Patents by Inventor Lee Michael Vine
Lee Michael Vine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11903404Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing compacted doses of flavouring comprises a flavouring dosage unit configured to dispense a dose of flavouring and a plurality of compacting hoppers, each configured to receive and hold a dose of flavouring dispensed from the flavouring dosage unit and to subsequently dispense the dose of flavouring to a dispense position. The flavouring dosage unit and the plurality of compacting hoppers are configured such that the flavouring dosage unit sequentially supplies a dose of flavouring to each of the plurality of compacting hoppers.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Geoffrey Potter, Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20220378081Abstract: A flavouring dispenser for dispensing compacted doses of flavouring comprises a flavouring dosage unit configured to dispense a dose of flavouring and a plurality of compacting hoppers, each configured to receive and hold a dose of flavouring dispensed from the flavouring dosage unit and to subsequently dispense the dose of flavouring to a dispense position. The flavouring dosage unit and the plurality of compacting hoppers are configured such that the flavouring dosage unit sequentially supplies a dose of flavouring to each of the plurality of compacting hoppers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2020Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Andrew Geoffrey POTTER, Lee Michael VINE
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Patent number: 11378483Abstract: A method or system of determining integrity of a closed container comprising at least one gas. The determination is based on applying a mechanical force to at least one side of the container and transmitting a light signal across at least a portion of an outside surface of at least one side of the container using an optical sensor. The optical sensor is sensitive to the at least one gas inside the container. Detecting a transmitted light signal and determining, based on the detected light signal, if the at least one gas inside the container has been detected outside of the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2018Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Inventors: Märta Lewander Xu, Patrik Lundin, Mikael Sebesta, Axel Fredrik Bohman, Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20200249117Abstract: A method or system of determining integrity of a closed container comprising at least one gas. The determination is based on applying a mechanical force to at least one side of the container and transmitting a light signal across at least a portion of an outside surface of at least one side of the container using an optical sensor. The optical sensor is sensitive to the at least one gas inside the container. Detecting a transmitted light signal and determining, based on the detected light signal, if the at least one gas inside the container has been detected outside of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2018Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Märta Lewander Xu, Patrik Lundin, Mikael Sebesta, Axel Fredrik Bohman, Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20190328027Abstract: A blending apparatus for coating product in flavouring is provided. The blending apparatus comprises a product dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of product, a flavouring dispenser configured to dispense a falling stream of flavouring, and a deflection surface. The deflection surface is configured to deflect at least one of the falling stream of product and falling stream of flavouring, thereby bringing the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together. A method for coating product in flavouring is also provided. The method comprises the steps of dispensing a falling stream of product from a product dispenser, dispensing a falling stream of flavouring from a flavouring dispenser, deflecting the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring using a deflection surface so as to bring the falling stream of product and the falling stream of flavouring together, thereby coating the product in the flavouring.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Adrian Meredith SUNTER, Andrew Geoffrey POTTER, Lee Michael VINE
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Patent number: 9481479Abstract: A container sealing apparatus is provided, comprising a sealing tool having a lower tool half and an upper tool half; a feed lane for transferring one or more containers to and away from means for transferring containers on to the lower tool half of the sealing tool; and a lifting mechanism for moving the lower tool half towards the upper tool half. The container sealing apparatus also comprises an elongate container guide extending along the feed lane and sealing tool to laterally locate containers as they are transported along the teed lane and sealing tool, and control apparatus adapted to adjust the lateral position of at least the part of said container guide extending along said feed lane.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Lee Michael Vine, Graham Andrew Charles Neale
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Publication number: 20140014477Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying articles is provided, comprising a plurality of indexing flights (4) rotatably coupled to and spaced along a conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of indexing flights has a first laterally protruding guiding member (7) and a second laterally protruding guiding member (8); first and second grooves (20,21) laterally spaced from said conveyor and arranged to receive said first and second guiding members respectively; and adjustment means (19) for adjusting, in use, the first protruding member (7) of each flight to a leading or trailing position with respect to its second protruding member (8) such that each flight (4) is positioned either to a protruding position or to a retracted position with respect to the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventor: Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20140007545Abstract: A container sealing apparatus is provided, comprising a sealing tool having a lower tool half (6) and an upper tool half (6a); a feed lane (3) for transferring one or more containers to and away from means for transferring containers on to the lower tool half of the sealing tool; and a lifting mechanism for moving the lower tool half towards the upper tool half. The container sealing apparatus also comprises an elongate container guide (5) extending along the feed lane and sealing tool to laterally locate containers as they are transported along the feed lane and sealing tool, and control apparatus (2) adapted to adjust the lateral position of at least the part of said container guide extending along said feed lane.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Lee Michael Vine, Graham Andrew Charles Neale
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Publication number: 20130318919Abstract: The present application relates to a lifting apparatus comprising a first member and a second member; a lifting mechanism coupled to said first member adapted to move said first member towards said second member; and a third member coupled to said first member, the third member slideably moveable through said second member when said first member is moved towards said second member. When a predetermined compressive force is applied to said third member, a latching mechanism responds by latching said second member to said third member, such that when a further compressive force is applied to said third member, said first member and lifting mechanism are isolated from said further compressive force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventors: Graham Andrew Charles Neale, Lee Michael Vine
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Publication number: 20130255188Abstract: Container sealing apparatus for heat sealing a plastics web to openings of containers. The apparatus comprises a transport system for transporting containers along a pair of feed paths extending alongside one another; a sealing system through which the feed paths extend, the sealing system being adapted to seal openings of containers with the plastics web material; and pairs of unwind and wind up mandrels associated with each feed path for supporting spools of the plastics material. A web of the plastics material extends in use from a spool on the unwind mandrel to a spool on the wind up mandrel of each pair and through the sealing system, wherein each mandrel is movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ISHIDA EUROPE LIMITEDInventor: Lee Michael Vine
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Patent number: 8240353Abstract: A gripper assembly for a tray sealing machine. The gripper assembly includes a carriage movable between extended and retracted positions; at least one gripper arm attached to the carriage and movable between gripping and releasing positions; and first and second independently operable drives separate from the carriage but coupled thereto via respective first and second drive train assemblies. The first drive train assembly is adapted to move the carriage between the first and second positions in response to the operation of the first drive, and the second drive train assembly is further adapted to cause the at least one gripper arm to move between the open and closed positions in response to operation of the first and second drives at differing speeds.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Ishida Europe LimitedInventors: Lee Michael Vine, David Morgan
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Publication number: 20090301658Abstract: A gripper assembly for a tray sealing machine. The gripper assembly includes a carriage movable between extended and retracted positions; at least one gripper arm attached to the carriage and movable between gripping and releasing positions; and first and second independently operable drives separate from the carriage but coupled thereto via respective first and second drive train assemblies. The first drive train assembly is adapted to move the carriage between the first and second positions in response to the operation of the first drive, and the second drive train assembly is further adapted to cause the at least one gripper arm to move between the open and closed positions in response to operation of the first and second drives at differing speeds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2007Publication date: December 10, 2009Inventors: Lee Michael Vine, David Morgan
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Patent number: D567271Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Ishida Europe LimitedInventor: Lee Michael Vine
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Patent number: D686261Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Ishida Europe LimitedInventors: Adrian Sunter, David William Payne, Lee Michael Vine, Gary David Tufnell
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Patent number: D686262Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Ishida Europe LimitedInventors: Adrian Sunter, David William Payne, Lee Michael Vine, Gary David Tufnell
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Patent number: D686263Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Ishida Europe LimitedInventors: Adrian Sunter, David William Payne, Lee Michael Vine, Gary David Tufnell