Patents by Inventor Simon John Richardson

Simon John Richardson 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).

  • Article alignment device
    Patent number: 6271485
    Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus that combines articles after aligning same. The articles are input to the apparatus via hoppers, which can be selectively discharged to an alignment tray based upon the weight of the articles within the hoppers. A predetermined weight, or at least a weight within a margin of error of the predetermined weight, is discharged through a chute to an alignment tray. The chute narrows from an inlet position to an outlet position, and aligns the articles as they pass therethrough. Once in the alignment tray, the tray is shaken in an unsymmetrical manner so as to further align the articles. Once the alignment is complete, a gate beneath the tray opens and the aligned articles drop into a receptacle. The present invention is particularly useful in aligning elongate articles, such as bread sticks, and other food stuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon John Richardson, Robert Bennett
  • Article alignment device
    Patent number: 6119842
    Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus that combines articles after aligning same. The articles are input to the apparatus via hoppers, which can be selectively discharged to an alignment tray based upon the weight of the articles within the hoppers. A predetermined weight, or at least a weight within a margin of error of the predetermined weight, is discharged through a chute to an alignment tray. The chute narrows from an inlet position to an outlet position, and aligns the articles as they pass therethrough. Once in the alignment tray, the tray is shaken in an unsymmetrical manner so as to further align the articles. Once the alignment is complete, a gate beneath the tray opens and the aligned articles drop into a receptacle. The present invention is particularly useful in aligning elongate articles, such as bread sticks, and other food stuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Ishida Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Simon John Richardson, Robert Bennett