Patents by Inventor Erik Smyth

Erik Smyth 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).

  • Patent number: 11371974
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device comprising: an indicator section comprising an indicator material that displays different visible properties in response to the presence or absence of an activating agent; an activator section comprising an activating agent that effects a change in the visible properties of the indicator material; and a barrier section comprising a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to the activating agent, the barrier section being located between the indicator section and the activator section; wherein at least part of the barrier layer is configurable to allow the activating agent and the indicator material to come into contact with each other, thereby effecting a visible change. The device may be used to detect or report the passage of time and can be applied to perishable goods and/or associated packaging to show that packaging has been compromised and/or that the device has been compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: INSIGNIA TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Graham Alexander Skinner
  • Publication number: 20190137463
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device comprising: an indicator section comprising an indicator material that displays different visible properties in response to the presence or absence of an activating agent; an activator section comprising an activating agent that effects a change in the visible properties of the indicator material; and a barrier section comprising a barrier layer that is substantially impermeable to the activating agent, the barrier section being located between the indicator section and the activator section; wherein at least part of the barrier layer is configurable to allow the activating agent and the indicator material to come into contact with each other, thereby effecting a visible change. The device may be used to detect or report the passage of time and can be applied to perishable goods and/or associated packaging to show that packaging has been compromised and/or that the device has been compromised.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Erik SMYTH, Graham Alexander SKINNER
  • Patent number: 10247713
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device for indicating the passage of time, the indicator device comprising an indicator section and a barrier section adjacent thereto, said indicator section comprising: an indicator material; a substrate material; and a first adhesive layer; the indicator material and the substrate material being in the form of one or more layers; the indicator material displaying different visible properties in response to the presence or absence of a chemical agent and/or the concentration thereof; the barrier section comprising a removable barrier layer, the removable barrier layer being substantially impermeable to the chemical agent; wherein on removal of the removable barrier layer, the concentration of the chemical agent in the indicator section changes over time, effecting a visible change. The device may be used to detect the presence/absence of oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, an amine, ammonia, and/or carboxylic acids or to indicate the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Insignia Technologies LTD
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Graham Skinner, Deborah Allan
  • Patent number: 10107760
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device for detecting a change in atmospheric conditions, the indicator device comprising an indicator section and a barrier section adjacent thereto, said indicator section comprising: an indicator material; a substrate material; and a first adhesive layer; the indicator material and the substrate material being incorporated into one or more layers; wherein the indicator material displays different visible properties in different atmospheric conditions, and wherein the barrier section provides a semi-permeable seal configured to allow controlled flow to the indicator of an atmospheric agent that effects a change in visible properties of the indicator material. There is also described a method for preparing an indicator device, and products derived therefrom. The indicator device may be used to detect oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, an amine and/or ammonia, or to indicate the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: INSIGNIA TECHNOLOGIES LTD
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Graham Alexander Skinner, Deborah Allan
  • Publication number: 20160011157
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device for indicating the passage of time, the indicator device comprising an indicator section and a barrier section adjacent thereto, said indicator section comprising: an indicator material; a substrate material; and a first adhesive layer; the indicator material and the substrate material being in the form of one or more layers; the indicator material displaying different visible properties in response to the presence or absence of a chemical agent and/or the concentration thereof; the barrier section comprising a removable barrier layer, the removable barrier layer being substantially impermeable to the chemical agent; wherein on removal of the removable barrier layer, the concentration of the chemical agent in the indicator section changes over time, effecting a visible change. The device may be used to detect the presence/absence of oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, an amine, ammonia, and/or carboxylic acids or to indicate the passage of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Erik SMYTH, Graham SKINNER, Deborah ALLAN
  • Publication number: 20150253252
    Abstract: There is described an indicator device for detecting a change in atmospheric conditions, the indicator device comprising an indicator section and a barrier section adjacent thereto, said indicator section comprising: an indicator material; a substrate material; and a first adhesive layer; the indicator material and the substrate material being incorporated into one or more layers; wherein the indicator material displays different visible properties in different atmospheric conditions, and wherein the barrier section provides a semi-permeable seal configured to allow controlled flow to the indicator of an atmospheric agent that effects a change in visible properties of the indicator material. There is also described a method for preparing an indicator device, and products derived therefrom. The indicator device may be used to detect oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, an amine and/or ammonia, or to indicate the passage of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Graham Alexander Skinner, Deborah Allan
  • Patent number: 8835352
    Abstract: There is disclosed an indicator composition, the application thereof to substrates, and related products. The indicator composition comprises an organic solvent soluble polymer and a redox sensitive material which displays different visible properties in the oxidized and reduced forms. The organic solvent soluble polymer can be at least partially sulfonated polystyrene. The indicator composition can be dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate to form inks which can be used in a variety of printing processes. The indicator composition can be used to detect oxidizing agents, oxygen, water, reducing agents, UV light, temperature and the passage of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Insignia Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Andrew Mills, David Hazafy
  • Publication number: 20120142527
    Abstract: There is disclosed an indicator composition, the application thereof to substrates, and related products. The indicator composition comprises an organic solvent soluble polymer and a redox sensitive material which displays different visible properties in the oxidised and reduced forms. The organic solvent soluble polymer can be at least partially sulfonated polystyrene. The indicator composition can be dissolved in organic solvents such as acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate to form inks which can be used in a variety of printing processes. The indicator composition can be used to detect oxidising agents, oxygen, water, reducing agents, UV light, temperature and the passage of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Erik Smyth, Andrew Mills, David Hazafy