Patents by Inventor Robert A. Moreau

Robert A. Moreau 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: 20240091745
    Abstract: A composite oxidation catalyst for use in an exhaust system for treating an exhaust gas produced by a vehicular compression ignition internal combustion engine is disclosed. The composite oxidation catalyst comprises a honeycomb flow-through substrate monolith and two catalyst washcoat zones arranged axially in series on and along the substrate surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew CHIFFEY, Kieran COLE, Oliver COOPER, Christopher DALY, Lee GILBERT, Robert HANLEY, David MICALLEF, Francois MOREAU, Paul PHILLIPS, George PLATT
  • Publication number: 20210094905
    Abstract: Compositions containing at least one compound of formula I where R1 is a phenolic compound (e.g., simple phenol, creosote, thymol, or carvacrol), and where R2 is a polyamine (e.g., ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), hexamethylenediamine (HDA)); and optionally a carrier; the compositions may additionally contain at least one epoxy resin. Methods for killing microorganisms involving contacting the microorganisms with an effective microorganism killing amount of the above composition. Compositions containing at least one compound produced by a method involving reacting phenolic-branched chain fatty acid methyl ester with at least one polyamine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Kun Huang, Richard D. Ashby, Xuetong Fan, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
  • Patent number: 10364209
    Abstract: A method for preparing triglyceride oils containing at least 2% branching on the hydrocarbon chain, said method involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) a feedstock containing unsaturated fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone having 6 to 25 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, (b) modified zeolite, and (c) water or alcohol in the presence of an inert atmosphere (e.g., at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 350° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 300 psi for about 24 to about 72 hours) to produce triglycerides containing at least 2% branching (and optionally isolating said triglycerides containing at least 2% branching and optionally purifying the isolated triglycerides containing at least 2% branching); wherein said modified zeolite has been calcined at about 760° C. to about 840° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours, then placed in about 1N HCl at about 50° C. to about 60° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours and washed with water until the pH is neutral.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Renee J. Latona, Majher I. Sarker, Robert A. Moreau
  • Publication number: 20190062672
    Abstract: A method for preparing triglyceride oils containing at least 2% branching on the hydrocarbon chain, said method involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) a feedstock containing unsaturated fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone having 6 to 25 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, (b) modified zeolite, and (c) water or alcohol in the presence of an inert atmosphere (e.g., at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 350° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 300 psi for about 24 to about 72 hours) to produce triglycerides containing at least 2% branching (and optionally isolating said triglycerides containing at least 2% branching and optionally purifying the isolated triglycerides containing at least 2% branching); wherein said modified zeolite has been calcined at about 760° C. to about 840° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours, then placed in about 1N HCl at about 50° C. to about 60° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours and washed with water until the pH is neutral.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Renee J. Latona, Majher I Sarker, Robert A. Moreau
  • Patent number: 10144694
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
  • Publication number: 20180282254
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
  • Patent number: 10087132
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for converting an unsaturated fatty acid into a saturated branched-chain fatty acid through a zeolite-catalyzed process and methods of economically regenerating and reusing the zeolite catalyst. The processes include subjecting the unsaturated fatty acid to an isomerization reaction to result in a selective conversion of the unsaturated fatty acid into the saturated branched-chain fatty acid. The reaction occurs in the presence of (i) an activated zeolite catalyst, (ii) an effective amount of water, and (iii) optionally an oligomerization reducing agent. The spent zeolite catalyst may be regenerated by heating to create a regenerated zeolite catalyst that is functional for use as the activated zeolite catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Majher I Sarker, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
  • Patent number: 10071946
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
  • Publication number: 20180186716
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for converting an unsaturated fatty acid into a saturated branched-chain fatty acid through a zeolite-catalyzed process and methods of economically regenerating and reusing the zeolite catalyst. The processes include subjecting the unsaturated fatty acid to an isomerization reaction to result in a selective conversion of the unsaturated fatty acid into the saturated branched-chain fatty acid. The reaction occurs in the presence of (i) an activated zeolite catalyst, (ii) an effective amount of water, and (iii) optionally an oligomerization reducing agent. The spent zeolite catalyst may be regenerated by heating to create a regenerated zeolite catalyst that is functional for use as the activated zeolite catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Majher I Sarker, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
  • Patent number: 9777243
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining corn oil from milled corn germ (e.g., dry milled corn germ), involving adding water, at least one acidic cellulase, at least one acidic protease, and at least one phytase to milled corn germ to obtain corn oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, DANISCO US INC.
