessing catalyst is provided. The process comprises exposing the catalyst to laser radiation in the presence of an oxidizing gas. The process may be used to regenerate supported or unsupported metal catalysts which have been fouled by coking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources
    Inventors: Michael F. Wilson, Thomas M. Steel, Walter W. Duley
  • Patent number: 5035391
    Abstract: A weighted anchor having a vertically extending bracket is employed to anchor one or more inflated balloons utilized as a balloon bouquet on festive occasions. The weighted anchor may be color coded for the occasion and may include suitable identifying indicia thereon. The vertically extending bracket includes a peripheral rim and one or more appendages vertically extending from the anchor. The peripheral rim and appendage(s) serve to receive attached tethers for the inflated balloon(s) and may also receive and frictionally retain an announcement card therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Inventors: Dennis M. Steele, Diana C. Steele
  • Patent number: 4870811
    Abstract: An apparatus, in combination with a conventional electrically powered hand or rider lawn mower, which provides a detachable electrical power source for such lawn mowers and one or more auxiliary electrical hand tools. The apparatus has an electrical generator powered by a gasoline engine and a control box all of which are mounted by support elements on a rectangular shaped tubular frame. The tubular frame is attached by four or more retention clips to the protective shroud of a hand lawn mower or the rear deck of a rider lawn mower. The control box has two or more a.c. electrical outlets which can be used to feed electrical current to the lawn mower and/or auxiliary electrical hand tools such as weed eaters, blowers, hedge clippers or edgers. In an alternative mode, the apparatus can be temporarily removed from the lawn mowers for use with a Recreational Vehicle, a lighting system or outdoor pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Inventor: Robert M. Steele
  • Patent number: 4696603
    Abstract: A complaint offshore platform in which the primary restoring force to lateral displacement is established by flex piles driven into the seafloor and fixedly secured to the platform legs a preselected distance above the seafloor. The platform includes a substantially rigid space-frame structure extending from the ocean bottom to a position above the ocean surface. A drilling and production deck is secured atop the space-frame structure. Shear piles extend through the base of the space-frame structure to prevent lateral displacement of the base while permitting the space-frame structure to pivot about its base. As the platform sways about its base in response to environmental forces, the flex piles establish a vertical couple at the location at which they are attached to the space frame structure. This couple resists movement of the platform away from a vertical orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the flex piles are secured to the platform at or near one-half the total height of the space-frame structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Danaczko, Lyle D. Finn, M. Sidney Glasscock, Michael P. Piazza, Kenneth M. Steele, Timothy O. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4696604
    Abstract: A pile assembly adapted for use in a compliant piled tower. A plurality of drive piles are driven into the ocean floor in a symetric array about a central, substantially vertical axis. A flex pile is secured to the upper end of each drive pile and extends upward to a preselected elevation above the ocean floor. The longitudinal axes of each drive pile flex pile pair are laterally offset from one another with the flex piles also being arranged in symetric array about the central axis. A tie member is provided to restrain the flex piles from lateral motion relative to one another. The tie member serves to balance the moments established by virtue of the eccentric axes of the flex pile drive pile pairs. The use of eccentric axes in the pile assemblies simplifies driving the drive piles, permits the drive piles to be placed relatively far from one another to minimize pile group effects and permits the flex pile to be designed without being constrained by driving considerations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Lyle D. Finn, Kenneth M. Steele
  • Patent number: 4373787
    Abstract: A three dimensional eye tracker, for measuring as a function of time the point in three dimensional space on which the eye is fixed, includes a portion which functions as a two dimensional double Purkinje eye tracker for measuring movement of the eye in rotation and translation, an automatic optometer portion for measuring the refractive power of the eye, and a common optical path simultaneously to provide corrections for both portions of the instrument. The two dimensional eye tracker portion incorporates a means for directing a beam into the eye, thereby forming first and fourth Purkinje images, and measuring means responsive to the first and fourth Purkinje images to generate output signals indicative of eye rotation and translation. The automatic optometer portion alternately directs a light beam through different areas of the eye lens and includes a mechanism for altering the directed light beam until the image on the retina does not move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventors: Hewitt D. Crane, Carroll M. Steele
  • Patent number: D437155
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Cerise, LLC
    Inventors: Christina M. Steele, Christina A. Andrews, Lisa M. Mirabito
  • Patent number: D306673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Lawrence M. Steel
  • Patent number: D371710
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventor: Doris M. Steele