Patents by Inventor Patrick James Smith

Patrick James Smith 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: 11491771
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material, the method comprises the steps of a) providing a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, b) providing an array of thermoplastic islands across at least a proportion of a major surface of the first layer, c) providing a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, d) laying the second layer over at least some of the islands, and e) securing the first and second layers together. There is also disclosed a composite which comprises a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer and a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, between which is an intervening layer comprising an array of thermoplastic islands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventors: Alma Hodzic, Patrick James Smith
  • Publication number: 20220347988
    Abstract: A composite which comprises a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer and a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, between which is an intervening layer comprising an array of thermoplastic islands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Alma Hodzic, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 11225327
    Abstract: The present invention provides a divider screen assembly for an aircraft seating arrangement, the divider screen assembly comprising a divider screen moveable between a lower height in a stowed configuration, and an upper height in a deployed configuration, a first actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the upper height and an intermediate height in between the upper height and the lower height, a second actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the intermediate height and the lower height, wherein the second actuation mechanism is actuable only when the screen has been lowered to the intermediate height. The present invention also provides an aircraft accommodation arrangement, a method of stowing a divider screen and a method of deploying a divider screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Safran Seats GB Limited
    Inventors: Bethmage Kalpa Nadeeshan Perera, Patrick James Smith, Piumal Shayanga Wijewickrama, Paul John Wills
  • Publication number: 20200189257
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material, the method comprises the steps of a) providing a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, b) providing an array of thermoplastic islands across at least a proportion of a major surface of the first layer, c) providing a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, d) laying the second layer over at least some of the islands, and e) securing the first and second layers together. There is also disclosed a composite which comprises a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer and a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, between which is an intervening layer comprising an array of thermoplastic islands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Alma HODZIC, Patrick James SMITH
  • Patent number: 10618262
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material, the method comprises the steps of a) providing a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, b) providing an array of thermoplastic islands across at least a proportion of a major surface of the first layer, c) providing a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, d) laying the second layer over at least some of the islands, and e) securing the first and second layers together. There is also disclosed a composite which comprises a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer and a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, between which is an intervening layer comprising an array of thermoplastic islands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventors: Alma Hodzic, Patrick James Smith
  • Publication number: 20190308734
    Abstract: The present invention provides a divider screen assembly for an aircraft seating arrangement, the divider screen assembly comprising a divider screen moveable between a lower height in a stowed configuration, and an upper height in a deployed configuration, a first actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the upper height and an intermediate height in between the upper height and the lower height, a second actuation mechanism being actuable to allow movement of the divider screen between the intermediate height and the lower height, wherein the second actuation mechanism is actuable only when the screen has been lowered to the intermediate height. The present invention also provides an aircraft accommodation arrangement, a method of stowing a divider screen and a method of deploying a divider screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Bethmage Kalpa Nadeeshan Perera, Patrick James Smith, Piumal Shayanga Wijewickrama, Paul John Wills
  • Publication number: 20160167352
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a composite material, the method comprises the steps of a) providing a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, b) providing an array of thermoplastic islands across at least a proportion of a major surface of the first layer, c) providing a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, preferably a thermoset FRP, d) laying the second layer over at least some of the islands, and e) securing the first and second layers together. There is also disclosed a composite which comprises a first layer of a fibre reinforced polymer and a second layer of a fibre reinforced polymer, between which is an intervening layer comprising an array of thermoplastic islands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Alma HODZIC, Patrick James SMITH
  • Patent number: 8858858
    Abstract: A method of forming a container from a construct. The method includes obtaining a tool having a cavity, a core, and an articulated section for being moveable within the cavity relative to the cavity and the core. The method further includes placing a construct between the cavity and the core, moving the core relative to the cavity so that the articulated section at least partially initially grips a portion of the construct, and further moving the core into the cavity. The portion of the construct remains gripped by the articulated section in the cavity during the further moving of the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 8721321
