Patents by Inventor Thomas IVY

Thomas IVY 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: 11447280
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: André G. Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Publication number: 20210094712
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: André G. RICHARDS, Thomas IVY, Keith W. HOPKINS, George E. REED
  • Publication number: 20210068407
    Abstract: A food product gathering and dispensing system is disclosed. The food product is generally a flat disc shaped article dispensed onto a consumable strip of food product conveyer material. The food product is fed to single, or series related, spools that wind up the consumable conveyer material and food product into a removable roll or stack. The roll or stack is placed into a dispenser pack, optionally subject to further environmental treatment, and refrigeration. The pack is then installed within a refrigerated dispenser system where the food product and consumable material are collectively unwound and/or separated, as the food product is fed into a processing system, i.e., a cooking device. The consumable conveyer material is collected and separately discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Gregg A. MARTIN, Thomas IVY, André G. RICHARDS
  • Patent number: 10865003
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Andre Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. Reed
  • Patent number: 10842160
    Abstract: A food product gathering and dispensing system is disclosed. The food product is generally a flat disc shaped article dispensed onto a consumable strip of food product conveyer material. The food product is fed to single, or series related, spools that wind up the consumable conveyer material and food product into a removable roll or stack. The roll or stack is placed into a dispenser pack, optionally subject to further environmental treatment, and refrigeration. The pack is then installed within a refrigerated dispenser system where the food product and consumable material are collectively unwound and/or separated, as the food product is fed into a processing system, i.e., a cooking device. The consumable conveyer material is collected and separately discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Gregg A. Martin, Thomas Ivy, Andre Richards
  • Patent number: 10350769
    Abstract: A food product handling device includes a movable loading head having a plurality of coupling rails, a vacuum system operatively associated with the loading head, a plurality of suction devices carried by the loading head and configured to pick up and transport a food product, a plurality of mounting blocks slidably coupled to each other by the coupling rails, and an actuating device operatively associated with the mounting blocks for sliding each of the mounting blocks between a first position and a second position. Each of the suction devices is selectively coupled to the vacuum system. At least one of the suction devices coupled to each of the mounting blocks. The actuating device includes an actuating cylinder configured to displace the mounting blocks between the first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Andre Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George Reed
  • Publication number: 20190177015
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Andre RICHARDS, Thomas Ivy, Keith W. Hopkins, George E. REED
  • Publication number: 20190061981
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for processing and packaging food product. The system includes at least a transportation system configured to move food product on a conveyor belt, and a collection system configured to receive the food product from the transportation system on a disposable conveyor sheet, and further configured to package the disposable conveyor sheet with the food product thereon on and/or in a dispenser pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Andre Richards, George E. Reed, Thomas Ivy
  • Patent number: 10207830
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Andre Richards, Thomas Ivy, Keith Wayne Hopkins, George Reed
  • Publication number: 20180325129
    Abstract: A food product gathering and dispensing system is disclosed. The food product is generally a flat disc shaped article dispensed onto a consumable strip of food product conveyer material. The food product is fed to single, or series related, spools that wind up the consumable conveyer material and food product into a removable roll or stack. The roll or stack is placed into a dispenser pack, optionally subject to further environmental treatment, and refrigeration. The pack is then installed within a refrigerated dispenser system where the food product and consumable material are collectively unwound and/or separated, as the food product is fed into a processing system, i.e., a cooking device. The consumable conveyer material is collected and separately discarded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Gregg A. MARTIN, Thomas IVY, Andre RICHARDS
  • Publication number: 20170266817
    Abstract: A food product handling device includes a movable loading head having a plurality of coupling rails, a vacuum system operatively associated with the loading head, a plurality of suction devices carried by the loading head and configured to pick up and transport a food product, a plurality of mounting blocks slidably coupled to each other by the coupling rails, and an actuating device operatively associated with the mounting blocks for sliding each of the mounting blocks between a first position and a second position. Each of the suction devices is selectively coupled to the vacuum system. At least one of the suction devices coupled to each of the mounting blocks. The actuating device includes an actuating cylinder configured to displace the mounting blocks between the first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Andre RICHARDS, Thomas IVY, Keith W. HOPKINS, George REED
  • Patent number: 9611867
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Ivy, Guy C Eastwood
  • Publication number: 20150184679
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: STEVEN THOMAS IVY, GUY C. EASTWOOD
  • Patent number: 8950181
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Ivy, Guy Carl Eastwood
  • Publication number: 20140360137
    Abstract: A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Andre RICHARDS, Thomas IVY, Keith Wayne HOPKINS, George REED
  • Patent number: 8247678
    Abstract: A system for changing the acoustical characteristics of a musical membranophone having a vibrating membrane or a stringed musical instrument having a sound box includes an overlay including indicia dividing a surface of the vibrating membrane or sound box into discrete zones enabling a user to position magnetic members to obtain predictable effects based on experimentation or a guide such as a diagram illustrating the position of magnetic members on the overlay, a first rare earth magnetic member is adapted to be disposed on a first side of the membrane or sound box, a second rare earth magnetic member is disposed on an opposed side of the membrane or sound box such that the first and second magnetic members are magnetically engaged on opposed sides of the membrane or sound box wherein the mass of the first and second magnetic member is sufficient to change the acoustical characteristics of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Thomas Ivy
  • Publication number: 20100307147
    Abstract: Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Ivy, Guy Carl Eastwood