Patents by Inventor Nigel John

Nigel John 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).

  • Stabilisation of stored gas
    Patent number: 9085062
    Abstract: A method of treating the internal surface of a container for the storage of gas, such as a gas cylinder, that is made from or lined with aluminum or aluminum alloy. The method is characterized in that it comprises creating a freshly exposed aluminum surface, for example by the use of a wet grinding, in the presence of a surfactant. The surfactant is preferably derived from C6-C18 carboxylic acids. The container for the storage of gas provides long-term gas stability. The internal surface of the container has a substantially continuous disturbed layer and is hydrophobic. It may also incorporate groups or species derived from the surfactant and/or comprise oxides or oxyhydroxides of aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: LUXFER GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Nigel John Henry Holroyd, Sharon Laraine Havercroft, Garland Elmo Scott
  • MIXED SIZE DATA PROCESSING OPERATION
    Publication number: 20150186142
    Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor core and a memory. The processor core includes processing circuitry controlled by control signals generated by decoder circuitry which decodes program instructions. The program instructions include mixed operand size instructions (either load/store instructions or arithmetic instructions) which have a first input operand of a first operand size and a second input operand of a second input operand size where the second operand size is smaller than the first operand size. The processing performed first converts the second operand so as to have the first operand size. The processing then generates a third operand using as inputs the first operand of the first operand size and the second operand now converted to have the first operand size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Nigel John Stephens, David James Seal
  • Aerosol Delivery Device Including a Bubble Jet Head and Related Method
    Publication number: 20150114409
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices include mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a vaporization heating element to produce a vapor. For example, a bubble jet head may be configured to dispense the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer. The bubble jet head may be fixedly coupled to the atomizer. The bubble jet head may include a precursor inlet, an ejection heating element, and a precursor nozzle. The atomizer may include a vaporization heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Aerosol Delivery Device Including a Positive Displacement Aerosol Delivery Mechanism
    Publication number: 20150117842
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices include mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a heating element to produce a vapor. An actuator may displace a rod to dispense the aerosol precursor composition to the atomizer. Thereby, the rod may move a piston in a pump housing to dispense the aerosol precursor composition. The atomizer may define a chamber in which the heating element is positioned and at which the aerosol precursor composition is vaporized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • Aerosol Delivery Device Including a Pressure-Based Aerosol Delivery Mechanism
    Publication number: 20150117841
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices include mechanisms configured to deliver an aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir to an atomizer including a heating element to produce a vapor. A pressure controller may control dispensing of the aerosol precursor composition from the reservoir based on a pressure differential between a first pressure within the reservoir and a second pressure proximate the atomizer. The first pressure within the reservoir may be substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. Alternatively, the first pressure within the reservoir may be greater than atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: David Allan Brammer, David Jackson, Nigel John Flynn, Eric T. Hunt, Stephen Benson Sears, Dennis Lee Potter
  • ADDRESS GENERATION IN A DATA PROCESSING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20150106585
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is provided comprising processing circuitry and an instruction decoder responsive to program instructions to control processing circuitry to perform the data processing. The instruction decoder is responsive to an address calculating instruction to perform an address calculating operation for calculating a partial address result from a non-fixed reference address and a partial offset value such that a full address specifying a memory location of an information entity is calculable from said partial address result using at least one supplementary program instruction. The partial offset value has a bit-width greater than or equal to said instruction size and is encoded within at least one partial offset field of said address calculating instruction. A corresponding data processing method, virtual machine and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Nigel John Stephens, David James Seal
  • Mixed operand size instruction processing for execution of indirect addressing load instruction specifying registers for different size operands
    Patent number: 9009450
    Abstract: A data processing system 2 includes a processor core 4 and a memory 6. The processor core 4 includes processing circuitry 12, 14, 16, 18, 26 controlled by control signals generated by decoder circuitry 24 which decodes program instructions. The program instructions include mixed operand size instructions (either load/store instructions or arithmetic instructions) which have a first input operand of a first operand size and a second input operand of a second input operand size where the second operand size is smaller than the first operand size. The processing performed first converts the second operand so as to have the first operand size. The processing then generates a third operand using as inputs the first operand of the first operand size and the second operand now converted to have the first operand size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Nigel John Stephens, David James Seal
