Bizarre Patents
Neuroimaging as a Marketing Tool
Neuroimaging as a means for validating whether a stimulus such as advertisement, communication, or product evokes a certain mental response such as emotion, preference, or memory, or to predict the consequences of the stimulus on later behavior such as consumption or purchasing.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8152998 | Screenless granular media filters and methods of use A liquid filtering apparatus is placed in a vessel having a bed of filtration material, the bed comprising at least two different sizes of filter media wherein the filtration material is stratified using upper and lower spaced apart inverted cones so that the unfilt... | 04/10/2012 |
| 7985938 | Method of sorting used tubular goods prior to reclaiming or reconditioning Methods for reclaiming or reconditioning used tubulars are disclosed. One method includes performing non-visual, non-destructive inspection of used tubulars at a site of a reconditioning or reclaiming plant prior to the used tubulars being cleaned in preparation for... | 07/26/2011 |
| 7950451 | Annulus mud flow rate measurement while drilling and use thereof to detect well dysfunction Methods and apparatus are described that combine a measurement of the physical velocity of material within the annulus of a well between the drill pipe and the wall of the well with a measurement of the area of the flow as determined from a measurement of distance b... | 05/31/2011 |
| 7741525 | Blending processes and systems Processes and systems are provided for monitoring and blending a first stream and a second stream to produce a third stream of desired compositional characteristics. The processes and systems are found to be particularly useful for the blending of two or more hydroc... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7740021 | Methods and apparatus for cleaning screens used in solid/liquid separations in oilfield operations Methods, apparatus, and kits are described, one method embodiment comprising loading a solids-laden screen into a carriage of a washing enclosure, the solids-laden screen comprising a screen mesh partially obstructed with solids from a well drilling or work-over ope... | 06/22/2010 |
| 7706988 | Method for improved crack detection and discrimination using circumferential magnetic flux leakage A method of predicting at least one physical change in crack geometry of a crack in a pipeline based on in-line inspection operating pressure is presented. In one method, a first test on a pipeline is performed at a first pressure, which obtains a first set of test ... | 04/27/2010 |
| 7691788 | Compositions and methods of using same in producing heavy oil and bitumen Compositions and methods of using same are described for negating asphaltene deposition in a formation, wellbore, near wellbore region, and production tubing. Compositions of the invention comprise an asphaltene solvent and a viscosity reducing agent, the asphaltene... | 04/06/2010 |
| 7622917 | Methods and apparatus for inspecting materials Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spac... | 11/24/2009 |
| 7593101 | High-pressure cross-polar microscopy cells having adjustable fluid passage and methods of use Apparatus and methods are described for observing samples at non-ambient temperatures and pressures. One apparatus comprises a cell body having a fluid flow-through passage and a light passage intersecting the fluid flow-through passage at an adjustable light pathle... | 09/22/2009 |
| 7523648 | Apparatus and methods for solids deposition and analysis Apparatus and methods are described for solids deposition study. One apparatus embodiment of the invention comprises an internal and an external cylinder positioned between first and second end portions, at least one of the cylinders being rotatable and thus forming... | 04/28/2009 |
| 7467559 | Apparatus and methods for sample handling and rheology analysis Apparatus and methods are described for isolating or manipulating a portion of a sample at non-ambient temperatures and pressures. One apparatus embodiment of the invention comprises a primary sample containment vessel defining a primary chamber, the vessel having a... | 12/23/2008 |
| 7464755 | Methods and systems for sampling heavy oil reservoirs Methods and systems and are described for isolating or manipulating a sample of a heavy oil composition from a hydrocarbon reservoir. One method embodiment of the invention comprises circulating a heated fluid in a first region of a reservoir where a heavy oil compo... | 12/16/2008 |
| 7456328 | Blending processes and systems Processes and systems are provided for monitoring and blending a first stream and a second stream to produce a third stream of desired compositional characteristics. The processes and systems are found to be particularly useful for the blending of two or more hydroc... | 11/25/2008 |
| 7442224 | Fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using same Fertilizer compositions for plant production are described, comprised of decontaminated manure and Bacillus spores, preferably a humic acid derived from lignite and, optionally, one or more of N compounds, P compounds, K compounds, and combinations of two or ... | 10/28/2008 |
| 7417924 | Apparatus, systems and methods for determining position of marine seismic acoustic receivers Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plur... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7415936 | Active steering for marine sources A seismic survey system includes a winch having a winch cable coupleable to a source array towable between two deflected lead-ins, a positioning system for determining a current position of the source array and a controller for adjusting the winch to modify the curr... | 08/26/2008 |
| 7410584 | Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater employing a high rate clarifier and a membrane Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater are described, one method embodiment including the steps of flowing a stream comprising mixed liquor suspended solids and fixed growth solids to a high rate clarification stage, forming a clarifier effluent, a first wast... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7411863 | Marine seismic data acquisition systems and methods Systems and methods for acquiring marine seismic data are described. One system comprises a marine seismic spread adapted to survey a sub-sea geologic deposit, the spread comprising one or more seismic instruments attached to or within an instrument support bounded ... | 08/12/2008 |
| 7403448 | Streamer steering device orientation determination apparatus and methods Apparatus and methods for enhancing knowledge of the angle of attack of a streamer steering device are described, one apparatus comprising a seismic streamer having an orientation member including a body and at least one control surface; a sensor of the body adapted... | 07/22/2008 |
| 7400552 | Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer seismic surveys Methods and systems for efficiently acquiring towed streamer marine seismic data are described. One method and system comprises positioning a plurality of source-only tow vessels and one or more source-streamer tow vessels to acquire a wide- and/or full-azimuth seis... | 07/15/2008 |
