Patents by Inventor David R. Laydon

David R. Laydon 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: 6604456
    Abstract: An adjustable peach aligner cup assembly 20 is provided for use in an automatic peach aligning and pitting mechanism. An adjustable alignment ring has first and second movable segments 51,52. Segments 51,52 are moved away from each other to align large peaches and are moved toward each other to align small peaches. An actuator 61,62 causes the segments 51,52 to move. An optional sensor 80 is provided which allows the segments 51,52 on a specific aligner cup assembly 20 to be adjusted on a peach-to-peach basis to align a specific peach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering Company
    Inventors: William R. Wright, David R. Laydon, Jr., Barry Spencer Roof
  • Publication number: 20030101879
    Abstract: An adjustable peach aligner cup assembly 20 is provided for use in an automatic peach aligning and pitting mechanism. An adjustable alignment ring has first and second movable segments 51,52. Segments 51,52 are moved away from each other to align large peaches and are moved toward each other to align small peaches. An actuator 61,62 causes the segments 51,52 to move. An optional sensor 80 is provided which allows the segments 51,52 on a specific aligner cup assembly 20 to be adjusted on a peach-to-peach basis to align a specific peach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: William R. Wright, David R. Laydon, Barry Spencer Roof
  • Patent number: 6109421
    Abstract: A corn transfer and alignment mechanism for preparing ears for being sawn into cobbettes is provided. The ears are received by the transfer mechanism from a feed conveyor on which the ears are conveyed singularly with their tip ends first. The transfer station uses a transfer plate and stabilizer drum to reduce the forward momentum of the ears and align the tips of the ears against a guide plate. The aligned ears are then discharged onto a roller conveyor for presentation to trimming saws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Magnuson Corporation
    Inventors: Edward E. Ross, Dennis R. Beland, Craig A. Furlo, M. Scott Howarth, Brian E. Knutson, James W. Laughton, David R. Laydon, Stefan F. Molenaar, Robert C. Solum, Alan D. Stender
  • Patent number: 5938002
    Abstract: A dry shuffle feed apparatus is provided for use with produce for feeding produce in a predetermined timing pattern to processing equipment. One or more shuffle conveyors, each having multiple flights, are provided having an infeed chute and return chute. Produce enters the infeed chute and is fed onto the conveyor, the infeed chute having a multi-angulated surface to prevent bridging of the produce. A return chute extends upwardly alongside the conveyor from the infeed chute and returns excess produce to the infeed chute. The flights on each shuffle conveyor become narrower nearer the output end of the conveyor and overfed produce falls off the conveyor onto the return chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering Company
    Inventors: Martin W. Molenaar, Stefan F. Molenaar, David R. Laydon, Jr.