Patents Assigned to Technology Partnership PLC
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Patent number: 7473397Abstract: A device for analysis of a sample, the device comprising: a first layer having a network of passages and chambers through which fluid is caused to flow during analysis; a second layer in which a plurality of chambers are formed, the chambers containing fluids for use in the analysis; an inlet in either the first or the second layer into which a sample to be analysed can, in use, be placed, and a third layer providing a frangible fluid seal between the chambers of the second layer and the network of the first layer so that, in use, a break in the third layer permits fluid from a chamber in the second layer to pass into the network of the first layer to enable analysis of the sample to be carried out.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Neil Griffin, Nicki Sutton, Allan Carmichael, Sam Charles William Hyde, John Matthew Somerville
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Publication number: 20080295698Abstract: The invention provides a thermally-actuated pump for use in a hot drink maker The pump comprises a thermal actuator (20) and a piston (42). The piston is disposed within a cylinder (50) and is coupled to the thermal actuator such that, in use, heat supplied to the thermal actuator causes this actuator to drive the piston further into the cylinder and thus create an increased pressure in the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2002Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: THE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PLCInventors: Matthew John Carr, Matthew Kent Williams
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Patent number: 7284962Abstract: This invention provides a fluid pump using perforate elements and closure elements which are alternately displace and relates particularly but not exclusively to miniature fluid pumps and pumps suitable for delivery of liquid pharmaceutical formulations. In the art of miniature liquid pumps are known pumps based on peristaltic and “pump chamber” principles. (Peristaltic pumps may be used to pump fluids in general, that is, liquids or gases). Both types of pump are used in ambulatory pump products for delivery of liquid medicaments, for which application miniaturization and low weight are important attributes.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2002Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventor: David Mark Blakey
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Patent number: 7266171Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a phase-locked loop circuit which receives a first signal having a frequency and converts it into an output signal having a transmission frequency and includes a current output type phase comparator which converts a phase difference between the first signal and a second signal into a current signal, a low pass filter which filters the current signal of the current output type phase comparator to produce an output signal a voltage controlled oscillator which produces an output signal having a transmission frequency corresponding to the output signal of the low pass filter the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator constituting the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit, a frequency converter which frequency-converts the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to produce the second signal, and a current source which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., The Technology Partnership PLC.Inventors: Taizo Yamawaki, Masaru Kokubo, Tomio Furuya, Kazuo Watanabe, Julian Hildersley
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Patent number: 7207345Abstract: A single layer fluid routing device comprising a first channel having a cross-section of a first aspect ratio and a first depth; a second channel having a second cross-section of a second different aspect ratio and a second different depth; wherein the second channel intersects with the first channel from a first point to a second point, the first and second points having different offsets relative to the cross-section of the first channel.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventor: John Matthew Somerville
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Publication number: 20050272169Abstract: A device for analysis of a sample, the device comprising: a first layer having a network of passages and chambers through which fluid is caused to flow during analysis; a second layer in which a plurality of chambers are formed, the chambers containing fluids for use in the analysis; an inlet in either the first or the second layer into which a sample to be analysed can, in use, be placed, and a third layer providing a frangible fluid seal between the chambers of the second layer and the network of the first layer so that, in use, a break in the third layer permits fluid from a chamber in the second layer to pass into the network of the first layer to enable analysis of the sample to be carried out.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Neil Griffin, Nicki Sutton, Allan Carmichael, Sam Hyde, John Somerville
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Publication number: 20050172960Abstract: A valve mechanism is provided for use in an inhaler comprising a pressurised container, and a metering chamber, and a valve mechanism wherein the inlet and outlet valves are separate and can be operated independently. The pressure of the fluid in the canister is used to aid the opening of the outer valve so reducing the force to fire a dose. A variant of the valve mechanism allows the user to select from a range of dose volumes bv appropriate orientation of the stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2003Publication date: August 11, 2005Applicant: THE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP PLCInventors: Graham Gutsell, Nicholas Bowman, Iain McDerment, Patrick Campbell
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Patent number: 6768507Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) print head has a linear array of LEDs and device drivers for delivering current to each LED individually. An imaging lens system to create a real image of the LED array is provided in the form of a plurality of gradient index lenses and the LEDs each have emission cones closely matched to the numerical aperture of the gradient index imaging lenses.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2002Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventor: Keith Gardner
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Patent number: 6730521Abstract: A chemical and bio-chemical assay method is described which screens compounds for enzyme inhibition, or receptor or other target binding. Inhibition or binding by the library compounds causes a change in the amount of an optically detectable label that is bound to suspendable cells or solid supports. The amounts of label bound to individual cells or solid supports are microscopically determined, and compared with the amount of label that is not bound to individual cells or solid supports. The degree of inhibition or binding is determined using this data. Confocal microscopy, and subsequent data analysis, allow the assay to be carried out without any separation step, and provide for high throughput screening of very small assay volume using very small amounts of test compound.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventor: John Cassells
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Patent number: 6727882Abstract: An electrophoretic display has a matrix addressing structure which includes a first support structure 10 on one side of the display and a second support structure 20, substantially parallel to the said first support structure, on the other side of the display. On the inner surface 12 of the first support structure 10 there is a first set of parallel electrodes 11 and on the facing the inner surface 23 of the second support structure 20 there are second 22 and third 21 sets of parallel electrodes arranged substantially orthogonal to the first set of electrodes 11. The electrodes 21,22 of the second and third sets are interspersed with one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Timothy Large, Keith Gardner
