Merrill, US

Bradley A. Merrill, Dike, IA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120010003	ANNULAR FLOW DISTRIBUTION CONTROL OF LUBRICATION OIL BETWEEN CONCENTRIC ROTARY SHAFTS - A concentric cylinder drive assembly (	01-12-2012

Bradley C. Merrill, Redmond, WA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080216142	System and method of digital media distribution - A system and method for the managed distribution of digital media. A capture station captures media resources by converting the media resources into digital form. Once captured in digital form, the digital media is communicated to a formatting server. The formatting server encodes and encrypts the digital media into a desired form for distribution by the system. The digital media is stored in a master media server. Users are allowed to access the digital media using a media presentation client. A user can request access to digital media stored on the master media server. The system allows various access restrictions to be defined to restrict access to the digital media. If a user is authorized to access a piece of digital media, the digital media may be delivered to the media presentation client by the master media server.	09-04-2008

Brian R Merrill, Waterford, MI US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120243867	OPTICAL COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An optical communication system is disclosed. The optical communication system includes a reflection hub connected to a plurality of communication modules. The communication modules communicate optical signals to one another via two way light channels, such that an optical signal is scattered off a diffuse surface at a distal end of the reflection hub and into the two way light channel of each communication module.	09-27-2012

Charles Merrill, Portland, OR US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090305516	METHOD FOR PURIFYING ACETYLENE GAS FOR USE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSES - Acetylene is treated to remove some residual storage solvent that may be present with the acetylene in a source of acetylene such as a container. Such treatment may be performed prior to supplying the acetylene to a deposition chamber or other reactor where acetylene is a reactant. After treatment, the acetylene gas stream has a relatively constant concentration of storage solvent, regardless of how much acetylene has been released from the acetylene source. The treatment may involve condensing the storage solvent from the gas stream at a certain temperature and separating the storage solvent from the gas stream.	12-10-2009
20100297853	METHOD FOR PURIFYING ACETYLENE GAS FOR USE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSES - Acetylene is treated to remove some residual storage solvent that may be present with the acetylene in a source of acetylene such as a container. Such treatment may be performed prior to supplying the acetylene to a deposition chamber or other reactor where acetylene is a reactant. After treatment, the acetylene gas stream has a relatively constant concentration of storage solvent, regardless of how much acetylene has been released from the acetylene source. The treatment may involve condensing the storage solvent from the gas stream at a certain temperature and separating the storage solvent from the gas stream.	11-25-2010

Dale C. Merrill, Enfield, NH US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090205781	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOVING INCORRECT LABELS FROM A WEB OF LABELS - An incorrect label removal system is disclosed for removing unwanted labels from a web of labels in a labeling machine. The incorrect label removal system includes a label peel assembly positioned between two fixed points along the direction of travel of the web of labels. The label peel assembly provides a first orientation in which labels remain on the web as the web passes the label peel assembly, and selectively provides a second orientation in which labels are removed from the web. The label peel assembly provides that a length of the web between the two fixed points is substantially the same when the label peel assembly is in each of the first orientation and the second orientation.	08-20-2009

Dan Merrill, Claremore, OK US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110194949	Compensating Mechanical Seal For Use With A Downhole Electrical Submersible Pump - An electrical submersible pumping system having a pump, a motor, a shaft connecting the pump and motor, and a mechanical seal assembly on the shaft. The mechanical seal assembly includes a sleeve circumscribing the shaft that is axially movable with respect to the shaft. The shaft is retained within a guide mount, an inner circumference of the guide mount extends radially outward to define a shoulder. An annular seat is disposed on the shoulder. One end of a resilient retention assembly couples on the outer surface of the sleeve with its other end compressively urged against the seat. A resilient member is compressively mounted on one end to the sleeve and on another end to the shaft at a location past the end of the sleeve distal from the seat.	08-11-2011

Dan A. Merrill, Claremore, OK US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100150751	Electrical Submersible Pump System Connection Adapter - An electrical submersible pumping assembly having a seal section and a motor section, and seals that prevent leakage from the seal section and the motor section during assembly. The seals cooperate with a coupling assembly for coupling together shafts from both the seal section and motor section. The coupling assembly outer diameter enlarges at a shoulder that circumscribes its outer surface. In one example, the seal that prevents leakage from the seal assembly provides a sealing interface around the larger diameter portion of the coupling assembly, that is removable by sliding the coupling so its smaller diameter portion is adjacent the seal assembly. The motor section is sealed by another sealing assembly that includes a body that circumscribes the motor shaft to define an annulus, a sealing disk selectively fills the annulus. The sealing disk can also be slid away from within the body while coupling the shafts with the coupling assembly.	06-17-2010
20100329893	External Oil Expansion Chamber for Seabed Boosting ESP Equipment - An expansion chamber to serve ESP equipment installed on the seabed located in either a caisson or a conduit on a skid. The expansion chamber provides an external reservoir for expansion and contraction of motor oil in the ESP equipment. During operation of an ESP, the heat generated in the motor raises the temperature of the motor oil, causing it to expand. The expansion chamber is connected to the ESP equipment via oil lines that allow oil to expand into the expansion chamber when the temperature of the motor oil increases. The expansion chamber has a movable barrier therein that defines primary and secondary chamber. Oil communicates with the primary chamber. Formation fluid within the conduit surrounding the motor communicates with the secondary chamber.	12-30-2010
20100329908	HEAT EXCHANGER FOR ESP MOTOR - A heat exchanger to serve ESP equipment installed on the seabed located in either a caisson or skid. A hot oil line connects the base of the ESP motor with the externally located heat exchanger, allowing hot motor oil to be circulated through coils externally exposed to seawater. The heat from the oil is rejected to the seawater and the cooled oil is reintroduced to the motor via a cold oil line that communicates with the seal section. The heat exchanger arrangement reduces the temperature of an ESP motor, thus allowing the motor to operate longer and more reliably.	12-30-2010
20110171047	REMOVABLE LOCKING COUPLING FOR SHAFT - An electrical submersible pump has a pump assembly joined to a seal section. The pump assembly shaft, which may experience upthrust axial forces, may joined to the seal section shaft by a detachable coupling. The detachable coupling may have splines on its inner diameter that engage splines on the outer diameters of the pump assembly shaft and the seal section shaft. The detachable coupling can be bolted to one of the shafts. Locking members, such as plates, can be inserted through slots on the coupling to engage a recess on one of the shafts. A retaining device, such as a sleeve, can be used to hold the locking members in place.	07-14-2011
20110247788	SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USING SUBSEA FRAMES AS A HEAT EXCHANGER IN SUBSEA BOOSTING SYSTEMS - Systems and methods of cooling a motor of an electrical submersible pump (ESP) assembly employed in an electrical submersible subsea booster pumping system, are provided. A supporting frame structure such as an ESP mounting skid or top end assembly of a caisson having structural members exposed to environmental seawater, is modified or designed to include fluid conduits within the structural members to establish lubricant pathways for lubricant to flow. A heated/hot lubricant line connects between a supporting structure lubricant inlet port and an ESP motor lubricant outlet port. A cooled lubricant line connects between a supporting structure lubricant outlet port and an ESP motor lubricant inlet port. A pump or other fluid moving device circulates lubricant from the ESP motor to the lubricant pathways within the supporting frame structure, whereby the seawater cools the lubricant contained therein, which is then circulated back into the motor to assisting cooling the motor.	10-13-2011
20120257998	RUNNER WITH INTEGRAL IMPELLOR PUMP - In aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling axial thrust in rotating equipment. The apparatus may include a thrust bearing and a runner having a contact surface engaging the thrust bearing. The runner may include passages extending between the contact surface and an opposing surface of the runner. The apparatus may further include a lock ring assembly that has channels in communication with the passages of the runner. In certain embodiments, one or more cavities may be formed on the contact surface of the runner. The cavities may be in communication with the internal passages of the runner. In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for handling axial thrust in a pump assembly. The pump assembly may include a thrust bearing assembly that may include a runner having a contact surface engaging a thrust bearing pad. The method may include flowing a lubricating fluid to the contact surface using at least one internal passage formed in runner.	10-11-2012

