Patents by Inventor Robert Downs
Robert Downs 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).
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Publication number: 20080085221Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for high throughput screening of alloys and other materials to identify those that have desired gas storage properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: April 10, 2008Applicant: WILDCAT DISCOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20070178019Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for conducting ball milling operations in a high throughput manner. Also provided are devices and methods for high throughput screening of alloys and other materials to identify those that have desired gas storage properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: WILDCAT DISCOVERY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20070105214Abstract: High throughput and automated cellular disruption systems that substantially uniformly disrupt cells as part of cellular motility assays as wells as other assay types are provided. In addition, various system components, including holding blocks, holding block loading devices, and system software, are also provided. Moreover, related methods that utilize these systems and system components are additionally provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2005Publication date: May 10, 2007Applicants: IRM, LLC, THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Kenneth Micklash, Jiyong Hong, James Mainquist, Sheng Ding, Robert Downs, Peter Schultz
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Publication number: 20070031963Abstract: Cell culture flasks that are readily conducive to various automated processing applications, including introducing and removing fluid from the flasks are provided. Automated cell culture flask processing systems, system components, and related methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventors: Jim Chang, James Mainquist, Robert Downs, Randal Wayne, Daniel Sipes
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Publication number: 20070031295Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and methods for conducting ball milling operations in a high throughput manner. Also provided are devices and methods for high throughput screening of alloys and other materials to identify those that have desired gas storage properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: February 8, 2007Inventor: Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20070005182Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: January 4, 2007Inventors: Robert Downs, Mark Weselak, James Mainquist
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Publication number: 20060270027Abstract: The invention provides efficiently automated incubation devices that reduce the number of powered moving parts in the devices and the amount of air transfer between environments that are internal and external to the devices. Related systems are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: IRM LLCInventors: Christopher Shaw, Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20060257999Abstract: High throughput compound profiling systems, and related devices and sub-systems that can be used to perform various compound profiling processes are provided. These systems typically include work perimeters that are organized for optimum efficiency and processing accuracy. Further, these systems are readily adaptable for performing a wide array of assays, as many different system components are easily incorporated or interchangeable in a particular system. System components that are provided by the invention include cell culture dissociators, which can be used, e.g., to effect cell wetting, dissociation, and/or agitation applications. In some embodiments, these cell culture dissociators are included as components of automated cell culture passaging stations. Dispensing devices that permit on-the-fly fluid temperature regulation are also provided. In addition, various compound profiling methods, cell dissociation methods, uniform cell concentration dispensing methods, among other processes, are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Inventors: Jim Chang, James Mainquist, Robert Downs, Jeremy Caldwell, Frederick King
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Publication number: 20060051247Abstract: The present invention provides fluid removal heads and related multi-well container processing systems for the efficient removal of fluids from multi-well containers. Methods of removing fluid from multi-well containers are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: March 9, 2006Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Kenneth Micklash, Robert Downs, Jim Chang, James Mainquist
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Patent number: 7005061Abstract: A drain filter device includes a body formed from wire mesh having a plurality of side edge portions integral with each other and forming a substantially square shape. The body further has substantially planar top and bottom surfaces and includes a plurality of elongated support rods having opposed end portions extending along the plurality of side edge portions respectively. The device further includes a top section having a substantially cylindrical shape and connected to the body. The top section is adaptable to be positioned substantially centrally about drain and for filtering out particulate materials suspended in water entering the drain. Advantageously, the top section traps and maintains particulate materials about a perimeter of a drain and not directly above same.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Inventors: Robert Downs, Mark C. Downs
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Publication number: 20060028802Abstract: The present invention provides modular object storage devices that include object storage modules and support elements that include object storage module receiving areas that are structured to receive the object storage modules. The modular object storage devices also include position adjustment components that are structured to move the object storage modules into contact with elevated alignment surfaces of the object storage module receiving areas to align the object storage module in desired positions. The invention also provides systems and related methods of positioning object storage modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2005Publication date: February 9, 2006Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Christopher Shaw, Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20060002824Abstract: The present invention provides dispensing systems that include peristaltic pumps and other pressure sources for the efficient delivery of accurate volumes of fluidic materials into the wells of multi-well containers or onto substrate surfaces. These systems are typically configured to dispense volumes of fluid having substantially uniform densities. Related computer program products and methods of dispensing fluidic materials are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2005Publication date: January 5, 2006Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Jim Chang, Kenneth Micklash, Robert Downs, James Mainquist, Christopher Shaw
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Publication number: 20050232743Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: IRM LLCInventors: Robert Downs, Mark Weselak, James Mainquist
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Publication number: 20050232823Abstract: A method and system to deposit rapidly, accurately and efficiently liquid droplets onto a sample plate. A liquid from which the droplet is formed contains sample molecules, matrix molecules or a mixture of both sample and matrix molecules. A sample plate is positioned with respect to a position below a portion of the liquid, such as a droplet. A power supply forms an electric field between the sample plate and the liquid, which pulls the droplet to a target location on the sample plate. A plurality of capillary columns is provided for simultaneous or successive multiple depositions via application of one or more high voltage pulses between the liquid sample array and a sample plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2005Publication date: October 20, 2005Applicant: IRM LLCInventors: Ansgar BROCK, Christopher SHAW, Robert DOWNS
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Publication number: 20050163637Abstract: This invention provides material conveying systems that are configured to convey substantially uniform quantities of material to and/or from the material sites and to minimize periodic variation among the conveyed quantities of material. Related computer program products and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2004Publication date: July 28, 2005Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Jim Chang, James Mainquist, Robert Downs, Chris Petersen, Daniel Sipes
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Publication number: 20050150508Abstract: This invention relates to providing nail-art systems for improved fingernail and/or toenail decoration. The nail-art nail system comprises flexible, computer-printed nail-art appliqués used to decorate fingernails and/or toenails. They are preferably cut from self-adhesive vinyl film of the sort commonly used in the art of sign-making. They are preferably computer-printed with decorative designs, and computer-cut into the correct nail shapes. Metallic nail-art appliqués of the nail-art system are also preferably manufactured, preferably from self-adhesive metallized sign-lettering film. Gold, silver, aluminum, and other metals may be used. A business systems, kits, and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2004Publication date: July 14, 2005Inventors: Kim Downs, Robert Downs
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Publication number: 20050058577Abstract: The present invention provides material removal heads and devices for noninvasively removing materials from the wells of multi-well plates. The material removal heads of the invention are structured to prevent cross-contamination among wells of multi-well plates as materials are removed from the plates. The invention also provides dispense heads and devices that include angled dispensers. Related systems, kits, and methods are additionally provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2004Publication date: March 17, 2005Applicant: IRM, LLCInventors: Kenneth Micklash, Robert Downs, Jim Chang, James Mainquist
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Patent number: 6492818Abstract: An apparatus for determining component fault conditions associated with a capacitive discharge ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes a number of AC coupling circuits connected to a spark detection circuit, wherein the combination is responsive to a corresponding number of primary coil voltage signals to produce digital pulses indicative of reflected spark events from the various secondary coils to the respective primary coils of the ignition system. A number of level shifting circuits are also included and provide a pulse width circuit with a corresponding number of level-shifted primary coil voltage signals. A pulse width circuit is responsive to the number of level-shifted primary coil voltage signals to produce appropriate digital pulses timed to match the non-zero voltage times of the various primary coil voltage signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventor: Robert A. Downs
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Patent number: D441263Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignees: Snap-on Technologies, Inc., Trek Bicycle CorporationInventors: Mark J. Hasenberg, Glenn A. Kaufman, Gerald A. Wridt, Robert Downs