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Patent number: 6659364Abstract: A method of and apparatus for generating liquid droplets from an aperture in a membrane are disclosed in which the aperture has a diameter &phgr; at one face which is at most as large as its diameter at the other face, and a liquid is provided to the one face of the membrane adjacent the aperture. The liquid has a surface tension &sgr; and density &rgr;.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: The Technology Partnership, PLCInventors: Victor Carey Humberstone, David Mark Blakey
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Patent number: 6639933Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a phase-locked loop circuit which receives a first signal having a frequency and converts it into an output signal having a transmission frequency, and includes a current output type phase comparator which converts a phase difference between the first signal and a second signal into a current signal, a low pass filter which filters the current signal of the current output type phase comparator to produce an output signal, a voltage controlled oscillator which produces an output signal having a transmission frequency corresponding to the output signal of the low pass filter, the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator constituting the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit, a frequency converter which frequency-converts the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to produce the second signal, and a current source which supplies a current to an input of the low pass filter.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignees: Hitachi. Ltd., The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Taizo Yamawaki, Masaru Kokubo, Tomio Furuya, Kazuo Watanabe, Julian Hildersley
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Patent number: 6394363Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid projection apparatus in the form of a face-shooter array. Material layers are used as the basis to fabricate the device to overcome constructional difficulties associated with other technologies. The device utilizes excitation of the surface layers (100) incorporating nozzles (8) which are arranged over one surface layer with addressability, forming a liquid projection array, capable of operation at high frequencies with a wide range of liquids.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Michael George Arnott, Simon Roger Johnson, Victor Carey Humberstone, Richard Wilhelm Janse Van Rensburg
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Patent number: 6324219Abstract: A communication apparatus includes a phase-locked loop circuit which receives a first signal having a frequency and converts the first signal into an output signal having a transmission frequency. The phase-locked loop circuit includes a current output type phase comparator which converts a phase difference between the first signal and a second signal into a current signal, a low pass filter which filters the current signal of the current output type phase comparator to produce an output signal, a voltage controlled oscillator which produces an output signal having a transmission frequency corresponding to the output signal of the low pass filter, the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator constituting the output signal of the phase-locked loop circuit, and a frequency converter which frequency-converts the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to produce the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Taizo Yamawaki, Masaru Kokubo, Tomio Furuya, Kazuo Watanabe, Julian Hildersley
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Patent number: 6163585Abstract: A phase-locked loop circuit includes a current output type phase comparator for converting a phase difference between a first signal and a second signal into a current signal to be outputted, a low pass filter for filtering the current signal of the current output type phase comparator to produce an output signal, a voltage controlled oscillator for producing an output signal having a frequency corresponding to the output signal of the low pass filter, a current source for supplying a current to an input of the low pass filter, a reset switch for applying to the voltage controlled oscillator a reset voltage for canceling a phase-locked state of the phase-locked loop, and a frequency converter for frequency-converting the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator to produce the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Taizo Yamawaki, Masaru Kokubo, Tomio Furuya, Kazuo Watanabe, Julian Hildersley
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Patent number: 6113001Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus having a receptacle for containing a liquid to be supplied, air and a controlling means having a valve for controlling the volume of air in the receptacle. Liquid is supplied through an outlet from the receptacle. The receptacle is controlled so the liquid supplied to the outlet is at a negative pressure while the liquid is moved to an outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Andrew Jonathan Sant, Richard Wilhelm Janse Van Rensburg, Matthew Alexander Schumann, Victor Carey Humberstone
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Patent number: 5838350Abstract: A device for generating droplets of fluid has a fluid supply reservoir and an electromechanical transducer. Electrodes are arranged to cause expansion and contraction of the transducer in a dimension perpendicular to the applied electric field. A perforated element is coupled for movement with the expansion and contraction of the transducer and is positioned for contact with the fluid supply for dispensing droplets therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1995Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Guy Charles Fernley Newcombe, Victor Carey Humberstone, Keith Gardner, Peter John Taylor
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Patent number: 5823428Abstract: A method of and apparatus for atomizing a liquid are disclosed, in which a liquid is caused to pass through tapered perforations (50) in a vibrating membrane (5) in the direction from that side of the membrane (5) at which the perforations (50) have a smaller cross-sectional area to that side of the membrane (5) at which the perforations (50) have a larger cross-sectional area.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: The Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Victor Carey Humberstone, Andrew Jonathan Sant
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Patent number: 5712721Abstract: A lens assembly (1) comprises a lens (2;10,11;20) the focal length of which may be changed by application of an electric or magnetic field. A switching means (4,15) provides a drive impulse to change the focal length of the lens (2;10,11;20). An integral power source (4,15) provides power for the switching means. A lens which can be switched between near and distance vision by the user is thereby provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Technology Partnership, PLCInventor: Timothy Andrew Large
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Patent number: 5676478Abstract: A cutting system for a printing device comprises a cutting blade (58) which has a cutting surface wherein there is defined a notch (58a). The cutting system also has an anvil (60) on which a printing medium such as heat shrink material is supported during cutting. The cutting surface of the blade (58) cuts through the printing medium leaving an uncut area at the notch (58a).Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1995Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignees: Esselte Dymo N.V., Technology Partnership PLCInventors: Nicholas John Bowman, Charles Robert Sims, Martin Henry Turff