Patents Assigned to NATIONAL BEEF PACKING COMPANY, LLC
  • Patent number: 11827396
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David M. Kalscheur, Steven J. Scott, Joaquin L Urias
  • Patent number: 11753690
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 11248273
    Abstract: Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 11111551
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 11008226
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for cleaning brine solution are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a brine cleaning system that includes a brine cooker, a brine filter, and a brine storage unit. The brine cooker heats a dirty brine solution to separate the dirty brine solution into a liquid portion and a solids portion. The brine filter is coupled to the brine cooker to receive the liquid portion and the solids portion from the brine cooker and then substantially remove the solids portion. The brine storage unit is coupled to the brine filter to accumulate the liquid portion once the solids portion have been substantially removed by the brine filter. This allows for more efficient and environmentally friendly use of brine solution in the curing of animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Joseph Determann
  • Patent number: 10752967
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 10480040
    Abstract: Methods and systems for customizing hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that improves profitability and customer satisfaction by facilitating the customization of hides according to customer orders. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency and responsiveness by producing packages of hides that exactly match customer orders. Additionally, one or more embodiments enhance the traceability of hides by capturing data related to the customization of hides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 10428398
    Abstract: Methods for preparing an animal hide for chrome tanning are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments include treating the hide with a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polysulfide. This treatment facilitates improved removal of hair from the hide. Furthermore, one or more embodiments include various combinations of treating the hide with a third enzyme, a liming agent, a pH-modifying agent, one or more sulfides, and one or more soaking agents. In addition, one or more embodiments include sanitizing the hide and liming the hide to further facilitate the processing of the animal hide into leather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventor: Shaun Francis Gleeson
  • Patent number: 10151005
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 9951394
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing raw animal hides into leather are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning manager that directs the routing of hides to a plurality of tanning drums. This allows the tanning manager to efficiently use the capacity of the plurality of tanning drums and provides improved consistency in the tanning of the hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning manager to route hides to tanning drums based on various factors, such as hide type, hide weight, and hide size. In addition, one or more embodiments provide the tanning manager with greater control over the processing of hides into leather by customizing the tanning recipes applied to each batch of hides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press, Shaun Francis Gleeson
  • Patent number: 9530162
    Abstract: Methods and systems for sorting hides are provided. In particular, one or more embodiments comprise a tanning control system that enhances the traceability of hides by capturing and utilizing data related to the unloading, tanning, sorting, and packaging of hides. Furthermore, one or more embodiments enable the tanning control system to improve efficiency by sorting hides based, at least in part, on data generated during prior tanning processes. Additionally, one or more embodiments facilitate the tanning control system in customizing the sorting and packaging of hides based, at least in part, on one or more hide characteristics and/or customer specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Horst Hein, Kenneth Graham Press
  • Patent number: 9296504
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David Michael Kalscheur, Steven Joseph Scott, Joaquin L. Urias
  • Patent number: 9266633
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: National Beef Packing Company, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David M. Kalscheur, Steven J. Scott, Joaquin L. Urias
  • Publication number: 20120231130
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: NATIONAL BEEF PACKING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David Michael Kalscheur, Steven Joseph Scott, Joaquin L. Urias
  • Publication number: 20110262603
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL BEEF PACKING COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip W. Blattner, James C. Graves, Gary B. Hersh, David M. Kalscheur, Steven J. Scott, Joaquin L. Urias