Patents by Inventor Richard Merrill

Richard Merrill 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: 20240346443
    Abstract: Management of pharmaceutical procurement for a pharmaceutical ordering location. A method includes determining a medication need and a drug product preference for an ordering location. The method includes identifying one or more drug products satisfying the medication need by communicating with one or more pharmaceutical suppliers and selecting at least one of the one or more drug products based on the drug product preference. The method includes generating a recommended order for the ordering location comprising the at least one of the one or more drug products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: Trulla, LLC
    Inventors: Angela Whitney, Curtis James McEntire, John Richard Bucher, Patrick Ryan Sims, Robert Al Nahoopii, Sheldon Todd Merrill
  • Patent number: 12114675
    Abstract: Methods of making a powdered milk product as described. The methods may include providing an aqueous milk-sourced mixture, and evaporating water from the aqueous milk-sourced mixture to produce an evaporated milk-sourced mixture having a total solids concentration of 35 wt. % or more. The evaporated milk-sourced mixture may be dried to form the powdered milk product, which may have less than 6 wt. % water. Systems for making the milk powdered product are also described. The systems may include an evaporator to evaporate water from a supply of a milk-sourced mixture to form an evaporated milk-sourced mixture. They may also include a dryer to dry the evaporated milk-sourced mixture and atomize it into the powdered milk product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Neill Burt, Mark Cramer, Jiancai Li, Richard Merrill
  • Patent number: 12088612
    Abstract: A system continuously stores, as machine learning data, metadata results associated with a previous cyber-attack, a previous inspection class policy definition at a time of the previous cyber-attack, and a result of a previous data protection operation taken upon indication of the previous cyber-attack; continuously monitors for a new security condition or event; detects the new security condition or event; determines an appropriate inspection class policy from a plurality of inspection class policies based on the new security condition or event; based on the determined inspection class policy and the machine learning training data, determines a specific class of inspection tool from a plurality of classes of inspection tools or a specific level of inspection from a plurality of different levels of inspection for the new security condition or event; and executes the specific class of inspection tool or the specific level of inspection using the specific class of inspection tool on a particular data object to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cobalt Iron, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Merrill Marett, Richard Raymond Spurlock, Gregory John Tevis
  • Publication number: 20240164396
    Abstract: Methods of making a powdered milk product as described. The methods may include providing an aqueous milk-sourced mixture, and evaporating water from the aqueous milk-sourced mixture to produce an evaporated milk-sourced mixture having a total solids concentration of 35 wt. % or more. The evaporated milk-sourced mixture may be dried to form the powdered milk product, which may have less than 6 wt. % water. Systems for making the milk powdered product are also described. The systems may include an evaporator to evaporate water from a supply of a milk-sourced mixture to form an evaporated milk-sourced mixture. They may also include a dryer to dry the evaporated milk-sourced mixture and atomize it into the powdered milk product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Neill Burt, Mark Cramer, Jiancai Li, Richard Merrill
  • Patent number: 11832629
    Abstract: Methods of making a powdered milk product are described. The methods may include providing an aqueous milk-sourced mixture, and evaporating water from the aqueous milk-sourced mixture to produce an evaporated milk-sourced mixture having a total solids concentration of 35 wt. % or more. The evaporated milk-sourced mixture may be dried to form the powdered milk product, which may have less than 6 wt. % water. Systems for making the milk powdered product are also described. The systems may include an evaporator to evaporate water from a supply of a milk-sourced mixture to form an evaporated milk-sourced mixture. They may also include a dryer to dry the evaporated milk-sourced mixture and atomize it into the powdered milk product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Neill Burt, Mark Cramer, Jiancai Li, Richard Merrill
  • Publication number: 20210106016
    Abstract: Methods of making a powdered milk product are described. The methods may include providing an aqueous milk-sourced mixture, and evaporating water from the aqueous milk-sourced mixture to produce an evaporated milk-sourced mixture having a total solids concentration of 35 wt. % or more. The evaporated milk-sourced mixture may be dried to form the powdered milk product, which may have less than 6 wt. % water. Systems for making the milk powdered product are also described. The systems may include an evaporator to evaporate water from a supply of a milk-sourced mixture to form an evaporated milk-sourced mixture. They may also include a dryer to dry the evaporated milk-sourced mixture and atomize it into the powdered milk product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Neill Burt, Mark Cramer, Jiancai Li, Richard Merrill
  • Patent number: 7494677
    Abstract: Coatings containing one or more thermally coagulating proteins (e.g., whey protein) and foodstuffs coated with such coatings are provided. The coatings render foodstuffs less permeable to fat and oil in the frying medium, and thus reduce the amount of fat or oil absorbed by the foodstuff during cooking. The coatings also improve the color, texture and crispiness of the cooked foodstuff. Methods for applying such coatings to obtain the coated foodstuff are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, David LeMay, Laura E. Colin-Diaz
  • Publication number: 20070227712
    Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus includes an inlet header, an inlet connection connected to the inlet header, an outlet header, an outlet connection connected to the outlet header and a plurality of serpentine tube bodies. The plurality of serpentine tube bodies interconnect and are in communication with the inlet header and outlet header. Each serpentine tube body has a plurality of straight tube sections and a plurality of U-shaped return bend sections. Each one of the straight tube sections and each one of the return bend sections have an elliptically-shaped cross-sectional configuration. The plurality of serpentine tube bodies are arranged in a juxtaposed manner with consecutive ones of the serpentine tube bodies contacting each other at a point defining a series of stacked common planes disposed parallel with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Bugler, George Shriver, Richard Merrill