Patent applications by Dan A. Merrill, Claremore, OK US

Dave Merrill, Corvallis, OR US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110056983	BAG-IN-BOX CONTAINER INCLUDING A PRE-POSITIONED, SECURED DISPENSING SPOUT - In one embodiment, a bag-in-box container includes a fluid containment bag including a pliable body and a dispensing spout that extends from the body, the spout including a neck and a collar that extends outward from the neck, a carton in which the bag is positioned, the spout of the bag being recessed within an interior space of the carton, and a locking member placed in contact with the neck that secures the spout in a predetermined position within the carton interior space.	03-10-2011

David Merrill, Mount Vernon, IA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120282559	AUTOMATIC FUELING OF LIQUID FUEL BURNERS - An assembly for creating a fire display from a liquid fuel comprises a fuel receiving reservoir connected to a burner by a conduit, the conduit providing a flow channel for a liquid fuel from the reservoir to the burner. When a container of liquid fuel is placed in a bottle receiving tray the fuel is dispensed into the reservoir and in turn flows into the burner. Flammable vapors over the liquid fuel in the burner can then be ignited. The arrangement provides a continuous feed of fuel to the burner and allows safe replacement of the fuel container and replenishment of the fuel in the burner while the flame is present.	11-08-2012

David A. Merrill, Durham, NH US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110251452	STOMA STABILITATING DEVICE AND METHOD - A method and device may be used to avoid surgically re-opening a stoma or the like in an animal, including human beings. The stoma stabilitating device comprises an anchoring portion, preferably flat, that includes an opening configured to surround a stoma. The anchoring portion preferably includes an inner tension ring attached to an inner edge to define the opening and a tension ring attached to an outer edge. The anchoring portion may include additional structural rings. The device may be of a mesh construction and used to maintain, for example, a stoma, a fistula, a tracheotomy and any other pathway from outside the body to the inner part of the body. The device may be used to maintain an open pathway for air and to maneuver devices within a cavity. The device may also be used internally.	10-13-2011

David Jeffrey Merrill, Somerville, MA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090273560	Sensor-based distributed tangible user interface - A distributed tangible user interface comprises compact, self-powered, tangible user interface manipulative devices having sensing, display, and wireless communication capabilities, along with one or more associated digital content or other interactive software management applications. The manipulative devices display visual representations of digital content or program controls and can be physically manipulated as a group by a user for interaction with the digital information or software application. A controller on each manipulative device receives and processes data from a movement sensor, initiating behavior on the manipulative and/or forwarding the results to a management application that uses the information to manage the digital content, software application, and/or the manipulative devices. The manipulative devices may also detect the proximity and identity of other manipulative devices, responding to and/or forwarding that information to the management application, and may have feedback devices for presenting responsive information to the user.	11-05-2009

David P. Merrill, New Paltz, NY US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090083378	SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL COLLABORATION PARTICIPATION - A system and method is provided for controlling collaboration participation. The system includes a computing infrastructure configured to monitor endpoint collaboration devices and/or users. The computing infrastructure is also configured to authorize collaboration between one or more of the endpoint collaboration devices and/or users with an initiating device if the computing infrastructure finds a match between stored attributes and information related to the one or more endpoint collaboration devices and/or users.	03-26-2009
20110219434	PROVIDING SECURITY SERVICES WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the present invention allow for the provisioning of security services within a Cloud computing environment by third parties. Specifically, under the present invention, a Cloud provider will publish a set of potential security attributes (e.g., a list), which can be monitored, to the Cloud customer. The Cloud customer will designate/select one or more of those attributes that the Cloud customer wishes to have monitored for one or more Cloud resources that it is using. The Cloud provider will then provide to the Cloud customer a set of third party security service providers capable of monitoring the attributes the Cloud customer designated. The Cloud customer will then select one or more third party providers from the provided set, and the Cloud provider will associate the given Cloud resources with the respective third party providers. Once third party providers have been associated with Cloud resources, a secure relationship between the third party provider(s) and the Cloud providers will be established.	09-08-2011
20110264907	SECURING INFORMATION WITHIN A CLOUD COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the invention provide a solution for securing information within a Cloud computing environment. Specifically, an encryption service/gateway is provided to handle encryption/decryption of information for all users in the Cloud computing environment. Typically, the encryption service is implemented between Cloud portals and a storage Cloud. Through the use of a browser/portal plug-in (or the like), the configuration and processing of the security process is managed for the Cloud computing environment user by pointing all traffic for which security is desired to this encryption service so that it can perform encryption (or decryption in the case of document retrieval) as needed (e.g., on the fly) between the user and the Cloud.	10-27-2011

Patent applications by David P. Merrill, New Paltz, NY US

David Paul Merrill, New Paltz, NY US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090063639	METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING BUSINESS RULES TO CONTROL INVITATIONS TO JOIN INSTANT MESSAGE COLLABORATIONS - A method and system for using business rules to control invitations to participate in instant message (IM) collaborations. A primary invitee is invited to participate in an IM collaboration via a first IM. A business rule associated with the primary invitee is applied to determine that the primary invitee is unavailable to participate in the IM collaboration. A second IM is sent to automatically invite a backup invitee to participate in the IM collaboration. In another embodiment, a primary invitee with credentials specified by a business rule is to be invited to an IM collaboration at a specified time. An application of the business rule determines that the specified time is outside a valid invitation time period or the primary invitee's credentials are not included in a set of predefined credentials. Following the application of the business rule, a backup invitee is invited.	03-05-2009
20090193086	CONTROL OF AN INSTANT MESSAGE SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS MULTIPLE CLIENTS WITH IDENTICAL CREDENTIALS - A method and system for improving control of an instant messaging system. Multiple instant message (IM) instances are initiated with identical credentials of a user of multiple users participating in an IM session controlled by an IM server. A front-of-screen representation enables the user to manage instance attributes and allows any user to view conversational connectivity information. The IM server receives the user's selection of a graphical element that represents a remote IM instance of the multiple IM instances. Via the first IM instance, the IM server receives the user's request for a computing device to perform an action that includes an interaction with the remote IM instance. The computing device performing the action is located remotely from the user and is executing the remote IM instance. The action is performed by controlling a remote system function of the computing device.	07-30-2009

