Patents by Inventor David Hufford

David Hufford 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: 9950917
    Abstract: There is shown a dispensing apparatus for use with pressurized containers of fluids, particularly carbonated beverages such as beer. A base that fits onto the container has a piston member slidably fitted to it, along with a compressed gas housing and a pickup tube or assembly. A handle moves the piston member with respect to the base against a spring bias. A gas flow path from the housing to the container passes through a valve, that is opened by the piston member as the handle is moved. Moving the handle opens both a liquid flow path as well as a gas flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventors: Brian A. Chapman, David Hufford
  • Publication number: 20170267510
    Abstract: Among other things, there is shown an embodiment of a dispensing apparatus for use with pressurized containers of fluids, particularly carbonated beverages such as beer. A base that fits onto the container has a piston member slidably fitted to it, along with a compressed gas housing and a pickup tube or assembly. A handle moves the piston member with respect to the base against a spring bias. A gas flow path from the housing to the container passes through a valve, that is opened by the piston member as the handle is moved. Moving the handle opens both a liquid flow path as well as a gas flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Chapman, David Hufford
  • Patent number: 9598246
    Abstract: A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with that gate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Michael C. Metcalf, Ronald R. Huff, Charles D. Kirkbride, Greg R. Lambier, David Hufford
  • Publication number: 20160340133
    Abstract: A fluid-based radial distribution system includes an internal passageway and a plurality of openings radially spaced around. the internal passageway. A plurality of gate members are associated with at least some of the plurality of openings, with the gate members are configured to move between an open position that allows product to move through the opening associated with that gate member and a closed position that restricts product from moving through the opening associated with. that gate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: William T. Hockett, Frederick D. Webb, Michael C. Metcalf, Ronald R. Huff, Charles D. Kirkbride, Greg R. Lambier, David Hufford
  • Patent number: 9102477
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20130306435
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • Patent number: 8517169
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff
  • Publication number: 20110005896
    Abstract: A radial distribution system includes a base member for receiving product for distribution to a plurality of conveyors, a plurality of gate members radially-spaced around the base member and configured to move between an open position and a closed position, and a vibration member configured to vibrate the base member. The vibration causes product received on the base member to move on the base member in a substantially circular manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Denio Kirkbride, Greg Robert Lambier, Rudy Sanchez, Steve Crawford, David Hufford, James D. Ruff