Patents by Inventor Simon N. Balderson

Simon N. Balderson 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: 5617812
    Abstract: A tamper evident system for indicating when a closed enclosure (24) has been opened comprises a window (21) and a sensor (22) colour sensitive to presence of a gas. The sensor (22) is located in the enclosure (24) so as to be visible through the window (21). Any compositional change of gas in the enclosure (24) is signalled by a change of colour of the sensor (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Sealed Air (NZ) Limited
    Inventors: Simon N. Balderson, Robert J. Whitwood
  • Patent number: 5439648
    Abstract: A gas indicator (11) for a modified atmosphere food package (19) comprises a series of strips (12, 13, 14, 15, 16) which progressively change colour as the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere progressively changes in magnitude due to absorption of the carbon dioxide by the food product (17) over time. The indicator (11) thus is "tuned" to indicate changing atmospheric conditions inside a see-through envelope (10) and thus the condition of the product (17) can be monitored and the package (19) is tamper evident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Trigon Industries Limited
    Inventors: Simon N. Balderson, Robert J. Whitwood
  • Patent number: 4999049
    Abstract: An electrically resistive track suitable for use as a heating element consists of a thick film including a base metal constituent and a glass constituent. The thick film has in the temperature range of from 20.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) less than 0.0050 per degree C. Suitable metal constituents include tungsten, molybdenum, a mixture of nickel and tungsten and a mixture of nickel and chromium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Simon N. Balderson, Alan R. Atterbury
  • Patent number: 4983810
    Abstract: A heating unit includes a heatable surface. At least a region of the heatable surface is coated or otherwise provided with a layer incorporating a thermochromic material in sufficient quantity to influence the perceived color of the layer. The thermochromic material exhibits an absorption edge wavelength which changes reversibly with temperature in the range of from 20.degree. C. to at least 400.degree. C. The absorption edge wavelength is at least 540 nm at 20.degree. C. and progressively increases to at most 700 nm at 400.degree. C. Such a heating unit is able to provide a visual indication of whether or not the heatable surface is still hot once the power has been switched off. Useful thermochromic materials include Cd(S.sub.1-x Se.sub.x) and (Zn.sub.1-y Mn.sub.y)O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Simon N. Balderson
  • Patent number: 4763099
    Abstract: A heater comprises a substrate having an electrically-insulative ceramic coating and a heater track deposited on the coating and electrically connected to a power supply via ends. The heater track consists of a composite material having predetermined proportions of a metal and a material capable of undergoing a reversible change in volume at a predetermined phase transition temperature. The change in volume changes the proportions of metal to material and thus changes the resistivity of the composite material, so that the heater can be used as a self-regulating thermal cut-out device by limiting its own heat output to the phase transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Simon N. Balderson