Patents by Inventor John T. Hays

John T. Hays 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: 9687006
    Abstract: A rib saw is provided. The saw includes a saw blade, a first rail, a second rail, a sticker chain assembly, a plurality of actuators and a main controller. The first and second rails are configured to guide a shell bone to the saw blade. The sticker chain assembly is configured to move the shell bone along the first and second rails. The plurality of actuators are coupled to move the first and second rails in relation to each other. Moreover, the main controller is configured to control the plurality of actuators to dynamically move the first and second rails while the shell bone is being moved along the first and second rails to achieve a desired rib rack cut with the saw blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John K. Buckles, John T. Hays, Mark Oberbroeckling, Gary D. Westland
  • Patent number: 8800813
    Abstract: A metering product delivery pump system that includes a product accumulator assembly, at least one controlled product dispensing assembly and a rotary gate valve assembly for each controlled product dispensing assembly is provided. The product accumulator assembly is coupled to receive product. The at least one controlled product dispensing assembly outputs product to a product package. Each rotary gate valve assembly is coupled to selectively pass product between the product accumulator system and an associated controlled product dispensing assembly. Each rotary gate valve assembly includes a rotary gate valve and at least one blade configured and arranged to engage the rotary gate valve to cut solid product as the rotary gate valve is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: John K. Buckles, John P. Hotek, John T. Hays, Gary D. Westland, Allan D. Olson, Joseph C. Gray