Patents Assigned to Trade Fixtures, LLC
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Publication number: 20240092583Abstract: A gravity-feed dispenser is connected to a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The gravity-feed dispenser includes a spout and a valve separating the hopper from the spout. An actuator assembly is connected to the valve and includes a detectable element. The actuator assembly is operable to move the valve between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper out of the spout. A fixture is configured to engage and support the gravity feed dispenser. A sensor is connected to the fixture and is positioned relative to the actuator assembly. The sensor operates to detect the detectable element of the actuator assembly and produce a signal indicative of the open condition or the closed condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Christopher Lyons, Craig Pavlich
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Patent number: 11904323Abstract: A viscous food product dispensing system having a transport section for receiving a particulate food product from a bin, an auger for processing and conveying the received particulate food product from the transport section into an outlet adapter via one or more flutes, a milling device housed in the outlet adapter, and a discharge nozzle in the outlet adapter that pinches off the viscous food product created by the milling device. The auger has a unique design that allows it to engage and break whole nuts.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, Vaishakh Rajan, Ronald Brundick, Pranav Bhat
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Publication number: 20230397742Abstract: A gravity-feed dispensing system includes a hopper configured to hold a bulk material for dispense. The hopper includes a mouth. A dispenser includes a valve operable between open and closed conditions to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the hopper through an outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to selectively connect the valve to the mouth of the hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Christopher Lyons, Craig Pavlich, Shaji Veettil
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Publication number: 20220296009Abstract: A bulk food product gravity-feed dispenser includes a compartment configured to receive and store bulk food material. A valve separates the compartment from an outlet. The valve operates to open and close to selectively permit bulk food material to pass from the compartment through the outlet. An electromechanical motor is communicatively connected to a controller and mechanically connected to the valve. The controller operates in response to receipt of a dispense instruction input to produce a control signal to the electromechanical motor. The electromechanical motor operates to move the valve between a closed position and an open position to dispense a portion of the bulk food material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Craig Pavlich, Christopher Lyons, Austen Siwiec
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Patent number: 11440018Abstract: A viscous food dispensing system includes a chute inlet configured to funnel particulate food product into a sleeve and a transport device having an over-center cutout. The transport device is configured to rotate within the sleeve to convey the particulate food product. A processing surface extends downward from the chute inlet towards a curved base of the sleeve along a portion of the transport device. The processing surface is spaced laterally apart from the transport device to define a processing zone between the processing surface and the transport device. The particulate food product is processed as the particulate food product is captured between a leading edge of the over-center cutout and the processing surface while the transport device is rotating.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick, Ashok Dyavarasegowda
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Publication number: 20220257031Abstract: A gravity-feed dispenser for storage and dispensing of bulk material includes a compartment. A gate separates the compartment from a spout. The gate is operable to open and close to selectively permit bulk material to pass from the compartment into the spout. An actuator is movable relative to the spout and mechanically connected to the gate such that movement of the actuator operates the gate to reversibly open and close. Movement of the actuator concurrently reversibly positions the actuator to a dispensing position below a dispensing end of the spout, wherein dispensed bulk material passes through the spout and the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Shaji Kulangara Veettil, Ronald Brundick, Christoper Lyons, Austen Siwiec, Craig Pavlich
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Publication number: 20210244198Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. One or more fins contact interior and/or exterior surfaces of the gate to provide cleaning functionality of the gate and/or sealing functionality between the gate and the dispensing chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Patent number: 10945537Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. One or more fins contact interior and/or exterior surfaces of the gate to provide cleaning functionality of the gate and/or sealing functionality between the gate and the dispensing chute.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Publication number: 20210046485Abstract: A viscous food product dispensing system having a transport section for receiving a particulate food product from a bin, an auger for processing and conveying the received particulate food product from the transport section into an outlet adapter via one or more flutes, a milling device housed in the outlet adapter, and a discharge nozzle in the outlet adapter that pinches off the viscous food product created by the milling device. The auger has a unique design that allows it to engage and break whole nuts.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, Vaishakh Rajan, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick, Ashok Dyavarasegowda, Pranav Bhat
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Publication number: 20200391230Abstract: A nozzle for a viscous food dispensing system configured to dispense a viscous food product includes a nozzle passage extending from a nozzle inlet to a nozzle outlet, and a first port positioned proximate the nozzle outlet. A valve insert is positioned within the nozzle passage between the nozzle inlet and the first port, and the valve insert includes a second port. The first port and the second port are configured to move between an open position and a closed position in which flow from the nozzle inlet to the nozzle outlet is restricted by the second port then restricted by the first port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2020Publication date: December 17, 2020Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick, Ashok Dyavarasegowda