    Abstract: A tool for forming a container from a construct. The container comprises a bottom wall and at least one sidewall foldably connected to and extending upwardly from the bottom wall to form an interior space of the container. The tool comprises a cavity having at least one peripheral wall for at least partially forming the sidewall of the container. The tool comprises a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move within the cavity to position the at least one sidewall of the container relative to the bottom wall to form the interior space. The tool comprises at least one articulated section movably received in the cavity. The at least one articulated section being for gripping at least a portion of the at least one sidewall of the construct, when the core is moved relative to the cavity to form the interior space of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 8613612
    Abstract: A tool and method for forming a container from a construct. The tool comprising a cavity for receiving a construct, a core operatively associated with the cavity and being operable to move into the cavity, an injection cavity for receiving injection-molding material and directing injection-molding material around at least a portion of the perimeter of the construct, and a clamping feature. The clamping feature is operatively connected to at least one of the cavity and the core and is for clamping a peripheral portion of the construct as the core moves into the cavity to form the construct into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 8540111
    Abstract: A container or tray having various features. The container or tray comprises at least one sidewall having a top edge, the top edge of the at least one sidewall corresponding to a top surface of the tray and a bottom surface adjacent to the sidewall. A flange extends laterally outward from the top edge and is foldably connected to the sidewall at the top edge. The flange comprises at least a portion of the top surface of the tray. An injection-molded feature at least partially encapsulates the flange. The injection-molded feature comprising resin and has a first region in contact with the sidewall and at least a portion of the flange, and a second region adjacent the first region and extending laterally outward from the first region to a free edge of the injection-molded feature. The first region has a greater cross-sectional area than the second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 8529238
    Abstract: A tool for creating a container or tray having various features. The tool comprises a cavity operable to receive a blank. The cavity has at least one sidewall for forming at least one sidewall of the container. A core is operatively connected to the cavity. The core is operable to enter the cavity to least partially form the blank into the container. An injection cavity is for receiving liquid resin and directing liquid resin around at least a portion of the perimeter of the blank. The injection cavity comprises an advanced-flow section and a delayed-flow section. The advanced-flow section has a greater cross-sectional area than the delayed-flow section, and the advanced-flow section is located adjacent the at least one sidewall of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Patent number: 8444902
    Abstract: A container or tray having various features. Also, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming the container or tray and a tool or apparatus for forming the container or tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Publication number: 20120207874
    Abstract: A tool for creating a container or tray having various features. The tool comprises a cavity operable to receive a blank. The cavity has at least one sidewall for forming at least one sidewall of the container. A core is operatively connected to the cavity. The core is operable to enter the cavity to least partially form the blank into the container. An injection cavity is for receiving liquid resin and directing liquid resin around at least a portion of the perimeter of the blank. The injection cavity comprises an advanced-flow section and a delayed-flow section. The advanced-flow section has a greater cross-sectional area than the delayed-flow section, and the advanced-flow section is located adjacent the at least one sidewall of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Publication number: 20110012291
    Abstract: A container or tray having various features. Also, the invention is generally directed to a method of forming the container or tray and a tool or apparatus for forming the container or tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith
  • Publication number: 20110008548
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing conductive tracks is disclosed comprising a coating step, in which an organometallic compound is applied from a solution onto a substrate; and a reducing step, characterized in that the reducing step is carried out by means of an acidic solution containing a reducing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick James Smith, Josué Jean Philippe Valeton, Ko Hermans
  • Publication number: 20040262322
    Abstract: A tray (100) or container (478) which may be hermetically sealed having a flange encapsulated by or formed from injection-mold material. The tray (100) has a flange (116) extending outwardly from a sidewall (114) of the tray, and containing irregularities induced by the creation of the tray (100). An encapsulating material surrounds the flange (116) in substantially uniformly thick manner, and along with the flange (116) defines an encapsulated rim (124). The encapsulating material is generally a plastic such as polyolefin, nylon, or polyethylene, but may also be made from other materials. This encapsulating material covers a portion of the flange (116) and extends a set distance from the flange's (116) outer edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Scott William Middleton, Mark Richard Sinclair, Brian Robert O'Hagan, Patrick Henry Wnek, Terrence Philip Lafferty, Peter Walrave Blaas, Kevin James Hjort, Patrick James Smith