Patents by Inventor Donald M. Hall

Donald M. Hall 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: 10087066
    Abstract: Liquid collection and transport device includes a liquid collection tank having an inlet on an upper portion and an outlet on a lower portion. There is a detachable cap on the inlet for retaining a liquid in the tank during transport. A drain is provided on the outlet, and the drain has a valve for controlling the collection and removal of liquid from the tank. A cart includes a frame which releasably secures the tank on the cart, and the tank is slidable relative to the frame, so that the location of the drain relative to the cart can be varied. The liquid collection and transport device may have a handle provided on the valve to open and close the valve, the handle being provided adjacent the upper portion of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: M & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 9440667
    Abstract: A modular food service equipment system includes an equipment docking station configured for receiving and docking a piece of food service equipment. The docking station further includes a work table having a work surface on an upper face of it. The docking station also includes a docking unit configured for receiving a piece of food service equipment inside of it. The modular food service equipment system may likewise include that the docking unit is provided adjacent to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: M & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 7419063
    Abstract: Rack includes a left upright frame, a right upright frame, and a connector extending between and joining the left and right frames. The connector defines at least one passage extending along the left upright frame, for example, so that another rack may be nested within a volume defined by the rack for reducing storage space requirements. The rack may have its connector oriented so that the rack has a substantially Z-shaped frame, a substantially X-shaped frame, a substantially U-shaped frame, a substantially V-shaped frame, or a substantially H-shaped frame, for example, when viewed from above. A lifting element may be provided on an upper portion of the rack for use with institutional and industrial lifting mechanisms. The lifting element may be mounted on the rack so as to avoid interference with another rack when the racks are nesting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: M & E Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6974042
    Abstract: Rack includes a left upright frame, a right upright frame, and a connector extending between and joining the left and right frames. The connector defines at least one (1) passage extending along the left upright frame, for example, so that another rack may be nested within a volume defined by the rack for reducing storage space requirements. The rack may have its connector oriented so that the rack has a substantially Z-shaped frame, when viewed from above. Wheels may be provided to ease movement of the rack, and a lifting element may be provided on an upper portion of the rack for use with institutional and industrial lifting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20030127815
    Abstract: Mounting assembly has a channel mountable on an object to be moved. A wheel assembly including a mounting plate is detachably attachable to the channel, and a wheel is provided on the mounting plate. A lock is provided for locking the mounting plate with the channel, the lock having a locked condition and an unlocked condition, the locked condition being a condition in which the mounting plate is substantially locked relative to the channel for preventing removal of the mounting plate from the channel. The lock may be a single element, such as a fastener. A signal may be provided for signaling the locked condition and the unlocked condition of the lock. A V-shaped strengthening element may be disposed adjacent the channel for strengthening the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020175134
    Abstract: Rack includes a left upright frame, a right upright frame, and a connector extending between and joining the left and right frames. The connector defines at least one (1) passage extending along the left upright frame, for example, so that another rack may be nested within a volume defined by the rack for reducing storage space requirements. The rack may have its connector oriented so that the rack has a substantially Z-shaped frame, when viewed from above. Wheels may be provided to ease movement of the rack, and a lifting element may be provided on an upper portion of the rack for use with institutional and industrial lifting mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020162813
    Abstract: Rack or frame may be substantially V-shaped. The substantially V-shaped configuration enhances the strength and nestability of the rack. The rack may be an oven rack with a lifting element suited for being lifted by oven rack lifting equipment. Rack may accommodate one or more objects, such as trays, per level. Nested racks greatly reduce storage space requirements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6474757
    Abstract: A first device for use in conjunction with display cases include a frame, a support member slidably disposed on the frame, an arm disposed on the support member for slidable movement therewith, a first work surface disposed on the support member, and a dampening member disposed between the second work surface and the support member for reducing vibration transfer to the first surface. A second device comprises a rail, a support member slidably disposed on the rail, and a dampening member disposed between the rail and the support member. A third device includes a window frame slidably engaged with a display case, a window supported by the frame member, and a work surface disposed on the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Donald M. Hall, Ross M. Hall, Morison Ryan Hall
  • Patent number: 6419098
    Abstract: Rack includes a left upright frame, a right upright frame, and a connector extending between and joining the left and right frames. The connector defines at least one (1) passage extending along the left upright frame, for example, so that another rack may be nested within a volume defined by the rack for reducing storage space requirements. The rack may have its connector oriented so that the rack has a substantially Z-shaped frame, when viewed from above. Wheels may be provided to ease movement of the rack, and a lifting element may be provided on an upper portion of the rack for use with institutional and industrial lifting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6366313