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Patent number: 10843203Abstract: A viscous food product dispensing system having a transport section for receiving a particulate food product from a bin, an auger for processing and conveying the received particulate food product from the transport section into an outlet adapter via one or more flutes, a milling device housed in the outlet adapter, and a discharge nozzle in the outlet adapter that pinches off the viscous food product created by the milling device. The auger has a unique design that allows it to engage and break whole nuts.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, Vaishakh Rajan, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick, Ashok Dyavarasegowda, Pranav Bhat
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Publication number: 20200290054Abstract: A viscous food dispensing system includes a chute inlet configured to funnel particulate food product into a sleeve and a transport device having an over-center cutout. The transport device is configured to rotate within the sleeve to convey the particulate food product. A processing surface extends downward from the chute inlet towards a curved base of the sleeve along a portion of the transport device. The processing surface is spaced laterally apart from the transport device to define a processing zone between the processing surface and the transport device. The particulate food product is processed as the particulate food product is captured between a leading edge of the over-center cutout and the processing surface while the transport device is rotating.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, John Calow, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick, Ashok Dyavarasegowda
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Patent number: 10450152Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. The main bin includes a vertical front wall joined to planar first front surface that is disposed below the vertical front wall, at an angle relative to the vertical front wall so as to direct bulk material inwardly towards the interior of the storage reservoir. A second planar front surface is joined to the first front surface, and disposed at an angle relative to the first front surface, so as to direct the bulk material towards the dispensing chute.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Publication number: 20190092617Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. One or more fins contact interior and/or exterior surfaces of the gate to provide cleaning functionality of the gate and/or sealing functionality between the gate and the dispensing chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Publication number: 20180155141Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin includes a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position, the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute. The main bin includes a vertical front wall joined to planar first front surface that is disposed below the vertical front wall, at an angle relative to the vertical front wall so as to direct bulk material inwardly towards the interior of the storage reservoir. A second planar front surface is joined to the first front surface, and disposed at an angle relative to the first front surface, so as to direct the bulk material towards the dispensing chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Trade Fixtures, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Patent number: 9872572Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin having an open end, a storage reservoir and a dispensing chute. The dispensing chute has an opening disposed near a distal end. The bin also includes a gate seal and a dispensing gate movable between open and closed positions. When the dispensing gate is in the closed position the dispensing gate blocks the opening of the dispensing chute and the gate seal forms a seal between the opening and the dispensing gate. A first generally hollow extension section may be selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. A resilient seal element may be intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section. In some embodiments a gasket lid having a sealing gasket is selectably coupled to the bin.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Patent number: 9611108Abstract: An anti-oxidation bulk product dispensing system for oxidation-sensitive bulk product includes a gravity-feed bin, an oxygen displacement substance, a supply source, and a control valve. A reservoir of the gravity feed bin is filled through an inlet with oxidation-sensitive bulk product. The product is stored in the reservoir and selectively dispensed through an outlet of the bin. The bin inadvertently receives oxygenated ambient air while receiving and dispensing the product. The supply source is configured to selectively provide the oxygen displacement substance to the bin. The control valve is in communication with the supply source and the bin and is configured to selectively deliver the oxygen displacement substance to the bin. The oxygen displacement substance displaces the oxygenated ambient air in the bin, thereby lessening oxidation of the stored product.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom, Ronald Brundick
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Patent number: 9278788Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is increased by the first extension section. In some embodiments a seal element is intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. A plurality of extension sections and seal elements may be selectably coupled together in a stacked arrangement upon the main bin to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventor: Ronald Brundick
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Patent number: 9185996Abstract: A gravity-feed bin includes a generally hollow main bin that has a storage reservoir and an open end. A first generally hollow extension section is selectably coupled to the open end of the main bin. The first extension section is in communication with the reservoir, and the storage capacity of the reservoir is increased by the first extension section. In some embodiments a seal element is intermediate the open end of the main bin and the first extension section, the seal element providing a substantially air-tight seal between the main bin and the first extension section. A plurality of extension sections and seal elements may be selectably coupled together in a stacked arrangement upon the main bin to increase the storage capacity of the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventors: Ronald Brundick, Scott Johnson, John Clayton Odom
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Patent number: D810565Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: TRADE FIXTURES, LLCInventors: Scott Johnson, Ronald Brundick, John Clayton Odom, Pranav Bhat, Shaji Kulangara Veettil, Ashok Dyavarasegowda