Patents by Inventor Glen F. Pryor
Glen F. Pryor 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).
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Patent number: 11845195Abstract: A blade assembly includes a support frame, a cutting blade, a motor to drive the cutting blade, a support shaft operatively coupled to the support frame to permit pivotal movement of the support frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the support frame to reciprocally move the slicing assembly between an extended position and a retracted position. When the slicing assembly is in the extended position, a plane of the cutting blade is substantially co-planar with a cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade slices the food product. Conversely, when the slicing assembly is in the retracted position, the plane of the cutting blade is disposed at a predetermined angle away from the cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade does not contact the food product.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20220184840Abstract: An assembly is provided for turning a food product into slices of food product. The assembly includes a microbial treatment assembly configured to move the food product along a path, and a microbial intervention apparatus configured to substantially reduce an amount of microbes on an exterior surface of the food product while the food product is traveling along the path, a slicing machine downstream of the microbial treatment assembly, the slicing machine being configured to slice the food product into slices, an enclosure in which the slicing machine is positioned, the enclosure being sealed from outside atmosphere, and a microbial treatment apparatus in communication with the enclosure and configured to deter the growth of microbes on the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Richard J. Dahlman, JR., Glen F. Pryor, Lowell W. Sampson
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Patent number: 11198565Abstract: A conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a driving mechanism, a plurality of endless belts, and a lifting assembly. The plurality of rollers is rotatably attached to the frame. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the plurality of rollers. The plurality of endless belts surrounds the plurality of rollers. The lifting assembly includes a plurality of surface and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the plurality of surfaces between a raised position disposed above the plurality of belts and a lowered position disposed below the plurality of belts.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2019Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 10986853Abstract: A food processing system includes a driving pulley, a driven pulley, a motor, a belt, and an actuator. The motor is configured to rotate the driving pulley. The belt is connected with the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The driving pulley is configured to rotate the belt. The belt is configured to rotate the driven pulley. The actuator is connected with the driven pulley. The actuator is configured to move the driven pulley relative to the belt between an extended position and a retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor
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Patent number: 10974409Abstract: A cartridge for a food processing machine includes a base member, a stock roller drag brake, a nip roller, and a chute. The stock roller drag brake is rotatably attached to the base member. The nip roller is rotatably attached to the base member. The chute is attached to the base member.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Gage A. Fox, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor, Jeff Schmuker, Nick Jackowski
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Patent number: 10919170Abstract: A food product slicing apparatus includes a frame and upper and lower drive assemblies. The upper drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage an upper surface of a food product block to be sliced, a plate pivotally mounted to the frame, front and rear wheels supporting the upper belt, the front wheel rotatably mounted to the plate and a drive member engaged with the plate. When the drive member is engaged, the plate and the front roller pivot relative to the frame and to the rear wheel. The lower drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage a bottom surface of the food product block.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Fernando Garcia-Perez, Jeff Schmuker
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Patent number: 10836065Abstract: A food processing machine includes a slicing device, a slicing conveyor, a classifier device, and an exposed load cell device. The slicing device is adapted to slice a food product. The slicing conveyor is adapted to move the food product sliced by the slicing device. The classifier device is adapted to classify the food product sliced by the slicing device. The exposed load cell device is adapted to weigh the food product sliced by the slicing device. The exposed load cell device is located between the slicing conveyor and the classifier device. The exposed load cell device is permanently exposed providing accessible cleaning.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Fernando Garcia-Perez, Ryan M. Torrenga, Gage A. Fox, Ryan J. O'Connor, Glen F. Pryor
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Patent number: 10780603Abstract: A sheet interleaver is provided for a slicing machine that includes a slicing plane for slicing an elongated food product and a sheet of web material beneath the elongated product. The interleaver includes a supply of web material, a drawing station, and a feed station. A tensioning station is disposed between the supply of web material and the drawing station to maintain the tension of the web material at a pre-determined tension. A web accumulation station is between the drawing station and the feed station to provide a slackened length of web material within an acceptable range of slack between the drawing station and the feed station. The supply of web material is disposed on a spool which rotates about a cylindrical shaft. The cylindrical shaft has a braking mechanism which protrudes from the shaft to generate a frictional force against the spool.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Wayne H. Webster
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Publication number: 20200269459Abstract: A blade assembly includes a support frame, a cutting blade, a motor to drive the cutting blade, a support shaft operatively coupled to the support frame to permit pivotal movement of the support frame, and an actuator operatively coupled to the support frame to reciprocally move the slicing assembly between an extended position and a retracted position. When the slicing assembly is in the extended position, a plane of the cutting blade is substantially co-planar with a cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade slices the food product. Conversely, when the slicing assembly is in the retracted position, the plane of the cutting blade is disposed at a predetermined angle away from the cutting plane of the food product, and the cutting blade does not contact the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20200262659Abstract: A conveyor system includes a frame, a plurality of rollers, a driving mechanism, a plurality of endless belts, and a lifting assembly. The plurality of rollers is rotatably attached to the frame. The driving mechanism is configured to rotate the plurality of rollers. The plurality of endless belts surrounds the plurality of rollers. The lifting assembly includes a plurality of surface and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the plurality of surfaces between a raised position disposed above the plurality of belts and a lowered position disposed below the plurality of belts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
