Patents by Inventor Ian Spence

Ian Spence 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).

  • Publication number: 20190174684
    Abstract: System, apparatuses, and methods for growing more than three cannabis plants within a closed, controlled environment chamber, capable of providing each cannabis plant with an individually-uniform environmental microclimate treatment. Single environmental microclimate parameters can then be varied at a controlled rate, unveiling the relationship each variety has with its environment and how that can be optimized to create the best product, the fastest, with the least inputs, in an identically repeatable manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventor: Ian Spence
  • Patent number: 8561783
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable star wheel provided with at least one interchangeable pocket for receiving a container to be conveyed. The star wheel comprises a larger pocket of fixed shape and size, moveable jaws defining a smaller pocket having a fixed shape and size, an actuator disc rotatable about the central axis, and a cam mechanism linking the jaws to the actuator disc to cause radial movement of the jaws. In an extended position, the jaws move the smaller pocket into coincidence with the larger pocket thereby configuring the star wheel to receive containers in the smaller pocket. In the retracted position, the jaws are clear of the larger pocket thereby configuring the star wheel to receive containers in the larger pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Zepf Technologies UK Limited
    Inventors: Mark McAllister, Ian Spence
  • Patent number: 8132666
    Abstract: This invention relates to conveyor guides comprising conveyor guide rail units, such as those used on automated handling lines where containers of different sizes are processed. One or more guide rails are employed to the sides of the conveyor guide to ensure that articles follow a desired path. This invention provides an adjustable conveyor guide rail unit that comprises a guide member operable to be set in a plurality of discrete positions, thereby allowing the width of a channel through which an article may be conveyed to be varied. The guide rails are adjustable to accommodate containers of differing sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Zepf Technologies UK Limited
    Inventors: Mark McAlister, Timothy Povey, Ian Spence
  • Patent number: 7967127
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable star wheel and guide rail assembly for use with containers being processed on an automated handling line between machines such as rotary packaging machines. Star wheels derive their name from their general shape. The star wheels of this invention have fingers that support containers, such that they convey the containers as the star wheel rotates. Conveniently, the fingers of the present invention may be set in any position within their range of movement. In addition, a supporting guide rail may be adjusted, for example by rotation on cams. Thus, the fingers and the guide rail may be set to convey containers of varying sizes while keeping the container's centers travelling along the centerline of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Diageo PLC
    Inventors: Ian Spence, John Robertson, Allan Rodger
  • Publication number: 20100200373
    Abstract: This invention relates to conveyor guides comprising conveyor guide rail units, such as those used on automated handling lines where containers of different sizes are processed. One or more guide rails are employed to the sides of the conveyor guide to ensure that articles follow a desired path. This invention provides an adjustable conveyor guide rail unit that comprises a guide member operable to be set in a plurality of discrete positions, thereby allowing the width of a channel through which an article may be conveyed to be varied. The guide rails are adjustable to accommodate containers of differing sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Mark McAlister, Timothy Povey, Ian Spence
  • Publication number: 20100193331
    Abstract: The present invention provides an adjustable star wheel provided with at least one interchangeable pocket for receiving a container to be conveyed. The star wheel comprises a larger pocket of fixed shape and size, moveable jaws defining a smaller pocket having a fixed shape and size, an actuator disc rotatable about the central axis, and a cam mechanism linking the jaws to the actuator disc to cause radial movement of the jaws. In an extended position, the jaws move the smaller pocket into coincidence with the larger pocket thereby configuring the star wheel to receive containers in the smaller pocket. In the retracted position, the jaws are clear of the larger pocket thereby configuring the star wheel to receive containers in the larger pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Mark McAllister, Ian Spence
  • Publication number: 20070271871
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an adjustable star wheel and guide rail assembly for use with containers being processed on an automated handling line between machines such as rotary packaging machines. Star wheels derive their name from their general shape. The star wheels of this invention have fingers that support containers, such that they convey the containers as the star wheel rotates. Conveniently, the fingers of the present invention may be set in any position within their range of movement. In addition, a supporting guide rail may be adjusted, for example by rotation on cams. Thus, the fingers and the guide rail may be set to convey containers of varying sizes whilst keeping the container's centres travelling along the centreline of the conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Ian Spence, John Robertson, Allan Rodger