Patents by Inventor Thomas Collins

Thomas Collins 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).

  • Publication number: 20050123435
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of a continuous web of packages. The method includes the steps of providing a continuous web of individual packages; moving the continuous web through a first mechanical pressure seal into a pressure chamber; applying an increased pressure and temperature; and moving the continuous web through a second mechanical pressure seal out of the pressure chamber. The present invention is also directed to a continuous pressure seal apparatus and an apparatus for the pasteurization and/or sterilization of a continuous web of flexible packages. The apparatus includes a first mechanical continuous feeding pressure seal; a pressure chamber; and a second mechanical continuous feeding pressure seal. The first pressure seal is adjacent to an entry to the pressure chamber and the second pressure seal is adjacent to an exit of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: MARS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brent Cutler, Jeannette Dido, Yah Hwa Lin, Ron Rieger, Eric Knittweis, Bruce Keen, Gary Chisholm, Thomas Collins, Don Jurgensen, Ted LaFleur
  • Publication number: 20050044824
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a series of embodiments of a swivel cheeked bridle bit wherein the cheek portion, comprising a dee and/or lower or curb rein attachment eye or ring, is separate from the purchase, with the purchase serving as a pintle for the swivel attachment of the cheek portion to the remainder of the bit structure. The upper harness attachment ring, for attaching a curb chain, nose strap, and/or cheek strap to the bit, is immovably affixed to the upper end of the purchase, which in turn is immovably affixed to the mouth bar of the bit. This ensures that the upper ring does not rotate or swivel as the cheek is turned, thus avoiding twisting the ends of the straps attached to the upper ring and precluding turning the edge of the attachment ring and any attached straps into the side of the face of the animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Collins
  • Patent number: 6819040
    Abstract: A composition and method of forming an internal neutral density filter on a luminescent screen assembly of a cathode ray tube (CRT) is disclosed. The luminescent screen assembly is formed on an interior surface of a glass faceplate panel of the CRT tube. The luminescent screen assembly includes a patterned light-absorbing matrix that defines three sets of fields corresponding to one of a blue region, a green region and a red region. An internal neutral density filter is formed on the light-absorbing matrix. An array of blue, green and red color phosphors is formed on the internal neutral density filter corresponding to one of the blue region, the green region and the red region defined in the light-absorbing matrix. The internal neutral density filter has a composition including a red pigment, a blue pigment and at least one non-pigmented oxide particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Farzad Parsapour, Bhanumurthy Venkatrama Subrahmanya Gunturi, Steven Anthony Colbert, Brian Thomas Collins
  • Publication number: 20040169455
    Abstract: A composition and method of forming an internal neutral density filter on a luminescent screen assembly of a cathode ray tube (CRT) is disclosed. The luminescent screen assembly is formed on an interior surface of a glass faceplate panel of the CRT tube. The luminescent screen assembly includes a patterned light-absorbing matrix that defines three sets of fields corresponding to one of a blue region, a green region and a red region. An internal neutral density filter is formed on the light-absorbing matrix. An array of blue, green and red color phosphors is formed on the internal neutral density filter corresponding to one of the blue region, the green region and the red region defined in the light-absorbing matrix. The internal neutral density filter has a composition including a red pigment, a blue pigment and at least one non-pigmented oxide particle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventors: Farzad Parsapour, Bhanumurthy Venkatrama Subrahmanya Gunturi, Steven Anthony Colbert, Brian Thomas Collins
  • Patent number: 6735981
    Abstract: Burners and methods for producing fused silica members. The burner includes seven gas-emitting regions, including four regions for emitting a mixture of oxygen and combustible gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Chunhong He, Christine E. Heckle, Raymond E. Lindner, Michael H. Wasilewski
  • Publication number: 20040086600
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an energy bar having a mean hedonic score for consumer acceptability of at least about 5.2. Preferably, the energy bar is either a grain based energy bar or a chewy energy bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward L. Rapp, Jamie Troy, Jeannette Dido, Douglas Mann, Thomas Collins, Kevin Rabinovitch, Ralph Lee, Neil Willcocks, Robert Boushell, Ralph Jerome, Tiago O. Rodrigues, John M. Kaiser, Ivonne E. Nill
  • Publication number: 20040071827
    Abstract: An energy food product is disclosed that is comprised of (a) a base energy food matrix; and (b) a plurality of inclusions dispersed within or on the base energy food matrix, wherein the inclusions contain at least one physiologically functional ingredient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jamie Troy, Edward L. Rapp, Ralph Lee, Jeannette Dido, Douglas Mann, Thomas Collins, Kevin Rabinovitch
