Patents by Inventor Benjamin W. Floan

Benjamin W. Floan 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: 9709330
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer toaster. The invention includes a housing. Within the housing, a first set of trays and a second set of trays are mounted. The first trays and second trays are disposed such that they are generally vertically spaced from one another and in a generally parallel disposition with respect to each other. Means for mixing vapors are provided, and they are positioned in a vapor mixing zone which is intermediate the first set of trays and second set of trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventors: George E. Anderson, Benjamin W. Floan
  • Patent number: 9683778
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer-toaster (DT) unit is used for removing traces of a hydrocarbon solvent from a mass of vegetable particles of oil. A conventional DT unit has within a housing, a set of solvent removal trays and a main ejector transporting solvent vapor and steam from below the tray set to between a pair of the trays in the set. The improved DT unit has a further scavenger tray between an inlet of the main ejector and the housing floor. A scavenger ejector transports solvent vapor from between the scavenger tray and the housing floor before it exits from the unit, to the space between the tray set and the scavenger tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventors: George E. Anderson, Benjamin W. Floan
  • Patent number: 9511307
    Abstract: An extractor which provides significant features over structures known in the prior art. The present improved structure employs nozzles which eject a jet of fluid upwardly into a granular or flake product being conveyed on a transfer conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CROWN IRON WORKS COMPANY
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Floan, George E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20150132198
    Abstract: An extractor which provides significant features over structures known in the prior art. The present improved structure employs nozzles which eject a jet of fluid upwardly into a granular or flake product being conveyed on a transfer conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventors: Benjamin W. Floan, George E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140115914
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer toaster. The invention includes a housing. Within the housing, a first set of trays and a second set of trays are mounted. The first trays and second trays are disposed such that they are generally vertically spaced from one another and in a generally parallel disposition with respect to each other. Means for mixing vapors are provided, and they are positioned in a vapor mixing zone which is intermediate the first set of trays and second set of trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Crown Iron Works Company
    Inventors: George E. Anderson, Benjamin W. Floan
  • Publication number: 20120306161
    Abstract: A retainer assembly for a seal encircling a shaft to prevent migration along the shaft, has at least two rings that encircle the shaft. A first ring is fastened to the wall and encircles the shaft to form an annular recess surrounding the periphery of the seal. A second ring encircles the shaft with outside and inside diameters allowing at least a portion of the second ring to fit into the annular recess between the first ring and the seal. A plurality of fasteners attach to the first ring and are external to the second ring. Each fastener engages a peripheral portion of the second ring to press the second ring toward the wall. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer has inner, middle, and outer rings that allow retaining of two seal sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Benjamin W. Floan
  • Publication number: 20120266489
    Abstract: An improved desolventizer-toaster (DT) unit is used for removing traces of a hydrocarbon solvent from a mass of vegetable particles of oil. A conventional DT unit has within a housing, a set of solvent removal trays and a main ejector transporting solvent vapor and steam from below the tray set to between a pair of the trays in the set. The improved DT unit has a further scavenger tray between an inlet of the main ejector and the housing floor. A scavenger ejector transports solvent vapor from between the scavenger tray and the housing floor before it exits from the unit, to the space between the tray set and the scavenger tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: George E. Anderson, Benjamin W. Floan