David Paul Merrill, Poughkeepsie, NY US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100169444	METHOD, SYSTEM AND PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR ASSIGNING A RESPONDER TO A REQUESTER IN A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT - A method, system and program product for assigning a resource to a client in a collaborative environment. The method includes defining, using a tool, a threshold value for collaborative attributes for each resource responding to one or more clients and calculating on a periodic basis, using the tool, an updated value for the collaborative attributes for each resource. The method further includes comparing, upon receipt of a collaboration request, the updated value with the threshold value defined for collaborative attributes for a first resource and, if the updated value is less than the threshold value for the first resource, connecting the client to the first resource for establishing a collaborative session. If not, repeating comparing the updated value with the threshold value for the collaborative attributes defined for a next resource and connecting the client to the next resource whose updated value is less than the threshold value.	07-01-2010

David T. Merrill, Scottsdale, AZ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090025616	AIR CARGO PALLETS HAVING SYNTHETIC CORES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - Air cargo pallets having polycarbonate and other polymer and synthetic cores are disclosed herein. An air cargo pallet configured in accordance with an embodiment includes a structural panel having a cargo support surface extending between opposing edge portions. The structural panel can include a polymeric core sandwiched between first and second facesheets. In one embodiment, the polymeric core can include a first piece of polymeric material attached to a second piece of polymeric material.	01-29-2009
20100219667	SEAT HARNESS PRETENSIONER - Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to an explosion or hard landing, respectively. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Downward movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.	09-02-2010
20120019043	RESTRAINT HARNESSES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE - Various embodiments of restraint harnesses for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, for example, a restraint harness can include a first shoulder web, a second shoulder web, and a torso web. A first end portion of the torso web can include a buckle that is configured to engage a connector at a second, opposite end portion of the torso web. The restraint harness can further include first and second portions of a stiffening material attached to first and second portions of the first and second shoulder webs, respectively. The stiffening material can form the first and second shoulder webs into preformed openings with inverted U-like shapes.	01-26-2012
20120025588	SEAT HARNESS PRETENSIONER - Various embodiments of seat harness pretensioning devices for use in land, air, and sea vehicles are described herein. In one embodiment, a seat unit for use in a military land vehicle or helicopter includes a stroking device that enables the seat to move downwardly in response to sudden movement. The seat unit also includes a seat belt or harness that extends around the occupant in the seat. Sudden movement of the seat in response to an explosion or hard landing causes a tensioning system to automatically pretension the seat harness.	02-02-2012

Patent applications by David T. Merrill, Scottsdale, AZ US

David Thayer Merrill, Scottsdale, AZ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100125983	BUCKLE ASSEMBLY HAVING SINGLE RELEASE FOR MULTIPLE BELT CONNECTORS - A buckle assembly for a vehicle restraint system where the buckle assembly is adapted to receive a plurality of belt connectors, with the belt connectors being simultaneously released upon moving at least one handle to a release position.	05-27-2010

Patent applications by David Thayer Merrill, Scottsdale, AZ US

Deborah M. Merrill, Ammon, ID US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120205462	FRAGRANCE EMITTER - An apparatus for emitting a fragrance includes an enclosure that has at least one inlet and at least one outlet. The at least one outlet has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the at least one inlet. The enclosure further includes a Venturi-type nozzle that defines the at least one outlet. The apparatus also includes a fragrance source positioned within the enclosure and an air mover positioned within the enclosure. The air mover is operable to draw fresh air into the enclosure through the at least one inlet and drive the drawn fresh air across the fragrance source to transfer fragrance material from the fragrance source to the fresh air to form an air-fragrance mixture. The Venturi-type nozzle of the enclosure accelerates the air-fragrance mixture through the at least one outlet.	08-16-2012

Denise R. Merrill, Sewell, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120123509	Apparatus For Treatment of Reperfusion Injury - An apparatus to minimize and/or eliminate the effects associated with reperfusion injury consisting of an external pump, heat exchanger and control unit creating a flow loop whereby blood is moved from the body via a pump, cooled by an external heat exchanger and reintroduced into a specific location, thereby locally cooling the surrounding tissue and inducing localized hypothermia to minimize tissue injury resulting from ischemia and the effects associated with reperfusion injury as an obstruction is removed and normal blood flow is restored and including the ability to locally measure pressure and temperature in the body.	05-17-2012

Dennis L. Merrill, Grimes, IA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080310948	MATERIAL MOVING DEVICE AND METHOD - A material moving device is beneficial for manufacturing. The material moving device has a tower assembly, a vertical trolley assembly adapted to travel up and down the tower assembly, a horizontal trolley assembly adapted to travel back and forth along the vertical trolley assembly, and a material pickup assembly connected to the horizontal trolley assembly. The trolleys are adapted to move the material pickup assembly relative to the tower assembly to thereby move materials for manufacturing on to and off of a work surface. A method for moving sheet materials for manufacturing is also beneficial by joining one or more trolley assemblies to each other and to a tower assembly, moving one trolley assembly with the other trolley assembly relative to the tower assembly, attaching a material pickup assembly to one of the trolley assemblies, retrieving sheet materials from within one or more of vertically-stacked shelves with the material pickup assembly, and reposition the sheet material onto a work surface for manufacturing.	12-18-2008

Edward W. Merrill, Belmont, MA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090105364	RADIATION AND MELT TREATED ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE PROSTHETIC DEVICES - A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.	04-23-2009
20100099056	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OCCLUSAL POSITION MEASUREMENT AND RECORDING - The occlusal position of a patient is measured by means of light transmission through a layer of a polysiloxane which is not cross-linked. This material forms an exceptionally accurate impression of a patient's bite essentially instantaneously and enables subsequent recording and analysis of the bite in a matter of minutes.	04-22-2010
20120060852	RADIATION AND MELT TREATED ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE PROSTHETIC DEVICES - A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.	03-15-2012
20120092679	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OCCLUSAL POSITION MEASUREMENT AND RECORDING - The occlusal position of a patient is measured by means of light transmission through a layer of a polysiloxane which is not cross-linked. This material forms an exceptionally accurate impression of a patient's bite essentially instantaneously and enables subsequent recording and analysis of the bite in a matter of minutes.	04-19-2012

Patent applications by Edward W. Merrill, Belmont, MA US

Ethan K. Merrill, Durham, NC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110010644	USER INTERFACE INDICATORS FOR CHANGED USER INTERFACE ELEMENTS - Systems and methods for user interface (UI) flagging. The methods involve setting a first visual indicator on or adjacent to a first UI element of a UI when code that generates the first UI element has been added to an application or modified so as to change at least one functional characteristic of the first UI element. The methods also involve setting a second visual indicator on a first UI object of the application when code that generates the first UI object has been modified so as to remove a second UI element therefrom. The visual indicators are set by adding UI flagging code to the code that generates the first UI element and/or first UI object. Also, third visual indicators can be set on or adjacent to second UI objects that have “trails” to the first UI element and/or the first UI object.	01-13-2011
20110161887	Providing Application Look-Ahead in a State-Based Application Framework - A method, system, and computer-usable medium are disclosed for providing navigation assistance within a user interface. A request for look-ahead navigation assistance is received and the user's current location within the application is determined. Application state data associated with the user's current location within the application is processed to generate possible destination locations within the application. The resulting possible location destinations within the application are then contextually displayed to the user within a user interface as graphical elements.	06-30-2011

