Patents by Inventor Amelinda MELANSON

Amelinda MELANSON 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).

  • Method and apparatus for compacting product
    Patent number: 10308379
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk, Frank M. Brenkus, Jerry M. Reaves, Amelinda Melanson, Leon J. Krause, Ronald M. Gust
  • Method and apparatus for compacting product
    Patent number: 8656690
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk, Frank M. Brenkus, Kevin Cote, Amelinda Melanson, Jerry M. Reaves
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20140020336
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. BIERSCHENK, Frank M. BRENKUS, Jerry M. REAVES, Amelinda MELANSON, Leon J. KRAUSE, Ronald M. GUST
  • Method and apparatus for compacting product
    Patent number: 8567165
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Douglas Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Bierschenk, Frank M. Brenkus, Jerry M. Reaves, Amelinda Melanson, Leon J. Krause, Ronald M. Gust
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20110154783
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. BIERSCHENK, Frank M. BRENKUS, Kevin COTE, Amelinda MELANSON, Jerry M. REAVES
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING PRODUCT
    Publication number: 20110131934
    Abstract: A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacting by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: FRITO-LAY NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick J. BIERSCHENK, Frank M. BRENKUS, Jerry M. REAVES, Amelinda MELANSON, Leon J. KRAUSE, Ronald M. GUST