Patents by Inventor James E. Pasek
James E. Pasek 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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Publication number: 20090173196Abstract: A slicing apparatus and a weighing and classifying conveyor combination with cleanup position wherein, the elevated food article feed mechanism can be collapsed to a maintenance position, the weighing and classifying conveyor is oriented at a distance from the slicing apparatus and the slicing head cover is automatically lifted to an open cleanup position. The machine has laser intrusion detectors that are used to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion by a person or object is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, David Hansen, James E. Pasek, David Hancock
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Publication number: 20090151527Abstract: A knife blade retraction mechanism for a food article slicing machine. The mechanism retracts the slicing blade from the slicing plane during the dwell between sliced groups to prevent scrap generation. The mechanism also has a knife blade brake to quickly top the slicing blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20090148577Abstract: A food article end location detecting system for a food article slicing machine. The system includes a sensor located so that each food article passes a sensing range of the sensor as the food articles are loaded onto a food article feed apparatus. The system has instructions for calculating the length of each food article based on a location value provided by the sensor. The system also comprises a food article end disposal mechanism. The disposal mechanism has a transport for receiving said food article ends and for removing said food article ends from said food article path. The disposal mechanism also has a paddle for displacing food article ends from the transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Salvatore Lamartino, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 7533513Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20090120256Abstract: A food article feed apparatus for a food article slicing machine. The apparatus has conveyor with a drive belt for connecting a drive source to a drive roller, and a conveyor belt. The drive roller is for driving the conveyor. The drive roller has an outer diameter and a recessed diameter where the drive belt is connected around the recessed diameter and the conveyor belt is connected around the outer diameter. The drive belt operates within an area defined by the first conveyor belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventor: James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20080250944Abstract: A sheet interleaver is provided for a slicing machine that includes a slicing plane for slicing an elongated food product and a sheet from web material beneath the elongated product. The interleaver includes a supply of web material, a drawing station, a feed station, and a controller. The drawing station has a first driver for drawing web material from the supply. The feed station has a second driver for receiving web material from the drawing station and driving the web material through a cutting nip into the slicing plane. The controller is in signal-communication with at least one of the first and second drivers to drive web material at select differential speeds by the first and second drivers such that tension between the drawing station and the feed station is controlled to allow a slackened length of web material between the drawing station and the feed station.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventors: Glen F. Pryor, Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20080230353Abstract: A method is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2008Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Scott A. Lindee, James Wrona, James E. Pasek
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Patent number: 7328542Abstract: An apparatus is provided for loading stacked food product into packages. Open top containers are arranged in rows and movable into a loading station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface having an end region extendable to a position arranged above the containers of a row of the containers. A guiding and pushing apparatus is arranged above the row and includes guides that are lowered to capture a row of stacked food products on the conveying surface, and plungers within the guides that lower and press a top of the stacks. When the conveying surface is retracted from beneath the guides and the row of containers, the guides are lowered further, adjacent to the containers, and the plungers are lowered with respect to the guides to push the stacks into the containers.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Glenn Sandberg, Scott A. Lindee, James Wrona, James E. Pasek
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Patent number: 7309228Abstract: An improved hydraulic system is provided for a reciprocating mold plate, patty-forming apparatus wherein food product is delivered under pressure from a pump cylinder to mold plate cavities. The plunger is driven during a first phase by force from a hydraulic cylinder from a retracted position distant from the pump cylinder to a ready position initially compressing food product loaded into said pump cylinder. Thereafter, the plunger is driven during a second phase by the hydraulic cylinder to load food product under pressure into the mold plate cavities. The hydraulic cylinder is supplied with hydraulic fluid during the first phase by a low pressure hydraulic fluid pump and during the second phase by a high pressure hydraulic fluid pump. According to the invention, the low pressure hydraulic fluid pump and the high pressure hydraulic fluid pump are positioned within a reservoir, at least partially submerged in hydraulic fluid held within the reservoir, during operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock
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Patent number: 7270039Abstract: A loaf reload mechanism for a slicing machine that includes a loaf-loading position wherein during a loading operation a loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position to be engaged by a gripper and driven into a cutting plane. The loaf reload mechanism includes a loaf-staging position located over the loaf-loading position, the loaf-staging position having a lowering mechanism to position a loaf from the loaf-staging position to the loaf-loading position. The reload mechanism also includes a loaf-ready position located laterally adjacent to the loaf-staging position, and a sweep mechanism configured to laterally move a loaf from the loaf-ready position into the loaf-staging position.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Steven C. Ill, James E. Pasek
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Patent number: 7229277Abstract: A reciprocating mold plate food patty-forming machine is provided that includes a mold plate that reciprocates between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge position. The mold plate is movable beneath a mold cover. A mold cover lifting apparatus is provided as part of the machine and comprises a primary threaded drive that is configured to support and elevate the mold cover and which elevates or lowers upon input of rotary power to raise or lower the mold cover. A motor is operatively connected to the primary threaded drive to input rotary power to the primary threaded drive. A secondary threaded element follows the primary threaded drive and is configured to support the mold cover if the primary threaded drive fails.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: James E. Pasek, Salvatore Lamartino
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Patent number: 7210923Abstract: A food product hopper assembly is provided for a food patty molding machine. The food product hopper of the assembly is configured for containing a supply of food product and is in flow-communication with a food delivery apparatus for discharging food product from the hopper. The hopper is hinged along one side to a machine housing and can be pivoted upwardly to reveal a hopper bottom for cleaning and inspection. Hopper sidewalls define an open bottom face and the food delivery apparatus comprises a hopper conveyor having a top conveying surface closing a substantial portion of the open bottom face. The hinge arrangement comprises a hinge shaft fixed to the hopper and supports carried by the housing, the support having an aperture wherein the hinge shaft is journaled for rotation about an axis of the shaft by the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: James E. Pasek, Salvatore Lamartino
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Patent number: 7065936Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20040118084Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek
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Publication number: 20040055439Abstract: A loaf reload mechanism for a slicing machine that includes a loaf-loading position wherein during a loading operation a loaf is placed in the loaf-loading position. During loading a gripper moves from a home position clear of a loaf in the loaf-loading position to an engagement position wherein the gripper engages a trailing end of the loaf. During a slicing operation, the gripper moves with the loaf along a longitudinal path into a slicing plane of a moving slicing blade until the loaf is effectively entirely sliced by the blade. The gripper is then retracted in a reverse direction to the home position. The loaf reload mechanism includes a loaf-staging position over the loaf-loading position, the loaf-staging position having a lowering mechanism to position a loaf from the loaf-staging position to the loaf-loading position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Formax, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Steven C. Ill, James E. Pasek