Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Zappe

Ronald J. Zappe 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: 6325941
    Abstract: An adjustable continuous filtration system; a continuous split-stream bypass filtration system; a method for controlling the proportion of a fluid recycled through a filtration system; a method for controlling the proportion of a fluid which is routed to the filter of a filtration system, and the proportion of the fluid which is discharged from the system without passing through the filter; and a method for controlling the quality of cooking fats and cooking oils. The mechanisms for controlling the proportion of fluid routed or recycled to a filter depend on the size or width of orifices in passageways conveying the fluid, including the restriction of one or more of the orifices. A needle valve beneficially provides a continuous range of variation of orifice size. If the quality of cooking fat or cooking oil discharged from the filtration system is below industry standards, the proportion of the cooking fat or cooking oil routed or recycled to the filter is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald J. Zappe
  • Patent number: 6235193
    Abstract: An adjustable continuous filtration system; a continuous split-stream bypass filtration system; a method for controlling the proportion of a fluid recycled through a filtration system; a method for controlling the proportion of a fluid which is routed to the filter of a filtration system, and the proportion of the fluid which is discharged from the system without passing through the filter; and a method for controlling the quality of cooking fats and cooking oils. The mechanisms for controlling the proportion of fluid routed or recycled to a filter depend on the size or width of orifices in passageways conveying the fluid, including the restriction of one or more of the orifices. A needle valve beneficially provides a continuous range of variation of orifice size. If the quality of cooking fat or cooking oil discharged from the filtration system is below industry standards, the proportion of the cooking fat or cooking oil routed or recycled to the filter is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald J. Zappe
  • Patent number: 6210590
    Abstract: An adjustable continuous filtration system for cooking fats and cooking oils. Using a variable orifice restriction such as a valve, the amount of cooking fat or cooking oil recycled to a filter is controlled in accordance with the results of testing the discharged cooking fat or cooking oil for quality control, by changing the size of the orifice. If the discharged fat or oil is not within industry standards, the proportion being recycled is increased. If the fat or oil tests appreciably above industry standards, the proportion recycled to the filter is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Ronald J. Zappe
  • Patent number: 5846409
    Abstract: An adjustable continuous filtration system for cooking fats and cooling oils. Using a variable orifice restriction such as a valve, the amount of cooking fat or cooking oil recycled to a filter is controlled in accordance with the results of testing the discharged cooking fat or cooking oil for quality control, by changing the size of the orifice. If the discharged fat or oil not within industry standards, the proportion being recycled is increased. If the fat or oil tests appreciably above industry standards, the proportion recycled to the filter is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Ronald J. Zappe
  • Patent number: 5620897
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the percentage of free fatty acids in cooking fats and oils. A kit for this analysis includes a test cylinder calibrated for (a) volume of test sample, (b) volume of acid-base indicator solution, and (c) a set of lines marked to be read directly as the percentage of free fatty acids in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Ronald J. Zappe