Patents by Inventor Robert E. Perkins

Robert E. Perkins 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: 5558771
    Abstract: Composite articles are useful for separating mercury from fluids. The composite articles can be porous supports comprising an inert substrate having immobilized thereon finely divided gold optionally in combination with a tin salt coating. The porous support can be a particulate or porous fibrous webs. Alternatively, the composite articles can comprise a porous fibrous membrane having enmeshed therein the aforementioned porous supports which can be in particulate or fibrous forms. The method for separating elemental, ionic, or organic mercury in fluids comprises the step of contacting and passing a fluid containing mercury through a support comprising a porous, high surface area, inert substrate on which is immobilized finely divided elemental gold at a controlled rate for a time sufficient for the mercury to sorb to the elemental gold and to provide an immobilized gold-mercury amalgam on the support. If a tin salt also is immobilized on the inert substrate, mercury-tin salt can also be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Hagen, Wanda Bahmet, Louis C. Haddad, Robert E. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5492627
    Abstract: Composite articles are useful for separating mercury from fluids. The composite articles can be porous supports comprising an inert substrate having immobilized thereon finely divided gold optionally in combination with a tin salt coating. The porous support can be a particulate or porous fibrous webs. Alternatively, the composite articles can comprise a porous fibrous membrane having enmeshed therein the aforementioned porous supports which can be in particulate or fibrous forms. The method for separating elemental, ionic, or organic mercury in fluids comprises the step of contacting and passing a fluid containing mercury through a support comprising a porous, high surface area, inert substrate on which is immobilized finely divided elemental gold at a controlled rate for a time sufficient for the mercury to sorb to the elemental gold and to provide an immobilized gold-mercury amalgam on the support. If a tin salt also is immobilized on the inert substrate, mercury-tin salt can also be formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Hagen, Wanda Bahmet, Louis C. Haddad, Robert E. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5470532
    Abstract: Composite reactive articles are useful for quantifying cyanide ions in solution. The composite reactive articles can be porous reactive supports comprising an inert substrate having immobilized thereon finely divided gold. The porous reactive supports can be particulate, porous fibrous membranes or solution-cast membranes. Alternatively, the composite reactive articles can comprise porous fibrous membranes having enmeshed therein the aforementioned porous supports which can be in particulate or fibrous forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Hagen, Louis C. Haddad, Robert E. Perkins, Craig G. Markell
  • Patent number: 5340746
    Abstract: Composite reactive articles are useful for quantifying cyanide ions in solution. The composite reactive articles can be porous reactive supports comprising an inert substrate having immobilized thereon finely divided gold. The porous reactive supports can be particulate, porous fibrous membranes, or solution-cast membranes. Alternatively, the composite reactive articles can comprise porous fibrous membranes having enmeshed therein the aforementioned porous supports which can be in particulate or fibrous forms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Donald F. Hagen, Louis C. Haddad, Robert E. Perkins, Craig G. Markell
  • Patent number: 5310294
    Abstract: An improved apparatus for pulling a wire through a pre-drilled hole is detailed. The apparatus comprises a pair of opposing arms which reversibly grasp the wire. The opposing arms are attachable to a rod which is capable of mating with a rod or drill bit. The rod or drill bit is pulled through the hole which, in turn, pulls the wire through the same hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Inventor: Robert E. Perkins
  • Patent number: 5084977
    Abstract: An apparatus arranged for association with a saw plate member, wherein an elongate guide member is slidably and reciprocatably mounted in a parallel orientation relative to a saw blade, wherein the guide member includes a guide plate orthogonally oriented relative to the rotary saw of the organization to effect guiding of the saw blade in an orthogonal orientation relative to a portion of wood to be severed to permit ease and alignment of the saw for cross-cutting of the aforenoted workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Inventor: Robert E. Perkins