Patents by Inventor Frank J. Criscione
Frank J. Criscione 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).
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Patent number: 9215880Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Baader Linco, Inc.Inventors: Oliver Hahn, Ronnie Lee Avey, Frank J. Criscione, II, Ralph A. Miller
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Patent number: 9049870Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Baader Linco, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, Oliver Hahn, Ronnie Lee Avey, Will Randall Armstrong
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Publication number: 20150004894Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE, II, Oliver HAHN, Ronnie Lee AVEY, Will Randall ARMSTRONG
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Patent number: 8864558Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Baader Linco, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, Oliver Hahn, Ronnie Lee Avey, William Randall Armstrong
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Patent number: 8858306Abstract: A probe for cleaning the eviscerated body cavity of an animal, including a bird, has a washer assembly rotatably mounted about a tube. The washer assembly includes a nose having apertures extending between the interior and exterior of the nose. A bore within the tube feeds fluid to the apertures in the nose. As the probe is inserted into and withdrawn from the body cavity the nose rotates and fluid washes the body cavity. Alternatively, the probe includes a helical auger mounted about the tube that rotates as the probe moves into and out of the body cavity to assist in agitating the fluid within the body cavity and to displace the leaf fat. The nose may seal the anterior opening of the bird carcass to allow the body cavity to fill with fluid and the auger to agitate the accumulated fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Baader Linco, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, Oliver Hahn, Ronnie Lee Avey
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Patent number: 8622197Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Baader Linco, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, Ronnie Lee Avey, Oliver Hahn, Douglas Barnett, Ryan Foltz
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Publication number: 20130280998Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Oliver HAHN, Ronnie Lee AVEY, Frank J. CRISCIONE, II, Ralph A. MILLER
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Publication number: 20130078899Abstract: A probe for cleaning the eviscerated body cavity of an animal, including a bird, has a washer assembly rotatably mounted about a tube. The washer assembly includes a nose having apertures extending between the interior and exterior of the nose. A bore within the tube feeds fluid to the apertures in the nose. As the probe is inserted into and withdrawn from the body cavity the nose rotates and fluid washes the body cavity. Alternatively, the probe includes a helical auger mounted about the tube that rotates as the probe moves into and out of the body cavity to assist in agitating the fluid within the body cavity and to displace the leaf fat. The nose may seal the anterior opening of the bird carcass to allow the body cavity to fill with fluid and the auger to agitate the accumulated fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE, II, Oliver HAHN, Ronnie Lee AVEY
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Publication number: 20130017773Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE, II, Oliver Hahn, Ronnie Lee Avey, William Randall Armstrong
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Publication number: 20120186943Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE II, Ronnie Lee Avey, Oliver Hahn, Douglas Barnett, Ryan Foltz
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Publication number: 20120187219Abstract: A valve for providing a pulsating discharge of fluid includes a valve assembly rotatably received within a housing. The housing is a tubular chamber with a fluid inlet port at a back end, a plurality of fluid outlet ports at a front end, with the valve assembly in between. The valve includes a lower body disposed adjacent the front end, and includes a plurality of valve openings that sequentially rotate into and out of communication with the fluid outlet ports as the valve assembly is rotated thereby causing a sequential discharge of fluid from the tubular chamber. The valve openings may have various dimensions thereby causing a variation in the pulsating fluid discharge effect. The distance between the valve lower body and the fluid outlet ports may be increased or decreased to allow uninterrupted fluid flow out of the tubular chamber and through the plurality of fluid outlet ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE II, Ronnie Lee Avey, Oliver Hahn, Victor Elstin
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Patent number: 8187062Abstract: A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction includes a lower portion operable to retain the animal and an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system. The upper portion is attachable to the lower portion, and the upper portion includes a connector for connecting the device to a drive mechanism. The connector has a longitudinal axis. The lower portion is operable for movement between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially angled orientation relative to one another. The lower portion is substantially inhibited from moving in a rearward direction beyond said first position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Patent number: 8137168Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Publication number: 20110266199Abstract: The present invention provides a device for sorting items according to at least one predetermined criterion. The device includes at least one conveyor for transporting an item along at least a portion of the device, a measuring until positioned in proximity to the conveyor for receiving the items from the conveyor, and at least one separation gate along a length of the at least conveyor that can be selectively actuated based on at least one predetermined criteria measured by the measuring unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Douglas Barnett, Ryan Foltz, Robert Jones, Frank J. Criscione, II, Oliver Hahn
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Publication number: 20110263189Abstract: A device for retaining an animal on a transport system for moving the animal in a forward direction includes a lower portion operable to retain the animal and an upper portion operable for conveyance by the transport system. The upper portion is attachable to the lower portion, and the upper portion includes a connector for connecting the device to a drive mechanism. The connector has a longitudinal axis. The lower portion is operable for movement between a first position in which a longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the lower portion and the longitudinal axis of the connector are in substantially angled orientation relative to one another. The lower portion is substantially inhibited from moving in a rearward direction beyond said first position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Publication number: 20110095551Abstract: Still another aspect of the invention provides a device for use with a machine adapted to pick up an object, the machine including a vacuum source, where the device includes a shaft having an upper end that includes an opening extending therethrough, and a head having a lower end that includes an opening extending therethrough. The lower end of the head is substantially flat and pliable and is adapted to engage an object being picked up by the device. The opening in the shaft is in fluid communication with the opening in the head to that when the vacuum source is engaged a vacuum is created within the openings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Inventors: Larry DOWNS, Shawn NICHOLAS, Frank J. CRISCIONE, II
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Publication number: 20100304653Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Frank J. CRISCIONE, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Patent number: 7789739Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Publication number: 20090215370Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a first position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a second position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong
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Patent number: 7422517Abstract: A device (10) for retaining and associating an animal with a transport system during transport to and through one or more processing operations along a processing line. The device (10) includes a pivot mechanism (12) for reliably controlling the orientation of the animal during upward and downward travel on the transport system. More specifically, the device includes a lower portion (14) for retaining the animal, and an upper portion (16) for coupling with the transport system. The lower portion (14) is pivotably coupled with the upper portion (16) and movable between a rearward position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially straight orientation relative to each other, and a forward position in which the lower portion (14) and the upper portion (16) are in a substantially angled orientation relative to each other in the forward direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Criscione, II, William Randall Armstrong