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).

  • Patent number: 11898784
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: MINNESOTA ICE SCULPTURES L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert E. Harrell
  • Publication number: 20230341164
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
  • Patent number: 11692753
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert E. Harrell
  • Publication number: 20220243971
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
  • Publication number: 20210333032
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Minnesota Ice Sculptures L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert E. HARRELL
  • Patent number: 4353647
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell, Harold E. Coons, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4334755
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.
    Inventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell, Edward H. Parker
  • Patent number: 4222656
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1980
    Assignee: Western Litho Plate & Supply Co.
    Inventors: Robert E. Harrell, Tedd L. Harrell