Patents by Inventor Michael David Sawford
Michael David Sawford 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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Publication number: 20220372683Abstract: A device for dosing a detergent ingredient into the drum of an automatic washing machine which can include a reservoir, a one-way valve, an inlet, and a dosing manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Carlos Amador Zamarreno, Paul Gould, Michael Leslie Groombridge, Ahmad Khattab, Craig Nelson, Michael David Sawford, William Frank Tyldesley
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Patent number: 10597814Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the drying of substrates using a solid particulate material, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum; (b) access means; and (c) at least one collection means, wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum additionally comprises capturing and transferring means, adapted to facilitate collection of the solid particulate material and transfer of the material to the at least one collection means. The invention also provides a method for drying a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the drying of wet textile fabrics.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Simon Paul Wells, Michael David Sawford, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Patent number: 10590499Abstract: A method of treating an animal skin substrate comprising: agitating the animal skin substrate with a solid particulate material and a treatment liquor; separating the animal skin substrate from effluent comprising the solid particulate material, the treatment liquor and solid waste fragments derived from said substrate; transferring the effluent to a first separator, wherein the first separator is configured to allow the treatment liquor and at least a portion of the solid waste fragments to pass through the first separator but to prevent the solid particulate material from passing through the first separator, and providing a first filtrate stream comprising treatment liquor and solid waste fragments and a first residue comprising solid particulate material and residual solid waste fragments treating said first residue to remove said residual solid waste fragments to provide cleaned solid particulate material, wherein said treating of said first residue comprises retaining said solid particulate material on aType: GrantFiled: April 13, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Mohammed Ashfaq, Anthony Stewart, Michael David Sawford
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Publication number: 20190144959Abstract: A method of treating an animal skin substrate comprising: agitating the animal skin substrate with a solid particulate material and a treatment liquor; separating the animal skin substrate from effluent comprising the solid particulate material, the treatment liquor and solid waste fragments derived from said substrate; transferring the effluent to a first separator, wherein the first separator is configured to allow the treatment liquor and at least a portion of the solid waste fragments to pass through the first separator but to prevent the solid particulate material from passing through the first separator, and providing a first filtrate stream comprising treatment liquor and solid waste fragments and a first residue comprising solid particulate material and residual solid waste fragments treating said first residue to remove said residual solid waste fragments to provide cleaned solid particulate material, wherein said treating of said first residue comprises retaining said solid particulate material on aType: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2017Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Mohammed ASHFAQ, Anthony STEWART, Michael David SAWFORD
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Patent number: 10017895Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the drying of substrates using a solid particulate material, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means (1) having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum (2); (b) access means (15); and (c) at least one collection means (10), wherein said rotatably mounted cylindrical drum (2) additionally comprises capturing and transferring means, adapted to facilitate collection of said solid particulate material and transfer of said material to said at least one collection means (10). The invention also provides a method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, said treatment being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the drying of wet textile fabrics.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Simon Paul Wells, Michael David Sawford, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Publication number: 20180141089Abstract: An apparatus (10) for use in the treatment of at least one substrate with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising: a) a housing (20) in which a drum (40) is rotatably mounted; b) a door (60) moveable between an open position wherein the at least one substrate can be placed in the drum and a closed position wherein the apparatus is substantially sealed; c) a separator (100) mounted in the door, wherein the separator comprises a perforated portion; d) a flow pathway pipe (110) mounted on or in the housing, wherein the flow pathway pipe comprises an outlet (140); and e) pumping means (210) configured to pump treatment liquor and a multiplicity of solid particles from a first location through the flow pathway pipe and out of the outlet towards the separator; wherein the separator is arranged to direct the multiplicity of solid particles into the drum and wherein the separator is further arranged to direct a portion of the treatment liquor to a location other than the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: Xeros LimitedInventors: Michael David SAWFORD, Iain Alexander SCOTT, Thomas John WALLACE
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Publication number: 20180127914Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the drying of substrates using a solid particulate material, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum; (b) access means; and (c) at least one collection means, wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical drum additionally comprises capturing and transferring means, adapted to facilitate collection of the solid particulate material and transfer of the material to the at least one collection means. The invention also provides a method for drying a wet substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, the treatment being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the drying of wet textile fabrics.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Inventors: Simon Paul WELLS, Michael David SAWFORD, Gareth Evan Lyn JONES
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Patent number: 9932700Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of substrates, the apparatus comprising housing means (1) having a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage (2), a second lower chamber located beneath said cylindrical cage (2), at least one recirculation means, access means, pumping means, and a multiplicity of delivery means, whereby both the apparatus and the method find particular application in the cleaning of soiled textile fabrics.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Simon Paul Wells, Michael David Sawford, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Patent number: 9834881Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a soiled substrate using solid particulate material having a cleaning volume; a collecting volume; a pumping device having a pump inlet; and a circulation pathway by which solid particulate material and a transporting fluid can be transferred from the collecting volume to the cleaning volume via said pumping device. The apparatus further includes a flow regulating device disposed in the collecting volume and comprising a flow through enclosure defined by at least one wall, an enclosure outlet in communication with the pump inlet, at least one particle inlet orifice disposed at an underside of the flow through enclosure and configured to admit both solid particulate material and transporting fluid to the enclosure. The apparatus can further include at least one relatively smaller fluid inlet orifice configured only to admit transporting fluid to the flow through enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Michael David Sawford, Wayne Robert Szymczyk, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Patent number: 9523169Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning at least one soiled substrate with a multiplicity of solid particles, the apparatus comprising: an external casing defining the external perimeter of the apparatus, said external casing defining at least an upper internal volume and a lower internal volume; a perforate drum arranged in the upper internal volume and configured for rotation about a horizontal axis, for agitation of the at least one soiled substrate during a cleaning process; a partition sealingly dividing the upper internal volume from the lower internal volume, the partition including a collecting region configured to collect and retain wash liquor and solid particles of said multiplicity of solid particles released from the drum during a cleaning process; a recirculating arrangement configured to transfer particles of said multiplicity of solid particles from said collecting region to said drum.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Xeros LimitedInventors: Michael David Sawford, Simon Paul Wells
