Patents Assigned to Bettcher Industries, Inc.
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Patent number: 7710714Abstract: A housing for a scale or load cell controller suitable for use in harsh environments. The housing includes a moisture-resistant front display unit coupled to a rear interface and mounting unit. The front display unit includes a front housing, a back housing, and a frame overlying a boundary or seal region between the front and back housings to provide a double moisture-resistant seal between the front and back housings. The front display unit defines an interior region including a display and a plurality of user input keys and controller circuitry. The front display unit is removably attachable to the rear interface unit. A moisture-resistant seal is also provided between the front display unit and the rear interface and mounting unit. The rear interface and mounting unit defines a recessed area supporting a battery pack, a power supply and an interface circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Robert Scott, Richard P. Bozzi, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr.
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Patent number: 7670212Abstract: A method for trimming an undesirable portion of a metatarsal pad of a chicken paw using a power operated rotary knife. The steps of the method include: a) providing a power operated rotary knife including an annular knife blade rotatable about a central axis and defining a central open area; moving one of the rotary knife and the chicken paw with respect to the other to position the rotary knife with respect to a bottom of the chicken paw such that the undesirable portion of the metatarsal pad is within the central open area of the blade and the cutting edge of the blade is proximate to a periphery of the undesirable portion; and moving one of the rotary knife and the chicken paw such that the cutting edge of the blade slices a layer of the metatarsal pad thereby removing at least part of the undesirable portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Troy Thompson, David C. Ross, Jeffrey Alan Whited
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Publication number: 20090309321Abstract: A lug cart and support table assembly is disclosed comprising a support table having an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine. A lug tub-shaped lug located in the lug cart and a latching system affixed to the lug cart to removably attach the lug cart to a selected one of a front side and a rear side of the table assembly. The latching system includes a first latch assembly and a second latch assembly affixed to an end of the cart in spaced apart relation, each of the first and second latch assemblies includes a support body, a pivoting arm coupled to the support body and pivoting in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis between a locking position and a release position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jason Alexander Sukey, John H. D. LaMarche II, Scott M. Muniga
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Patent number: 7614360Abstract: A breading machine has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station. A conveyor drive system includes a machine housing and a drive unit rotatably supported by the machine housing that provides motive power to the breading unit conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2005Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Muniga, Jeffrey A. Whited, Lane Bettcher
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Patent number: 7610864Abstract: A support table assembly for a food product breading machine. The support table assembly includes a support table defining an upper support surface for supporting a breading machine, a guide coupled to the support table assembly and a slide assembly that is slidable beneath the support table along the guide between a first and a second position. The slide assembly defines an opening sized to receive a lug. In the first position of the slide assembly, the finished product lug is aligned with a first end of the breading machine such that finished products discharged from the breading machine drop into the lug and, in the second position of the slide assembly, the lug is aligned with a second end of the breading machine such that materials discharged from the breading machine during a cleaning operation drop into the lug.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: John H. D. LaMarche, II, Jason Alexander Sukey, Scott M. Muniga, Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 7572176Abstract: A system and method of counting poultry carcasses conveyed by an overhead shackle conveying system. Poultry carcasses are suspended from shackles of an overhead conveying system and moved along a path of travel defined by the overhead conveying system. The carcasses are directed to engage a force detecting device. The force detecting device generates a signal, such as an electrical signal, when the impacted by a carcass, a magnitude of the electrical signal is proportional to a force of impact of the carcass on the force detecting device. The electrical signal is transmitted to a counter. The counter analyzes the electrical signal and increments a carcass count each time a force in a carcass identifying range is measured.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: James A. Petersen, Brian Porter, Robert Scott
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Publication number: 20080145491Abstract: The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby means (14) are provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Hugo Braeken
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Patent number: 7340840Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
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Publication number: 20080020109Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Scott Muniga, Jeffrey Whited, Lane Bettcher
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Patent number: 7296531Abstract: A breading machine has first and second combination battering/breading units positioned in close proximity to each other. Certain features of the invention have utility with machines having only a single battering/breading unit. Each of the combination units has a battering unit for applying a fluent batter to a food product. The battering unit includes a batter reservoir and a battering unit conveyor system for delivering food products from said batter reservoir to a battering unit conveyor discharge section that propels the food product from the battering unit. The combination units also include a breading unit for receiving food product from an associated battering unit. The breading unit includes a breading reservoir and breading unit conveyor system for applying particulate breading to the food product at a breading station by moving breading material from the breading material reservoir and food product coated with the batter to the breading station.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Scott M. Muniga, Jeffrey A. Whited, Lane Bettcher
