US3861886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Material identification coding methods and systems
Assignee: Melpar Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-30
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Granted: 1975-01-21
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Expires: 1991-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A liquid such as petroleum oil is marked for future identification by addition to the bulk liquid of particulate matter in the form of one or more coded powders containing particles of the order of one micron in size. The particles are insoluble in the liquid of interest and are added in very small quantity, e.g., one milligram of powder per ton of bulk liquid, which provides approximately 1,000 particles of each of the coded powders per milliliter of liquid. The particles are henceforth carried by the liquid as a substantially integral part thereof, and are thus available at all times to identify the bulk liquid or portion thereof. Accordingly, the addition of the particles or powders is tantamount to tagging the liquid in question.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P Meloy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:57
CPC Classifications
C; C10; C10L; C10L1/00; C10L1/003; C10L1/10; G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S252/00; Y10S252/965; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the size of said provided micro-particles is of the order of the range from about 0.01 microns to about 500 microns.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the size of said provided micro-particles is of the order of 1 micron.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the concentration of said provided micro-particles after being dispersed is of the order of the range from about one-tenth milligram to about a gram per ton of said material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the concentration of said provided micro-particles after being dispersed is of the order of 100 particles per milliliter of said material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the concentration of said provided micro-particles after being dispersed is of the order of between 10 6 and 10 7 grams per cubic centimeter of said material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said provided micro-particles are inert in said material whereby they do not affect the utilization of said material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the provided micro-particles are spheroids.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the provided micro-particles are added to said batches by first adding them to a portion of the corresponding batch in high concentration and then reducing the concentration by dilution with additional batch material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the provided micro-particles are selected from the group consisting of glass, polymer, ceramic, and metal beads.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the micro-particles provided in the respective batches have densities uniquely selected for each of the different batches.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, said properties of the provided micro-particles being selected from the group consisting of shape, size, color, chemical properties, specific gravity, hardness, index of refraction, and birefringency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising later analyzing a portion of at least one of said batches containing said dispersed micro-particles to determine the corresponding properties.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the analyzing comprises the preliminary step of concentrating the provided micro-particles from said portion to provide an analysis sample with greatly increased concentration of said provided micro-particles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the said analyzing comprises subjecting said portion to at least one of physical and chemical analyzing steps requiring the use of analytical instruments.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the analysis comprises micro-analysis steps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bulk material is oil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein said micro-particles are non-soluble in water and are stable when exposed, in films of oil, to sea water and sunlight for prolonged periods.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said provided micro-particles are in colloidal suspension and are oleophylic and hydrophobic to prevent flocculation and settling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said provided micro-particles are rendered oleophylic and hydrophobic by treating them with a surfactant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |