Thomas R Collins

US Patent:

6368869, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/775332

Inventors:

Kevin J. Sullivan - Medfield MA
Thomas C. Collins - Linwood MI
Rudolf E. Slovacek - Norfolk MA

Assignee:

Bayer Corporation - E. Walpole MA

International Classification:

G01N 2164

US Classification:

436172, 422 8208, 427164

Abstract:

A liquid permeable metallic coating is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescence based optical sensor. The metallic coating is deposited directly on, and is in physical contact with, the sensing membrane. The metallic coating does not require an intervening substrate layer or other components. When light from a light source is shone through the substantially light transmissive substrate onto the sensing membrane, the metallic overcoating reflects back the excitation light as well as the fluorescence light generated by the sensor such that substantially no light reaches the sample where the light may be scattered and/or absorbed by the sample. Accordingly, the accuracy and repeatability of the sensor is improved while the cost and production times associated with manufacturing the sensor are minimized.

US Patent:

6823795, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

May 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/859141

Inventors:

Neil A. Willcocks - Flanders NJ
James M. Suttle - East Stroudsburg PA
Thomas M. Collins - Nazareth PA
Arun Shastry - Neshanic Station NJ

Assignee:

Mars, Inc. - McLean VA

International Classification:

B41M 140

US Classification:

101492, 101 35, 101491, 101211, 426383

Abstract:

Multicolor registered images, formed from at least two component images, are printed on the surfaces of shaped edible pieces. Registration of the component images is maintained by applying the component images to a single image transfer surface from plural image application surfaces. The registered image is applied to a shaped edible piece from the image transfer surface in a single contact step.

US Patent:

7272571, Sep 18, 2007

Filed:

May 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/855558

Inventors:

Robert W. Tuttrup - Sparta NJ, US
Neil A. Willcocks - Flanders NJ, US
Thomas M. Collins - Nazareth PA, US
Mark J. Chimel - Long Valley NJ, US
Kevin L. Rabinovitch - Hackettstown NJ, US
Henry V. Izzo - Bridgewater NJ, US

Assignee:

Mars Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

G06G 1/14

US Classification:

705 22, 705 28, 705 26

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

US Patent:

7621734, Nov 24, 2009

Filed:

Jul 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/900174

Inventors:

David Pontzer - Sparta NJ, US
Bob Crossley - Montclair NJ, US
Thomas Collins - Nazareth PA, US

Assignee:

Mars, Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

A23G 3/20

US Classification:

425237, 426512, 426514, 994507, 425449

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a forming apparatus comprising (a) first and second forming rolls with forming pockets in corresponding alignment, wherein at least one roll has one or more continuous grooves extending around the circumference of the roll in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll and which intersects the forming pockets in the plane, wherein the first and second forming rolls rotate in directions counter to one another, and (b) one or more forming pins positioned between the counter rotating rolls and within the continuous groove of the roll.

US Patent:

7727566, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Jul 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/615249

Inventors:

Edward L. Rapp - Blairstown NJ, US
Jamie Troy - Columbia NJ, US
Jeannette Dido - Hoboken NJ, US
Douglas Mann - Easton PA, US
Thomas Collins - Nazareth PA, US
Kevin Rabinovitch - Redondo Beach CA, US
Ralph Lee - Hampton NJ, US
Neil Willcocks - Fullerton CA, US
Robert Boushell - Sparta NJ, US
Ralph Jerome - Blairstown NJ, US
Tiago O. Rodrigues - Marietta PA, US
John M. Kaiser - Manheim PA, US
Ivonne E. Nill - Boonton NJ, US

Assignee:

Mars, Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

A23L 1/29

US Classification:

426 72, 426 74, 426 89, 426 96, 426 99, 426103, 426601, 426656, 426658

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.

US Patent:

7794764, Sep 14, 2010

Filed:

Oct 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/271710

Inventors:

Edward L. Rapp - Blairstown NJ, US
Ralph Lee - Hampton NJ, US
Jamie Troy - Columbia NJ, US
Jeannette Dido - Hoboken NJ, US
Douglas Mann - Belvidere NJ, US
Thomas Collins - Nazareth PA, US
Kevin Rabinovitch - Hackettstown NJ, US

Assignee:

Mars Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

A23L 1/29

US Classification:

426 72, 426 74, 426102, 426519, 426549, 426618, 426810

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.

US Patent:

7884953, Feb 8, 2011

Filed:

Jun 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/587108

Inventors:

Neil A. Willcocks - Flanders NJ, US
Arun Shastry - Neshanic Staton NJ, US
Thomas M. Collins - Nazareth PA, US
Alfred V. Camporini - Hackettstown NJ, US
James M. Suttle - East Stroudsburg PA, US

Assignee:

Mars Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

G06F 3/12
G06F 15/00

US Classification:

358 115, 358 11

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods of printing high resolution images on edible substrates with dispersed pigmented inks using a drop-on-demand ink-jet printer. Dispersed pigmented white inks useful with the inventive methods are also disclosed. White images having a resolution greater than 200 dpi can be printed on chocolate using the methods and inks disclosed herein. The inventive methods and inks may also be integrated with a consumer-driven site vending or e-commerce application in which the consumer provides the image to be printed and edibles bearing the printed image are prepared for rapid turnaround.

US Patent:

8084069, Dec 27, 2011

Filed:

Oct 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/574773

Inventors:

David Pontzer - Sparta NJ, US
Bob Crossley - Montclair NJ, US
Thomas Collins - Nazareth PA, US

Assignee:

Mars, Incorporated - McLean VA

International Classification:

A23G 3/20

US Classification:

426283, 426279, 426282, 426512, 426601, 426660, 425294, 425408, 425447, 425237

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to a forming apparatus comprising (a) first and second forming rolls with forming pockets in corresponding alignment, wherein at least one roll has one or more continuous grooves extending around the circumference of the roll in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the roll and which intersects the forming pockets in the plane, wherein the first and second forming rolls rotate in directions counter to one another, and (b) one or more forming pins positioned between the counter rotating rolls and within the continuous groove of the roll.