Patents by Inventor Michael C. Williams

Michael C. Williams 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: 20240124242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a moisture reduction roller conveyor system (100, 200, 301) and method comprising a continuous carry belt (105, 205, 308) to carry a bulk material and an oscillatory motion assembly (110, 210, 320) operatively connected and configured to induce oscillatory motion of the belt that is transmitted to the bulk material. The oscillatory motion assembly (110) is operatively connected to the frame to induce the oscillatory motion. Alternatively, the oscillatory motion assembly has idler rollers (210a, 210b, 210c) that are offset or eccentric to one another to induce the oscillatory motion. A different oscillatory motion assembly comprises a carriage body (325) for supporting the belt (308) and wheels (340, 345) for engaging a rail track (302). The wheels (340, 345) are configured to induce the oscillatory motion, preferably by periodically lifting one end (360) of the carriage body from the rail track as the carriage moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth C WILLIAMS, Craig Anthony WHEELER, Michael CARR, Bin CHEN, Jie GUO
  • Publication number: 20180086913
    Abstract: Gels and gel-containing materials, including hydrogels, are described. A gel can be formed by blending polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a polyglycol, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) at room temperature and, in some cases, without using a catalyst. The blend material can be used to form soft or hard materials, films and particles. The blend material can be combined with vinyl monomers and polymerize to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel can have a high mechanical strength and high water absorbency. The materials may coat a plant seed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Naihong LI, Michael C. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 9850379
    Abstract: Gels and gel-containing materials, including hydrogels, are described. A gel can be formed by blending polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a polyglycol, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) at room temperature and, in some cases, without using a catalyst. The blend material can be used to form soft or hard materials, films and particles. The blend material can be combined with vinyl monomers and polymerize to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel can have a high mechanical strength and high water absorbency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Inventors: Naihong Li, Michael C. Williams
  • Patent number: 9777154
    Abstract: Gels and gel-containing materials, including hydrogels, are described. A gel can be formed by blending polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a polyglycol, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) at room temperature and, in some cases, without using a catalyst. The blend material can be used to form soft or hard materials, films and particles. The blend material can be combined with vinyl monomers and polymerize to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel can have a high mechanical strength and high water absorbency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Inventors: Naihong Li, Michael C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130303665
    Abstract: Gels and gel-containing materials, including hydrogels, are described. A gel can be formed by blending polyacrylic acid (PAA) and a polyglycol, such as polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) at room temperature and, in some cases, without using a catalyst. The blend material can be used to form soft or hard materials, films and particles. The blend material can be combined with vinyl monomers and polymerize to form a hydrogel. The hydrogel can have a high mechanical strength and high water absorbency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Naihong Li, Michael C. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110136627
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, systems and methods are provided to allow a mobile computing device to retrieve exercise related data from a health or fitness monitoring device during an exercise period. The mobile computing device is further configured to use the exercise related data to determine a number of points or an amount of currency earned during the exercise period. These points may then be exchanged for privileges, grades or financial rewards. In some embodiments, this exchange may be conducted or mediated using a system embodied on a second mobile computing device or servers on the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20110137678
    Abstract: The present invention provides a health and fitness system, comprising: means for creating or receiving a structured workout; means for generating a graphical representation of the structured workout; means for displaying the graphical representation on a smartphone; means for retrieving health and fitness data from health and fitness sensors or devices; means for displaying the health and fitness data on the graphical representation; means for storing the health and fitness data on the smartphone; and means for sharing the health and fitness data with a remote computing device or database on a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20110124978
    Abstract: The present invention provides a health and fitness system, comprising a means for providing access to the health and fitness application, a means for retrieving data from a health and fitness data source, a means for selectively integrating health and fitness data among multiple health and fitness applications, sensors, and devices, a means for logging health and fitness data, a means for purchasing a health and fitness item from a catalog of items, a means for sharing health and fitness data with a remote computing device, and a means for messaging to and from a smart phone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20110125866
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the invention, devices and systems are provided that allow a user to retrieve health and fitness data from a variety of health and fitness devices. In some embodiments, a wireless communications module is configured to interface with the health and fitness devices to retrieve the generated health and fitness data. In these embodiments, the wireless communications module also interfaces with a mobile computing device allow the transfer of the health and fitness data to the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may be configured to transmit or upload this data to one or more network locations, or to store and display representations of this data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: MICHAEL C. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 6628130
    Abstract: A wireless test fixture is disclosed for connecting printed circuit boards or other electrical interconnect devices having electronic components to a test system. Rigid support beams and insulating spacers are used to reduce the structural loads on the electrical interconnect plane and to minimize probe mounting plate deflections in the wireless test fixture. The test system electrical interface is via a series of floating transfer pins. The floating transfer pins provide electrical signal paths between test system interface probes and the electrical interconnect plane that interfaces with double-end sockets coupled to a probe for making electrical contact with the DUT. One or more fixed double-ended sockets and spring probes are used to make electrical contact with the DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Williams, Robert A. Slutz
  • Publication number: 20030016039
    Abstract: A wireless test fixture is disclosed for connecting printed circuit boards or other electrical interconnect devices having electronic components to a test system. Rigid support beams and insulating spacers are used to reduce the structural loads on the electrical interconnect plane and to minimize probe mounting plate deflections in the wireless test fixture. The test system electrical interface is via a series of floating transfer pins. The floating transfer pins provide electrical signal paths between test system interface probes and the electrical interconnect plane that interfaces with double-end sockets coupled to a probe for making electrical contact with the DUT. One or more fixed double-ended sockets and spring probes are used to make electrical contact with the DUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventors: Michael C. Williams, Robert A. Slutz
  • Patent number: 6291598
    Abstract: A polymerized material produced by the polymerization of an organic amide monomer in the presence of an organic carbonate and a process for the preparation thereof. The process comprises the steps of: heating an amount of the organic anide monomer to a temperature above its melting point; first mixing an amount of an anionic initiator with at least a portion of the amount of heated organic amide mnonomer to produce an amount of activated monomer, wherein the anionic initiator is not comprised of an alkali metal; second mixing an amount of the organic carbonate with at least a portion of the amount of heated organic amide monomer to produce an amount of dissolved organic carbonate; and polymerizing the amounts of heated organic amide monomer and activated monomer in the presence of the amount of dissolved organic carbonate to produce the polymerized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventors: Michael C. Williams, Nai-Hong Li, Yatin Sankholkar
  • Patent number: PP7454
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by (1) bright rose pink buds and blooms with a lighter rose pink reverse and (2) a vigorous, compact plant with abundant glossy green foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Inventor: Michael C. Williams
  • Patent number: PP7900
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by (1) bright red buds and blooms with a yellow base and (2) a compact plant with abundant glossy green foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Michael C. Williams
  • Patent number: PP8690
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of miniature rose characterized by magenta buds and blooms of good form and a medium sized, upright plant with dark green semi-glossy foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Michael C. Williams
  • Patent number: PP9252
    Abstract: This new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant is characterized by blended yellow and orange buds and blooms, with hues depending upon light intensity and heat intensity. The plant is characterized further by its vigorous, upright growth, and semi-glossy green foliage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Michael C. Williams