Patents by Inventor Michael C. Collins
Michael C. Collins 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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Patent number: 11627744Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a flattener which is configured to flatten a meat product, and a scanner which is configured to scan features of the meat product after flattening. A second station is configured to dock front and rear ends of the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Patent number: 11627745Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for flattening a meat product is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor, a first stamp disposed parallel to and over the conveyor, the first stamp configured to move vertically towards and away from the conveyor, a second stamp disposed perpendicular to and over the conveyor, and a plate disposed perpendicular to the conveyor, the plate disposed parallel to the second stamp, the second stamp being configured to move horizontally towards and away from the plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Publication number: 20220053782Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a flattener which is configured to flatten a meat product, and a scanner which is configured to scan features of the meat product after flattening. A second station is configured to dock front and rear ends of the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Publication number: 20220053783Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for flattening a meat product is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor, a first stamp disposed parallel to and over the conveyor, the first stamp configured to move vertically towards and away from the conveyor, a second stamp disposed perpendicular to and over the conveyor, and a plate disposed perpendicular to the conveyor, the plate disposed parallel to the second stamp, the second stamp being configured to move horizontally towards and away from the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Patent number: 11202452Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a scanner which scans features of a meat product. A second station side straps the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features. The second station includes a support, and spaced-apart knifes disposed on opposite sides of the support. Each knife has an axis of rotation that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the support. A position of each knife relative to the support in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis can be varied. A controller is programmed to control movement of each knife in accordance with the information received from the scanner.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: PROVISOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Publication number: 20200315191Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a scanner which scans features of a meat product. A second station side straps the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features. The second station includes a support, and spaced-apart knifes disposed on opposite sides of the support. Each knife has an axis of rotation that is normal to the longitudinal axis of the support. A position of each knife relative to the support in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis can be varied. A controller is programmed to control movement of each knife in accordance with the information received from the scanner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Inventors: Adrian Hofmann, Michael C. Collins, Franz H. Koller
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Patent number: 10623620Abstract: In an approach for utilizing photographic metadata for automated photographic setup, a computer receives photographic metadata. The photographic metadata is contained within an image file. The computer transmits configuration information to one or more photographic devices in a photographic setup. The configuration information is based on the photographic metadata. The computer receives a configuration update from the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup. The computer determines whether the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup are configured correctly, based on at least comparing the configuration update to the photographic metadata.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Publication number: 20180234601Abstract: In an approach for utilizing photographic metadata for automated photographic setup, a computer receives photographic metadata. The photographic metadata is contained within an image file. The computer transmits configuration information to one or more photographic devices in a photographic setup. The configuration information is based on the photographic metadata. The computer receives a configuration update from the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup. The computer determines whether the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup are configured correctly, based on at least comparing the configuration update to the photographic metadata.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Patent number: 9986140Abstract: In an approach for utilizing photographic metadata for automated photographic setup, a computer receives photographic metadata. The photographic metadata is contained within an image file. The computer transmits configuration information to one or more photographic devices in a photographic setup. The configuration information is based on the photographic metadata. The computer receives a configuration update from the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup. The computer determines whether the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup are configured correctly, based on at least comparing the configuration update to the photographic metadata.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Patent number: 9176991Abstract: In an approach for collecting and storing photographic metadata, a computer receives a file containing an image. The computer receives photographic metadata from one or more photographic devices. The one or more photographic devices include at least one or more illumination devices. The one or more photographic devices are utilized to create the image. The received photographic metadata includes at least specifications of the one or more photographic devices. The computer stores the received photographic metadata in association with the received file.