Ethan Kary Merrill, Durhan, NC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100223577	DIGITAL MAP HAVING USER-DEFINED ZOOM AREAS - A digital geographic map affords a user the ability to selectively and simultaneously zoom in on multiple areas of the map. These zoomed areas are displayed as zoom windows, which are overlaid over the initial map.	09-02-2010

Eward W. Merrill, Belmont, MA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120016051	RADIATION AND MELT TREATED ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE PROSTHETIC DEVICES - A medical prosthesis for use within the body which is formed of radiation treated ultra high molecular weight polyethylene having substantially no detectable free radicals, is described. Preferred prostheses exhibit reduced production of particles from the prosthesis during wear of the prosthesis, and are substantially oxidation resistant. Methods of manufacture of such devices and material used therein are also provided.	01-19-2012

Ezra Merrill, Albuquerque, NM US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120122075	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING THREATENING AGENTS IN THE AIR - A multi-tier approach for use in a detecting harmful agents conveyed by the air. In a first tier procedure, the air (in a structure or a predefined area) is continuously automatically screened at a plurality of different predefined locations by air sensors distributed in the area to be monitored. Each air sensor is configured to detect a potentially harmful substance that is carried by the air proximate the predefined location, to determine if a potentially harmful substance might be present, but need not identify a specific harmful substance. When a potentially harmful agent is identified by an air sensor in the first tier screening, a sample of the potential threat is collected, and a second tier procedure is initiated. The second tier procedure uses a manual test, such as a nucleic acid amplification and detection assay to detect any of a plurality of different specific threats in the sample.	05-17-2012

Ezra L. Merrill, Albuquerque, NM US

George Earnest Merrill, Bartlett, TN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120008488	TURNTABLE - An improved turntable is described with inherent properties for reducing noise generated by external sources or by the parts of the turntable. The plinth of the turntable is comprised of an elastomeric layer and at least one stiffening layer that adds rigidity to the plinth. The support feet, spindle bearing, and armboard only come into contact with the elastomeric layer, which dampens energy, allowing the turntable produce the audio on the record without excessive noise.	01-12-2012

Greg Merrill, Flower Mound, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110029577	COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT AND METHOD FOR SHARING INFORMATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE COMPUTER APPLICATIONS USING A GRAFTED MODEL NETWORK - A computer program product and method for sharing information between multiple computer applications using a grafted model network. The method includes creating a first model having one or more pre-defined fields, defining one or more application-defined fields, associating the first model with the first application project, associating the one or more application-defined fields with the second application project, grafting the one or more application-defined fields to the first model, building the first and second application projects, and dynamically installing the first and second application projects on a software platform. Building the first application project comprises creating a first database table having one or more table columns corresponding to the pre-defined fields of the first model in a database. Building the second application project comprises adding one or more table columns to the first database table corresponding to the application-defined fields in the database. Dynamically installing the first application project enables the one or more table columns corresponding to the pre-defined fields of the first model to be accessed via the software platform by the first computer application upon execution on a computer, and dynamically installing the second application project enables the one or more table columns corresponding to the pre-defined fields of the first model and the application-defined fields to be accessed via the software platform by the second computer application upon execution on the computer.	02-03-2011

James Merrill, Katy, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120107199	Processes for Reduction of Alkylation Catalyst Deactivation Utilizing Stacked Catalyst Bed - Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are discussed herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a first preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The first preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a Y zeolite. The systems further include a first alkylation system adapted to receive the first output stream and contact the first output stream with a first alkylation catalyst disposed therein and an alkylating agent to form a second output stream.	05-03-2012

James Merrill, Morgan, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090118557	Dehydrogenation of alkyl aromatics - Dehydrogenation of a reactor system of one or more vertically oriented flow reactors equipped with a system for introducing a catalyst extender into the inlet of the reactor. A vertically oriented radial flow reactor comprises inner and outer reactor tubes having perforated wall members extending longitudily of the reactor and defining an annulus containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. A supply line to the reactor is equipped with a rotation vane. An injection nozzle comprising a coaxial flow tube extends into the supply line downstream of the vane. The coaxial flow tube has an interior chamber and an annular chamber surrounding the interior chamber and extending into the supply line along with the interior chamber. The interior chamber is connected to a catalyst extender source and the annular chamber is connected to a source of a carrier gas which is effective to disperse the extender within feedstock flowing into the reactor.	05-07-2009
20110245561	Dehydrogenation of Alkyl Aromatics - Dehydrogenation of a reactor system of one or more vertically oriented flow reactors equipped with a system for introducing a catalyst extender into the inlet of the reactor. A vertically oriented radial flow reactor comprises inner and outer reactor tubes having perforated wall members extending longitudily of the reactor and defining an annulus containing a dehydrogenation catalyst. A supply line to the reactor is equipped with a rotation vane. An injection nozzle comprising a coaxial flow tube extends into the supply line downstream of the vane. The coaxial flow tube has an interior chamber and an annular chamber surrounding the interior chamber and extending into the supply line along with the interior chamber. The interior chamber is connected to a catalyst extender source and the annular chamber is connected to a source of a carrier gas which is effective to disperse the extender within feedstock flowing into the reactor.	10-06-2011

James Kevin Merrill, Raleigh, NC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110253067	PIPE FITTING - A pipe fitting is connected in a conduit from a source of fluid under pressure. The pipe fitting comprises a tubular body defining an elongate interior chamber open at both an upstream end and a downstream end. The wall of the body defines a plurality of radial passages opening into the interior chamber and extending through the wall at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body. The passages open to the atmosphere through the wall axially spaced upstream from the passage openings into the interior. Fluid flows through the body from the upstream end to the downstream end without escaping through the passages. When fluid flow is blocked downstream of the body, backflow of fluid is directed radially outwardly and angularly upstream through the passages to the atmosphere.	10-20-2011

James T. Merrill, Katy, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080306320	Dehydrogenation and polymerization process - Process for the production of an isoprene containing rubber compound by dehydrogenation of an isoamylene containing feedstock supplied to a dehydrogenation reactor containing a particulate dehydrogenation catalyst comprising iron and potassium and having a pore diameter of at least 500 nanometers. The dehydrogenation reactor is operated at a temperature of at least 570° C. to dehydrogenate the isoamylene to produce isoprene. The product containing isoprene and unreacted isoamylene is recovered from the dehydrogenation reactor. Isoprene is polymerized to produce an isoprene containing rubber product. An unreacted feed component containing isoamylene is separated from the rubber product and recycled to the dehydrogenation reactor.	12-11-2008