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Publication number: 20160122936Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the drying of substrates using a solid particulate material, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means (1) having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum (2); (b) access means (15); and (c) at least one collection means (10), wherein said rotatably mounted cylindrical drum (2) additionally comprises capturing and transferring means, adapted to facilitate collection of said solid particulate material and transfer of said material to said at least one collection means (10). The invention also provides a method comprising treating the substrate with a solid particulate material at ambient or elevated temperature, said treatment being carried out using the apparatus of the invention. The apparatus and method find particular application in the drying of wet textile fabrics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Simon Paul WELLS, Michael David SAWFORD, Gareth Evan Lyn JONES
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Publication number: 20160122932Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of substrates, the apparatus comprising housing means (1) having a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage (2), a second lower chamber located beneath said cylindrical cage (2), at least one recirculation means, access means, pumping means, and a multiplicity of delivery means, whereby both the apparatus and the method find particular application in the cleaning of soiled textile fabrics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Simon Paul WELLS, Michael David SAWFORD, Gareth Evan Lyn JONES
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Publication number: 20150152585Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning at least one soiled substrate with a multiplicity of solid particles, the apparatus comprising: an external casing defining the external perimeter of the apparatus, said external casing defining at least an upper internal volume and a lower internal volume; a perforate drum arranged in the upper internal volume and configured for rotation about a horizontal axis, for agitation of the at least one soiled substrate during a cleaning process; a partition sealingly dividing the upper internal volume from the lower internal volume, the partition including a collecting region configured to collect and retain wash liquor and solid particles of said multiplicity of solid particles released from the drum during a cleaning process; a recirculating arrangement configured to transfer particles of said multiplicity of solid particles from said collecting region to said drum; wherein an internal surface of a wall of said external casing arranged substantiallyType: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Michael David SAWFORD, Simon Paul WELLS
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Publication number: 20150096128Abstract: A door for providing access to a rotatably mounted drum of a cleaning apparatus, the door having a flow pathway for wash liquor and a multiplicity of solid particles and a separator, the separator being arranged to direct the multiplicity of solid particles from the flow pathway into the drum and wherein the separator is further arranged to direct a portion of the wash liquor from the flow pathway to a location other than into the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Michael David Sawford, Simon Paul Wells, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Publication number: 20150096129Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a soiled substrate using solid particulate material having a cleaning volume; a collecting volume; a pumping device having a pump inlet; and a circulation pathway by which solid particulate material and a transporting fluid can be transferred from the collecting volume to the cleaning volume via said pumping device. The apparatus further includes a flow regulating device disposed in the collecting volume and comprising a flow through enclosure defined by at least one wall, an enclosure outlet in communication with the pump inlet, at least one particle inlet orifice disposed at an underside of the flow through enclosure and configured to admit both solid particulate material and transporting fluid to the enclosure. The apparatus can further include at least one relatively smaller fluid inlet orifice configured only to admit transporting fluid to the flow through enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Michael David Sawford, Wayne Robert Szymczyk, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
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Patent number: 7624938Abstract: A shredding machine is disclosed which is particularly suitable for domestic or office use in shredding papers or the like. The machine comprises a feed aperture arranged above an electric cutting mechanism, the feed aperture preferably taking the form of a feed slot. The machine is characterised by the provision of an actuating element which is moveable, preferably in a pivotal manner, between a first position in which the actuating element permits energisation of the cutting mechanism, and a second position in which the actuating element prevents energisation of the cutting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: ACCO UK LimitedInventors: Paul Arthur Aries, Michael David Sawford, Ian Stuart Smith
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Patent number: 7360731Abstract: The improvements relate to shredders for paper and the like having a shredding mechanism with an opening through which shredded material passes out of the shredding mechanism, a compactor plate located beneath the shredding mechanism and including an opening, and a base, wherein the shredder has a waste bag support mechanism of which the compactor plate forms a part. The waste bag support mechanism is secured to the underside of the shredding mechanism towards the rear thereof for pivotal movement between an operating position in which an upper part of the waste bag support mechanism is close to the underside of the shredding mechanism, and a bag removal position in which the upper part of the waste bag support mechanism is pivoted downwards at its front away from the shredding mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: ACCO UK LimitedInventors: Michael John Easton, Michael David Sawford
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Publication number: 20070246582Abstract: A shredding machine is disclosed which is particularly suitable for domestic or office use in shredding papers or the like. The machine comprises a feed aperture arranged above an electric cutting mechanism, the feed aperture preferably taking the form of a feed slot. The machine is characterised by the provision of an actuating element which is moveable, preferably in a pivotal manner, between a first position in which the actuating element permits energisation of the cutting mechanism, and a second position in which the actuating element prevents energisation of the cutting mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2006Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: ACCO UK LIMITEDInventors: Paul Arthur Aries, Michael David Sawford, Ian Stuart Smith
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Patent number: D550846Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: KeyMed (Medical & Industrial Equipment) LimitedInventor: Michael David Sawford
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Patent number: D976102Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Massimiliano Carlomagno, Michael David Sawford, Max Franz Wehebrink, Ian Dunckley