Patents by Inventor Robert Nall
Robert Nall 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: 20260035618Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2025Publication date: February 5, 2026Inventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Patent number: 12467001Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2024Date of Patent: November 11, 2025Assignee: USD Group LLCInventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Publication number: 20240287389Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2024Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Patent number: 12006474Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: USD GROUP LLCInventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Publication number: 20220145186Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Publication number: 20190169505Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: U.S. Development Group, LLCInventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Publication number: 20180119024Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition for transportation in a railcar, wherein the method may include: (a) providing to a fractionator system a low-viscosity bitumen composition previously residing in a pipeline having a first viscosity and comprising a miscible blend of hydrocarbons, which blend was prepared by mixing a first diluent composition with a first bitumen composition; (b) heating the low-viscosity bitumen composition in the fractionator system at an operating temperature of from 170 C to 232 C to provide a first light fraction and a first heavy fraction; (c) removing at least a portion of the first heavy fraction from the fractionator system, wherein the first heavy fraction has a second viscosity that is higher than the first viscosity; (d) forming a high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition from at least a portion of the first heavy fraction; and (e) directing the high-viscosity non-hazardous bitumen composition to a railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: USD Group LLCInventors: Stuart Berg, Amanda Howerton, Mark LeMaire, Robert Nall
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Patent number: 7044292Abstract: A cleaning device includes an outer container having an open upper edge and a closed bottom and side wall together with a nesting strainer shaped and sized to be received within the outer container. A plurality of apertures are formed in the lower portion of the side wall and bottom surface of the strainer to drain liquids therefrom. A lid shaped and configured to be received upon the upper edge of the container and strainer provides closure of the cleaning device. A pair of handles are independently secured to the strainer and outer container for convenient carrying.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Inventor: Robert Nall
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Publication number: 20050077195Abstract: A cleaning device includes an outer container having an open upper edge and a closed bottom and side wall together with a nesting strainer shaped and sized to be received within the outer container. A plurality of apertures are formed in the lower portion of the side wall and bottom surface of the strainer to drain liquids therefrom. A lid shaped and configured to be received upon the upper edge of the container and strainer provides closure of the cleaning device. A pair of handles are independently secured to the strainer and outer container for convenient carrying.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2003Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventor: Robert Nall