Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Mau & Krull, P.A.
  • Patent number: 5980966
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for pressing meat products. The system includes a press rack having platens that are movable between a loading position in which meat products can be loaded between the platens, and a pressing position in which the platens are adapted to press the meat products. A hydraulic locking and release mechanism is used to selectively retain the platens in the pressing position. The system also includes a floor mounted closing unit that provides the power for moving the press rack from the loading position to the pressing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Handel
  • Patent number: 5975004
    Abstract: A canoe attachment includes a frame made of cylindrical members arranged in a substantially rectangular configuration. A seat is suspend between the forward frame member and the rearward frame member. A "forward-facing" rowing assembly is rotatably mounted on each of the opposite side frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Inventor: Michael J. Nesseth
  • Patent number: 5954381
    Abstract: An adapter for connecting a bed rail to a truck box includes a mounting block (10) having a threaded mounting fastener aperture (15). The mounting block (10) also includes a groove (12) which has a configuration which matches that of the cross sectional configuration of the bed rail (30). A threaded bed rail bore (13) is positioned in the block (10) to allow a set screw (14) to firmly hold the bed rail (30) after is has been inserted into the mounting block (10). The mounting block (10) is secured to the storage box (10) by means of a threaded bolt which is inserted through a mounting fastener opening (22) in the mounting section (20a) of the storage box (20). The bolt goes through the storage box (20) mounting block (10) and is held in position by a nut (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventors: Daniel Paul Theriot, Barry Alan Benoit
  • Patent number: 5931247
    Abstract: A forester harvester has a house frame mounted on a base assembly and rotatable relative thereto about an axis of rotation. A boom is mounted on the house frame at a location radially offset from the axis of rotation. A cab is mounted on the house frame adjacent the boom and as forward as possible without protruding beyond the tail swing circumference of the house frame. A motor is mounted on the house frame rearward of the boom and the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Robin A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5924260
    Abstract: An anchorage assembly is formed by a first member and a second member. Each member is movable into and out of a channel, but when connected together, the interconnected members resist removal from the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Inventors: Barry J. Austin, Paul S. Illick
  • Patent number: 5915338
    Abstract: A turkey loading apparatus and method for loading turkeys includes a support structure adapted to the position at a gathering location. A conveyer conveys the turkeys to a dumping end. A loading box is operatively connected to the support structure. The loading box is moveable between a first and second position. A loading box has an exit, wherein when the exit is opened the turkeys are unloaded into the coop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley E. Fitzsimmons, William R. Green, James Hoglund
  • Patent number: 5879271
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a support member that is movable relative to a frame, and a force receiving member that is movable relative to the support member. A first end of the support member is pivotally connected to the frame, and a second, opposite end of the support member is supported on a crank. A flexible link is interconnected between the crank and the force receiving member. The crank, the roller, the support member, and the link cooperate to move the force receiving member in a desired path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 5862747
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for pressing meat products. The system includes a press rack having platens that are movable between a loading position in which meat products can be loaded between the platens, and a pressing position in which the platens are adapted to press the meat products. A hydraulic locking and release mechanism is used to selectively retain the platens in the pressing position. The system also includes a floor mounted closing unit that provides the power for moving the press rack from the loading position to the pressing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Gary A. Handel
  • Patent number: 5857941
    Abstract: A crank is rotatably mounted on a frame, and a roller is rotatably mounted on the crank at a radially displaced location. A force receiving member and a discrete support member bear against the roller. The roller links rotation of the crank relative to the frame to up and down movement of both the force receiving member and the support member and to back and forth movement of the force receiving member relative to the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Inventors: Joseph D. Maresh, Kenneth W. Stearns
  • Patent number: 5848954
    Abstract: An exercise apparatus includes a crank rotatably mounted on a frame, and an axially extending support connected to the crank at a radially displaced location. Both a force receiving member and a discrete support member are linked to the axially extending support in such a manner that rotation of the crank relative to the frame is linked to movement of the force receiving member in a generally elliptical path relative to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Stearns, Joseph D. Maresh
  • Patent number: 5837305
    Abstract: A method of making bacon bits from bacon or bacon ends and pieces. Bacon or bacon ends and pieces are reduced to a first size, cooked sufficiently to bring its water activity level to a first level, wherein the bacon or bacon ends and pieces have a pink color after cooking. Then, the bacon or bacon ends and pieces are fried to bring their water activity level to a second level, wherein the bacon or bacon ends and pieces have a dark red color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Gale F. Kunert
  • Patent number: 5798133
    Abstract: A method of making bacon bits from raw bellies. The raw bellies are sized to a first size. Then, the sized bellies are mixed with water and curing ingredients to form a product mixture. The mixture is heated to above 120.degree. F. wherein protein within the product mixture is substantially denatured. The product is then mixed further and then heated to at least 180.degree. F. Finishing processing takes the product mixture to a water activity level of 0.85 or less. In one embodiment, encapsulated salt is added with the curing ingredients. In another embodiment regular salt is added after the protein has been denatured. In both embodiments, the salt does not reach the protein within the bacon until the protein has been denatured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventor: Gale F. Kunert
  • Patent number: D402378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Cole Sewell Corporation
    Inventor: John M. Parkhurst
  • Patent number: D405698
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Lykken, Russell C. Potter
  • Patent number: D413125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: The Toro Company
    Inventors: Bertrand Vachon, Jay J. Kakuk, Darren Redetzke, Darrell W. Hinklin