Patents by Inventor Ben James Wilson Findlay

Ben James Wilson Findlay 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: 10358241
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for picking up and releasing a group of food slices, the group of slices being arranged with a slice at one end lying on a support surface and each subsequent slice through to the slice at the other end lying against the preceding slice and being displaced relative to the preceding slice. A counter hold is provided opposite a first structure which comprises a first blade portion. A displacement mechanism is provided for moving at least one of the first structure and the counter hold away from and towards the other. A tilting mechanism is able to rotate the blade portion. To pick up a group of food slices, at least one of the first structure and the counter hold moves towards the other. The tilting mechanism rotates the first blade portion such that it tilts towards the counter hold causing the group of food slices to be arranged in a stack between the first blade portion and the counter hold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Thurne-Middleby Ltd
    Inventor: Ben James Wilson Findlay
  • Patent number: 10150219
    Abstract: Provided is a gripper device to pick up items, such as sausages, from a first position with the items in a side by side arrangement, to a second position where the items are released. Provided are a plurality of side by side and spaced apart item holders each adapted to the shape of the items configured for picking up the side by side items and having a pitch distance between adjacent item holders substantially the same as the pitch distance between adjacent items at the first position. A pitch distance adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the pitch distance between adjacent spaced apart item holders to arrange the received items into a group of items, before release at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAREL A/S
    Inventors: Jack William Ridel, Ben James Wilson Findlay
  • Publication number: 20160361824
    Abstract: Provided is a gripper device to pick up items, such as sausages, from a first position with the items in a side by side arrangement, to a second position where the items are released. Provided are a plurality of side by side and spaced apart item holders each adapted to the shape of the items configured for picking up the side by side items and having a pitch distance between adjacent item holders substantially the same as the pitch distance between adjacent items at the first position. A pitch distance adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the pitch distance between adjacent spaced apart item holders to arrange the received items into a group of items, before release at the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jack William Ridel, Ben James Wilson Findlay
  • Publication number: 20160176561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for picking up and releasing a group of food slices, the group of slices being arranged with a slice at one end lying on a support surface and each subsequent slice through to the slice at the other end lying against the preceding slice and being displaced relative to the preceding slice. A counter hold is provided opposite a first structure which comprises a first blade portion. A displacement mechanism is provided for moving at least one of the first structure and the counter hold away from and towards the other. A tilting mechanism is able to rotate the blade portion. To pick up a group of food slices, at least one of the first structure and the counter hold moves towards the other. The tilting mechanism rotates the first blade portion such that it tilts towards the counter hold causing the group of food slices to be arranged in a stack between the first blade portion and the counter hold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Ben James Wilson Findlay