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Patent number: 7285302Abstract: The invention is relating to device for the controlled heating and cooling and conservation of eggs (18) that is provided with an oven space (13) with a carrier plate (7) with holders for the positioning of the eggs (18) substantially upright and a spray device (12) for the cooling of same with a coolant, and which is further provided with a heating element (11) for the generation of steam, whereby a fan (14) is provided that allow said steam to be subjected to a forced flow whereby this steam flows over the eggs (18) in order to heat the eggs, whereby said carrier plate (7) has openings (16) such that at least part of said steam is guided along the side of the eggs (18) to the underside of the carrier plate (7) so that the underside of the eggs (18) is heated.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2001Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Hugo Braeken
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Patent number: 7207114Abstract: A rotary knife with an improved drive transmission. The knife includes a tubular handle assembly, an annular blade, a blade housing, a pneumatic motor, and a drive transmission assembly. The transmission includes a drive or pinion gear, a drive shaft, and a connector assembly that inhibits axial movement of the pinion gear into the blade housing by the force of air pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 24, 2007Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 7153202Abstract: Helical members applied in flexshaft assemblies for retaining lubricant inside a flexshaft casing 22. The helical members have a helix that is opposite of a helix of wires that make up a flexible drive member. The helical members direct the lubricant away from an end of the flexshaft assembly that the helix of wires tends to direct the lubricant toward.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2005Date of Patent: December 26, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Dennis R. Seguin, Geoffrey D. Rapp
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Patent number: 7107887Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. The blade housing body defines a bearing surface that is defined by a wall of the housing body that supports the ring blade and allows the ring blade to rotate with respect to the blade housing. Alternate coupling designed of the housing body allow the blade housing to be coupled to a suction tube for withdrawing meat from the interior of the blade housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2004Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 7070494Abstract: Picking fingers suitable for use in automatic defeathering machines. The picking fingers are suitable for mounting to circular openings in a mounting plate. The picking finger includes an elastomeric picking finger body and a retainer for securing the picking finger to the mounting plate. Three embodiments are disclosed which provide for installation of the picking finger body from a back side of the mounting plate. Each embodiment features a different retainer component. A fourth embodiment is disclosed which provides for installation of the picking finger body from a front side of the mounting plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 7000325Abstract: A power operated knife comprises a blade supporting structure supporting an annular blade for rotation about a central axis. The blade and blade supporting structure are engagable along bearing contact locations that are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis so that the blade is stabilized both radially and axially as the knife operates. The blade supporting structure comprises a split blade housing member that is radially expandible and contractible to receive the blade. The split blade housing member and blade engage along relatively short lines of bearing contact that serve to minimize friction and blade heating when the knife operates. The bearing locations are spaced apart both circumferentially around the blade perimeter and in the direction of the axis so that the blade position is stabilized during operation of the knife.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
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Patent number: 6978548Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. The handle assembly comprises a core, a hand grip surrounding the core, and a connector unit that secures the hand grip to the core. The core has a first end region rigidly fixed with respect to the head assembly and a second end region spaced from the head assembly. The core defines a drive transmission guiding channel leading toward the blade. The hand grip has a first end region proximal the blade support assembly and a second end region proximal the second core end region. The connector detachably secures the hand grip in fixed relationship with the core. The connector engages the second end regions and is detachable for enabling hand grip removal and replacement.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Robert L. Leimbach, Raymond Herrmann
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Patent number: 6857191Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. The blade housing body defines a bearing surface that is defined by a wall of the housing body that supports the ring blade and allows the ring blade to rotate with respect to the blade housing. Alternate coupling designed of the housing body allow the blade housing to be coupled to a suction tube for withdrawing meat from the interior of the blade housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
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Publication number: 20040211067Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. Alternate blade designs facilitate use of the knife for applications involving the separation of a spinal cord and possibly dangerous BSE material from a slaughtered animal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: October 28, 2004Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Martin Niederhauser
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Patent number: D548121Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey D. Rapp, Dennis R. Seguin, Jr.