Patent applications by James T. Merrill, Katy, TX US

James T. Merrill, Morgan, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100022816	Dehydrogenation of Methylbutenes to Isoprene - A method for the dehydrogenation of isoamylene to isoprene at pressures less than atmospheric utilizing a dehydrogenation catalyst is disclosed. Embodiments involve operating the dehydrogenation reactor at a pressure of 1,000 mbar or less.	01-28-2010

Jean Merrill, Morristown, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090275621	1, 3, 4-OXADIAZOL-2-ONES AS PPAR DELTA MODULATORS AND THEIR USE THEREOF - The present invention is directed to 1,3,4-oxadiazalones, compounds of formula I and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts stereoisomers, tautomers, or solvates thereof. Novel compounds include those of formula I, in which radicals are as defined herein.	11-05-2009

Jean Merrill, Whippany, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080255212	OXADIAZOLONES AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF AS PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR - ACTIVATED RECEPTOR (PPAR) DELTA AGONISTS - The invention relates to oxadiazolones and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives showing peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) delta agonist activity comprising compounds of formula I,	10-16-2008
20080262052	METHODS FOR THE TREATMENT OF METABOLIC AND GLUCOSE UTILIZATION DISORDERS THROUGH THE ADMINISTRATION OF OXADIAZOLONES AND DERIVATIVES THEREOF AS PEROXISOME PROLIFERATOR - ACTIVATED RECEPTOR (PPAR) DELTA AGONISTS - The invention relates to oxadiazolones and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives showing PPARdelta agonist activity.	10-23-2008

Patent applications by Jean Merrill, Whippany, NJ US

Jim Merrill, Morgan, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110301396	PROCESSES FOR THE REDUCTION OF ALKYLATION CATALYST DEACTIVATION UTILIZING LOW SILICA TO ALUMINA RATIO CATALYST - Alkylation systems and methods of minimizing alkylation catalyst regeneration are described herein. The alkylation systems generally include a preliminary alkylation system adapted to receive an input stream including an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and contact the input stream with a preliminary alkylation catalyst disposed therein to form a first output stream. The preliminary alkylation catalyst generally includes a zeolite catalyst having a SiO	12-08-2011

Jim Merrill, Katy, TX US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090023966	Treatment of Alkylation Catalyst Poisons - Alkylation processes are described herein. The alkylation process generally includes contacting an input stream including benzene with an alkylation catalyst and an alkylating agent to form an alkylation output stream including ethylbenzene. The alkylation process further includes contacting at least a portion of the alkylation output stream with a transalkylation catalyst and a benzene source to form a transalkylation output stream, wherein the benzene source is selected to minimize the amount of alkylation catalyst poisons contacting the alkylation catalyst.	01-22-2009
20090054715	Method and Apparatus for Addition of Aqueous Solutions to High Temperature Processes - Methods and systems for extending the life of a dehydrogenation catalyst are described herein. For example, one embodiment includes providing a reaction vessel loaded with a dehydrogenation catalyst with a feedstream via a conduit in operable communication with the reaction vessel. The feedstream may include an alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon and the dehydrogenation catalyst may be adapted to convert the alkyl aromatic hydrocarbon to a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon. The feedstream may be contacted with an aqueous catalyst life extender, wherein the aqueous catalyst life extender enters the conduit at a linear velocity sufficient to prevent vaporization of the catalyst life extender in the conduit prior to contact with the feedstream.	02-26-2009

Patent applications by Jim Merrill, Katy, TX US

John W. Merrill, Redmond, WA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100082429	TARGETING BASED PLACEMENT IDENTIFICATION - A reservation system can identify available placements based on targeting criteria provided by advertisers and placement inventory data provided by publishers. The reservation system can receive reservation data for the available placements from the publishers and provide the reservation data with the available placements to the advertisers. The available placements and can be ranked and presented to the advertisers based on a first precision with which the placement can satisfy the advertiser's targeting criteria. A second precision can be determined for each placement that has enabled targeting rules. In turn, the reservation system can rank and present the placements based on the first and second precisions.	04-01-2010

Joshua Merrill, Parker, CO US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120110185	Distributed Hierarchical Rendering and Provisioning of Cloud Services - Techniques are provided herein for distributed and hierarchical rendering and provisioning of cloud services. At a device in a cloud computing system comprising a plurality of hierarchical levels, a cloud service request is received for rendering and provisioning of a virtual data center. A determination is made as to which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a first hierarchical level and which aspects of the cloud service request are to be satisfied by devices in a second hierarchical level and in subsequent hierarchical levels. Rendering and provisioning commands are provided to one or more devices in the first hierarchical level that are selected to satisfy aspects of the cloud service request in the first hierarchical level. A subset cloud service request for aspects of the cloud service request that are to be satisfied by devices in the second hierarchical level is sent to a device in the second hierarchical level.	05-03-2012
20120226799	Capabilities Based Routing of Virtual Data Center Service Request - Systems and methods are provided for receiving at a provider edge routing device capabilities data representative of capabilities of computing devices disposed in a data center, the capabilities data having been published by an associated local data center edge device, and advertising, by the provider edge routing device, the capabilities data to other provider edge routing devices in communication with one another in a network of provider edge routing devices. The provider edge routing device also receives respective capabilities data from each of the other provider edge routing devices, wherein each of the other provider edge routing devices is associated with a respective local data center via a corresponding data center edge device, and stores all the capabilities data in a directory of capabilities. Thereafter, a request for computing services is received at the provider edge network and the methodology provides for selecting, based on the directory of capabilities, one of the data centers to fulfill the request for computing services to obtain a selected data center, and for routing the request for computing services to the selected data center.	09-06-2012
20120239792	PLACEMENT OF A CLOUD SERVICE USING NETWORK TOPOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE PERFORMANCE - Techniques are described for selecting an optimal data center for instantiating a first cloud service. Embodiments of the invention receive a request specifying a topology of a first cloud service to be hosted by one of a plurality of data centers which provide computing resources to host a plurality of cloud services. A suitability value is then determined for each of the data centers which measures a fitness of the data center for instantiating the first cloud service. In one embodiment, the suitability value is determined by calculating a plurality of metric values for the data center, normalizing the metric values and calculating a weighted average of the normalized values. One of the data centers is then selected for instantiating the first cloud service, based at least in part on the determined suitability values.	09-20-2012

Kyle Merrill, Albany, OR US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080261808	Recordable medium with template pattern - A recordable medium having a data side and a label side has one or more template patterns printed on the label side, and has at least first indicia including a template-reference-position mark.	10-23-2008

Kyle Joseph Merrill, Lafayette, IN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120186659	FLUID CONTROL VALVE SYSTEMS, FLUID SYSTEMS EQUIPPED THEREWITH, AND METHODS OF USING - A fluid control valve system suitable for use in fluid systems. The valve system includes at least one check valve assembly that has a controllable bidirectional flow capability. The valve system and its check valve assembly can be installed in a fluid system that contains a pump/motor to enable the displacement output of the pump/motor to be controlled. The valve system further includes a pilot valve assembly and a device for controlling the check and pilot valve assemblies. The controlling device is adapted to control the pressure of at least one pilot fluid delivered to the pilot valve assembly, which enables the check valve assembly to selectively check flow of a working fluid flowing therethrough in either of two directions.	07-26-2012

