Patents by Inventor David J. Meester

David J. Meester 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).

  • Two stage shaker
    Patent number: 5573459
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention uses feeder bars to provide tomatoes to a shaker brush a first time. The vines are allowed to fall out of the shaker brush to a shaker conveyor. The shaker conveyor conveys the vines into/the shaker brush a second time, and then to a vine reel, thus providing an improved separation of tomatoes from the vine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Meester
  • Vine separation system
    Patent number: 5197269
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved method and apparatus for separating fruits, such as tomatoes, from vines. The invention provides a tined reel which separates vines to allow disengaged fruit caught between the vines to be released. In addition, the invention provides a blowing and pinching means to blow and pull vines from the collected fruit. The invention also provides feeder bars which direct vines to a shaker brush and provides improved separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: David J. Meester