Patents by Inventor Robert J. Miller

Robert J. Miller 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).

  • Spa
    Publication number: 20070226896
    Abstract: A spa apparatus includes an internal support structure having a front end and a rear end; a basin removably coupled and supported by the internal support structure proximate the front end, with the basin including a fluid circulation device; a seat coupled to the internal support structure, intermediate the basin and the rear end of the internal support structure; and at least a first and second shroud panel removably coupled to the internal support structure and configured to enclose a portion of the internal support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Norman R. Fugate, Robert J. Miller
  • Fastener assembly for attaching a non-metal component to a metal component
    Patent number: 7261489
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching components of dissimilar materials includes a fastener having a base portion and a protruding portion, and a mechanism for tightening the assembly. The base portion is shaped to be complementary for mating with an attachment feature formed within the non-metal component such that the base portion is retained within the non-metal component. The protruding portion including a base end and a distal end with the distal end including a threaded portion. The fastener assembly allows attachment of components fabricated from dissimilar materials without forming through holes in one of the components. Additionally, the fastener assembly compensates for differences in thermal expansion rates between the non-metal component and the metal component while providing a tight attachment therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Jaime A Arbona, Donald W Peters, Robert J Miller
  • Textured laminate flooring
    Patent number: 7243469
    Abstract: A decorated floor panel having a core with a top surface and an opposite bottom surface; a decorative layer coupled to the top surface of the core, the decorative layer having a desired aesthetic appearance; and a wear layer coupled to and substantially covering the decorative layer for protecting the decorative layer. The wear layer has an exposed wear surface with depressions therein of a variable depth below the wear surface, the depressions being arranged to display a desired texture pattern. It is noted that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Columbia Insurance Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, David M. Brownlee
  • Parallel flow fractionation tray
    Patent number: 7204477
    Abstract: The invention comprises multiple configurations of downcomers in a parallel flow multiple downcomer tray for vapor-liquid contacting processes such as the separation of chemical compounds via fractional distillation or the removal of a component of a gas stream with a treating liquid. In one embodiment, side downcomers are incorporated into a parallel flow multiple downcomer tray. In another embodiment, the downcomers have an inclined side wall that directs liquid onto the deck below the downcomer. The inclined side wall also provides additional volume above the inferior downcomer inlet to reduce pinching at this inlet without the need for a stilling deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Zhanping Xu, Daniel R. Monkelbaan, Brian J. Nowak, Robert J. Miller
  • Drug delivery of proteins from polymeric blends
    Patent number: 7189413
    Abstract: Degradable blend of polycaprolactone and crystallization modifier especially suitable for use in the controlled release of biologically active proteins
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Pericles Calias, Robert J. Miller, James R. Olson
  • Anti-inflammatory compositions and methods
    Patent number: 7186725
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases caused by T-cell proliferation such as sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, or lupus. The compositions comprise disubstituted ureas of Formulas I, II, III or IV: R1—NH—CO—NH-Q-R2Formula I: Et-NH—CO—NH-Q-R2:??Formula (II) Et-NH—CO—NH—(CH2)3—NR6R7:??Formula (III) Me2N—(CH2)3—NH—CO—NH-Q-R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Staveski, Robert J. Miller, Sharon R. Nahill
  • System and method for handshaking between wireless devices and servers
    Patent number: 7139559
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for data communication, or “handshaking,” between wireless devices and a server on a wireless network. Upon a wireless device communicating with the server, the server obtains data from the wireless device indicative of wireless device attributes, and the server determines access of the wireless device, based upon the wireless device attributes, to applications either resident on that server or on other computer devices on the wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Qualcomm Inc.