Leslie D. Merrill, Bountiful, UT US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090078652	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURIFYING AN AQUEOUS STREAM - A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.	03-26-2009
20090082906	SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AQUEOUS STREAM PURIFICATION SERVICES - A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition. Operating conditions may be waste fluid stream impurity concentrations, waste fluid stream flow rates, steam inlet temperatures, recirculation stream flow rates corresponding to the at least one separation unit, recirculation stream temperatures corresponding to the at least one separation unit, purified product stream flow rates, purified product stream impurity concentrations, and/or purge stream concentrations corresponding to the at least one separation unit.	03-26-2009

Matt Merrill US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110240608	ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINT DEVICE FOR USE IN A PLASMA ARC CUTTING TORCH - Some embodiments relate to an electrical contact assembly for a plasma torch tip, and may include an electrical contact portion, a compressible portion in mechanical communication with the contact, and a mounting portion in mechanical communication with the compressible portion. Some embodiments may be adapted to maintain contact with an uneven substrate during translation of the torch tip.	10-06-2011

Matthew Merrill, State College, PA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100119920	CATHODES FOR MICROBIAL ELECTROLYSIS CELLS AND MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS - An apparatus is provided according to embodiments of the present invention which includes a reaction chamber having a wall defining an interior of the reaction chamber and an exterior of the reaction chamber; exoelectrogenic bacteria disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber; an aqueous medium having a pH in the range of 3-9, inclusive, the aqueous medium including an organic substrate oxidizable by exoelectrogenic bacteria and the medium disposed in the interior of the reaction chamber. An inventive apparatus further includes an anode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber; and a brush or mesh cathode including stainless steel, nickel or titanium, the cathode at least partially contained within the interior of the reaction chamber.	05-13-2010

Matthew D. Merrill, Tallahassee, FL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100021776	COMPOSITES AND ELECTRODES FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL DEVICES AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - The present invention is directed to a composite including a substrate and a film deposited on a surface of the substrate, and processes for producing the composites. The deposited film includes at least one metal oxide having the formula: M	01-28-2010

Michael J. Merrill, Reno, NV US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110280671	TIRE GEOREINFORCING SYSTEM - A georeinforcing system, comprising a plurality of georeinforcement elements, each georeinforcement element formed from one or more basic connector pieces having one or more tire treads and one or more tire sidewalls fastened together in an alternating pattern with non-metallic screws. The plurality of georeinforcement elements are attached to a facing element and surrounded in particulate matter to support the facing element.	11-17-2011

Natalie Merrill, Liberty Lake, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110308782	THERMAL INTERFACE MATERIAL AND METHOD OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A thermal interface material comprises a polymeric elastomer material, a thermally conductive filler, and a coupling agent, along with other optional components. In one exemplary heat transfer material, a coupling agent having the formula:	12-22-2011

Natalie A. Merrill, Somerville, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080264562	Adhesion promotion to difficult substrates for hot melt adhesives - Hot melt adhesive compositions which have enhanced adhesion to difficult substrates, particularly at refrigerator/freezer temperatures or at elevated temperatures. The inventive compositions require a base polymer comprising at least one metallocene ethylene-containing polymer or at least one non-metallocene, amorphous, propylene containing polymer; a tackifier; an optional wax; and an adhesion promoting additive comprising at least one semi-crystalline polymer having a weight average molecular weight of about 30,000 daltons or less. It has been found that the adhesion promoting additive of this invention enhances the adhesion properties of a hot melt adhesive composition having a metallocene ethylene-containing base polymer or non-metallocene, amorphous, propylene containing base polymer, particularly at elevated temperatures or at low refrigerator and freezer temperatures where other conventional adhesives have been unsuccessful.	10-30-2008

Peter K. Merrill, Raynham, MA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120042492	Alignment Mechanism for Assembly of a Diffuser Inside a Pressure Reducing and Conditioning Valve - An alignment mechanism is used for assembly of a diffuser inside a pressure reducing and conditioning valve, said valve having a body, an inlet port, an outlet port, a pressure reducing section between the ports, and a diffuser in an internal cavity of the pressure reducing section. The alignment mechanism comprises at least one alignment assembly having an alignment port disposed in the valve body in the pressure reducing section. The port has a passageway passing through an outer wall of the valve, and has a removable closure member adapted to close one end of the passageway. A removable alignment rod is adapted to be inserted through the passageway in the to alignment port to contact an outer surface of the diffuser when the diffuser is inserted into the internal cavity of the pressure reducing section of the valve. A method of use of the alignment assembly is disclosed.	02-23-2012

Richard K. Merrill, Highlands Ranch, CO US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090117228	NON-FAT DRY MILK PRODUCTION PROCESSES FOR CHEESEMAKING - Methods of making a powdered dairy composition are disclosed. The methods may include the steps of adding a sequestrant for calcium and rennet to a milk composition to make treated milk, and forming the treated milk into a milk powder. Powdered non-fat dry milk products are also disclosed. The products may include one or more milk proteins that have been enzymatically altered by chymosin, where the chymosin altered proteins are not coagulated. The products may also include one or more sequestants to bind calcium ions in the powdered product.	05-07-2009
20090238917	FOOD INGREDIENTS AND FOOD PRODUCTS TREATED WITH AN OXIDOREDUCTASE AND METHODS FOR PREPARING SUCH FOOD INGREDIENTS AND FOOD PRODUCTS - A method of making an aldobionate product is described. The method may include providing a milk product having one or more reducing sugars, and maintaining a pH of the milk product at about 5.5 or more by adding a buffer compound to the milk product. The method may also include adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product. In addition, a method of making an aldobionate product is described that includes the steps of providing a milk product comprising a reducing sugar, mixing oxygen into the milk product, and adding an oxidoreductase enzyme to the milk product, where at least a portion of the reducing sugar is oxidized into the aldobionate product.	09-24-2009
20100112137	CURD CONTAINING SLURRY COMPOSITIONS FOR MAKING SOFT OR FIRM/SEMI-HARD RIPENED AND UNRIPENED CHEESE - Methods and systems for preparing soft or firm/semi-hard cheese are provided, as well as soft or firm/semi-hard cheese prepared by the methods. The methods typically involve the formation of a slurry that contains blended or molten cheese curd. A variety of ingredients can be introduced into the curd used to prepare the slurry, the slurry that is formed, or at other stages along the manufacturing process to tailor the performance and nutritional characteristics of the final cheese product. The slurry in some methods is directly processed to form a final cheese product. In other methods, the slurry undergoes various types of processing to achieve certain desired composition or performance requirements.	05-06-2010
20100239713	CHEESE AND METHODS OF MAKING SUCH CHEESE - Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.	09-23-2010
20110097441	CHEESE AND METHODS OF MAKING SUCH CHEESE - Methods of preparing cheese products are described. The methods may include the step of converting at least a portion of a protein containing starting milk into discrete curd particles, and forming the curd particles into a cheese precursor. The cheese precursor may be combined with a slurry to form an admixture. The admixture may be processed into the cheese product. Also described are continuous methods of making a cheese product. The methods may include suppressing formation of a coagulum in a starting milk while adding a coagulation agent. The starting milk may be passed along a flow path, and one or more of the temperature and the pH may be adjusted to allow the formation of curd particles within the flow. The curd particles may be formed into a cheese precursor, which is combined with a slurry to form an admixture that may be processes into the cheese product.	04-28-2011
20110229622	BLENDED CHEESES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SUCH CHEESES - Methods for preparing cheese blends of analog cheese and soft or firm/semi-hard, ripened or unripended, cheese are provided. The methods generally involve combining a slurry that contains the basic ingredients for an analog cheese and optionally one or more other ingredients with a mass of heated soft or firm/semi-hard cheese. Slurries that are used in the methods and cheeses produced by the methods are also provided.	09-22-2011

