Patents by Inventor George A. Mendenhall

George A. Mendenhall 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).

  • Publication number: 20240026239
    Abstract: A fuel composition is described. The composition contains gasoline and an aryloxy alkylamine additive. The structure of the aryloxy alkylamine additive is given by where the aryloxy alkylamine additive is present in about 10 to about 750 ppm by weight based on total weight of the fuel composition. X is a hydrocarbyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms. R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen or substituted hydrocarbyl group having up to 36 carbon atoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicants: CHEVRON ORONITE COMPANY LLC, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Man Kit NG, Richard Eugene CHERPECK, Carrie Y. CHAN, Kriston George MENDENHALL, Andrew M. ICKES, Peter A. FUENTES-AFFLICK, Justin WANG
  • Patent number: 9821485
    Abstract: A cutting assembly for use in a hydro-cutting system in which water and food products are conveyed through tubes and the food products are sliced into smaller pieces. The cutting assembly includes multiple disks and U-shaped blades. Legs of the blades are mounted between the substantially parallel disks on opposite sides of the disks, thereby holding the blades in place. A rotationally-driven motor driveshaft extends through the assembly and the assembly is mounted in a tube. When the water and food products are conveyed into the cutting assembly, the rotating assembly slices pieces from the food product, and the pieces are separated from the water for later use or processing. The water can be used in another slicing cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20160214267
    Abstract: A cutting assembly for use in a hydro-cutting system in which water and food products are conveyed through tubes and the food products are sliced into smaller pieces. The cutting assembly includes multiple disks and U-shaped blades. Legs of the blades are mounted between the substantially parallel disks on opposite sides of the disks, thereby holding the blades in place. A rotationally-driven motor driveshaft extends through the assembly and the assembly is mounted in a tube. When the water and food products are conveyed into the cutting assembly, the rotating assembly slices pieces from the food product, and the pieces are separated from the water for later use or processing. The water can be used in another slicing cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: VANMARK EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 7581648
    Abstract: A sorter for sorting pieces of various diameters and lengths made up of a pair of shafts spatially disposed in parallel within a horizontal plane, each of these shafts having a tapered core to which is connected to a pair of flights. When the shafts are rotated, items placed upon the flights of the shafts are aligned and moved toward the second end of the shaft. When a piece reaches a location where it can tip upon one of the flights and the end of the piece no longer contacts a part of the adjoining flight, the piece will tip. When this piece now traveling between the flights reaches a location where the space between the tapered portions of the cones is sufficiently large so as to allow the potato to fall between the cones, the piece will fall and has thus been sorted for diameter. Larger items thus are sorted to a location further from the first end of the device and smaller items are sorted to a position closer to the first end of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Paul Greenbank, William Todd Grimes, George Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20070000823
    Abstract: A sorter for sorting pieces of various diameters and lengths made up of a pair of shafts spatially disposed in parallel within a horizontal plane, each of these shafts having a tapered core to which is connected to a pair of flights. When the shafts are rotated, items placed upon the flights of the shafts are aligned and moved toward the second end of the shaft. When a piece reaches a location where it can tip upon one of the flights and the end of the piece no longer contacts a part of the adjoining flight, the piece will tip. When this piece now traveling between the flights reaches a location where the space between the tapered portions of the cones is sufficiently large so as to allow the potato to fall between the cones, the piece will fall and has thus been sorted for diameter. Larger items thus are sorted to a location further from the first end of the device and smaller items are sorted to a position closer to the first end of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: January 4, 2007
    Applicant: George Mendenhall
    Inventors: Martin Greenbank, William Grimes, George Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 7096771
    Abstract: A cutter blade assembly that presents a sequential series of perpendicularly oriented cutting knife arrays which are attached to a frame. A first set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally scalloped shaped. A second set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally straight and are connected in general perpendicular orientation to the first set of strip knives. When a vegetable product such as a potato is forced through the cutter blade assembly, the first set of knives cuts the potato into a scalloped shaped slab. The second set of knives then cuts the slab into a scoop shaped potato piece emulating a portion of a cut stalk of celery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 7052213
    Abstract: A hydraulic accelerator tube is provided for an improved hydraulic food cutting assembly. The accelerator tube is formed of polyurethane having a durometer hardness within the range of 20–70. It is encased within a clamshell housing which, when installed in the food cutting assembly, locks in position an inlet flange and an outlet flange which are formed integrally with the accelerator tube. Stiffening ribs are provided and are also formed integrally with the accelerator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20050232709
    Abstract: A hydraulic accelerator tube is provided for an improved hydraulic food cutting assembly. The accelerator tube is formed of polyurethane having a durometer hardness within the range of 20-70. It is encased within a clamshell housing which, when installed in the food cutting assembly, locks in position an inlet flange and an outlet flange which are formed integrally with the accelerator tube. Stiffening ribs are provided and are also formed integrally with the accelerator tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Inventor: George Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6725765
