Patents by Inventor Craig W. Bair

Craig W. Bair 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).

  • Apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closure of an extrudate
    Patent number: 11388909
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate includes a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, wherein the rope of material has an opening that can receive a filler material. The feeder deposits the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder. A former receives the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope. The former shapes the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope. A cutter may axially cut the rope to form the opening. A finisher may cut the shaped rope into portions containing the deposited filler material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Pure Nature Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Zollinger Miller, Miguel A. Reyna, Craig W. Bair
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR POST-EXTRUSION FILLING AND CLOSURE OF AN EXTRUDATE
    Publication number: 20200100523
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate includes a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, wherein the rope of material has an opening that can receive a filler material. The feeder deposits the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder. A former receives the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope. The former shapes the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope. A cutter may axially cut the rope to form the opening. A finisher may cut the shaped rope into portions containing the deposited filler material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Henry Zollinger Miller, Miguel A. Reyna, Craig W. Bair