Patents by Inventor David R. Laydon, Jr.

David R. Laydon, Jr. 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
  • 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.