| 7397238 | Methods and apparatus for inspecting materials Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spac... | 07/08/2008 |
| 7391674 | Methods and systems for determining orientation of seismic cable apparatus Methods and systems for estimating one or more orientation parameters of a seismic apparatus are described. One method comprises initiating an acoustic signal from an acoustic transmitter in a marine seismic spread comprising a streamer, the streamer having at least... | 06/24/2008 |
| 7377224 | Apparatus and methods for seismic streamer positioning Apparatus and methods for positioning seismic streamers are described, one apparatus comprising a body, the body adapted to be connected to a seismic streamer, the body defining at least one flow passage there through, and a diverter adapted to selectively adjust fl... | 05/27/2008 |
| 7373991 | Swellable elastomer-based apparatus, oilfield elements comprising same, and methods of using same in oilfield applications Oilfield apparatus and methods of use, the apparatus comprising an elastomeric composition comprising the reaction product of a linear or branched polymer having residual ethylenic unsaturation with an ethylenically unsaturated organic monomer having at least one re... | 05/20/2008 |
| 7328515 | Archery bow sights and archery bows including same Archery bow sights, and archery bows including same are described, the bow sight comprising a sight pin guard having a portion defining a sighting plane, a rotatable shaft having ends installed in the sight pin guard, and at least one sight pin having a connector en... | 02/12/2008 |
| 7326034 | Pump apparatus and methods of making and using same Pump apparatus and methods of making and using same are disclosed. One inventive apparatus includes at least two pump stages having different performance characteristics combined in series to substantially match an intended pumping application. An inventive method i... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7326037 | Centrifugal pumps having non-axisymmetric flow passage contours, and methods of making and using same Centrifugal pumps and methods of making and using them are disclosed. One inventive pump includes a plurality of flow passages, at least one pump component having one or more non-axisymmetric flow passage contours defined at least in part by non-equal blade or vane ... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7282144 | Semi-submersible floating decanters and methods of using same Semi-submersible floating decanters and methods of use are provided. The decanters are moveable between a non-decant position and a decant position, and include a float forming an internal cavity, the float having a central annulus, a weir having an inlet opening an... | 10/16/2007 |
| 7279100 | Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater employing a high rate clarifier and a membrane Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater are described, one method embodiment including the steps of flowing a mixed liquor suspended solids to a high rate clarification stage, forming a clarifier effluent, a first waste activated sludge stream, and a return wa... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7234245 | Attachment apparatus and methods Apparatus and methods for precisely locating and marking where to fasten an object, such as a plaque or photograph, on a surface, such as a wall are described. The apparatus comprises a fastening means, a main body, the main body having a first surface contacting th... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7160167 | Animal safety apparatus Apparatus useful for providing buoyancy for animals are described. One apparatus includes a strap-like carrier and one or more non-inflatable floatation members secured substantially adjacent the carrier by a cover material stitched to the carrier. Another apparatus... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7044994 | Fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using same Fertilizer compositions for plant production are described, comprised of decontaminated manure and Bacillus spores, preferably a humic acid derived from lignite and, optionally, one or more of N compounds, P compounds, K compounds, and combinations of two or ... | 05/16/2006 |
| 7038445 | Method, system and apparatus for ferromagnetic wall monitoring A device and method is taught for detection of flaws and localized wall loss in pipes made of ferromagnetic-based material. The device utilizes a magnetic field generator to create a horizontal magnetic field of flux. A pipe is passed through the magnetic field wher... | 05/02/2006 |
| 7025888 | Floating decanter A floating decanter and method for charging supernatant from a vesel without drawing floating solids or scum into the discharge. The decanter includes a weir (16) having a central opening, and a solid bottom side, a float (12) adjacent to an outer edge... | 04/11/2006 |
| 6905870 | Microbial-induced controllable cracking of normal and branched alkanes in oils Processes for treating compositions comprising one or more alkanes (for example crude oils) to enhance volume of the compositions are disclosed. The processes comprise introducing into the composition one or more aerobic microorganisms, thereby forming an intermedia... | 06/14/2005 |
| 6878179 | Fertilizer compositions and methods of making and using same Fertilizer compositions for plant production are described, comprised of decontaminated manure and Bacillus spores, preferably a humic acid derived from lignite and, optionally, one or more of N compounds, P compounds, K compounds, and combinations of two or ... | 04/12/2005 |
| 6790351 | Vertical filter A liquid filtering apparatus is placed in a vessel having a bed of filtration material and an intake for introducing unfiltered liquid, that includes a washbox, an airlifting tube extending from the washbox and including an intake end and means for introducing a pri... | 09/14/2004 |
| 6524469 | Heavy oil upgrading process An improved heavy oil conversion process is disclosed in which the heavy oil feed is first thermally cracked using visbreaking or hydrovisbreaking technology to produce a product that is lower in molecular weight and boiling point than the feed. The produ... | 02/25/2003 |
| 6276924 | Self-cooled oxygen-fuel for use in high-temperature and high-particulate furnaces A self-cooled oxidant-fuel burner consisting novel fuel and oxidant nozzles and three compartment refractory burner block design is proposed. The new oxidant-fuel burner can fire in high-temperature (2200° F. to 3000° F.) and high-particulate (or high p... | 08/21/2001 |
| 6250916 | Heat recovery apparatus and methods of use Apparatus and methods suitable for recovery of heat from hot flue gases are presented comprising primary heat transfer means for exchanging heat between a hot flue gas and an intermediate fluid to create a hot intermediate fluid from an originally cold in... | 06/26/2001 |
