Patents by Inventor Alan G. Miller

Alan G. Miller 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: 11606957
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanical system for providing a food product on a sheet of paper. The disclosed mechanical system includes an adjustable conveyor belt system that is configured to enable a puck of food product to land up-right. The angle (e.g., slope) of the adjustable conveyor belt system can be adjusted to account for variations in the size and shape of the puck. The disclosed mechanical system also includes a flattener that is configured to provide memory to the pressed pucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20220240523
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanical system for providing a food product on a sheet of paper. The disclosed mechanical system includes an adjustable conveyor belt system that is configured to enable a puck of food product to land up-right. The angle (e.g., slope) of the adjustable conveyor belt system can be adjusted to account for variations in the size and shape of the puck. The disclosed mechanical system also includes a flattener that is configured to provide memory to the pressed pucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventor: Alan G. MILLER
  • Patent number: 11304423
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanical system for providing a food product on a sheet of paper. The disclosed mechanical system includes an adjustable conveyor belt system that is configured to enable a puck of food product to land up-right. The angle (e.g., slope) of the adjustable conveyor belt system can be adjusted to account for variations in the size and shape of the puck. The disclosed mechanical system also includes a flattener that is configured to provide memory to the pressed pucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20190335769
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a mechanical system for providing a food product on a sheet of paper. The disclosed mechanical system includes an adjustable conveyor belt system that is configured to enable a puck of food product to land up-right. The angle (e.g., slope) of the adjustable conveyor belt system can be adjusted to account for variations in the size and shape of the puck. The disclosed mechanical system also includes a flattener that is configured to provide memory to the pressed pucks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventor: Alan G. MILLER
  • Patent number: 9596867
    Abstract: An input conveyor, output conveyor, and knife assembly with a blade between the input and output conveyors all reciprocate back and forth as a blade moves perpendicular to the conveyors to cut portioned sized of product, such as ground meat. The cut cycle allows the product feed to keep moving in a continuous manner on conveyors. For ground meat, this system can allow production rates of 150 pieces or more per minute per conveyor line and can improve the accuracy of portioning. The blade is actuated by a profiled cam set that pulls the blade down, and then returns it with a spring to an upper position. The knife assembly can accelerate just after cutting to reduce the potential for sticking to the cut product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20150343654
    Abstract: An input conveyor, output conveyor, and knife assembly with a blade between the input and output conveyors all reciprocate back and forth as a blade moves perpendicular to the conveyors to cut portioned sized of product, such as ground meat. The cut cycle allows the product feed to keep moving in a continuous manner on conveyors. For ground meat, this system can allow production rates of 150 pieces or more per minute per conveyor line and can improve the accuracy of portioning. The blade is actuated by a profiled cam set that pulls the blade down, and then returns it with a spring to an upper position. The knife assembly can accelerate just after cutting to reduce the potential for sticking to the cut product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventor: Alan G. MILLER
  • Patent number: 9107424
    Abstract: An input conveyor, output conveyor, and knife assembly with a blade between the input and output conveyors all reciprocate back and forth as a blade moves perpendicular to the conveyors to cut portioned sized of product, such as ground meat. The cut cycle allows the product feed to keep moving in a continuous manner on conveyors. For ground meat, this system can allow production rates of 150 pieces or more per minute per conveyor line and can improve the accuracy of portioning. The blade is actuated by a profiled cam set that pulls the blade down, and then returns it with a spring to an upper position. The knife assembly can accelerate just after cutting to reduce the potential for sticking to the cut product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Patent number: 8840390
    Abstract: A cut-off device is used for providing a deposit of known portion weight of the ground meat or paste. This deposit is dropped accurately onto a conveyor belt for transport to a press wheel the height of which, from the conveyor, can be adjusted to provide a finished product of correct thickness. The press wheel has a system of vacuum ducts around the circumference in four chambers that pull paper from a de-nesting tray situated at the top of the press wheel, at the correct interval as to meet up with the deposit at the base of the wheel. This results in the deposit being pressed to the required thickness onto the conveyor, with the interleave paper attached to the top of the now formed patty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Risco USA Corporation
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130000454
    Abstract: An input conveyor, output conveyor, and knife assembly with a blade between the input and output conveyors all reciprocate back and forth as a blade moves perpendicular to the conveyors to cut portioned sized of product, such as ground meat. The cut cycle allows the product feed to keep moving in a continuous manner on conveyors. For ground meat, this system can allow production rates of 150 pieces or more per minute per conveyor line and can improve the accuracy of portioning. The blade is actuated by a profiled cam set that pulls the blade down, and then returns it with a spring to an upper position. The knife assembly can accelerate just after cutting to reduce the potential for sticking to the cut product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. MILLER
