Patents by Inventor R. Roberts

R. Roberts 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: 20070235382
    Abstract: A filter system for filtering water and/or wastewater which includes an underdrain system having a plurality of laterals that are anchored to the floor of a filter by a hold-down assembly. Preferably, the hold-down assembly does not rely on grout or other substance that is applied in a viscous or semi-viscous state and subsequently hardened as the primary means for connecting the underdrain laterals to the floor of the filter. Preferably, the hold-down assembly includes hold-down clips that can move relative to an anchor assembly and corresponding underdrain blocks so that the hold-down clips can cooperate with any desired portion of the corresponding underdrain blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: R. Roberts, Mark Addison, Jason Schmoyer, Aleksandr Ilyin
  • Patent number: 7276025
    Abstract: An adapter for permitting a medical diagnostic instrument having an illumination source including at least one LED (light emitting diode) to be used with a power supply normally configured for use with a diagnostic instrument having at least one incandescent lamp as an illumination source. The adapter includes circuitry for compensating LED specific characteristics for permitting the power supply to be used with the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris R. Roberts, Corinn C. Fahrenkrug, Allan I. Krauter, Shawn A. Briggman, Michael A. Pasik, Peter J. Davis, John R. Strom, Charles N. Stewart, Jon R. Salvati, Robert L. Vivenzio
  • Patent number: 7271406
    Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that can be used as electron transport agents in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices. The compounds are non-polymeric and have an aromatic core conjugated to end capping groups. The aromatic core contains a phenylene group arylene or naphthalene group arylene having a pendant heteroaryl group that includes a —C?N— unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James G. Bentsen, Nicholas P. Goplen, Yingbo Li, Ralph R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7263156
    Abstract: A computerized tomography process (100) that provides, optionally, for preliminary scans (101), helically-oriented full scans (102), and/or improved resolution scans (103). In some instances, partial cross-sectional views are captured which views are then later joined to yield a complete view. In some instances a helical image-capture path is used. In yet other instances small lateral shifts to the position of the X-ray source are used to provide higher resolution views of the object being scanned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry R. Roberts, Charles Smith, James M. McNally
  • Patent number: 7252991
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel retroviral packaging system, in which retroviral packaging plasmids and packagable vector transcripts are produced from high expression plasmids after stable or transient transfection in mammalian cells. High titers of recombinant retrovirus are produced in these transfected mammalian cells and can then transduce a mammalian target cell by cocultivation or supernatant infection. The methods of the invention include the use of the novel retroviral packaging plasmids and vectors to transduce primary human cells, including T cells and human hematopoietic stem cells, with foreign genes by cocultivation or supernatant infection at high efficiencies. The invention is useful for the rapid production of high titer viral supernatants, and to transduce with high efficiency cells that are refractory to transduction by conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Cell Genesys, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Finer, Margo R. Roberts, Thomas J. Dull, Krisztina M. Zsebo, Lu Qin, Deborah A. Farson
  • Patent number: 7254572
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method of optimizing the selection of shops to repair railcars. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and a method whereby a customer needing to have a railcar repaired may enter information into an input. Further, the input may be processed via a processor and a database may be utilized to determine the optimal shop that can be used to repair the railcar. Moreover, the present invention may allow the shops to be notified that a railcar is being sent to the shops. Further the present invention may determine whether the shops may handle the repair of the railcar. The system and the method may be utilized to reduce the repair cycle time for a railcar so that a railcar may be repaired quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Railcar Services Corporation
    Inventors: Charlene R. Cysz, Alan R. Tilley, Rick R. Roberts, Andrew J. Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20070175832
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring an underdrain in a filter system for filtering water or wastewater. At least one diagnostic condition relating to the performance of the underdrain is monitored to determine if the underdrain is operating in an acceptable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventor: R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7241512
    Abstract: Light emitting polymers can include a plurality of arylene monomeric units and a plurality of soft segment units independently selected from soft segment end caps; soft segment side chains coupled to a portion, but not all, of the arylene monomeric units; internal soft segment monomeric units; and combinations thereof. These light emitting polymers can be used in forming electroluminescent devices or other articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yingbo Li, John P. Baetzold, Terence D. Spawn, Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen, John S. Staral
  • Patent number: 7219479
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a concrete floor slab using sub-grade waterproofing in a manner that favors the use of water-based adhesives for affixing floor covering materials. The method comprises casting a hydratable cementitious composition onto a flooring membrane, the composition having a shrinkage reduction admixture and a water:cementitious binder ratio sufficiently low that substantially all of the water moisture is retained in the hydration reaction, and achieving a fully adhered bond with the flooring membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Durning, Lawrence R. Roberts, Neal S. Berke
  • Publication number: 20070102952
