Patents by Inventor Kevin G. Mellor

Kevin G. Mellor 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: 8608862
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a gassing manifold includes providing a gassing module and a complementary clean in place module for coupling to the gassing module. Cleaning solution is pumped from the clean in place module to the gassing module above a minimum flow rate and velocity for effective cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Hopkins, Kevin G. Mellor
  • Publication number: 20110083704
    Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complementary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complementary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complementary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: CONAGRA FOODS RDM, INC.
    Inventors: JERRY HOPKINS, Kevin G. Mellor
  • Patent number: 7919129
    Abstract: System and method for applying an antimicrobial agent, such as acidified calcium sulfate (ACS), to unpackaged meat products, in order to eliminate or reduce existing food borne bacterial pathogens and to prevent their growth when the meat products are stored. A conveyor transports unpackaged meat products to a spray chamber having nozzles positioned above and below the conveyor and meat products. The conveyor can be a wire conveyor having wires having a thickness so that they can support the food items, which can be eight to ten pounds, while being small enough so that the they do not block ACS solution sprays from the bottom nozzles, or do so to a negligible degree. The lower nozzles spray ACS solution through apertures of the conveyor and onto at least the bottom surfaces of the unpackaged meat products. The solution is sprayed with a sufficiently high pressure and sufficiently small drop size so that the ACS solution penetrates into tissues of the unpackaged meat products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne P. Pruett, Jr., Kevin G. Mellor, Donald N. Sinnot, Gilbert L. Boldt
  • Patent number: 7850788
    Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complimentary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complimentary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complimentary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods RDM, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Hopkins, Kevin G. Mellor
  • Publication number: 20090050180
    Abstract: A clean in place gassing manifold comprises a gassing module comprising a hub, the gassing module and the hub being formed as a unitary device; and a complimentary clean in place module for coupling the gassing module, the complimentary clean in place module comprising a head that inserts into the hub of the gassing module. The gassing module coupled with the complimentary clean in place module allow a cleaning solution to be pumped through the coupled modules at and above a minimum flow rate and a minimum velocity for effective cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Jerry Hopkins, Kevin G. Mellor