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Publication number: 20150142857Abstract: In an approach for utilizing photographic metadata for automated photographic setup, a computer receives photographic metadata. The photographic metadata is contained within an image file. The computer transmits configuration information to one or more photographic devices in a photographic setup. The configuration information is based on the photographic metadata. The computer receives a configuration update from the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup. The computer determines whether the one or more photographic devices in the photographic setup are configured correctly, based on at least comparing the configuration update to the photographic metadata.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Publication number: 20150142409Abstract: In an approach for simulating a photographic setup, a computer receives information detailing a first type of device. The computer determines the received first type of device is not included in a device database. The computer inserts the first type of device into the device database. The computer receives a selection of one or more types of devices. The one or more selected types of devices are included in the device database and include the first type of device. The computer receives a configuration for each of the one or more selected types of devices. The computer creates a simulation of a photographic setup. The simulation is based on the one or more selected types of devices and the received configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Publication number: 20150139570Abstract: In an approach for collecting and storing photographic metadata, a computer receives a file containing an image. The computer receives photographic metadata from one or more photographic devices. The one or more photographic devices include at least one or more illumination devices. The one or more photographic devices are utilized to create the image. The received photographic metadata includes at least specifications of the one or more photographic devices. The computer stores the received photographic metadata in association with the received file.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michael C. Collins, John F. Kelley, Douglas E. Lhotka, Todd P. Seager
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Patent number: 8808411Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a high-purity gas. The process includes an interrelationship among at least four bath vessels, each of which has a molten metal bath. In one embodiment, the process generally includes adding a gas stream into a first bath vessel and then removing that gas stream to introduce it into a third bath vessel. The third bath gas stream is removed to ultimately obtain hydrogen. Steam is added to a fourth bath vessel to ultimately produce additional hydrogen. One or more gas streams produced in the third and/or fourth bath vessels are added to a second bath vessel to ultimately result in production of methane or carbon monoxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Patent number: 8752298Abstract: A folding knife includes a lock blade and a handle. The handle includes a transfer bar assembly and a blade opener spring. When the lock blade is closed, a spring working in conjunction with the transfer bar assembly biases the lock blade closed. When the lock blade is opened past a certain point, a blade opening spring assists in moving the lock blade into its open locked position.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2012Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Jane Collins
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Publication number: 20130228721Abstract: A reactor system for the transformation of solid, liquid, gaseous, and related hydrocarbon feedstocks into high-purity, high-pressure gas streams capable of withstanding high temperatures and high pressures. The system comprises a plurality of reactor housings and a plurality of molten-metal bath vessels within the housings, the bath vessels in fluid communication with each other via conduits, with communication facilitated by gravity and temperature/pressure differentials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: September 5, 2013Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Patent number: 8303916Abstract: A reactor system for the transformation of solid, liquid, gaseous, and related hydrocarbon feedstocks into high-purity, high-pressure gas streams capable of withstanding high temperatures and high pressures. The system comprises a plurality of reactor housings and a plurality of molten-metal bath vessels within the housings, the bath vessels in fluid communication with each other via conduits, with communication facilitated by gravity and temperature/pressure differentials.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Oscura, Inc.Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Publication number: 20090224210Abstract: An economically viable and environmentally sound process is described for the transformation of solid, liquid, gaseous and related hydrocarbon feedstocks into high purity, high pressure gas streams that may be further processed in conjoined multiple metal bath reactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Patent number: 5062173Abstract: A multifunction or combination tool having a screw driver, a wrench, a saw blade, a serrated blade, a metal file, and a knife blade divided into two groups, color-coded, and rotatably mounted in recesses in a two part handle, and a pair of pliers also rotatably mounted in the recesses of the handle, one pliers in each handle part so that the pliers can be rotated out of the recess and used in a range of positions at an angle from the handles as well as fully extended with or without rotating any of the remaining instruments. A latch attached to the pliers holds the two handle parts together when the pliers is not in use. The screw driver is adapted for turning both a phillips head and a flat head screw. Spring washers are used to separate the various implements and allow the compression of them to fit a set of implements into the handles of the multifunction tool.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1990Date of Patent: November 5, 1991Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Walter W. Collins
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Patent number: 5058607Abstract: The plug wrap paper used to form cigarette filters is bonded using a specific class of low viscosity reactive urethane hot melt adhesive compositions which provide a fast setting, temperature resistant bond that is not attacked by aromatic oils solvents or petrochemical vapors.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1990Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding CorporationInventors: David G. Carter, Derek J. Green, Michael C. Collins