  • Publication number: 20070227713
    Abstract: A heat exchanger tube includes a tube body forming a hollow passageway and having a U-shaped tube section defining a return bend, a pair of straight tube sections and a pair of transition sections. Respective ones of the straight tube sections are connected to the return section with respective ones of the transition sections disposed therebetween. The straight tube sections extend generally parallel to one another. Each straight tube section has a straight tube cross-sectional width and the return bend has a return bend cross-sectional width that is smaller than the straight tube cross-sectional width. Multiple heat exchanger tubes can be connected together to form a serpentine heat exchanger tube. Multiple serpentine heat exchanger tubes or multiple heat exchanger tubes can be assembled together to form a heat exchanger apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Bugler, George Shriver, Richard Merrill
  • Publication number: 20070172579
    Abstract: Methods of making protein hydrolysates are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a solution comprising protein, and adjusting a pH of the solution to about 10.4 or more to form a basic protein solution. Additional steps may include adding a protease enzyme to the basic protein solution that converts at least a portion of the protein to protein hydrolysates. Protein hydrolysate compositions and water-soluble food additives are also described. The additives may include a mixture of protein hydrolysates formed by protein hydrolysis of a protein substrate. The protein hydrolysates may have an average molecular weight of about 2000 to about 10,000 Daltons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Madison Blanton, Richard Merrill, Shannan Guck
  • Publication number: 20070080588
    Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes an AC power source connected to first, second and third conductors. A electromagnetic field generating device is positioned adjacent to a fluid conduit, electrically connected to the first and third conductors to form a first circuit. A second electromagnetic field generating device is positioned adjacent to a second fluid conduit, electrically connected to the second and third electrical conductors to form a second circuit. A circuit element in the first circuit initiates a high frequency electromagnetic field at said first electromagnetic field generating device during a first half of the AC wave form in the first circuit, and a circuit element in the second circuit initiates a high frequency electromagnetic field at said first electromagnetic field generating device during a second half of the AC wave form in the second circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, John Lane
  • Publication number: 20060204643
    Abstract: A method of making a powdered whey protein, where the method includes heating a slurry comprising starting whey protein to a temperature of about 140° F. to about 300° F. The heating converts at least a portion of the starting whey protein to denatured whey protein. The method also includes subjecting the slurry to high shear conditions, and drying the slurry to leave the powdered whey protein. Also, a system for producing a powdered whey protein. The system includes a cooker to heat a slurry comprising starting whey protein, and a shear pump to subject the slurry to high shear conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Madison Blanton, Frank Jaskulka, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20060115569
    Abstract: A process of making cheese, e.g., a mozzarella variety cheese, is disclosed. It comprises the following steps: (a) preparing a cheese curd; (b) grinding the curd while in admixture with (i) an aqueous solution of at least one cheese emulsifying salt and (ii) at least one GRAS food additive in the form of a comminuted solid, to obtain an emulsifier/additive-impregnated ground curd; and (c) converting the emulsifier/additive-impregnated curd into cheese either by (i) heating, kneading, and stretching the emulsifier/additive-impregnated ground curd to obtain a homogeneous mass of cheese, or (ii) pressing the emulsifier/additive-impregnated ground curd to obtain a homogeneous mass of cheese. Examples of suitable GRAS food additives include gums, stabilizers, dairy solids (e.g., non-fat dry milk or whey protein concentrate), cheese powders, non-dairy protein isolates, sodium chloride, native or modified food starches, colorants, and flavorants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Terry Anderson
  • Publication number: 20060083820
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20060083821
    Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese blends of analog cheese and soft or firm/semi-hard, ripened or unripended, cheese are provided. The methods generally involve combining a slurry that contains the basic ingredients for an analog cheese and optionally one or more other ingredients with a mass of heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese. Slurries that are used in the methods and cheeses produced by the methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20060083822
    Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20060008555
    Abstract: A method of making an aldobionate product is described. The method may include providing a milk product having one or more reducing sugars, and maintaining a pH of the milk product at about 5.5 or more by adding a buffer compound to the milk product. The method may also include adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product. In addition, a method of making an aldobionate product is described that includes the steps of providing a milk product comprising a reducing sugar, mixing oxygen into the milk product, and adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: Leprino Foods
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20050271789
    Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese blends of analog cheese and soft or firm/semi-hard, ripened or unripended, cheese are provided. The methods generally involve combining a slurry that contains the basic ingredients for an analog cheese and optionally one or more other ingredients with a mass of heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese. Slurries that are used in the methods and cheeses produced by the methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20050249854
    Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh
  • Publication number: 20050249853
    Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Applicant: Leprino Foods Company
    Inventors: Richard Merrill, Mayank Singh