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).

  • Sulfonamido ether substituted imidazoquinolines
    Patent number: 6683088
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Container having a fluid transfer tube with textured inner surface and method for making the container
    Publication number: 20040015121
    Abstract: A container for retaining a fluent therapeutic has a fluid transfer tube having a proximal end in fluid communication with an interior space of the container, a distal end accessible outside of the container and an inner surface defining a flow passage through which fluent therapeutic is delivered from the interior space of the container. At least a portion of the tube inner surface is textured such that the inner surface has a surface roughness equal to or greater than about 20 microinches. In a method for making such a container, the fluid transfer tube is extruded from an extruder and its inner surface is textured to have a surface roughness equal to or greater than about 20 microinches. The tube is secured to the container with a proximal end in fluid communication with the interior space of the container and a distal end accessible outside of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Baxter International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick T. Ryan, Robert R. Roberts, Randy J. Koppen, Robert J. Kristan, Joseph Nolan Veillon, Robert Gettens
  • Crown fastener and method for using
    Publication number: 20040009051
    Abstract: An anti-loosening fastener comprises a head having an upper side and an underside. A shank extends from the middle of the underside of the head. A nut, a concentric counter-bored section and a gripping surface are formed in the upper side of the head. A plurality of protrusions are disposed radially along a perimeter of the underside of the head. A method of use is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce R. Roberts, Wesley J. Wagner
  • Shelf life testing unit
    Publication number: 20040007072
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for testing the level of retained gas at elevated pressure in plastic containers for carbonated beverages includes a manifold assembly for engaging the mouth of a test set of the containers. The apparatus additionally includes a gas supply for supplying a desired quantity of a selected gas to each container, the gas preferably helium. The apparatus further includes pressure measuring units for measuring the pressure in each container, and a data collection system coupled to the pressure measuring units for periodically collecting pressure data along with ambient temperature data as a function of time. The collected data can be analyzed to determine shelf life of the containers. Using helium, the shelf life determination can be accomplished in about {fraction (1/7)}th the time of conventional shelf life tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Craig P. Davis, Stephen C Ramey, Mary L Hughes-Olson, Edward R Roberts, Mihaela Penescu
  • Sulfonamido ether substituted imidazoquinolines
    Patent number: 6677347
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei
  • Buffer layers for organic electroluminescent devices and methods of manufacture and use
    Publication number: 20040004433
    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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sergey A. Lamansky, Manoj Nirmal, Fred B. McCormick, Ralph R. Roberts, John P. Baetzold, Todd D. Jones
  • Fluorescence based oxygen sensor systems
    Patent number: 6664111
    Abstract: Sensing elements, sensor systems and methods for determining the concentration of oxygen and oxygen-related analytes in a medium are provided. The sensing element comprises a solid polymeric matrix material that is permeable to oxygen or an oxygen related analyte and an indicator that is covalently bonded to the solid polymeric matrix material. The indicator is a luminescent platinum group metal polyaromatic chelate complex capable of having its luminescence quenched by the presence of oxygen. The polyaromatic complex comprises three ligands, at least one of which is a bidentate diphenylphenanthroline. The polyaromatic complex is distributed substantially homogenously throughout the matrix material and is covalently bonded to the matrix material via a linker arm. The linker arm is attached to a phenyl group of a diphenylphenanthroline ligand and to the backbone of the polymeric matrix material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James G. Bentsen, Ralph R. Roberts, Orlin B. Knudson, Daniel Alvarez, Jr., Michael J. Rude
  • Electroluminescent materials and methods of manufacture and use
    Publication number: 20030224205
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yingbo Li, John P. Baetzold, Terence D. Spawn, Ralph R. Roberts, James G. Bentsen, John S. Staral
  • Preform preheater
    Publication number: 20030222071
    Abstract: Pre-heating apparatus for pre-heating a selected portion of each of a series of preforms to achieve a persistent thermal gradient prior to re-heating and blow-molding the preform. The pre-heating apparatus is adjustably mounted to a gravitational slide that transports the series of preforms downward under the influence of gravity through the preheating apparatus toward a reheat blow molding machine. The pre-heating apparatus includes a housing coupled to the slide so that the selected portion of each of the series of preforms is shielded from the general environment, and heating elements fixed within the housing so that heat from the heating elements is directed toward the selected portion of each of the series of preforms as the preforms descend down the gravitational slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Michael L. Vaughn, Khalid Mejrhirh, Eddie R. Roberts
  • Materials for organic electronic devices
    Publication number: 20030219625
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions, organic electronic devices, and methods for preparing organic electronic devices. The compositions include a small molecule that is combined with at least one other material selected from a charge transporting material, a charge blocking material, a light emitting material, a color conversion material, or a combination thereof. The first compound has an aromatic core and two to four identical end capping groups attached to the aromatic core. The second compound has at least some structural similarities to the first compound of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Martin B. Wolk, James G. Bentsen, Ralph R. Roberts, John S. Staral, Yingbo Li
  • Method for treating liquid egg whites
    Publication number: 20030219525
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating liquid egg white while not decreasing egg white functionality or causing difficulties in processing of the egg whites, such as gelation. In accordance with the invention, egg whites are blended with an amount of hydroxide solution which is effective for raising egg white pH to at least about 8.2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott A. Woodward, Julie C. Cotton, Donald R. Roberts, Nathan Rikansmud, Timothy Joseph Sarracco, Jeff Taylor
  • Eye viewing device for retinal viewing through undilated pupil
    Patent number: 6637882
    Abstract: The invention is a low cost, low input power eye viewing device well suited for viewing wide field retinal images through an undilated pupil. Included in the device are a converging light illumination system and an aperture stop. The converging light illumination system provides ease of entry of light rays into an eye, wide field retinal illumination, reduced glare and reduced power consumption. The aperture stop blocks unwanted received glare light not forming part of the retinal image. The device is made especially well suited for retinal viewing through an undilated pupil if the aperture is sized in accordance with the diameter of an undilated pupil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Welch Allyn, Inc.
