Patents by Inventor Joshua W. Higgins

Joshua W. Higgins 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: 11957377
    Abstract: Various embodiments of devices and systems comprising a polymer driveshaft for use in high-speed rotational medical procedures, e.g., atherectomy, are disclosed. Generally, the primary driveshaft for transferring torque and activating rotation of a tool attached thereto, e.g., an abrasive element, is constructed with at least a polymer outer and inner surface. In certain embodiments, the polymer driveshaft may comprise a metallic band for fixed attachment of a structure, e.g., an abrasive element, thereto. Various embodiments may comprise a coupler that connects a drive shaft connected with a prime mover, e.g., a turbine or electric motor, with the polymer drive shaft, the coupler comprising openings through the coupler wall to the inner diameter of the coupler to allow fluid flow to the inner diameter of the coupled polymer drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston L. Grothe, Matthew D. Cambronne, Joseph P. Higgins, William F. Kuester, III, Benjamin Haselman, Joshua J. Cranston, Ric A. Gould, Nicholas W. Rydberg
  • Patent number: 9365360
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20150251858
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 9022202
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8776991
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8695782
    Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: Brent M. Veldkamp, Andrew W. Maddux, Colin R. Hart, Kenneth L. Lebsack, Joshua W. Higgins, Craig A. Smiens
  • Publication number: 20130277174
    Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: MAREL MEAT PROCESSING INC.
    Inventors: Brent M. Veldkamp, Andrew W. Maddux, Colin R. Hart, Kenneth L. Lebsack, Joshua W. Higgins, Craig A. Smiens
  • Patent number: 8453822
    Abstract: A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Colin R. Hart, Paul J. Joynt, David W. Braner, Joshua W. Higgins, David W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8434610
    Abstract: A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Colin R. Hart, Paul J. Joynt, David W. Braner, Joshua W. Higgins, David W. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8418831
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8342312
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8322513
    Abstract: A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Colin R. Hart, Paul J. Joynt, David W. Braner, Joshua W. Higgins, David W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20120199441
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Vincent L. Basile, II, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins, Paul J. Joynt
  • Patent number: 8220614
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110315515
    Abstract: A loading head for use with food articles has a main conveyor adapted to convey a plurality of food articles, an indexing conveyor positioned beneath the main conveyor, and a transfer member positioned between the main conveyor and the indexing conveyor. The transfer member is adapted to transfer each food article from the main conveyor to the indexing conveyor. A buffering mechanism is adapted to move the transfer member between a first position and a variable second position. A pusher mechanism is associated with the indexing conveyor to raise and lower gates from an open position permitting food article transfer to a closed position prohibiting food article transfer. The pusher mechanism includes a cam operably associated with the gates to open and close the gates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Colin R. HART, Paul J. Joynt, David W. Braner, Joshua W. Higgins, David W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20110272240
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110272248
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110272243
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David W. ALEXANDER, Kevin J. HANSEN, Colin R. HART, Joshua W. HIGGINS
  • Publication number: 20110272251
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20110272247
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: David W. Alexander, Kevin J. Hansen, Colin R. Hart, Joshua W. Higgins