Patents by Inventor Lawrence L. Ingram

Lawrence L. Ingram 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: 5964081
    Abstract: A baby greens harvester (10) for the harvesting of small salad vegetables known as baby greens (55). The baby greens harvester (10) has a chassis (12) with a packaging bed (18) thereon. A cutter/conveyor assembly (30) is affixed to the chassis such that the cutter/conveyor assembly (30) can rotate somewhat, relative to the chassis (12) about a longitudinal pivoting axis (102) and a generally horizontal cutter/conveyor assembly pivoting axis (62). The cutter/conveyor assembly (30) has a bottom belt (34) and an opposing, spaced, generally parallel top belt (36). The special top belt (36), called a Hula belt, has a plurality of highly flexible fingers (130) for gathering the baby greens (55) as they are cut by a cutting bar (32) and further for gently holding the baby greens (55) on the bottom belt (34) as they are conveyed rearwardly and upwardly for delivery through a chute (63) into a produce box (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Tanimura & Antle, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 5799474
    Abstract: A baby greens harvester (10) for the harvesting of small salad vegetables known as baby greens (55). The baby greens harvester (10) has a chassis (12) with a packaging bed (18) thereon. A cutter/conveyor assembly (30) is affixed to the chassis such that the cutter/conveyor assembly (30) can rotate somewhat, relative to the chassis (12) about a longitudinal pivoting axis (102) and a generally horizontal cutter/conveyor assembly pivoting axis (62). The cutter/conveyor assembly (30) has a bottom belt (34) and an opposing, spaced, generally parallel top belt (36). The special top belt (36), called a Hula belt, has a plurality of highly flexible fingers (130) for gathering the baby greens (55) as they are cut by a cutting bar (32) and further for gently holding the baby greens (55) on the bottom belt (34) as they are conveyed rearwardly and upwardly for delivery through a chute (63) into a produce box (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Tanimura & Antle, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4826551
    Abstract: A method of taping a product and a tape dispenser. A support for a roll of tape is mounted in a frame and a lever unit is pivotally mounted in the frame. A cutter head and a tape roller are carried by the lever unit, with the tape following a path from the initial roll of tape over the roller to the cutter head, with the adhesive side of the tape exposed and away from the components of the dispenser. The cutter head is pivotally mounted on the lever unit and a linkage provides for pivoting the cutter head from a tab folding position to a cutting position as tape is pulled from the roll, over the roller and onto the product. The taped product is cut from the remainder of the tape at the cutter thereby releasing the pulling force on the lever unit which returns to its original position producing slack in the tape which is folded over to produce the desired tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Tanimura & Antle
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4816109
    Abstract: A tape dispenser for taping a product. A lever unit is pivotally mounted in a frame, with a support for a roll of tape. A cutter head and a tape roller are carried by the lever unit, with the tape following a path from the initial roll of tape over the roller to the cutter head, with the adhesive side of the tape exposed and away from the components of the dispenser. The cutter head is pivotally mounted on the lever unit and a linkage or a rack and pinion provides for pivoting the cutter head from a tab folding position to a cutting position as tape is pulled from the roll, over the roller and onto the product. The taped product is cut from the remainder of the tape at the cutter thereby releasing the pulling force on the lever unit which returns to its original position producing slack in the tape which is folded over to produce the desired tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Tanimura & Antle Partnership
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4759819
    Abstract: A method of taping a product and a tape dispenser. A support for a roll of tape is mounted in a frame and a lever unit is pivotally mounted in the frame. A cutter head and a tape roller are carried by the lever unit, with the tape following a path from the initial roll of tape over the roller to the cutter head, with the adhesive side of the tape exposed and away from the components of the dispenser. The cutter head is pivotally mounted on the lever unit and a linkage provides for pivoting the cutter head from a tab folding position to a cutting position as tape is pulled from the roll, over the roller and onto the product. The taped product is cut from the remainder of the tape at the cutter thereby releasing the pulling force on the lever unit which returns to its original position producing slack in the tape which is folded over to produce the desired tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Tanimura & Antle
    Inventor: Lawrence L. Ingram
  • Patent number: 4104975
    Abstract: Apparatus for introducing into a prepared field surface a plurality of seedling bodies each of which includes a small plant that is growing in a root supporting medium. A conveyor onto which the seedling bodies are placed and a mechanism for receiving the seedling bodies in sequence from the conveyor for transporting them to a trench in the field surface. The transporting device includes two pivotable jaws and strategically located cams for opening and closing the jaws to receive the plant from the conveyor and them to deposit the plant into the trench at the correct location and position. A drive mechanism for the conveyor so that the plants are delivered to the transporting means at the proper time and position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1978
    Assignee: Bud Antle, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence L. Ingram, Javier D. Infante