  • Address generation in a data processing apparatus
    Patent number: 8954711
    Abstract: A data processing apparatus is provided comprising processing circuitry and an instruction decoder responsive to program instructions to control processing circuitry to perform the data processing. The instruction decoder is responsive to an address calculating instruction to perform an address calculating operation for calculating a partial address result from a non-fixed reference address and a partial offset value such that a full address specifying a memory location of an information entity is calculable from said partial address result using at least one supplementary program instruction. The partial offset value has a bit-width greater than or equal to said instruction size and is encoded within at least one partial offset field of said address calculating instruction. A corresponding data processing method, virtual machine and computer program product are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: ARM Limited
    Inventors: Nigel John Stephens, David James Seal
  • STABILISATION OF RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRECURSORS
    Publication number: 20150018541
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving stability of non fluoridated sugar derivatives, and in particular glucose derivatives such as 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-?-D-mannopyranose which are used as precursors for production of radiofluoridated sugar derivatives for use in in vivo imaging procedures such as positron emission tomography (PET). The method comprises storing the non fluoridated sugar derivative in an organic solvent. The resultant formulations of the non fluoridated sugar derivative and cassettes for automated synthesis apparatus comprising the same are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicants: GE HEALTHCARE AS, GE HEALTHCARE LIMITED
    Inventors: Torild WICKSTROM, DIRK-JAN IN'T VELD, NIGEL JOHN OSBORN, JULIAN GRIGG, ANTHONY WILSON
  • METHOD OF OPERATING A RADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH A MODULAR CONVEYOR CHAIN
    Publication number: 20150003583
    Abstract: A method of operating a radiographic inspection system is designed for a radiographic inspection system in which a conveyor chain with identical modular chain segments transports the articles being inspected. The method encompasses a calibration mode and an inspection mode of the radiographic inspection system. In the calibration mode, calibration data characterizing the radiographic inspection system with the empty conveyor chain are generated and stored as a template image. In the inspection mode, raw images (50) of the articles (3) under inspection with the background (41) of the conveyor chain are acquired and arithmetically merged with the template image. The method results in a clear output image (51) of the articles under inspection being obtained without the interfering background of the conveyor chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Xinchi Wang, Nigel John King
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISTRIBUTING A TRADING ORDER OVER A RANGE OF PRICES
    Publication number: 20140180895
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A trading order intended for a trading exchange is received from a trader, the trading order having an associated trading order price. A group of distributed trading orders is automatically generated based at least on the trading order price and a set of pre-configured distribution parameters associated with the trading order. The group of distributed trading orders is distributed over a multiple price levels. The generated group of distributed trading orders is automatically submitted to the trading exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: BGC Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sweeting, Dinesh Kerai, Nigel John Renton, Anthony Paul Seeto
  • Process for the manufacture of an animal feed block
    Patent number: 8758843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of an animal feed block according to a target constituent formulation. The process eliminates spoiling of product by inconsistent and fluctuating levels of active ingredient and wet ingredients so as to ensure repeatability from one batch to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Carrs Agriculture Limited
    Inventors: Nigel John Hillyer, Edward Atherton
  • Method for production of vitamin C and or 2-Keto-L gulonic acid
    Patent number: 8685683
    Abstract: The present invention relates to newly identified genes that encode proteins that are involved in the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid (hereinafter also referred to as Vitamin C) and/or 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (hereinafter also referred to as 2-KGA). The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. The present invention also relates to the use of said polynucleotides and polypeptides as biotechno logical tools in the production of Vitamin C and/or 2-KGA from microorganisms, whereby a modification of said polynucleotides and/or encoded polypeptides has a direct or indirect impact on yield, production, and/or efficiency of production of the fermentation product in said microorganism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Bastien Chevreux, Nigel John Mouncey
  • Display assembly and method
    Patent number: 8665388
