Patents by Inventor Robert T. Lewis

Robert T. Lewis 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: 4912910
    Abstract: A unique and novel storage package and method and apparatus for making the same wherein differences in dimension between the outer receptacle and a package stored therein are compensated by a unique corrugated spacer to provide snug storage, such as in the packaging of cigarette packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Byron L. Lowe, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4867298
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying planar panels in single file. The conveyor system can be used for receiving panels from bulk storage to a workstation. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt apparatus located to receive the panels at its upstream end from the bulk supply device. A panel turning device is located at the downstream discharge end of the conveyor device for receiving the panels from the conveying device and redirecting them into the inlet end of a chute. An accumulative device is located over the conveyor to maintain a steady supply of panels to the chute. A photo cell control at the chute controls the number of spacers stacked in end-to-end relationship in the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Milliner, Robert T. Lewis, Everett N. Finn, Byron L. Lowe
  • Patent number: 4699894
    Abstract: A highly selective zeolitic reforming catalyst is disclosed that contains a promoter selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and titanium; and that has a platinum to promoter weight ratio of less than 10:1. In one embodiment a type L zeolite is formed by combining an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and ferric nitrate with an aqueous solution of silica to form a thickening gel in a mother liquor; heating the thickening gel to form a type L zeolite; cooling the solution containing the type L zeolite; decanting the mother liquor from the solution; filtering the type L zeolite from the solution; washing the filtered type L zeolite so that the pH of the wash is about 101/2; and drying the washed type L zeolite. The catalyst is formed by adding platinum to the dried type L zeolite by pore fill impregnation with an aqueous solution of Pt(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (NO.sub.3).sub.2 to form a catalyst; drying the catalyst and calcining the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Donald S. Santilli, John J. Long, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4698322
    Abstract: A highly selective zeolitic reforming catalyst is disclosed that contains a promoter selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and titanium; and that has a platinum to promoter weight ratio of less than 10:1. In one embodiment a type L zeolite is formed by combining an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and ferric nitrate with an aqueous solution of silica to form a thickening gel in a mother liquor; heating the thickening gel to form a type L zeolite; cooling the solution containing the type L zeolite; decanting the mother liquor from the solution; filtering the type L zeolite from the solution; washing the filtered type L zeolite so that the pH of the wash is about 101/2; and drying the washed type L zeolite. The catalyst is formed by adding platinum to the dried type L zeolite by pore fill impregnation with an aqueous solution of Pt(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (NO.sub.3).sub.2 to form a catalyst; drying the catalyst and calcining the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Donald S. Santilli, John J. Long, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4692698
    Abstract: An improved method and device for measuring magnetic particles in a liquid wherein a known amount of liquid is contacted with a bed of ferromagnetic fibers maintained in the magnetic field of a magnet with sufficient strength to substantially completely magnetize said particles for a time long enough for said particles to migrate to and be substantially completely captured by said fibers and having a magnetic flux sensor positioned between a pole face of said magnet and said bed wherein the distance from said sensor to the fibers farthest from said sensor is not greater than about 6 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Tribometrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4686469
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring the amount of magnetic particles in a fluid such as ferrous wear particles in the lubricant of a machine. The particles are entraped by contacting a volume of the fluid with a means to entrap the particles and magnetized by subjecting the entraped particles to a magnetic field. The amount of magnetic particles entraped is measured by measuring the magnetization of the entraped and magnetized particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Tribometrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4685993
    Abstract: An apparatus for banding at least two stacked packages together in superimposed registered relationship by applying a band to two consecutive sides of the package stack concentric with the interface of the packages of the stack. The apparatus includes a turret having stacked package receiving pockets in its periphery, a band applicator located at the periphery of the turret to apply the band to the exposed sides of the stack of packages in each pocket as the turret rotates each pocket past the band applicator with a portion of the band trailing behind the trailing edge of the package stack, and a band folding channel located downstream, relative to the direction of rotation of the turret, from the band applicator for receiving stacked packages from the turret pockets and folding the trailing portion of the band over the adjacent side of the package stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Flaherty, Daniel J. Huber, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4648858
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a filter rod having a hollow tube extending longitudinally through the filter rod. The apparatus includes a supply reel of hollow tubing, a supply of filter material web, and a garniture funnel into which the filter material web and hollow tubing are continuously, concurrently fed for wrapping the filter material web into a cylindrical configuration enclosing the hollow tube longitudinally therein. The apparatus also includes a plasticizer or adhesive applicator for coating the outside wall surface of the tube with a plasticizer or adhesive before it is fed into the garniture funnel, and a tube guide nozzle located at the inlet to the garniture funnel for positioning and guiding the hollow tube into the garniture funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, James W. Sullivan, Kenneth M. Milliner, Byron L. Lowe