    Abstract: A canopy system for a cart, such as a golf cart has a canopy supported by a support member, and a housing having an opening through which at least a portion of the canopy may extend when the canopy is deployed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Inventors: William Held, R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7214464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic assembly comprising a photothermographic material and an intensifying means for converting ionizing radiation, wherein the assembly has been imagewise exposed to ionizing radiation to form a latent image in the photothermographic material. The photothermographic material has at least one imaging layer comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion, wherein thermal development of unexposed silver salts in exposed areas relative to unexposed areas is inhibiting when thermally developing the imagewise exposed assembly, thereby producing a positive image. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic assembly that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Kurt D. Sieber, Paul B. Gilman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7198889
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7192657
    Abstract: Compounds, compositions, organic electronic devices, and methods for preparing organic electronic devices are described. The compounds of the invention contain at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds and a heteroaromatic ring having at least one —C?N— unit. The compounds can be used as electron transport agents in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ralph R. Roberts, Yingbo Li, Sergey A. Lamansky
  • Patent number: 7194757
    Abstract: The present specification discloses a multimedia distribution system and method. The system and method has a producer workstation, a delivery server, a high-bandwidth one-way satellite transmission system, a terrestrial two-way communication system (including use of the Internet), a plurality of satellite affiliate workstations, and a plurality of terrestrial client workstations. The delivery server receives digital information (envelopes and associated media files) from the producer workstations for delivery of the information to the affiliate and client workstations addressed in the envelope. The affiliate and client workstations provide the delivery server with confirmation of delivery of each received envelope and its associated files. In the absence of receipt of confirmation of delivery, the delivery server re-sends the unconfirmed envelope and associated files to the non-confirming affiliate or client workstation by a two-way terrestrial connection or by a manual system, such as a dub-and-ship service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Starguide Digital Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurence Fish, Lowell E. Teschmacher, Anibal-Jose Rivero, Roswell R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7183024
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development. In one embodiment of the invention, a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development which agent inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas. The method preferably comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic element that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Michael R. Roberts, Paul B. Gilman, Donald L. Black, Kurt M. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20070039867
    Abstract: A flume for a filter system including at least one filter having a filter bed that is periodically washed with liquid, gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. The flume includes a chamber having a top wall, a bottom wall, a left sidewall and a right sidewall. The chamber is adapted to receive a liquid, a gas and/or a combination of liquid and gas. Preferably, the flumes includes at least a first inner wall and a second inner wall. Each of the first inner wall and the second inner wall are preferably free of any orifices. The first inner wall is positioned relative to the second inner wall such that an open space is formed between the first inner wall and the second inner wall. The open space creates a first liquid/gas interface upstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall and a second gas/liquid interface downstream of the first inner wall and the second inner wall when gas and liquid are present in the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Inventors: R. Roberts, Mark Addison
  • Publication number: 20070023346
    Abstract: A filter having a gravel-less underdrain and a filter layer installed directly on top of the gravel-less underdrain. The filter layer is designed such that when fluid is directed through the filter layer at controlled rates a protective barrier is formed by the larger particles of the filter layer directly above the gravel-less underdrain to prevent clogging and/or structural failure of the gravel-less underdrain thereby obviating the need for one or more layers of gravel or torpedo sand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventor: R. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7166010
    Abstract: Organic electroluminescent device can be formed with multiple layers including an electrode, an emission layer, and a buffer layer. The emission layer includes a light emitting material. The buffer layer is disposed between and in electrical communication with the electrode and the emission layer and includes a triarylamine hole transport material and an electron acceptor material. The buffer layer optionally includes one or more of a) a polymeric binder, b) a color converting material, and c) light scattering particles. The buffer layer can also be formed using a polymeric hole transport material having a plurality of triarylamine moieties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sergey A. Lamansky, Manoj Nirmal, Fred B. McCormick, Ralph R. Roberts, John P. Baetzold, Todd D. Jones
  • Patent number: 7149962
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and a system for providing a gauge table with a requested format capable of being accessed via the Internet for a railcar tank based on a request and an error report generated from data identifying the railcar and the gauge table file of the identified railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Railcar Services Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Davis, Rick R. Roberts, Charlene R. Cysz, Arthur J. Kozlowski
  • Publication number: 20060272679
    Abstract: A pretreatment unit and associated method for pre-treating filter media used to filter water or wastewater prior to installation in a filter. Preferably, the pretreatment unit includes a pretreatment chamber for temporarily storing and pre-treating filter media prior to installation of the filter media in a filter. The pretreatment chamber has a liquid distribution system for distributing liquid through the filter media at a sufficient velocity to remove fines or other unwanted material from the filter media. The washing liquid may be super chlorinated to sterilize the filter media. The pretreatment unit also includes a collector for collecting fines or other unwanted material removed from the filter media. Preferably, at least a portion of the collector is disposed in the pretreatment chamber. The pretreatment unit further includes a filter media discharge port for discharging filter media treated in the pretreatment chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Publication date: December 7, 2006
    Inventors: R. Roberts, Mark Addison