    Abstract: A display assembly and a method of making a display assembly are disclosed. A display assembly is disclosed including a display unit 1 and two transparent plates 2, 3 bonded respectively to the front and rear surfaces of the display unit 1 by an adhesive. A tape is secured along at least one side of at least one of the plates 2, 3 on its inner surface such that the adhesive inner region of the tape bonds with the tape and not directly with the surface of the plates 2, 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: GE Aviation UK
    Inventor: Nigel John Tebbit
  • FC-Interferon-Beta Fusion Proteins
    Publication number: 20140005361
    Abstract: Disclosed are Fc-interferon-beta (Fc-IFN-?) fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The Fc-IFN-? fusion proteins include variants of the interferon-beta (IFN-?) protein that are altered to achieve enhanced biological activity, prolonged circulating half-life and greater solubility. Also disclosed are methods of producing the fusion proteins and methods of using the fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules for treating diseases and conditions alleviated by the administration of interferon-beta.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: MERCK PATENT GMBH
    Inventors: Stephen D. Gillies, Nigel John Watkins, Matthew Paul Baker, Kin-Ming Lo, Steven C. Degon
  • Bending of a shaft of a steerable borehole drilling tool
    Patent number: 8579044
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a steerable drilling tool is provided including a rotatable shaft extending through a housing where the shaft and the housing are separated by at least one bearing or two sets of bearings, the shaft having a first portion terminating at a first end of the shaft and a second portion terminating at a second end of the shaft. The steerable drilling tool may further include a drill bit structure operatively coupled to the first portion and a steering subsystem comprising a pair of bearings operatively coupled to the first portion. The steering subsystem may be configured to angulate the shaft by exerting force substantially through the pair of bearings. In certain embodiments, the first portion is between the first end and about one-third of the length of the shaft from the first end towards the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Gyrodata, Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter Allen, Nigel John Dennis Kilshaw, Walter Edward Somerville Davey, Jonathan Charles Long, Donald Ian Carruthers
  • System and method for automatically distributing a trading order over a range of prices
    Patent number: 8566213
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method of managing trading is provided. A trading order intended for a trading exchange is received from a trader, the trading order having an associated trading order price. A group of distributed trading orders is automatically generated based at least on the trading order price and a set of pre-configured distribution parameters associated with the trading order. The group of distributed trading orders is distributed over a multiple price levels. The generated group of distributed trading orders is automatically submitted to the trading exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: BGC Partners, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sweeting, Dinesh Kerai, Nigel John Renton, Anthony Paul Seeto
  • Stabilization of Fc-interferon-beta fusion proteins
    Patent number: 8557232
    Abstract: Disclosed are Fc-interferon-beta (Fc-IFN-?) fusion proteins and nucleic acid molecules encoding them. The Fc-IFN-? fusion proteins include variants of the interferon-beta (IFN-?) protein that are altered to achieve enhanced biological activity, prolonged circulating half-life and greater solubility. Also disclosed are methods of producing the fusion proteins and methods of using the fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules for treating diseases and conditions alleviated by the administration of interferon-beta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Stephen D. Gillies, Nigel John Watkins, Matthew Paul Baker, Kin-Ming Lo, Steven C. Degon
  • NOVEL 2-AMINO-4-PYRAZOLYL-THIAZOLE DERIVATIVES AND THEIR USE AS ALLOSTERIC MODULATORS OF METABOTROPIC GLUTAMATE RECEPTORS
    Publication number: 20130210809
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (1), wherein M, A and B are defined as in Formula (I); invention compounds are modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptors-subtype 4 (“mGluR4”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of central nervous system disorders as well other disorders modulated by mGluR4 receptors. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and the use of such compounds in the manufacture of medicaments, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR4 is involved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Christelle Boléa, Sylvain Celanire, Cédric Boudou, Lam Tang, Jean-Philippe Rocher, Nigel John Liverton
  • Biosensor
    Patent number: 8431000
    Abstract: A biosensor for determining the concentration of an analyte in a biological sample. The biosensor comprises a support, a reference electrode or a counter electrode or both disposed on the support, a working electrode disposed on the support, the working electrode spaced apart from the other electrode or electrodes on the support, a covering layer defining a sample chamber over the electrodes, an aperture in the covering layer for receiving a sample, and at least one layer of mesh in the sample chamber between the covering layer and the electrodes. The at least one layer of mesh has coated thereon a silicone surfactant. Certain silicone surfactants are as effective as fluorinated surfactants with respect to performance of biosensors. These surfactants, when coated onto the mesh layer of the biosensor, are effective in facilitating the transport of aqueous test samples, such as blood, in the sample chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Nigel John Forrow, Xiang Cheng Zhang, Catherine Ann McTigue