Patents by Inventor Lee G. Mueller

Lee G. Mueller 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: 8738302
    Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, Jr., Lee G. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20120197543
    Abstract: A method that includes: (i) detecting an acoustic wave that is propagating through a body of water, as the body of water is being frozen on a structure, thus yielding a detected acoustic wave; (ii) extracting, from the detected acoustic wave, (a) a frequency component thereof, and (b) a magnitude of the frequency component; and (iii) removing the body of water from the structure when the magnitude exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ramesh B. Tirumala, Raymond R. Haack, William E. Smith, JR., Lee G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 7832219
    Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip J. Baranowski, Lee G. Mueller, John P. Myers, Curt R. Cayemberg, Brian A Ebelt
  • Publication number: 20080156019
    Abstract: An ice barrier and an ice making machine having an ice barrier is provided in some embodiments, wherein the ice barrier is movable between a first orientation in which liquid water from an ice-forming surface is directed into the liquid receptacle, and a second orientation in which the ice barrier blocks access of ice from the ice-forming surface to locations in which ice is trapped between the ice barrier and an adjacent surface. Also, a method of producing ice in an ice making machine is provided in some embodiments, wherein a barrier diverts a flow of liquid water received from the ice-forming surface away from an ice collection bin, and wherein the barrier is moved to an orientation in which the barrier diverts ice toward the ice collection bin and also blocks access of ice to positions trapped between the barrier and an adjacent surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Philip J. Baranowski, Lee G. Mueller, John P. Myers, Curt R. Cayemberg, Brian A. Ebelt
  • Patent number: 7032406
    Abstract: An ice machine includes an evaporator, a condensate collection unit, positioned below the evaporator and configured to collect condensate from a back surface of the evaporator. First and second mounting brackets attached to the first and second sides of the evaporator, respectively, and are attached to first and second side panels positioned within the ice machine. A pump deck resides below the evaporator and has a chambered section, and a sump is positioned within the chambered section. The condensate collection unit is coupled to a water discharge line, such that condensate is removed from the ice machine and does not come into contact with water that is recirculated to the evaporator. The first and second mounting brackets and first and second flanges on the sump permit easy installation and removal of the evaporator and the sump from the ice machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Hollen, Marty J. Lafond, Lee G. Mueller, Steven P. Kutchera, Thomas G. Gutman, Mathew E. Kampert, Howard G. Funk, Richard T. Miller
  • Patent number: 6725675
    Abstract: A flaked ice making machine has a solenoid inlet valve in series with an inlet level control valve. In a preferred embodiment, these valves are used to provide an automatic cleaning feature. The automatic self-cleaning feature interacts with the control system and an array of inputs to clean a water reservoir and a freezing cylinder within the ice making machine and to rid the machine of mineral deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kampert, Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20030089120
    Abstract: A flaked ice making machine has a solenoid inlet valve in series with an inlet level control valve. In a preferred embodiment, these valves are used to provide an automatic cleaning feature. The automatic self-cleaning feature interacts with the control system and an array of inputs to clean a water reservoir and a freezing cylinder within the ice making machine and to rid the machine of mineral deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kampert, Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6134907
    Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5953925
    Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit-to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5787723
    Abstract: A remote ice-making machine is disclosed having a compressor unit remote from an evaporator unit, a supply line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor unit to the remote evaporator unit, and a return line for returning refrigerant from the evaporator unit to the compressor unit during an ice-making mode. The preferred evaporator unit has an ice-forming evaporator and a heating unit, as well as a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator unit. A method for making ice with the remote ice-making unit is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee G. Mueller, Howard G. Funk, Timothy J. Kraus, Steven P. Kutchera, Gregory McDougal, David J. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5752393
    Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Group, Inc,
    Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
  • Patent number: 5586439
    Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice makers water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
  • Patent number: 5408834
    Abstract: An automatic ice making machine is disclosed having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water/ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning the ice maker's water/ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
  • Patent number: 5289691
    Abstract: An automatic self-cleaning self-sterilizing ice making machine is having a coolant/refrigerant system, a water-ice system, a cleaning/sterilizing system and a microprocessor operated control system interconnecting the above systems. Methods for automatically cleaning ice maker water-ice systems and establishing safeguards and monitoring of system readiness and operation are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: The Manitowoc Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Schlosser, Lee G. Mueller, Gregory McDougal
  • Patent number: 4732089
    Abstract: A roller-equipped platform movably supported upon a tabletop having a straight, accessible rear edge, the platform including a straight depending flange received in a guide channel defined by the rear edge of the tabletop and a guide track secured to that rear edge. Stop elements at opposite ends of the track limit the extent of sideways movement of the platform upon the tabletop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1988
    Assignee: Hamilton Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee G. Mueller