Patents by Inventor Thomas Rice

Thomas Rice 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: 20230065621
    Abstract: A loss prevention range finder and computer-executable method for locating said range finder. The method comprises activating a loss prevention and locating software application on a smart device, a tracking device, or the like. The method further comprises continuously tracking the location of the range finder relative to a second location of the user device via the loss prevention aspect of the software application. The method further comprises displaying a navigation map on the user device's display. The method further comprises broadcasting a search signal from the user device to the range finder. The method further comprises activating the range finder, is response to the search signal, to transmit location information identifying the second location of the range finder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Michael McDonald, Thomas Rice
  • Publication number: 20200333025
    Abstract: Air conditioning systems and methods for cooling a space that include a chiller, a cooling coil, a heat sink, various water conduits, and a pump. Different modes of operation are used under different conditions and the water is routed differently in different modes. In a first mode, the chiller rejects heat to water returning from the cooling coil, and in a second mode, there are separate loops of chilled and heated water with separate pumps. In a third (economizer) mode of operation, the chiller is off and water from the heat sink is delivered to the cooling coil. Control valves, check valves, or both, are used to direct the flow of water, which are strategically placed in various water conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventor: Thomas Rice
  • Patent number: 10739024
    Abstract: Air conditioning systems and methods for cooling a space that include a chiller, a cooling coil, a heat sink, various water conduits, and a pump. Different modes of operation are used under different conditions and the water is routed differently in different modes. In a first mode, the chiller rejects heat to water returning from the cooling coil, and in a second mode, there are separate loops of chilled and heated water with separate pumps. In a third (economizer) mode of operation, the chiller is off and water from the heat sink is delivered to the cooling coil. Control valves, check valves, or both, are used to direct the flow of water, which are strategically placed in various water conduits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: SEMCO LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Rice
  • Publication number: 20180195745
    Abstract: Air conditioning systems and methods for cooling a space that include a chiller, a cooling coil, a heat sink, various water conduits, and a pump. Different modes of operation are used under different conditions and the water is routed differently in different modes. In a first mode, the chiller rejects heat to water returning from the cooling coil, and in a second mode, there are separate loops of chilled and heated water with separate pumps. In a third (economizer) mode of operation, the chiller is off and water from the heat sink is delivered to the cooling coil. Control valves, check valves, or both, are used to direct the flow of water, which are strategically placed in various water conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas Rice
  • Publication number: 20070136837
    Abstract: A crop plant having an induced mutant allele of an endogenous gene, the induced mutant allele conferring tolerance to glyphosate as compared with a wild-type plant of the same species, wherein the glyphosate tolerance is due to the presence of the induced mutant allele of the endogenous plant gene, is provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the crop plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: OMEGA GENETICS, LLC
    Inventors: Calvin Konzak, Thomas Rice
  • Patent number: 7104027
    Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas Rice, Steven Brown
  • Publication number: 20060070349
    Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas Rice, Steven Brown
  • Patent number: 6993889
    Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas Rice, Steven Brown
  • Publication number: 20050092530
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved apparatus for measuring the weight of an object being carried by a fork lift truck. Accurate weight is obtained by combining the measurements of the tension load(s) exerted by the chain(s) used to lift and support the fork carrying carriage with a measurement of the vertical forces imposed on the carriage by the mast through the carriage guides that are used to contain carriage movement within the mast and support the moment created by the object being weighed. The weight thusly determined can be easily calibrated for both pitch and roll mast angles. The apparatus can be integrated into the mast system of the fork truck without significantly affecting the fork truck's load carrying capacity. Specifically, the scale apparatus does not increase the overturning moment created by the weight of the object as compared with that of the standard non-instrumented carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Rice, Steven Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6822172
    Abstract: The current invention involves a method and device of combining vehicle scales platforms to eliminate potential checking interferences. Disclosed is a novel method of combining independent scale platforms enabling independent weighing on each platform and at the same time a singular checking system for the combined scale. It involves utilizing three tie rod type links, which have been used in the past to combine scales longitudinally, and in the new invention, are used in the lateral direction. This reduces the complexity and associated cost of the combined scale checking system and increases the accuracy of said scale system by eliminating potential checking interferences. This is extremely significant in situations where side checking is inconvenient near where two scales connect, or in pit less and above ground scale designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Rice, Zepu Liang, Steve Hamilton
  • Patent number: 6755142
    Abstract: A pontoon system comprising a series of hollow plastic modular units held together in a string under a watercraft is disclosed. The string may be compressed so as to form a unitary pontoon. If the compression force holding the individual pontoon member is released, any individual pontoon member which has been damaged may be removed and replaced without having to remove the watercraft from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Rice
  • Publication number: 20040068967
    Abstract: A product packaging system for receiving a series of products from one or more product transport lines. The products are loaded into a series of carriers and transported through a downstream inserter unit. Inserter assemblies moving in timed relation with the movement of the carriers through the inserter unit engage and urge the products out carriers and into a carton for packaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Colin Ford, Thomas Rice, Steven Brown
  • Publication number: 20030121463
    Abstract: A pontoon composed of a series of hollow pontoon elements which when mounted on a pair of guide rails becomes an integral assembly forming a pontoon. The elements, with the exception of the bow and the stern elements, are identical, with the stern and bow elements having a curved water engaging surface to decrease the resistance to passage through the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Rice
  • Publication number: 20020189867
    Abstract: The current invention involves a method and device of combining vehicle scales platforms to eliminate potential checking interferences. Disclosed is a novel method of combining independent scale platforms enabling independent weighing on each platform and at the same time a singular checking system for the combined scale. It involves utilizing three tie rod type links, which have been used in the past to combine scales longitudinally, and in the new invention, are used in the lateral direction. This reduces the complexity and associated cost of the combined scale checking system and increases the accuracy of said scale system by eliminating potential checking interferences. This is extremely significant in situations where side checking is inconvenient near where two scales connect, or in pit less and above ground scale designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Rice, Zepu Liang, Steve Hamilton
  • Patent number: 4737175
    Abstract: A filtration system for extracting solids from a gas includes a separator having an inlet section and an expansion chamber. A filter is located in an upper portion of the expansion chamber. Two hingedly interconnected plate sections extend from the inlet section to the expansion chamber to control the convergence of the passage for gas in the inlet section and the divergence of the passage for gas in the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: Airmat Systems Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Rice