Patents by Inventor Gerald M. O'Connor

Gerald M. O'Connor 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: 20080163765
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing flavored smoke on an outdoor grill. The apparatus comprises a smoker that includes a container and a tortuous path. The tortuous path is devised such that certain ratios between different flow areas and volumes fall within specified ranges. Container characteristics include angled outer walls, reinforcing brace, and notched bottom. The container holds an airborne effluent source with the tortuous path enclosing the container. The tortuous path is formed through layers of non-aligned openings that allow the airborne effluent to vent from the container. The smoker may include a baffle and a raised lid cover. The raised lid cover is formed to collect undesirable wood tars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Gerald M. O'Shea
  • Patent number: 6367616
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Publication number: 20020020609
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Patent number: 6318544
    Abstract: A belt conveyor whose article-conveying characteristics can be changed as the belt is running. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of movable assemblies supporting an article-supporting element and an adjustable element. The adjustable element coacts with an adjustment control element supported in the conveyor frame as the belt is running. The coaction causes the adjustable element to move the article-supporting element to provide a different article-conveying characteristic to articles supported at the conveying surface of the belt in zones defined by the adjustment control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald M. O'Connor, Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve
  • Patent number: 6209714
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Patent number: 6148990
    Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: The Laitram Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Lapeyre, Christopher G. Greve, Gerald M. O'Connor, Mark B. Costanzo, John J. Carbone
  • Patent number: 5067972
    Abstract: A process 10 for removing acid gas components such as CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S and/or COS from a gas stream includes feeding the gas stream into an absorption zone 54, and passing a suitable physical solvent at elevated pressure and reduced temperature counter-currently through the zone. Acid gas components are thus absorbed from the gas stream into the solvent. The absorption zone is maintained at substantially isothermal condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: Aeci Limited
    Inventors: John W. Hemmings, Peter Allan, Gerald M. O'Shaughnessy