Patents by Inventor John R. Heron

John R. Heron 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: 4437315
    Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Assignee: FranRica Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Albert F. Rica, Lloyd F. Hay, John R. Heron, John R. Webber, Steven A. Rechtsteiner
  • Patent number: 4384463
    Abstract: A dual cooling tunnel arrangement for cooling viscous heated fluid foodstuffs in flexible bags. The flexible bags containing the heated fluids are received on pivoted wire carriers which are driven by an endless chain through an upper cooling tunnel in a first direction and returned through a second cooling tunnel in the opposite direction. In each cooling tunnel, a cooling water spray is directed on the bags in the carriers as the carriers are slowly rocked, causing the fluid in each bag to flow to different areas of the bag, altering its shape, to produce enhanced heat transfer rates and a more uniform temperature distribution throughout the fluid during cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: FranRica Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Albert F. Rica, Lloyd F. Hay, John R. Heron, John R. Webber, Steven A. Rechtsteiner
  • Patent number: 4047547
    Abstract: The method of this invention includes aseptically sealing an empty sterilized tank while maintaining asepsis of the tank, and thereafter connecting a product line to an opening in the tank, sterilizing the product line while so connected, and filling the tank with sterile product from the product line, all without destroying the aseptic condition of the tank. In addition, the method includes sampling the product in the product line during the tank filling operation while maintaining asepsis of both the product line and the tank. Finally, the method includes sealing the tank when full of sterile product, removing samples of sterile product from the tank subsequent to its filling and resealing the tank after each such sampling operation. Asepsis is maintained during each of the tank sealing, tank sampling and tank re-sampling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Inventors: Steve A. Rechtsteiner, Philip E. Nelson, John R. Heron
  • Patent number: 3998589
    Abstract: Aseptically sealing an empty sterilized tank while maintaining asepsis of the tank, and thereafter connecting a product line to an opening in the tank, sterilizing the product line while so connected, and filling the tank with sterile product from the product line, all without destroying the aseptic condition of the tank. In addition, sampling the product in the product line during the tank filling operation while maintaining asepsis of both the product line and the tank. Finally, sealing the tank when full of sterile product, removing samples of sterile product from the tank subsequent to its filling and resealing the tank after each such sampling operation. Asepsis is maintained during each of the tank sealing, tank sampling and tank re-sampling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1976
    Inventors: Steve A. Rechtsteiner, Philip E. Nelson, John R. Heron
  • Patent number: 3951184
    Abstract: The method of this invention includes aseptically sealing an empty sterilized tank while maintaining asepsis of the tank, and thereafter connecting a product line to an opening in the tank, sterilizing the product line while so connected, and filling the tank with sterile product from the product line, all without destroying the aseptic condition of the tank. In addition, the method includes sampling the product in the product line during the tank filling operation while maintaining asepsis of both the product line and the tank. Finally, the method includes sealing the tank when full of sterile product, removing samples of sterile product from the tank subsequent to its filling and resealing the tank after each such sampling operation. Asepsis is maintained during each of the tank sealing, tank sampling and tank re-sampling operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1976
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Steve A. Rechtsteiner, Philip E. Nelson, John R. Heron