Patents by Inventor Dan G. Hopkins

Dan G. Hopkins 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).

  • Hinged pocket thermal breaker and refrigeration unit
    Patent number: 6178763
    Abstract: A refrigeration unit with a thermal break member and an anti-sweat heating mechanism in the form of a heater wire suitable for high humidity environments is provided. The thermal break member includes a main body portion and a conduit portion connected to the main body portion. The conduit portion defines a channel disposed near the access opening of the refrigerated compartment and configured to receive therein the heater wire. The thermal break member includes a closure member and a flexible hinge portion. The flexible hinge portion has a first end connected to the main body portion and a second end connected to the closure member. A typical value for the durometer of the flexible hinge portion is 70 Shore A, and a typical value for the durometer of the main body portion and the closure member is 80 Shore D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry A. Brancheau, Dan G. Hopkins, Thomas E. Yingst, Michael A. Branz
  • Food preparation table with open air food storage
    Patent number: 5168719
    Abstract: A food preparation table includes a cabinet with a food preparation surface and a heat-insulated food storage compartment. An evaporator and a fan are disposed inside the cabinet so that air moves through the evaporator upon operation of the fan. In one embodiment, a temperature controller operates the evaporator fan only during operation of the refrigeration equipment in the cooling mode. A condiment plenum is disposed adjacent to the preparation surface and includes at least one condiment plenum wall that defines a complex structure. At least one open top condiment pan is received by the condiment plenum. A cool air supply system, which can include an auxiliary fan, one or more baffles, and air flow dams and guides, efficiently distributes cool air from a localized site, to widely dispersed locations, some of which being inside the storage compartment and some of which being exposed to the ambient atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Ralph A. Fuhrmann, Jr., Dan G. Hopkins, Harry A. Brancheau
  • Integral moving message device for merchandising display case
    Patent number: 4738042
    Abstract: A commerical merchandising unit for displaying products offered for sale is integrally provided with a device displaying moving merchandising message indicia. Fixed merchandising message indicia may further be integrally combined in the general vicinity of the moving indicia. The integral appearance of either the moving indicia, or the fixed and moving indicia, combined with a merchandising unit, such as a refrigerated display case, significantly enhances the merchandising affect of the merchandising indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Corden, Robert A. Johnson, Joseph G. Correia, Dan G. Hopkins
  • Two door refrigerator with curved doors
    Patent number: D377800
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Harry A. Brancheau, Ronald D. Upton, Dan G. Hopkins