  • Publication number: 20040071850
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of changing a material property of an energy food product or intermediary of the energy food product prior to treatment by a unit operation during manufacturing. The method comprises the steps of: providing the energy food product or the intermediary, wherein the energy food product or the intermediary has at least one material property that changes upon experiencing an effective temperature change during manufacturing; changing the temperature of the energy food product or the intermediary by an amount effective to cause at least one desired material property change; and, optionally, transporting the energy food product or the intermediary to the unit operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph Lee, Edward L. Rapp, Jamie Troy, Jeannette Dido, Douglas Mann, Thomas Collins, Kevin Rabinovitch
  • Publication number: 20040071826
    Abstract: A process for preparing an energy food product comprising the steps of (a) processing at least one base energy food component at a temperature and shear sufficient to form a homogeneous base energy food matrix; and (b) subsequently mixing at least one process sensitive component with said homogeneous base energy food matrix at a temperature and shear that does not deleteriously effect said process sensitive component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward L. Rapp, Ralph Lee, Jamie Troy, Jeannette Dido, Douglas Mann, Thomas Collins, Kevin Rabinovitch
  • Publication number: 20040071828
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for preparing an energy food product. The method comprises the steps of (a) applying a functional component to a surface of a food substrate, wherein the functional component comprises at least one physiologically functional ingredient; and (b) applying a flowable edible material to substantially cover the functional component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jamie Troy, Edward L. Rapp, Ralph Lee, Jeannette Dido, Douglas Mann, Thomas Collins, Kevin Rabinovitch
  • Patent number: 6646393
    Abstract: A method of operating a positive tolerance color cathode-ray tube (CRT) having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun and a focus mask therein for generating at least one electron beam. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen of color-emitting phosphor stripes on an interior surface thereof. The color-emitting phosphor stripes each have a width slightly smaller than one-third of the screen pitch, such that large clipping and leaving tolerances may be achieved therewith. The focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart first conductive electrodes, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The spacing between the first conductive electrodes defines a plurality of slots substantially parallel to the color-emitting phosphor stripes on the screen. Each of the first conductive electrodes has a substantially continuous insulating material layer formed on a screen facing side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S. A.
    Inventors: Richard LaPeruta, Jr., George Milton Ehemann, Jr., Brian Thomas Collins
  • Publication number: 20030108663
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a luminescent screen assembly for a color cathode-ray tube (CRT) is disclosed. The luminescent screen assembly is formed on an inner surface of a face plate panel of the CRT. The luminescent screen assembly includes an organic conductive (OC) layer overcoated with an organic photoconductive (OPC) layer. Three different color-emitting phosphors are sequentially deposited over portions of the OPC layer by uniformly charging to having a surface charge of one polarity and than selectively discharging desired areas thereof of the OPC layer. Appropriate color-emitting phosphors having the opposite polarity charge as that of the OPC layer are then deposited on the charged areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Inventors: George Milton Ehemann, Brian Thomas Collins
  • Publication number: 20030056538
    Abstract: Burners and methods for producing fused silica members. The burner includes seven gas-emitting regions, including four regions for emitting a mixture of oxygen and combustible gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Chunhong He, Christine E. Heckle, Raymond E. Lindner, Michael H. Wasilewski
  • Publication number: 20020189097
    Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter comprising the steps of: (1) providing a metal shell exhibiting a predetermined shape that substantially matches the shape of the ceramic substrate; (2) inserting into the metal shell a sufficient amount of a resilient supporting mat material to form a encircling mat layer; (3) compressing the encircling mat layer to an initial gap bulk density, the initial gap bulk density being higher than the final gap bulk density; (4) releasing the compression-on the mat layer and prior to the mat layer reaching its final gap bulk density, inserting at least a portion of the substrate into the encircling mat layered metal shell and then allowing the mat layer to further release until the mat layer is compressed against the ceramic substrate at the final predetermined gap bulk density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Gregory Eisenstock, Robert J. Locker, Robert A. Morse
