Patents by Inventor Dennis J. Castillo

Dennis J. Castillo 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).

  • Mechanical produce harvester with gathering belts
    Patent number: 9861037
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, Serafin Albarran, Richard Bascou, Dennis J. Castillo, Frank Edward Davis, Ignacio Rodriguez Figueroa, Raul Machuca, Kevin Nash, Jose Roman
  • MECHANICAL PRODUCE HARVESTER
    Publication number: 20160143223
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the produce cut by the cutting device. The transport assembly includes a movable first belt and a movable second belt. The movable first belt includes a first set of produce grippers and the movable second belt includes a second set of produce grippers. When the produce cut by the cutting device is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. JENS, Serafin ALBARRAN, Richard BASCOU, Dennis J. CASTILLO, Frank Edward DAVIS, Ignacio Rodriguez FIGUEROA, Raul MACHUCA, Kevin NASH, Jose ROMAN
  • Mechanical Produce Harvester
    Publication number: 20120102907
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting a produce with a stem/core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, and a cutting device and a transport assembly connected to the chassis. The cutting device is configured to cut the stem/core of the produce. The transport assembly is configured to transport the cut product using a movable first belt with a first set of produce grippers and a movable second belt with a second set of produce grippers. When the produce is held between the first set and second set of produce grippers, a portion of the first set of produce grippers opposes a portion of the second set of produce grippers. The opposing produce grippers are configured to compress and exert a force on the produce to hold the produce between the movable first and second belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jens, Serafin Albarran, Richard Bascou, Dennis J. Castillo, Frank Edward Davis, Ignacio Rodriguez Figueroa, Raul Machuca, Kevin Nash, Jose Roman