Patents by Inventor George E. REED

George E. REED 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: 11679936
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling integrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: F.R. DRAKE CO.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Patent number: 11447280
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: André G. Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20220194710
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling integrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Nicholas J. MILO, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Patent number: 11208267
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: F.R. DRAKE COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20210094712
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: André G. RICHARDS, Thomas IVY, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Publication number: 20210086996
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas J. MILO, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Patent number: 10865003
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Andre Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20200339340
    Abstract: A food product package for storing and dispensing food products. The food product package comprises a container including a bottom wall and a continuous sidewall extending from the bottom wall and connected to the bottom wall so as to form a storage cavity within the container, a plurality of food products disposed within the storage cavity, a single strip interleaving the food products, and a peelable top film bonded onto the continuous sidewall of the container thereby to seal the storage cavity within the container. The peelable top film peelable off the continuous sidewall of the container so as to open the storage cavity and provide access to the food products disposed within the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Robert L. BAMBURG, JR., George E. REED, André G. RICHARDS
  • Patent number: 10787318
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20200102148
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Nicholas J. MILO, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Patent number: 10494181
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20190177015
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Andre RICHARDS, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. REED
  • Publication number: 20190061981
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing and packaging food product. The system includes at least a transportation system configured to move food product on a conveyor belt, and a collection system configured to receive the food product from the transportation system on a disposable conveyor sheet, and further configured to package the disposable conveyor sheet with the food product thereon on and/or in a dispenser pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Andre Richards, George E. Reed, Thomas Ivy
  • Publication number: 20180215548
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas J. MILO, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Patent number: 9926139
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Milo, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20170066594
    Abstract: A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas J. MILO, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED