Patents by Inventor James K. Zitnik

James K. Zitnik 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).

  • Patent number: 11576402
    Abstract: Methods for producing pet food from animals may utilize a multi-step process including a first processing system that may include at least a heating step through use of a steam jacketed tube system and a draining step to squeeze out the oils. Grinding and pre-breaking may first be used to break the fat/whole animal into pieces. The protein may be cooked in the first processing system, and a second processing system may cook the protein with hot water in the second heating step. The second processing system may wash impurities out of the protein and subject the protein to a high intensity flame that may burn off foreign matter, and/or microbes. The protein may be dried and may produce pet food for consumption by pets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventor: James K. Zitnik
  • Publication number: 20190261649
    Abstract: A pre-rendering system and method includes grinding limed cattle hide fleshings. The ground, limed cattle hide fleshings may then be de-limed using one or more acids or acidic solutions and then may be neutralized using one or more acids. Once the cattle hide fleshings have been de-limed and neutralized, they may be washed and then dried to prepare edible meat, such as for pet food or other animal feed, that may be rendered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventor: James K. Zitnik
  • Publication number: 20180116247
    Abstract: Methods for producing pet food from animals may utilize a multi-step process including a first processing system that may include at least a heating step through use of a steam jacketed tube system and a draining step to squeeze out the oils. Grinding and pre-breaking may first be used to break the fat/whole animal into pieces. The protein may be cooked in the first processing system, and a second processing system may cook the protein with hot water in the second heating step. The second processing system may wash impurities out of the protein and subject the protein to a high intensity flame that may burn off foreign matter, and/or microbes. The protein may be dried and may produce pet food for consumption by pets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventor: James K. Zitnik
  • Patent number: 9872509
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved rendering of animal products may utilize a multi-step process including at least a heating step through use of a steam-jacketed tube system and a pressing step to squeeze out the oils. Grinding and pre-breaking may first be used to break the fat/whole animal into pieces. The ground material may then be transported and heated in one or more steam-jacketed tubes to create a slurry. A press may then be employed to press out the oil and water from the slurry. Residual solids may be removed from the oil and water through a decanting step. Water and extremely fine materials may then be removed from the oil through a centrifuge step, and the oil may be transferred to one or more storage tanks. Following the pressing step, the protein that remains may be subjected to high pressure to squeeze out any residual fat and then may be transferred to a hammer mill to prepare into a powdered protein or other desired protein material that may be stored for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventor: James K. Zitnik
  • Publication number: 20150050402
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved rendering of animal products may utilize a multi-step process including at least a heating step through use of a steam-jacketed tube system and a pressing step to squeeze out the oils. Grinding and pre-breaking may first be used to break the fat/whole animal into pieces. The ground material may then be transported and heated in one or more steam-jacketed tubes to create a slurry. A press may then be employed to press out the oil and water from the slurry. Residual solids may be removed from the oil and water through a decanting step. Water and extremely fine materials may then be removed from the oil through a centrifuge step, and the oil may be transferred to one or more storage tanks. Following the pressing step, the protein that remains may be subjected to high pressure to squeeze out any residual fat and then may be transferred to a hammer mill to prepare into a powdered protein or other desired protein material that may be stored for later use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: James K. Zitnik