  • Patent number: 6490670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing memory allocation. Each memory block category contains memory blocks. A request, including an object size, is received to allocate memory to an object. An available memory block is allocated to the object if the memory block category for size corresponding to the object size of the object contains an available memory block. An available memory block from a memory block category having a memory block size larger than the object size is located if an available memory block is absent in the memory block category for sizes corresponding to the object size. The located available memory block is partitioned into memory blocks, having a size corresponding to the object size. A partitioned memory block from the partitioned memory blocks is allocated to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Collins, James Lyle Peterson, Weining Gu
  • Patent number: 6484397
    Abstract: A method of assembling a catalytic converter comprising the steps of: (1) providing a metal shell exhibiting a predetermined shape that substantially matches the shape of the ceramic substrate; (2) inserting into the metal shell a sufficient amount of a resilient supporting mat material to form a encircling mat layer; (3) compressing the encircling mat layer to an initial gap bulk density, the initial gap bulk density being higher than the final gap bulk density; (4) releasing the compression on the mat layer and prior to the mat layer reaching its final gap bulk density, inserting at least a portion of the substrate into the encircling mat layered metal shell and then allowing the mat layer to further release until the mat layer is compressed against the ceramic substrate at the final predetermined gap bulk density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas A. Collins, Gregory Eisenstock, Robert J. Locker, Robert A. Morse
  • Publication number: 20020133127
    Abstract: A catheter that is self extruding having its exterior within the interior of the walls as it advances. The catheter includes a tube folded within itself, having an exterior, a first interior, a second interior and a third interior. The catheter advances by having the fold push out through the interior of the catheter to become the exterior of the device. The catheter moves forward by laying down new exterior surface without moving the exterior that is already in place. The interior may be lubricated to facilitate advancement of the catheter while minimizing friction to slow advancement or cause movement of the catheter within the patient. An endoscope may be placed at the distal end of the catheter and move forward as the catheter advances. The catheter may be removed by reversing the process and having the exterior withdraw into the interior, again without any rubbing or other motion of the catheter with respect to the inside of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Collins
  • Publication number: 20020073316
    Abstract: Ownership of a secure process is enabled with a cryptographic system. Methods initializing and operating the cryptographic system transfer control from the loading program to the loaded program and, in essence from the cryptographic system vendor to its end-user. As a result, ownership of the secure process can be relinquished to the end-user so that it alone can subsequently use the cryptographic system to control the secure process of loading and running its user-programs. The cryptographic system and methods allow for secure operations and protect against tampering with application software. The application program is retrieved from an encrypted file in external memory and authenticated by the cryptographic system before being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Collins, John Gregory, Ralph Bestock
  • Patent number: 6389693
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine wherein the converter exhibits a monolithic ceramic substrate surrounded by a supporting mat. The method generally includes the steps of: Forming a catalytic converter utilizing a compressive closing method generally involves wrapping the substrate in a sufficient amount of supporting mat material and inserting the wrapped substrate into generally cylindrical metal container, compressively closing the container around the wrapped substrate sufficiently to provide a gas tight seal and to hold the imparted compressive stress. The present invention further discloses an improvement involving compressively closing the container around the wrapped substrate by resizing the container over substantially the entire portion of its length which is occupied by the wrapped substrate to a predetermined metal shell/container outside diameter OD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas A. Aranda, Thomas A. Collins, Paul S. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6378072
    Abstract: A cryptographic system and method for encrypting and decrypting data using public key cryptography. The encryption and decryption may be divided into tasks that may operate in parallel. A secure method of initializing the cryptographic system to allow for secure operations and protect against tampering with application software. The application program is retrieved from an encrypted file in external memory and authenticated before being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Collins, John Gregory, Ralph Bestock