    Inventors: Jason B. Kenagy, Robert D. Briggs, Gina Lombardi, Mark Staskauskas, Marc Stephen Phillips, Robert J. Miller
  • Apparatus for making particulates of controlled dimension
    Patent number: 7052586
    Abstract: We make particulates, especially magnetic Fe—Co alloys having high magnetic permeability, of controlled dimensions, especially those having a narrow thickness size distribution centered around a median or target thickness in the range of about 0.1–1.0 ?m, using electrodeposition typically on a smooth (polished) titanium cathode. Our preferred continuous process uses a rotating drum cathode inside a fixed anode to grow flakes and to produce them automatically by inherent instability in the deposited film. The drum preferably rotates about a substantially vertical axis. The particulates shed (slough off) into the electrolyte (because of mismatch between the cathode surface and the plated metal or alloy at the molecular level) where they are separated in a magnetic separator or other suitable device. If the flakes are soft iron or iron-cobalt alloys, the drum generally is titanium or titanium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Glen L. Rasmussen, Micheal E. Dickson, Robert J. Miller, Mary J. Nelson, Jonathan C. Hughes, Diane C. Rawlings
  • Controlled release of anti-arrhythmic agents
    Patent number: 7022343
    Abstract: Methods for the simple, reliable application and local controlled release of selected anti-arrhythmia drugs from a hydrogel applied to or polymerized on the tissues of the heart or its vessels, especially in conjunction with cardiac bypass or other cardiac surgery, have been developed. The anti-arrhythmia drugs are incorporated into hydrogels that biodegrade and adhere to the tissues to which the anti-arrhythmic drugs are to be delivered. The hydrogels may be formed in vitro or in vivo. In a preferred embodiment, the drugs are effective to lengthen atrial effective refractory period. A particularly preferred drug is amiodarone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Philbrook, James W. Burns, Kevin C. Skinner, Robert J. Miller
  • Water insoluble derivatives of polyanionic polysaccharides
    Patent number: 6943154
    Abstract: A water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a nucleophile, and an activating agent, under conditions sufficient to form the composition. Also, a water insoluble, biocompatible composition that is formed by a method which combines, in an aqueous mixture, a polyanionic polysaccharide, a modifying compound, a nucleophile and an activating agent under conditions sufficient to form the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, Xuejian Xu
  • Hard surface-veneer engineered surfacing tiles and methods
    Publication number: 20040213946
    Abstract: Engineered tile panels incorporating a hard surface veneer formed from ceramic, glass, and stone layer affixed to the core or substrate which may be assembled gluelessly and which provide uniform grouting gaps upon assembly, is disclosed along with methods therefore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: TEF, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Miller
  • Modification of biopolymers for improved drug delivery
    Publication number: 20040209842
    Abstract: A biologically active conjugate is disclosed comprising a biopolymer and a therapeutic agent joined by a disulfide bond. The conjugate, when formulated in a pharmaceutical composition with a suitable carrier, has improved in vivo stability and activity, and can be targeted to a variety of cells, tissues and organs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Pericles Calias, Robert J. Miller
  • Anti-inflammatory compositions and methods
    Publication number: 20040180871
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and their use in the treatment of inflammatory diseases caused by T-cell proliferation such as sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, or lupus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Staveski, Robert J. Miller, Sharon R. Nahill
  • Handling service requests
    Publication number: 20040177172
    Abstract: A first component that stores information about requests for information directed to an interface (e.g., a bus of a computer system connected to components), receives an indication of a request sent by a second component to the interface. The first component sends an identifier for a subsequent request to the second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicants: Intel Corporation, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Thai Q. Nguyen, Robert J. Miller, Kenneth C. Creta
  • System and method for terminating lock-step sequences in a multiprocessor system
    Patent number: 6754787
    Abstract: There is provided, for use in a processing system containing a plurality of processors coupled to a main memory, a control circuit for perturbing a lock-step sequence of memory requests received from the processors. The control circuit comprises a memory request generator for generating at least one memory request operable to terminate the lock-step sequence of memory requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Miller, Edward A. McDonald
  • Modification of biopolymers for improved drug delivery
    Patent number: 6749865
    Abstract: A biologically active conjugate is disclosed comprising a biopolymer and a therapeutic agent joined by a disulfide bond. The conjugate, when formulated in a pharmaceutical composition with a suitable carrier, has improved in vivo stability and activity, and can be targeted to a variety of cells, tissues and organs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Pericles Calias, Robert J. Miller
  • System and method for handshaking between wireless devices and servers
    Publication number: 20040110504
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for data communication, or “handshaking,” between wireless devices and a server on a wireless network. Upon a wireless device communicating with the server, the server obtains data from the wireless device indicative of wireless device attributes, and the server determines access of the wireless device, based upon the wireless device attributes, to applications either resident on that server or on other computer devices on the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Jason B. Kenagy, Robert D. Briggs, Gina Lombardi, Mark Stakauskas, Marc Stephen Phillips, Robert J. Miller
  • Surface modification of substrates
    Publication number: 20040048021
    Abstract: Methods of improving the surface characteristics of a medical device or instrument, and the devices and instruments improved thereby, are provided. The disclosed methods involve the chemical attachment of an activated hyaluronic acid, such as hyaluronic acid reacted with a carbodiimide, onto the surface of the device. The hyaluronic acid can be modified to include the presence of Fe+3 or Al+3 cations to prevent calcification of the device and surrounding tissue. The devices and instruments are particularly useful during a surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Barbara Y. F. Wan, Robert J. Miller
  • Spa
    Patent number: D541060
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: European Touch Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Fugate, Robert J. Miller
  • Enclosure for a spa
    Patent number: D549999
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: European Touch Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Fugate, Robert J. Miller