  • Publication number: 20090087530
    Abstract: A cut-off device is used for providing a deposit of known portion weight of the ground meat or paste. This deposit is dropped accurately onto a conveyor belt for transport to a press wheel the height of which, from the conveyor, can be adjusted to provide a finished product of correct thickness. The press wheel has a system of vacuum ducts around the circumference in four chambers that pull paper from a de-nesting tray situated at the top of the press wheel, at the correct interval as to meet up with the deposit at the base of the wheel. This results in the deposit being pressed to the required thickness onto the conveyor, with the interleave paper attached to the top of the now formed patty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: RISCO USA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan G. MILLER
  • Patent number: 6920711
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a photo display system having a decorative frame, an imaged transparency disposed on the decorative frame and a diffuser film disposed on the imaged transparency. The photo display system also has a base having a means for mounting the decorative frame and a means for attaching a diffuse reflector. The diffuse reflector is disposed behind the decorative frame as viewed from the imaged transparency side of the photo display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Alan G. Miller, Douglas P. Hills
  • Patent number: 6913722
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Alan G. Miller, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Publication number: 20040181990
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a photo display system having a decorative frame, an imaged transparency disposed on the decorative frame and a diffuser film disposed on the imaged transparency. The photo display system also has a base having a means for mounting the decorative frame and a means for attaching a diffuse reflector. The diffuse reflector is disposed behind the decorative frame as viewed from the imaged transparency side of the photo display system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: ALAN G. MILLER, DOUGLAS P. HILLS
  • Publication number: 20040181989
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a photo display system that can quickly and easily be converted from an ambient light backlit viewing mode to a powered backlit viewing mode. The photo display system includes an imaged transparency, a diffuser film disposed next to the imaged transparency and a diffuse reflector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20030129301
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Alan G. Miller, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 6521325
    Abstract: A receptor medium with a sheet having an optically transmissive microembossed imaging surface as one major surface thereof. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, biological fluids, chemical assay reagents, particulate dispersions, waxes, and combinations thereof. The microembossed medium unexpectedly solves such common inkjet printing problems as feathering, banding, and mudcracking in inkjet printing systems by controlling how an inkjet drop contacts and dries on an inkjet receptor medium and also Moire' effects but also provides sufficient optical transmissivity to be useful as overhead transparency media, backlit signage, and the like. Clear lines of demarcation between adjoining colors of a pigmented inkjet image graphic can be obtained without creation of the Moire' effects. Methods of making and using the inkjet receptor medium are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lori P. Engle, Robert T. Fehr, Patrick R. Fleming, Alan G. Miller, Todd R. Williams, Caroline M. Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 6500527
    Abstract: An image receiving layer comprising an ink receptive crosslinked polymer comprising the reaction product of a multifunctional aziridine crosslinking agent and a polymer containing protonated pyridine substituents. Image receiving layers may also contain at least one swellable polymer and additives such as particulates, mordants, fillers and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020150732
    Abstract: An image receiving layer comprising an ink receptive crosslinked polymer comprising the reaction product of a multifunctional aziridine crosslinking agent and a polymer containing protonated pyridine substituents. Image receiving layers may also contain at least one swellable polymer and additives such as particulates, mordants, fillers and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Manisha Sarkar, Mahfuza B. Ali, Alan G. Miller
  • Publication number: 20020142141
    Abstract: An image receiving layer comprising an ink receptive crosslinked polymer comprising the reaction product of a multifunctional aziridine crosslinking agent and a polymer containing protonated pyridine substituents. Image receiving layers may also contain at least one swellable polymer and additives such as particulates, mordants, fillers and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Alan G. Miller
  • Patent number: 5712027
    Abstract: An improved ink-receptive sheet comprising a substrate bearing on at least one major surface thereof an ink-receptive layer which comprises at least one ink receptive polymer and an effective amount of polymeric mordant having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the group consisting of a COO-alkylene group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, a CONH-alkylene group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, --COO--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O)n--CH.sub.2, --CONH--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O)n--CH.sub.2 -- and .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 Cl.paren close-st.n, wherein n is from 1 to about 5;E and D are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;or A, E, D and N are combined to form a heterocyclic compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## R.sub.1 and R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Mahfuza B. Ali, Omar Farooq, Mohammed Iqbal, Alan G. Miller