Patents by Inventor Derek D. Dawes

Derek D. Dawes 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: 5968572
    Abstract: An enrober (100) for applying a topical coating to an exterior surface of multiple pieces of a food base is disclosed having a marked decrease in the amount of build-up upon the internal surface of the drum (102) allowing for reductions in cleaning service requirements and its concomitant losses in production capacity and for reductions in undesirable product agglomerates. In the preferred form, the drum (102) is formed by a thin wall in a generally cylindrical shape and formed of hydrophobic material in the form of high-density polyethylene having low-stick characteristics with the topically coated food base. Moisture, in addition to any present in the topical coating, is added to the drum (102) to prevent or practically eliminate build-up on the drum (102). The topical coating in the form of a slurry can be co-sprayed with steam in an atomized intermixed spray onto the food base by a nozzle (10, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Behnke, Derek D. Dawes, Gregory L. Godsey, Ronald D. Hurd, John G. Roufs, Gary C. Veenhuis
  • Patent number: 5876775
    Abstract: An enrober (100) for applying a topical coating to an exterior surface of multiple pieces of a food base is disclosed having a marked decrease in the amount of build-up upon the internal surface of the drum (102) allowing for reductions in cleaning service requirements and its concomitant losses in production capacity and for reductions in undesirable product agglomerates. In the preferred form, the drum (102) is formed by a thin wall in a generally cylindrical shape and formed of hydrophobic material in the form of high-density polyethylene having low-stick characteristics with the topically coated food base. Moisture, in addition to any present in the topical coating, is added to the drum (102) to prevent or practically eliminate build-up on the drum (102). The topical coating in the form of a slurry can be co-sprayed with steam in an atomized intermixed spray onto the food base by a nozzle (10, 80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Behnke, Derek D. Dawes, Gregory L. Godsey, Ronald D. Hurd, John G. Roufs, Gary C. Veenhuis