    Abstract: An improved cutter blade assembly for cutting vegetable products such as potatoes. The cutter blade assembly utilizes a number of cutter blades that transverse an axial bore through which products to be cut are fed. These blades are locked within the assembly by an attachment system that partially deforms the blade to hold the blade in place. This improved attachment connection system serves to hold the blade in a position having higher tension and thereby reduces wear, chatter, and feathering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20040040427
    Abstract: A cutter blade assembly that presents a sequential series of perpendicularly oriented cutting knife arrays which are attached to a frame. A first set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally scalloped shaped. A second set of cutting knives is comprised of knives that are generally straight and are connected in general perpendicular orientation to the first set of strip knives. When a vegetable product such as a potato is forced through the cutter blade assembly, the first set of knives cuts the potato into a scalloped shaped slab. The second set of knives then cuts the slab into a scoop shaped potato piece emulating a portion of a cut stalk of celery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20040043115
    Abstract: A condiment holding cut piece of potato suitable for use as a french fry is provided. The cut piece is cut using a hydraulic cutter with a cross-sectional configuration which forms a trough suitable for holding condiments. The cross-sectional configurations include scoop, channel, and X or V shaped configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6684748
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting optimally sized fruit and vegetable pieces comprised of a dump chute, a trough, a conveyor, a drive means, at least one sensor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a cutter assembly. The apparatus is configured to receive materials from a source, load these materials onto a conveyor move these items by means of the conveyor to a cutting portion where the materials are cut into appropriate sized pieces, as determined by a programmed logic sensor based upon the input from a plurality of sensors and pre-selected criteria from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Publication number: 20030121422
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting optimally sized fruit and vegetable pieces, such as potatoes, that is made of a dump chute, a trough, a conveyor having paddles forming paddle pockets, a drive means, at least one sensor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a cutter assembly. The dump chute receives materials and loads them singly onto a conveyor within a paddle pocket disposed along the conveyor. The drive means moves the conveyor, which then advances the material from the dump chute toward the cutter. As the material moves along the trough, the sensor determines the first and second ends of the potato and inputs this information to the PLC. This PLC has a human interactive component for selecting the criteria to be used in selecting the dimensions of the desired potato pieces to be obtained. The PLC receives the information from the sensors and determines the number and sizes of the pieces that the potato should be cut into to achieve the optimal results based upon the pre-selected criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 6047625
    Abstract: A wedge cut cutter for food products is disclosed which includes one or more cutter sections mounted between a base plate and an end retainer. Each cutter section includes shoulders and clamping members for clamping each end of one or more elongate blades to the cutter section. Each blade is tensioned by an adjustment screw which bears against a roll pin which, in turn, urges a portion of the blade around a pair of anvils into a recess. The blades of each cutter section, or of adjacent cutter sections are radially offset to cut incoming items into wedge-shaped portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5911808
    Abstract: A multiblade cutting assembly including a plurality of blades and a blade support which is loaded as a simple beam. A plurality of parallel cutting blades are mounted by a first end on a frame and by a second end on a tension member. A pair of biasing members bear against the frame and simultaneously apply a tension force to the blades. Multiple cutting assemblies as described can be stacked with the blades of the respective cutting assemblies in close proximity for improved cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: George Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5806397
    Abstract: A converging tube assembly for use with a hydraulic food cutter is provided having a converging tube for the passage of suspended food product and liquid therethrough from a larger upstream inlet end to a smaller convergent downstream outlet end, said tube being formed of resilient material. A circumvolving converging tube flange is attached to and extends radially out from the inlet end of the converging tube. A first flange retaining plate having a U-shaped notch for receiving and holding the inlet end of the converging tube, and for compressive engagement with at least a portion of the downstream surface of the flange is provided, along with a lower cradle support frame for supporting the lower portion of the converging tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: 5568755
    Abstract: A Quick Change Accelerator Tube Assembly for a Hydraulic Food Cutter is provided with an accelerator tube liner (10) formed of resilient material. Formed integral with liner (10) are inlet flange (14) and outlet flange (16). The lower half of liner (10) is supported in a cradle (70), the upper half is contained within cradle top cover (72). Seal ring (110) together with yoke-shaped lever bar (112) seal tube liner outlet seal (16) against the surface of the cutter blade housing (38). The inlet flange (14) is sealed against sealing flanges (96 and 98) which are held within flange recess (94) form integral in tube support plate (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: D475575
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: D493943
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall
  • Patent number: D383643
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Inventor: George A. Mendenhall