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a device having a first and second upright, a support rail connecting the first upright and the second upright, and a vertical spacer having a first edge, a second edge and a bearing surface. A height-adjustable leg may be provided between the support rail and the ground. The height-adjustable leg may be made of three(3) cooperating members, such as three interfitting tubes that may mate to form a triple walled support. A portion of the first edge of the vertical spacer is disposed on the first upright and a portion of the first edge is disposed on the second upright. A guide rail having a top surface is disposed along the second edge of the vertical spacer. The guide rail extends over the bearing surface. The device further includes a sliding support member having a first roller, a second roller and a third roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Publication number: 20020033438
    Abstract: A first device for use in conjunction with display cases include a frame, a support member slidably disposed on the frame, an arm disposed on the support member for slidable movement therewith, a first work surface disposed on the support member, and a dampening member disposed between the second work surface and the support member for reducing vibration transfer to the first surface. A second device comprises a rail, a support member slidably disposed on the rail, and a dampening member disposed between the rail and the support member. A third device includes a window frame slidably engaged with a display case, a window supported by the frame member, and a work surface disposed on the frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Donald M. Hall, Ross M. Hall, Morison Ryan Hall
  • Patent number: 6322180
    Abstract: A first device for use in conjunction with display cases include a frame, a support member slidably disposed on the frame, an arm disposed on the support member for slidable movement therewith, a first work surface disposed on the support member, and a dampening member disposed between the second work surface and the support member for reducing vibration transfer to the first surface. A second device comprises a rail, a support member slidably disposed on the rail, and a dampening member disposed between the rail and the support member. A third device includes a window frame slidably engaged with a display case, a window supported by the frame member, and a work surface disposed on the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Donald M. Hall, Ross M. Hall, Morison Ryan Hall
  • Patent number: 6173575
    Abstract: A cooling and refrigeration apparatus cools one or more surfaces of one or more food handling or food storage devices, such as meat cutting machines, scales, and food preparation areas, so as to inhibit bacterial and other microbial growth thereon. The apparatus includes one or more coolers to lower the temperature of the food contact surfaces to a predetermined temperature which inhibits bacteria and other microbial growth thereon, by providing one or more surfaces at the predetermined temperature adjacent to or at the one or more food handling or storage surfaces. The cooler includes a temperature reducing module, such as a thermoelectric module, enclosed within a movable drawer insert, which is slid or dropped into a drawer housing engagable or in a cooled cavity or sleeve in which the drawer or other container device resides, within a food accommodating device, such as a mobile food court, cabinet, display tray, etc. In addition, the drawer can have an optional lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventors: Renee M. Hall, Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6149120
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a device having a first and second upright, a support rail connecting the first upright and the second upright, and a vertical spacer having a first edge, a second edge and a bearing surface. A portion of the first edge is disposed on the first upright and a portion of the first edge is disposed on the second upright. A guide rail having a top surface is disposed along the second edge of the vertical spacer. The guide rail extends over the bearing surface. The device further includes a sliding support member having a first roller, a second roller and a third roller. The first roller engages the top surface of the guide rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only vertical forces from the sliding support member to the top surface. The second roller engages the support rail and is oriented for transmitting substantially only horizontal forces from the sliding support member to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6131399
    Abstract: Vending machine includes at least one food or perishable item compartment. A sensor is provided for detecting a condition in the food compartment and/or vending machine. The detector senses conditions such as temperature, motion, and the like. Food product bar code data, expiration date data, and product visual data may likewise be collected. Lock-out elements are provided for preventing access to the vended products when detected conditions warrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6062401
    Abstract: The shelving system comprises a rear upright, the rear upright having a notch therein; a first shelf engaged with the notch and supported by said rear upright; a front post; and a member disposed between the rear upright and the front post at a lower portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventors: Donald M. Hall, Ross M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5957309
    Abstract: The rack includes left and right upright frames having front and rear spaced apart posts, a lower connector disposed between the left frame and the right frame, the lower connector engaging at least one of the front and rear posts, and an upper connector disposed between the left frame and the right frame. The upper connector may be free of engagement with at least one of the front and rear posts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5931018
    Abstract: A cooling and refrigeration apparatus cools one or more surfaces of one or more food handling devices, such as meat cutting machines, scales, and food preparation areas, so as to inhibit bacterial and other microbial growth thereon. The apparatus includes one or more coolers to lower the temperature of the food contact surfaces to a predetermined temperature which inhibits bacteria and other microbial growth thereon, by providing one or more surfaces at the predetermined temperature adjacent to or at the one or more food handling surfaces. The cooler includes a distributor system of conduit passageways and other distribution devices to distribute one or more cooling media to conductive surfaces of the one or more food handling devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventors: Renee M. Hall, Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: D480528
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall
  • Patent number: D481513
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Donald M. Hall