    Inventors: Ervin Goldfain, Chris R. Roberts, Allan I. Krauter, Steven R. Slawson, William H. Lagerway
  • Method for production of high titer virus and high efficiency retroviral mediated transduction of mammalian cells
    Publication number: 20030199093
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Finer, Margo R. Roberts, Thomas J. Dull, Krisztina M. Zsebo, Lu Qin, Deborah A. Farson, Keegan Cooke
  • Triangulation displacement sensor
    Patent number: 6624899
    Abstract: The detector elements are larger than an image of the spot on the array would be, but an image is not formed on the array. Instead, the beam shaping element enlarges the size of the area of illumination on the array slightly, and mixes, or homogenizes, the light. This destroys the image and the intensity variations originating at the spot on the surface that would be contained in the image. The enlargement of the area of illumination together with the homogenization allow the position of the beam on the array to be determined to a resolution of about {fraction (1/10)}th of the width of a detector element. This position is then converted to an absolute distance output which may be read by digital or analog means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Robert Clark
  • Beneficiated water reducing compositions
    Publication number: 20030172850
    Abstract: Exemplary compositions comprise at least one aldopentonic acid, such as xylonic acid; and further comprise a lignin, a lignosulfonic acid or its salt, an additional sugar acid such as a aldohexonic acid or salt, a conventional admixture (such as a polyacrylate superplasticizer, a corrosion inhibitor, a set retard, a set accelerator, etc.), or a mixture thereof. Exemplary methods for obtaining microbiologically or enzymatically converted sugar acids are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventors: Byong-wa Chun, Benita Dair, Charlotte B. Porteneuve, Ara Avedis Jeknavorian, Josephine Ho-Wah Cheung, Lawrence R. Roberts
  • Synthesis of 3,6-dialkyl-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-one
    Publication number: 20030171602
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a &dgr;-lactone of the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Roche Colorado Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Fleming, Yeun-Kwei Han, Lewis M. Hodges, David A. Johnston, Roger P. Micheli, Kurt Puentener, Chris R. Roberts, Michelangelo Scalone, Mark A. Schwindt, Rober J. Topping
  • Low NOx premix burner apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 6616442
    Abstract: Low NOx axial premix burner apparatus and methods for burning fuel gas are provided by the present invention. The methods of the invention are basically comprised of the steps of mixing a first portion of the fuel gas and all of the air to form a lean primary fuel gas-air mixture, discharging the lean primary fuel gas-air mixture into the furnace space whereby the mixture is burned in a primary combustion zone therein, discharging a second portion of the fuel gas into the primary combustion zone to stabilize the flame produced therein and discharging the remaining portion of the fuel gas into a secondary combustion zone in the furnace space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: John Zink Company, LLC
    Inventors: Demetris Venizelos, R. Robert Hayes, Richard T. Waibel, Wesley R. Bussman
  • Synthesis of 3,6-dialkyl-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-one
    Publication number: 20030158422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a &dgr;-lactone of the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Roche Colorado Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Fleming, Yeun-Kwei Han, Lewis M. Hodges, David A. Johnston, Roger P. Mitcheli, Kurt Puentener, Chris R. Roberts, Michelangelo Scalone, Mark A. Schwindt, Robert J. Topping
  • Synthesis of 3,6-dialkyl-5,6-dihydro-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-one
    Publication number: 20030158423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a &dgr;-lactone of the formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Roche Colorado Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Fleming, Yeun-Kwei Han, Lewis M. Hodges, David A. Johnston, Roger P. Micheli, Kurt Puentener, Chris R. Roberts, Michelangelo Scalone, Mark A. Schwindt, Robert J. Topping
  • Sulfonamido ether substituted imidazoquinolines
    Publication number: 20030139441
    Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain ether and sulfonamide or sulfamide functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen L. Crooks, George W. Griesgraber, Philip D. Heppner, Bryon A. Merrill, Ralph R. Roberts, Ai-Ping Wei