Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1956 [PAGE 1104]

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1956]

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

IIOI

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY PATENT COMMITTEE (37) The University Patent Committee submits, with the concurrence of the Chairman of the University Research Board, the following recommendations relating to inventions by members of the staff. 1. Preparation of fatty acid esters of sugar phosphates — F. A. Kummerow, Associate Professor of Food Technology, and Shrinath S. Kalbag, a former graduate student in the Department of Food Technology, inventors. This is a chemical reaction involving fatty esters of polyol phosphates which may be of interest to the food industry. Armour and Company has supported, in part, the work which has made this invention possible and has indicated that it would be willing to support further development work and pay for all costs of obtaining a patent if in return it is granted an exclusive license, with the right to sub-license, to any patent issued as a result of this invention. Title to such a patent would be held by the University or the University of Illinois Foundation. The University's Patent Committee has considered this arrangement and feels that it would be advantageous to all parties concerned. Accordingly, the Committee recommends that the rights of the University to this invention be transferred to the University of Illinois Foundation and that the Foundation be authorized to negotiate with Armour and Company whereby that Company will pay all costs of securing a patent. If a patent is issued, title to the patent will be held by the Foundation. The Foundation would then agree to grant an exclusive license to Armour and Company with right to sub-license. 2. Improvement in the process of preparing pentaerythritol — M. S. Peters, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, inventor. This is an improved method of producing pentaerythritol by the condensation of formaldehyde. At the request of the Patent Committee, a member of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering made a study and report on this invention. In his opinion, it is doubtful, because of the probability of prior art, that any substantial return can be obtained from a patent if secured. Accordingly, the Patent Committee recommends that this invention be released to the inventor. 3. Illinois mosquito egg separator — William R. Horsfall, Professor of Entomology, and Alexander S. Wilson, Senior Laboratory Mechanic in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, inventors. This is a device for the separation of mosquito eggs for use by mosquito abatement districts. It is the opinion of the Department of Entomology that the invention has little commercial value. Accordingly, the Patent Committee recommends that the rights of (he University in the invention be released to the United States Public Health Service, the sponsoring agency, if that agency agrees to make an application for a patent. If the United States Public Health agency does not agree to make an application for a patent, the Committee recommends that all rights in the invention be released to the inventors. 4. Transistorized bistable multivibrator—Joseph M. Wier, Research Associate, Digital Computer Laboratory, inventor. This device is used to provide information storage in digital control and data handling systems. The Patent Committee has asked the University of Illinois Foundation to investigate the possibilities of obtaining a patent on this device, its commercial value, and report its findings to the Committee. I concur in these recommendations.

On motion of Mr. Johnston, these recommendations were approved.

UNIVERSITY'S SHARE O F SETTLEMENT OF CLAIM OF ORVILLE RAY WOODS (38) Orville Ray Woods of Jacksonville, Illinois, then seven years of age, was severely burned in consequence of an accident occurring in Springfield on October I0 > I9S3- Since neither he nor his parents were financially able to pay for the medical, surgical, and hospital services he required, the same have been provided for him by the Division of Services for Crippled Children at an expenditure of its funds aggregating approximately $4,050 to date. The accident occurred under such circumstances that the injured boy and his father have asserted a claim against the city of Springfield to recover for the boy's injuries, etc., and have sued that city on that claim.