Stephen Patrick Craig

US Patent:

60896175, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Jul 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/124521

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE
James A. Bristow - Elkton MD

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

F16L 1302

US Classification:

2852881

Abstract:

A fluid connector system for connecting a tubular device such as a conduit having a fluid-bearing capability to a channel port having a fluid-bearing capability in a planar surface, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the conduit and the channel port. The conduit bore communicates with a conduit outlet located in a surface region on the outlet end of the conduit. Located within the outlet end surface region is a weld projection. The channel port is located in a receiver portion of a planar surface and communicates with a channel. A port surface region on the exterior of the planar surface encompasses the channel port. The outlet end surface region and the port surface region are complementary in that they may be superimposed so as to co-locate the conduit outlet and the channel port. The leading edge of the conduit outlet is oriented to contact the port surface region so as to define a line of contact. The weld projection and the material that underlies the line of contact are both formed of electrically resistive material suited to melting and subsequent fusion via resistive heating due to a brief application of an electric current.

US Patent:

59354305, Aug 10, 1999

Filed:

Jul 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/124107

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

2101982

Abstract:

A miniaturized planar device formed of first and second planar substrates that may be superimposed and diffusion bonded to form a single, planar integrated assembly. Each of the first and second planar substrates include respective component sections having respective first and second interior surfaces. One or more surface features in at least one of the first and second interior surfaces are thereby enclosed during assembly so as to form at least one corresponding internal fluid-handling feature, such as a conduit having a rectilinear, semicircular, or circular cross section. The perimeter of a surface feature is generally defined by a perimeter land which separates the surface feature from an adjacent moat. The superimposition of the first and second component sections establishes an interface between the abutted portions of the first and second interior surfaces; this interface is then subject to diffusion bonding. Diffusion bonding causes a transient liquid phase to be interposed in the interface; a flow of the transient liquid phase can correct the irregularities, asperities, or other undesired structural aspects in the abutted surfaces.

US Patent:

58883908, Mar 30, 1999

Filed:

Apr 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/845974

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B01D 1508

US Classification:

2101982

Abstract:

A multilayer integrated assembly for effecting fluid handling functions includes complementary microstructures formed by an etching or similar process in a planar foldable substrate. The complementary microstructures may be superimposed in a controlled manner by operation of micro-alignment means also formed in the foldable substrate by an etching or similar process. Microstructures are contemplated as including channels (that may be superimposed to form fluid conduits), apertures, conduit apertures, sample processing compartments, and the like. The resulting integrated assembly may be bonded and subsequently operated to implement one or more fluid-handling functions.

US Patent:

44071086, Oct 4, 1983

Filed:

Dec 29, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/220852

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B65B 912
B65B 5714

US Classification:

53451

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for automatically filling bags, which have been automatically formed on a vertical-form-fill-seal machine, with a predetermined weight of particulate material, said apparatus comprising a feeder means including a weighing means for measuring the loss in total weight of the feeder means and its contents.

US Patent:

59977086, Dec 7, 1999

Filed:

Apr 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/846607

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

B32B 3128
G01N 3004

US Classification:

204601

Abstract:

A multilayer integrated assembly for effecting fluid handling functions includes complementary microstructures formed by an etching or similar process in a planar foldable substrate. The complementary microstructures may be superimposed in a controlled manner by operation of micro-alignment means also formed in the foldable substrate by an etching or similar process. Microstructures are contemplated as including channels (that may be superimposed to form fluid conduits), apertures, conduit apertures, sample processing compartments, and the like. An intermediary substrate may optionally be incorporated in the integrated assembly so as to provide a material having a thickness or composition that may differ in a useful characteristic from the material used to provide the foldable substrate and accordingly expand the functionality of the integrated assembly. The intermediary substrate may offer a surface treatment, structure, or function that is difficult or impractical to provide in the foldable substrate but which can be effectively provided in the material used to fabricated the intermediary substrate. The resulting integrated assembly may be bonded and subsequently operated to implement one or more fluid-handling functions.

US Patent:

43815456, Apr 26, 1983

Filed:

Dec 29, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/220854

Inventors:

Nicholas Biddle - Wilmington DE
Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE

Assignee:

E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

B67D 530

US Classification:

364479

Abstract:

Means and method for automatically controlling a powder bagging machine, said powder bagging machine having a weighing means for measuring the quantity of powder dispensed, and a means for dispensing the powder into a container, said automatic control means comprising a comparator means for sensing deviations in weight as measured by said weighing means, a control means for analyzing said weight deviations and for controlling the dispensing means. The method of the present invention comprises operating said means so as to effect a multi-stage filling cycle, the first stage comprising operating said dispensing means at a predetermined high speed for a predetermined time, the second stage(s) comprising controlled rate(s) of deceleration of said dispensing means, and the optional last stage comprising operating said dispensing means at a predetermined low speed or at a low rate of deceleration from a predetermined low speed until the desired weight of powder is dispensed.

US Patent:

55678688, Oct 22, 1996

Filed:

Jan 23, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/376614

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE
Paul B. Welsh - Wilmington DE
Robert C. Henderson - Avondale PA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01N 3004

US Classification:

73 2342

Abstract:

An analytical instrument preferably in the form of a chromatograph includes a computer, a pneumatic controller responsive to the computer, and planar manifold assembly. The planar manifold assembly includes one or more fluid-handling functional devices that may be surface mounted to a planar manifold. The fluid-handling functional device may be constructed as a valve, operable in response to a control signal from pneumatic controller for controlling fluid flow in selected fluid flow paths in the chromatograph, or as a sensor, a fluid regulator, a fluid flow input or output line, or the like.

US Patent:

56866577, Nov 11, 1997

Filed:

Jul 12, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/678844

Inventors:

Stephen R. Craig - Wilmington DE
Paul B. Welsh - Wilmington DE
Robert C. Henderson - Avondale PA

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01N 3004

US Classification:

73 2342

Abstract:

An analytical instrument preferably in the form of a chromatograph includes a computer, a pneumatic controller responsive to the computer, and planar manifold assembly. The planar manifold assembly includes one or more fluid-handling functional devices that may be surface mounted to a planar manifold. The fluid-handling functional device may be constructed as a valve, operable in response to a control signal from pneumatic controller for controlling fluid flow in selected fluid flow paths in the chromatograph, or as a sensor, a fluid regulator, a fluid flow input or output line, or the like.