  • Patent number: 4641748
    Abstract: A package for cigarettes and the like includes an article container box having an open top through which the cigarettes are removed from the container box. The package further includes two side box sections having facing open sides. The two side box sections symmetrically enclose the container box when in a closed position. The two side box sections are hinged together at the juncture of their floors for pivotal movement in a fan-like movement between a closed position covering the open top of the container box and an open position uncovering the open top of the container box. The container box and each of the side box sections include interacting stop flanges which limits the pivotal movement of side box sections, when in the open position, to an open-most position whereat each of the side box section still receives a portion of the container box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, Thomas T. Tudor
  • Patent number: 4610432
    Abstract: A break-away fence rail and support post for a horse race track fence is constructed to give way when impacted with a predetermined force so as to provide a yieldable barrier upon impact by a horse or jockey. Further, a fence for a race track constructed to provide a smooth non-abrasive surface without projections or discontinuities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Race-Rail, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, George F. Dwyer, Jr., John W. Payne
  • Patent number: 4559129
    Abstract: A process for the production of transportation fuels from heavy hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is provided comprising a two-stage, close-coupled process, wherein the first stage comprises a hydrothermal zone into which is introduced a mixture comprising a feedstock and red mud having coke-suppressing and demetalizing activity, and hydrogen; and the second, close-coupled stage comprises a hydrocatalytic zone into which substantially all the effluent from the first stage is directly passed and processed under hydrocracking conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: John G. Reynolds, S. Gary Yu, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4497276
    Abstract: A filter rod making machine is provided with an apparatus for applying plasticizer to a band of fibrous filter material wherein the application rate of the plasticizer is independent of the filter tow weight or width of the band passing through the apparatus. The plasticizer is added to the underside of the moving band by means of a rotatively mounted brush in rotating communication with a plasticizer supply source wherein the amount of plasticizer added to the band is dependent upon the amount of plasticizer metered by a constant volume pump. The rotatively mounted brush delivers liquid plasticizer in the form of a spray to the underside of the moving band. Variable changes in the level of the liquid plasticizer in the reservoir varies the amount of plasticizer being presented to the band, maintaining constant absorption rate regardless of tow band width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Sullivan, Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4468912
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing coupons, and the like, on cartons includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon advance drum for moving the coupon web from the supply source to the location of the cartons upon which the coupons are to be deposited, a knife device for cutting the coupons to be deposited from the coupon web, a movable coupon applying device which receives coupons at the knife device as they are cut from the coupon web and moves the coupons to a position above the cartons, and moving means for contemporaneously moving the carton and the coupon away from the applying means so that the coupon is moved out of the applying means and onto the carton as the carton and coupon are being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, Everett N. Finn
  • Patent number: 4388179
    Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid in a process comprising heating the mineral solids to at least the magnetic transformation temperature of a portion of the solids and thereafter magnetically separating mineral solids from the feed. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4354856
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering magnetic particles from a fluid stream is provided. The fluid is contacted with a ferromagnetic element to cause attraction and collection of the particles. The ferromagnetic element is then heated to a temperature near or above the Curie temperature of at least one of (1) the ferromagnetic element and (2) collected magnetic particles. The collected magnetic particles are then disengaged from the ferromagnetic element. Preferably the ferromagnetic element is disposed in an applied magnetic field and the heating is preferred by passing alternating electric current through the element thereby causing sufficient vibration to disengage the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4354894
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing a coupon, or the like, on a package as the package moves through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon web advance drum for pulling the coupon web from the supply source, a scissors device for cutting the coupon web into individual coupons, and a coupon conveyor device for moving individual coupons from the scissors device to the package and depositing the coupon on the package as it continuously moves past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, John H. Sexstone
  • Patent number: 4342640
    Abstract: Oil shale mineral solids are separated from a fluid such as retorted shale oil by heating the mineral solids to a temperature above about 480.degree. C. and above the magnetic transformation temperature of at least a portion of the solids. The temperature of the solids is maintained above 480.degree. C. for no longer than about one minute, and the solids are magnetically separated. High gradient magnetic separation techniques are preferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventor: Robert T. Lewis
  • Patent number: 4317730
    Abstract: Fine particulate solids are removed from aqueous liquid previously employed in processing manganese nodules by subjecting the liquid to high gradient magnetic separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Chevron Research Company
    Inventors: Gale L. Hubred, Robert T. Lewis