Patents by Inventor Frank D. Pierce

Frank D. Pierce 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).

  • Method for peeling fresh fruits
    Patent number: 4720388
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for peeling an object having a generally soft interior portion surrounded by a generally hard external surface, where the system is suitable for use by consumers or in areas with consumers. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a knife means for removing the hard external surface from the object, leaving substantially the soft interior portion. The apparatus also includes a housing enclosing the knife means to protect consumers or an operator of the apparatus from the knife means. The housing has two openings, one for receiving the object and one for discharging the soft interior portion after the object has been peeled.For some objects to be peeled, such as pineapples, the hard external surface of the object has two end portions and an intermediate body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Castle & Cooke, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank D. Pierce, Bradford E. Knickerbocker, Don H. Lenker
  • Peeling system
    Patent number: 4718333
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a system for peeling an object having a generally soft interior portion surrounded by a generally hard external surface, where the system is suitable for use by consumers or in areas with consumers. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a knife means for removing the hard external surface from the object, leaving substantially the soft interior portion. The apparatus also includes a housing enclosing the knife means to protect consumers or an operator of the apparatus from the knife means. The housing has two openings, one for receiving the object and one for discharging the soft interior portion after the object has been peeled.For some objects to be peeled, such as pineapples, the hard external surface of the object has two end portions and an intermediate body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: Castle & Cooke, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank D. Pierce, Bradford E. Knickerbocker, Don H. Lenker
  • Liquid loader for applicator pattern wheels
    Patent number: 4167916
    Abstract: Obstructive formations are mounted within the liquid containing chamber closely adjacent the working surface of an applicator wheel and opposite the path of one or more of the pattern-forming wheels recesss. Escape of air or recirculated liquid from the recesses and its replacement by fresh liquid is thereby facilitated, improving the effectiveness of wheel operation, especially at high peripheral speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1979
    Assignee: Lockwood Technical, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank D. Pierce