Patents by Inventor Steven M. Kenison

Steven M. Kenison 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).

  • Convertible tortilla counter-stacker
    Patent number: 6520734
    Abstract: A tortilla stacker has stacker and lift subassemblies that may be logically programmed for simultaneous operation in differing configurations of tortilla numbers and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: ITE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Longoria, Steven M. Kenison
  • Convertible tortilla counter-stacker
    Publication number: 20010043859
    Abstract: A tortilla counter-stacker has stacker and lift subassemblies that may be logically programmed for simultaneous operation in differing configurations of tortilla numbers and sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Jose L. Longoria, Steven M. Kenison
  • Vacuum module for tortilla counter-stacker
    Patent number: 6168370
    Abstract: A counter-stacker (10) for tortillas includes a housing (12), a perforated belt (16) within the housing (12), the perforated belt (16) adapted and arranged to receive incoming tortillas (42) and form vacuum-lifted tortillas (42A). At least one stacker belt (26) is rotatably mounted within the housing (12). A vacuum housing (28) is sealably mounted to the housing (12), the vacuum housing (28) connected to a means of producing vacuum (30). At least one stacker canister (32) is positioned under a rear end of the perforated belt (16). A bottom perforated plate (36A) has a plurality of bottom perforated plate openings (36AA) therethrough positioned within the perforated belt (16). A top perforated plate (36B) is slidably positioned on top of the bottom perforated plate (36A), the top perforated plate (36B) comprising a plurality of complimentary positioned top perforated plate openings (36BA).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: ITE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Longoria, Steven M. Kenison
  • Tortilla counter-stacker
    Patent number: 6053695
    Abstract: A tortilla counter-stacker (10) having a canister (12) which has a canister side (12C) having a horizontal canister side slot (12CA) disposed therein. A stacker (16) is positioned adjacent to the canister (12). The stacker (16) has a stacker cylinder (16A) having a movable stacker cylinder piston (16AA) attached at a front distal end to a rear distal end of a horizontal stacker cylinder piston plate (16AAA) which inserts and retracts through the canister side slot (12CA). A lift (18) is positioned directly below the canister (12). The lift (18) has a lift cylinder (18A) having a lift cylinder piston (18AA) movably positioned therein. The lift cylinder piston (18AA) has a horizontal lift cylinder piston plate (18AAA) securely attached to a top distal end thereof. An upper conveyor (20) is horizontally positioned in alignment with the canister top (12T). The upper conveyor (20) has a rotatable upper conveyor belt (20A) upon which incoming tortillas (28C) are placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: ITE, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose L. Longoria, Steven M. Kenison