Patent applications by Richard K. Merrill, Highlands Ranch, CO US

Robert Frederick Merrill, Gainsville, FL US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110024314	CAMERA COVER ALLOWING CONCEALED USE OF LENS AND CAMERA - A camera cover comprising a surrounding sidewall that has an interior sized and configured for receiving and housing a camera. The sidewall defines opposed first and second openings through which the camera may be operated. A camera mount is connected to the surrounding sidewall and is operative to secure the camera within the interior with the camera's lens directed to one of the first and second openings. The camera cover preferably includes a strap with opposed first and second end portions that are each removably fastened to the surrounding sidewall. The end portions of the strap may each include an extension strap securable to the camera. The camera cover includes a first closure associated with the first opening and a second closure associated with the second opening. The first closure comprises a first flap and a magnetic latch and the second closure comprises a second flap and a zipper.	02-03-2011

Robert W. Merrill, Mcmurray, PA US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100234261	DYE CLEANER, AND METHOD FOR CLEANING COLORANT DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A composition that includes (a) a chealant component; (b) a polyaspartic acid component; and (c) a disulfonated diphenyl component; such that the chealant component, the polyaspartic acid component, and the disulfonated diphenyl component are present in sufficient amounts so that when the composition treats a colorant delivery system containing deposits, the deposits are removed from the system. The invention also relates to methods for making and using such a composition.	09-16-2010

Stephen J. Merrill, Racine, WI US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20120071751	3D Model Creation of Anatomic Structures Using Single-Plane Fluoroscopy - A method for 3D reconstruction of the positions of a catheter as it is moved within a region of the human body, comprising: (a) ascertaining the 3D position of a point on a catheter for insertion in the body region; (b) acquiring a fixed angle, single-plane fluoroscopic image of the body region and of the catheter; (c) transferring the image data and catheter-point position to a computer; (d) determining the 2D image coordinates of the point on the catheter; (e) changing the length of catheter insertion by a measured amount; (f) thereafter acquiring a further single-plane fluoroscopic image of the body region and the catheter from the same angle, transferring the length change and additional image data to the computer, and determining the 2D image coordinates of the point on the catheter; (g) computing the 3D position of the catheter point; and (h) repeating steps e-g plural times. A 3D model is constructed by assembling the plural 3D positions of the point within the body region into a 3D model of the region.	03-22-2012

Thomas A. Merrill, Noblesville, IN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090322288	Internal Packaged Alternator with Microprocessor Controlled Multi-Input Regulator - A vehicle alternator comprises a housing with a voltage regulator positioned within the housing. The alternator further comprises a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing and a stator positioned within the housing. The stator includes stator windings configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor. The voltage regulator is configured to receive a battery temperature signal from outside of the alternator and control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal. In at least one embodiment, the battery temperature signal is provided from a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the vehicle battery. The voltage regulator of the alternator includes a processor configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the particular type of vehicle battery used in association with the alternator.	12-31-2009
20100052448	DYNAMOELECTRIC MACHINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a vehicle dynamoelectric machine electrical system. The system includes, a housing having a boss, and at least one electrically insulative member in operable communication with the boss and capable of electrically isolating the housing from a bracket configured to mount the housing.	03-04-2010

Thomas Lad Merrill, Sewell, NJ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110276115	Cooling Guide Catheter And Associated Method Of Use - A catheter apparatus configured to provide a delivery system for standard intervention devices typically used during emergency angioplasty and to provide rapid localized cooling to organs at risk of ischemic and reperfusion injury. The catheter apparatus including a catheter shaft having an inner core defining at least two coolant flow lumens adjacent to a blood conveyance lumen. Each coolant flow lumen in thermal contact with the blood conveyance lumen and thermally insulated from each other and the exterior surfaces of the catheter shaft.	11-10-2011

Travis S. Merrill, Rutland, VT US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080297188	IC CHIP STRESS TESTING - Methods, systems and program products are disclosed for performing a stress test of a line in an integrated circuit (IC) chip. One embodiment of the method includes: applying a constant current I	12-04-2008
20120187974	Dual Stage Voltage Ramp Stress Test for Gate Dielectrics - A testing system for testing the integrity of a gate dielectric includes a testing apparatus, the testing apparatus including a test probe configured to contact and provide a voltage across the gate dielectric and to measure a current passing through the gate dielectric. The testing system also includes a computing device coupled to the testing apparatus an causing the testing apparatus to apply a constant voltage as part of a first test to the gate dielectric through the test probe until a first predetermined current is measured passing through the gate dielectric and to apply an increasing voltage to the gate dielectric after the first predetermined current is measured.	07-26-2012

Victor Merrill, Prescott, AZ US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20090194311	QUICK CONNECT ELECTRICAL BOX - There is provided a quick connect electrical box assembly that can be attached to a construction member such as a wall stud. The electrical box includes a box frame and a box back. The box frame and box back each include reciprocal snap connectors so that the frame can be joined to the back. Channels are configured in the box back, and conductor rails are positioned in these rails. Common electrical wires, such as are founded in three-strand bundled power lines, can be stripped of their insulation and placed in the rails. The rails, formed of conductive material such as copper, then form an electrical connection within the box. Using this box an electrician can quickly and efficiently bring power to a location during rough assembly. Later, during finish electrical work, the electrician can also plug devices such as switches and plugs into the box. The switches and plugs, configured with prongs, make electrical connection with the rails and thereby receive power. The electrical box thus offers improved construction efficiency.	08-06-2009

