Patents by Inventor Robert E. Harrell
Robert E. Harrell 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: 11898784Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: MINNESOTA ICE SCULPTURES L.L.C.Inventor: Robert E. Harrell
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Publication number: 20230341164Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2023Publication date: October 26, 2023Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
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Patent number: 11692753Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.Inventor: Robert E. Harrell
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Publication number: 20220243971Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
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Publication number: 20210333032Abstract: A system for manufacturing clear ice products is provided. The system includes a freezing module, a demolding module, and a converting station. The freezing module includes a frame comprising a plurality of levels, a plate freezer provided at each level, and at least one mold provided for placement on each plate freezer and suitable for receiving water. A control frame is provided associated with each plate freezer and is movable from an elevated position to fill position. In the fill position, the control frame is at least partially disposed within the mold. One or more circulation pumps are associated with each control frame for circulating water in the mold to release air bubbles as the water freezes. The demolding module removes the mold from the freezing module and removes formed ice from the mold. The converting station converts the formed ice into a clear ice product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2021Publication date: October 28, 2021Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
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Patent number: 4353647Abstract: Apparatus for exposing lithographic plates to light through a film, e.g. a negative, adapted for exposing a plurality of plates to light through the same film, having a conveyor with grippers for conveying a plate with a film thereon to an exposure station, where a window comes down on the film and plate, the grippers being opened to allow the window to vacuum-lift the film off the plate and retain it while another plate is conveyed to the exposure station for exposure through the retained film.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1981Date of Patent: October 12, 1982Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply CompanyInventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell, Harold E. Coons, Jr.
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Patent number: 4334755Abstract: Apparatus for processing lithographic plates after they have been exposed and developed having a system for feeding plates forward one after another in a predetermined path with the exposed and developed face of the plate facing up, a heating system for heating each plate as it travels along said path, a system for blowing air on each plate to cool it, a system for spraying water on and scrubbing the upper face of each plate for washing it, and a system for delivering preservative onto and rubbing it over the upper face of each plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1980Date of Patent: June 15, 1982Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.Inventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell, Edward H. Parker
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Patent number: 4222656Abstract: Apparatus for processing exposed lithographic plates in which an exposed plate is continuously fed forward with the exposed face of the plate facing up, developer is delivered onto the upper face of the plate by a nozzle which is traversed back and forth laterally with respect to the path of the plate above the plate to distribute the developer across the upper face of the plate, the developer is rubbed over the upper face of the plate, the plate is sprayed with water, preservative is delivered onto the upper face of the plate by a nozzle which is traversed back and forth along with the developer delivery nozzle to distribute the preservative across the upper face of the plate, and the preservative is rubbed over the upper face of the plate. The plate is fed forward by sets of plate feed rolls. Water is delivered onto certain of these rolls by nozzles which are traversed back and forth along with the developer and preservative delivery nozzles.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 1979Date of Patent: September 16, 1980Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.Inventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell