Patents by Inventor Robert A. Pranis

Robert A. Pranis 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).

  • Patent number: 7390666
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in the oil and devices to be used therewith. In a preferred embodiment a test strip including an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fidelis C. Onwumere, Robert A. Pranis, Jack G. Truong
  • Patent number: 7300801
    Abstract: Solid phase extraction articles, well-less filtration devices, and methods of manufacturing the articles and devices are disclosed. Methods of extracting analytes from samples using the articles and devices are also disclosed. The articles, devices and methods include a solid phase extraction medium (SPE medium) that incorporates thermoplastic material, e.g., in the form of thermoplastic particles enmeshed within a fibril matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Pranis, Craig A. Perman
  • Publication number: 20070048871
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in the oil and devices to be used therewith. In a preferred embodiment a test strip comprising an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Fidelis Onwumere, Robert Pranis, Jack Truong
  • Patent number: 7132079
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in the oil and devices to be used therewith. In a preferred embodiment a test strip comprising an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fidelis C. Onwumere, Robert A. Pranis, Jack G. Truong
  • Publication number: 20050058576
    Abstract: Solid phase extraction articles, well-less filtration devices, and methods of manufacturing the articles and devices are disclosed. Methods of extracting analytes from samples using the articles and devices are also disclosed. The articles, devices and methods include a solid phase extraction medium (SPE medium) that incorporates thermoplastic material, e.g., in the form of thermoplastic particles enmeshed within a fibril matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Pranis, Craig Perman
  • Publication number: 20030027346
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in the oil and devices to be used therewith. In a preferred embodiment a test strip comprising an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fidelis C. Onwumere, Robert A. Pranis, Jack G. Truong
  • Patent number: 6436713
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods for determining whether or not to discard a sample of oil based on the presence of polar compounds in oil and devices to be used to determine the presence of polar compounds in oil. In a preferred embodiment, a test strip comprising an adsorbent affixed to a backing is spotted with a polar indicator. A sample of oil is positioned on a heat conducting device supporting the test strip and the oil is allowed to migrate over the adsorbent material, thereby displacing the polar indicator in an amount related to the amount of polar compounds in the oil. This displacement is correlated to the amount of polar compounds in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Fidelis C. Onwumere, Robert A. Pranis, Jack G. Truong
  • Patent number: 6018009
    Abstract: Insoluble supports are prepared which possess high surface areas and efficiently dispersed isocyanate groups. These reactive supports are useful for covalently binding proteins which preferably are enzymes and provide catalysts for conducting organic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Gary J. Drtina, Louis C. Haddad, Frederick W. Hyde, Dean M. Moren, Robert A. Pranis
  • Patent number: 5760152
    Abstract: Insoluble supports are prepared which possess high surface areas and efficiently dispersed isocyanate groups. These reactive supports are useful for covalently binding proteins which preferably are enzymes and provide catalysts for conducting organic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Gary J. Drtina, Louis C. Haddad, Frederick W. Hyde, Dean M. Moren, Robert A. Pranis
  • Patent number: 5679779
    Abstract: Insoluble supports are prepared which possess high surface areas and efficiently dispersed isocyanate groups. These reactive supports are useful for covalently binding proteins which preferably are enzymes and provide catalysts for conducting organic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
    Inventors: Steven M. Heilmann, Gary J. Drtina, Louis C. Haddad, Frederick W. Hyde, Dean M. Moren, Robert A. Pranis
  • Patent number: 4835101
    Abstract: The storage stability of peroxidase-reactive luminescent cocktails which employ chemiluminescent 2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinediones, oxidants reactant therewith to cause light emission in peroxidase-mediated luminescent reactions, and phenolic sensitivity enhancers is improved by maintaining the pH of the cocktail prior to use at a value in the range of about 3 to about 6 and preferably at a pH of about 5. An analyte sample may be subjected to a reaction resulting in a peroxidase-containing phase, the peroxidase content of which is related to the quantity of analyte in the sample, and the peroxidase phase may then be combined with the thus-described cocktail and an aqueous alkaline organic buffer to raise the pH of the resulting reaction mixture to a value in the range of 7-9, favoring light emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Kallestad Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kao, Frank A. Blocki, Robert A. Pranis, Walter C. Mahoney