Patents Assigned to Stainless Equipment Company
  • Patent number: 6572261
    Abstract: An agitator assembly for mounting in a wall of a storage tank that includes a body having a rotatable shaft extending therethrough. The body includes a duct having a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the shaft to allow passage of a fluid therebetween. An impeller is secured to one end of the shaft and a collar is secured to the other end. A bushing is provided between the body and the shaft and allows passage of a fluid during a cleaning cycle. A motor assembly is attached to the shaft and provides power for rotation of the shaft. A resilient member is provided over the shaft between the motor assembly and collar to control axial movement of the shaft. During a cleaning cycle, fluid pressure overcomes the biasing force of the compressible member permitting the fluid to escape the body to effectively clean the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Angerhofer, Robert J. Anderson, Randall S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5953983
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertically rotating agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forwardly and rearwardly projecting prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The preferred forwardly projecting prongs are elongated and have a generally rounded cross-section. The preferred rearwardly projecting prongs may be staggered or otherwise arranged so as to break up clumps while permitting curds to pass between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company Inc.
    Inventors: John M. McCormick, Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5921677
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5906854
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5855671
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment, Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5704280
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Patent number: 5348179
    Abstract: A capping assembly for attachment to a ferrule of a manhole assembly in a tanker truck having a cap which is provided with a central aperture for venting. The cap is further provided with threads for accommodating the threads of the ferrule. A diaphragm having a flexible central member larger than the aperture of the cap and peripheral apertures is fittably connectable to the ferrule and positionable between the cap and the opening of the ferrule. The diaphragm includes an outer circumferential beveled surface for seatingly engaging a beveled upper inner surface of the ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lynn M. Walker
  • Patent number: 4285390
    Abstract: Fresh, outside air may be supplied to a first space, such as a dining area of a restaurant or the like, while air from the first space may be recirculated through an air conditioning unit for cooling or heating the air, which is returned to the first space. Also, air from the first space is transferred to a second space, such as a cooking room of a restaurant or the like, which contains heat producing cooking equipment, the latter resulting in the second space having additional cooling requirements. Such transfer air is passed through a chilling device, in which the air contacts water, as through sprays or a water bath, to cool the water to a temperature close to the dew point of the air, and also to correspondingly cool the air furnished to the second space. When cooling of air to the first space is required, either the recirculated air, but preferably the fresh air, is cooled by the chilled water produced by the chilling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventors: Dennis M. Fortune, Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4129179
    Abstract: A gaseous source of waste energy, including heat, is passed through a gas to liquid heat exchanger and then a chiller to agitate a water bath and produce evaporation of water for cooling. The heated transfer liquid is passed through a heat exchanger to heat makeup air or the like, while, alternatively, chilled water from the chiller is passed through the heat exchanger to cool the makeup air. The source of waste energy, including heat, is normally a grease extraction ventilator mounted to receive fumes and heated air from cooking equipment. Any other source of waste energy is normally suitable, such as heated air which has risen to the upper portion of a large room or enclosure, such as an auditorium, theater, meeting hall or the like. The heated air removed from such a position is adapted in part to be recirculated, but all of it may be used to furnish heat for heating fresh makeup air. Several forms of chiller, including specialized double compartment chillers, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4125148
    Abstract: A gaseous source of waste energy, including heat, is passed through a gas to liquid heat exchanger and then a chiller to agitate a water bath and produce evaporation of water for cooling. The heated transfer liquid is passed through a heat exchanger to heat makeup air or the like, while, alternatively, chilled water from the chiller is passed through the heat exchanger to cool the makeup air. Supplemental heating, as by a furnace, or supplemental cooling, as by refrigeration, may be utilized when called for.Separate heat exchangers, as for separate areas, are alternatively supplied with heated transfer liquid or chilled water, or one or more supplied with heated transfer liquid and one or more others supplied with chilled water.The source of waste energy, including heat, is normally fumes and heated air from cooking equipment passed through a grease extraction ventilator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4124021
    Abstract: A grease extraction ventilator includes a water bath or water sprays into or through which are directed the products of the gaseous stream rising from cooking equipment and which tends to maintain an ambient temperature. This water is pumped through a heat exchanger for a portion of incoming makeup air directed into the room, the remainder of which is directed toward the intake for smoke and the like, to reduce the amount of air withdrawn from the room by the suction blower. The heat exchanger may also be utilized at a desired location, within or outside of the room in which the ventilator is installed, to heat or cool air or other fluids for heating or other purposes. Air may be directed into the upper portion of the room, such as adjacent the ceiling through a horizontal slot which causes the air to move horizontally to mix with the highest temperature air in the room and flow to portions of the room spaced from the ventilator, thereby avoiding drafts blowing against the cooking personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4071935
    Abstract: A series of mesh layers, approximating a loosely woven cloth, are placed between successive adjacent, parallel tubular coils or bends through which a liquid flows. The assembly of coils and mesh layers is compressed to produce a clamping contact between the mesh and each of two opposed coils, as well as compressing the mesh together, both within and outside the areas of the coils. The mesh which intersects an end of the coil is split, so that the mesh may lie on both sides of the coil at that position. A perforated plate may be placed at each end of the mesh and coil assembly, with a screen interposed, in order to maintain the mesh and coils in a clamped condition. The perforated plates may be spot welded to the inside of a housing, the parts of which are also compressed against the mesh and coil assembly. The compression of the mesh against the coils not only provides a greater area of contact of the fibers, strands, wires, etc., of the mesh, but also produces a clamping or pressure contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1978
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor
  • Patent number: 4011802
    Abstract: The makeup air device includes a front chamber, a lower wall of which is adapted to force rising smoke and the like into an intake of a grease extraction ventilator. A depending passage at the lower front of the device has an air outlet which discharges air toward the ventilator intake. An adjustment baffle having a forwardly slanted lower flange is moved in the outlet between a position of maximum flow and a position of no flow. Louvers in the front wall of the chamber above the passage are adjustable, so that different amounts of fresh air may flow into the room in which the cooking equipment is placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventors: Victor D. Molitor, Arlen W. Gallagher
  • Patent number: 4007566
    Abstract: The coping is mounted atop the gutter and each is formed of stainless steel, with the top surfaces being sandblasted to prevent slipperiness, particularly when wet. The gutter, which carries water overflowing and draining through slots in the coping, is also used as a form for pouring the concrete walls of the pool. The gutter provides not only check points for transit leveling, but also an upper rear flange for use in leveling the top of the concrete when poured.The rear of the coping is supported by the gutter, while the depending front wall of the coping is supported by an upwardly extending front wall of the gutter, at an outward offset of each, through a series of special, fine adjustment connecting devices. The upstanding front nose of the coping determines the level at which water will overflow, while the various sections of the coping may be adjusted through the fine adjustment devices, to correspond with the water level, thereby providing a highly accurate level setting for the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1973
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1977
    Assignee: Stainless Equipment Company
    Inventor: Victor D. Molitor