    Inventors: Robert A. Moreau, David Johnston, Kevin B. Hicks, Jayarama K. Shetty
  • Publication number: 20170253552
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: HELEN N. Lew, KAREN WAGNER, XUETONG FAN, ALBERTO NUNEZ, ROBERT A. MOREAU, MICHAEL J. HAAS, ZONGCHENG YAN
  • Publication number: 20160201006
    Abstract: Methods for obtaining corn oil from milled corn germ (e.g., dry milled corn germ), involving adding water, at least one acidic cellulase, at least one acidic protease, and at least one phytase to milled corn germ to obtain corn oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Moreau, David Johnston, Kevin B. Hicks, Jayarama K. Shetty
  • Patent number: 9388444
    Abstract: The isolation and characterization of a glucosyltransferase gene from Candida bombicola is disclosed. Use of the glucosyltransferase enzyme for the production of glucosylated sterol and hydroxyl-fatty acid substrates is also disclosed. This enzyme has broad-specificity and is useful for the production of sophorolipids both in-vivo and in-vitro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Daniel K Solaiman, Richard D Ashby, Jonathan A. Zerkowski, Robert A Moreau, Yanhong Liu
  • Publication number: 20150267236
    Abstract: The isolation and characterization of a glucosyltransferase gene from Candida bombicola is disclosed. Use of the glucosyltransferase enzyme for the production of glucosylated sterol and hydroxyl-fatty acid substrates is also disclosed. This enzyme has broad-specificity and is useful for the production of sophorolipids both in-vivo and in-vitro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel K Solaiman, Richard D Ashby, Jonathan A. Zerkowski, Robert A Moreau, Yanhong Liu
  • Patent number: 7115295
    Abstract: A method for preparing corn fiber oil involving separating corn fiber from corn kernels (e.g., by a wet milling process), drying the corn fiber, grinding the dried corn fiber to produce ground corn fiber having a particle size of less than about 100 microns, combining the ground corn fiber with an aqueous solution having a specific gravity effective to float aleurone cells, removing the floating aleurone fraction, drying the aleurone fraction to form a dried aleurone fraction, grinding the dried aleurone fraction to form a ground aleurone fraction, extracting corn fiber oil from the ground aleurone fraction by a way selected from the group consisting of an organic solvent and supercritical fluid extraction, and separating the extracted corn fiber oil from the extraction medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Vijay Singh, Robert A. Moreau
  • Patent number: 6177415
    Abstract: The arachidonic acid-metabolizing hopanoid tetrahydroxybacteriohopane (THBH) was isolated from Zymomonas mobilis and was found to inhibit soybean 15-lipoxygenase, and thus lipoxin biosynthesis, with an IC50 of about 10 &mgr;M. The activities of two other arachidonic acid-metabolizing enzymes, human 5-lipoxygenase (involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis) and prostaglandin H synthase, were unaffected by THBH. Subsequent studies showed that THBH was effective as an anti-inflammatory agent in topical applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Robert A. Moreau, Kevin B. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5843499
    Abstract: An oil extractable from corn fiber contains ferulate esters, in particular sitostanyl ester, which has been shown to have cholesterol-lowering activity. The oil is extracted by a novel process which includes a grinding step carried out before extraction with an effective organic solvent such as hexane. The corn fiber oil may be combined with an ingestible and/or edible carrier for administration as a dietary supplement for cholesterol-lowering purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Robert A. Moreau, Kevin B. Hicks, Robert J. Nicolosi, Robert A. Norton
  • Patent number: 5263028
    Abstract: A frame transfer mechanism for a processor controlled network node connected to network link wherein fixed-length data frames including a fixed number of slots are to be transferred to and from a memory (10) under processor (23) control. The incoming data flow through a FIFO-IN shift register (22). The outgoing frames flow through a FIFO-OUT (24) register. Both FIFO shift registers are provided with an extra bit position which is used to insert a synchronization-bit (flag) used to control synchronization operation of the system and incoming frames. The extra-bit position is fedback from FIFO-OUT to FIFO-IN to enable wrap-test operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Philippe Borgnis, Jacques Cresp, Robert Moreau