William W. Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20080268219	MODIFIED COPOLYESTERS AND OPTICAL FILMS INCLUDING MODIFIED COPOLYESTERS - Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.	10-30-2008
20090062504	MODIFIED COPOLYESTERS AND IMPROVED MULTILAYER REFLECTIVE FILMS - A multilayered polymer film includes a first set of optical layers and a second set of optical layers. The first set of optical layers is made from a polyester which is often birefringent. The polyesters of the first set of optical layers typically have a composition in which 70-100 mol % of the carboxylate subunits are first carboxylate subunits and 0-30 mol % are comonomer carboxylate subunits and 70 to 100 mol % of the glycol subunits are first glycol subunits and 0 to 30 mol % of the glycol subunits are comonomer glycol subunits, where at least 0.5 mol % of the combined carboxylate and glycol subunits are comonomer carboxylate or comonomer glycol subunits. The multilayered polymer film may be used to form, for example, a reflective polarizer or a mirror.	03-05-2009
20090067048	STRUCTURED ORIENTED FILMS FOR USE IN DISPLAYS - Films having a structured surface with an engineered feature, such as prism grooves, to be used in displays having a backlight. The films can be arranged in a stack having one or more of the following: birefringent brightness enhancement films, non-birefringent brightness enhancement films, polarizers, diffusers, birefringent turning films, and non-birefringent turning films. Those films can be arranged in any order from the backlight to a viewer.	03-12-2009
20090155540	POST-FORMABLE MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS AND METHODS OF FORMING - Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.	06-18-2009
20090218707	METHOD FOR MAKING PEN/PMMA MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.	09-03-2009
20090326190	HEAT SETTING OPTICAL FILMS - A method of making an optical film includes providing a film, substantially uniaxially orienting the film, and heat setting the oriented film. The film includes a polymeric material capable of developing birefringence.	12-31-2009
20120068371	PROCESSES FOR IMPROVED OPTICAL FILMS - A method of forming an optical film results in a film having a useful central 60% portion with a caliper variation of about 5% or less of an average thickness of the film. The method includes selecting a draw ratio λ in a first in-plane stretch direction, setting an effective draw gap defined by a length L and a width W, and stretching a polymer film at the draw ratio and effective draw gap. The effective draw gap is set such that the stretching step fits into one of two regimes, the first regime referred to as a uniaxial regime and characterized by a β equal to or less than about 1.0; and the second regime referred to as a planar extension regime and characterized by a β equal to or greater than about 10.0. The disclosure also describes an optical film formed by the method.	03-22-2012
20120105957	POST-FORMABLE MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS AND METHODS OF FORMING - Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.	05-03-2012

Patent applications by William W. Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN US

William Ward Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100254002	PROCESSES AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING TRANSVERSELY DRAWN FILMS WITH SUBSTANTIALLY UNIAXIAL CHARACTER - A stretcher for substantially uniaxially orienting a film includes a plurality of gripping members to hold opposing edge portions of the film, paths along which the gripping members travel to stretch the film in a stretching region, and a drive mechanism to convey the film and gripping members along a machine direction. At least a portion of the paths in the stretching region define diverging, curvilinear courses disposed in-plane. The paths are configured such that during the stretching an extent of uniaxial character, U, is between zero and unity and a minimum value of an extent of uniaxial character, U, is at least 0.70 over a final portion of the stretching after achieving a TDDR of 2.5. U is defined as U=(1/MDDR−1)/(TDDR	10-07-2010
20110249332	MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS HAVING SIDE-BY-SIDE MIRROR/POLARIZER ZONES - A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone, the layers operate substantially as a reflective polarizer; in the second zone they operate substantially as a mirror. The layers may thus provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone wherein normally incident light of one polarization state is substantially reflected and normally incident light of an orthogonal polarization state is substantially transmitted, and a second reflective characteristic in the second zone wherein normally incident light of any polarization state is substantially reflected. The film may have a first thickness in the first zone that is substantially the same as a second thickness in the second zone. Alternatively, the second thickness may be substantially less than the first thickness. Related methods, articles, and systems are also disclosed.	10-13-2011
20110249334	INTERNALLY PATTERNED MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS WITH MULTIPLE BIREFRINGENT LAYERS - A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. The interior layers include a first set of layers composed of a first material and a second set of layers composed of a different second material. The first and second sets of layers are both birefringent in the first zone, but at least some of the layers have reduced birefringence in the second zone. The reduced birefringence produces a second reflective characteristic in the second zone that differs from a first reflective characteristic in the first zone, this difference not being substantially attributable to any thickness difference between the first and second zones. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.	10-13-2011
20110255163	INTERNALLY PATTERNED MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS USING SPATIALLY SELECTIVE BIREFRINGENCE REDUCTION - A reflective film includes interior layers arranged to selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first zone to a second zone of the film. The film has a first thickness and the interior layers provide a first reflective characteristic in the first zone; the film has a second thickness and the interior layers provide a second reflective characteristic in the second zone. The difference between the first and second reflective characteristics is not substantially attributable to any difference between the first and second thicknesses, which difference may be zero. Rather, the difference in the reflective characteristics is substantially attributable to reduced birefringence of at least some of the interior layers in one zone relative to the other zone. The film may also incorporate absorbing agents to assist in the manufacture or processing of the film. Related methods and articles are also disclosed.	10-20-2011
20110255167	MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS SUITABLE FOR BI-LEVEL INTERNAL PATTERNING - A reflective film includes a first optical stack that provides a first reflective characteristic and a second optical stack that provides a second reflective characteristic. The optical stacks also have first and second absorptive characteristics that are suitable to absorptively heat the respective stacks upon exposure to light including a write wavelength while maintaining the structural integrity of the stacks. The absorptive heating can change the first and second reflective characteristics to third and fourth reflective characteristics, respectively. A blocking layer that at least partially blocks light of the write wavelength may also be provided between the optical stacks to permit absorptive heating of any selected one of the optical stacks. The reflective characteristics of the optical stacks can thus be independently modified in any desired patterns by appropriate delivery of light beams that include the write wavelength.	10-20-2011
20110286095	MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILMS HAVING SIDE-BY-SIDE POLARIZER/POLARIZER ZONES - A reflective film includes interior layers that selectively reflect light by constructive or destructive interference, the layers extending from a first to a second zone of the film. In the first zone the layers provide a first reflective polarizer characteristic, and in a second zone the layers provide a substantially different reflective polarizer characteristic. The second zone is characterized by at least some of the layers having a reduced birefringence relative to their birefringence in the first zone. In some cases the first reflective polarizer characteristic may have a pass axis that is substantially orthogonal to that of the second reflective polarizer characteristic. The film may have substantially the same thickness in the first and second zones, or a substantially reduced thickness in the second zone relative to the first zone.	11-24-2011

Patent applications by William Ward Merrill, White Bear Lake, MN US

Zachary A. Merrill, Greenville, SC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20100192347	Method for Adjusting Axle Camber - A method for adjusting the camber of a vehicle's axle comprising attaching collars (	08-05-2010
20110239430	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING AXLE ALIGNMENT - Methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting the alignment of an axle so that adjustments to toe, camber, and/or thrust can be more readily achieved. In one embodiment, a pair of non-parallel shims is located between flange elements. Positioning elements are located along the flange elements at a position outside the peripheral edge of the shims. Upon application of a torque to the positioning elements, the flange elements can be pushed apart or pulled together so as to provide for access to the shims.	10-06-2011

Zachary Alexander Merrill, Greenville, SC US

Patent application number	Description	Published
20110181011	METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADJUSTING AXLE CAMBER - A method for adjusting the camber of a vehicle's axle comprising attaching collars to the axle of the vehicle attaching links to the collars, introducing a deflection in the axle in a concave downward direction and modifying the length of the links.	07-28-2011

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