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Patent number: 10639798Abstract: A gripping system of a food processing machine includes a gripping device, an airflow sensing device, at least one processor, and at least one memory. The gripping device is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The airflow sensing device is configured to sense an airflow. The at least one processor is in electronic communication with the airflow sensing device. The at least one memory is in electronic communication with the at least one processor. The at least one memory comprises programming code for execution by the at least one processor. The programming code is configured to move the gripping device from the open configuration to the closed configuration when the airflow sensing device senses a change in the airflow.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Fernando Garcia-Perez
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Publication number: 20200108520Abstract: A cartridge for a food processing machine includes a base member, a stock roller drag brake, a nip roller, and a chute. The stock roller drag brake is rotatably attached to the base member. The nip roller is rotatably attached to the base member. The chute is attached to the base member.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2018Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Gage A. Fox, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor, Jeff Schmuker, Nick Jackowski
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Patent number: 10160602Abstract: A food processing machine includes a first frame, a plurality of in-feed cartridges, and at least one motor. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are connected with the first frame in spaced-apart relation. Each in-feed cartridge includes a base member and a belt member moveably disposed around the base member. The at least one motor is connected with the belt members and configured to drive the belt members of the plurality of in-feed cartridges around their respective base members. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are disconnectable with the first frame and reconfigurable so that any number of the plurality of in-feed cartridges can be reconnected with the first frame in varying spaced-apart relation.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Ryan M. Torrenga, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan J. O'Connor, Gage A. Fox
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Publication number: 20180345521Abstract: A sheet interleaver is provided for a slicing machine that includes a slicing plane for slicing an elongated food product and a sheet of web material beneath the elongated product. The interleaver includes a supply of web material, a drawing station, and a feed station. A tensioning station is disposed between the supply of web material and the drawing station to maintain the tension of the web material at a pre-determined tension. A web accumulation station is between the drawing station and the feed station to provide a slackened length of web material within an acceptable range of slack between the drawing station and the feed station. The supply of web material is disposed on a spool which rotates about a cylindrical shaft. The cylindrical shaft has a braking mechanism which protrudes from the shaft to generate a frictional force against the spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Wayne H. Webster
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Patent number: 10124506Abstract: A sheet interleaver is provided for a slicing machine that includes a slicing plane for slicing an elongated food product and a sheet of web material beneath the elongated product. The interleaver includes a supply of web material, a drawing station, and a feed station. A tensioning station is disposed between the supply of web material and the drawing station to maintain the tension of the web material at a pre-determined tension. A web accumulation station is between the drawing station and the feed station to provide a slackened length of web material within an acceptable range of slack between the drawing station and the feed station. The supply of web material is disposed on a spool which rotates about a cylindrical shaft. The cylindrical shaft has a braking mechanism which protrudes from the shaft to generate a frictional force against the spool.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Wayne H. Webster
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Publication number: 20180186011Abstract: A gripping system of a food processing machine includes a gripping device, an airflow sensing device, at least one processor, and at least one memory. The gripping device is moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. The airflow sensing device is configured to sense an airflow. The at least one processor is in electronic communication with the airflow sensing device. The at least one memory is in electronic communication with the at least one processor. The at least one memory comprises programming code for execution by the at least one processor. The programming code is configured to move the gripping device from the open configuration to the closed configuration when the airflow sensing device senses a change in the airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Fernando Garcia-Perez
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Publication number: 20180186022Abstract: In one aspect, a food product tray includes a pan including a top surface, a front end and a rear end, at least one side member extending upward from the pan, and a gate positioned near the front end of the pan. The gate is moveable between a blocking position, in which a top edge of the gate is positioned above the top surface of the pan, and a non-blocking position, in which the top edge is either at or below the top surface of the pan. During movement of the gate, the gate rotates relative to the front end of the pan about an axis displaced from the gate. In one aspect, a slicing apparatus includes a food product tray including a gate movable along an arcuate path defined by an axis displaced from the gate and a radius between the arcuate path and the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Gage A. Fox, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan M. Torrenga, Ryan J. O'Connor
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Publication number: 20180186576Abstract: A food processing machine includes a first frame, a plurality of in-feed cartridges, and at least one motor. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are connected with the first frame in spaced-apart relation. Each in-feed cartridge includes a base member and a belt member moveably disposed around the base member. The at least one motor is connected with the belt members and configured to drive the belt members of the plurality of in-feed cartridges around their respective base members. The plurality of in-feed cartridges are disconnectable with the first frame and reconfigurable so that any number of the plurality of in-feed cartridges can be reconnected with the first frame in varying spaced-apart relation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Ryan M. Torrenga, Glen F. Pryor, Ryan J. O'Connor, Gage A. Fox
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Publication number: 20180186025Abstract: A food processing machine includes a slicing device, a slicing conveyor, a classifier device, and an exposed load cell device. The slicing device is adapted to slice a food product. The slicing conveyor is adapted to move the food product sliced by the slicing device. The classifier device is adapted to classify the food product sliced by the slicing device. The exposed load cell device is adapted to weigh the food product sliced by the slicing device. The exposed load cell device is located between the slicing conveyor and the classifier device. The exposed load cell device is permanently exposed providing accessible cleaning.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Fernando Garcia-Perez, Ryan M. Torrenga, Gage A. Fox, Ryan J. O'Connor, Glen F. Pryor
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Patent number: 9950869Abstract: A belt tensioner for a food processing machine includes a base member, a nose member, a belt member, and a driving member. The nose member is pivotally connected with the base member. The belt member is moveably disposed around the base member and the nose member. The driving device is configured to pivotally move the nose member relative to the base member. As the nose member pivotally moves relative to the base member the nose member applies variable levels of tension on the belt member.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2017Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Ryan J. O'Connor