Patents by Inventor Mark E. Malenke
Mark E. Malenke 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).
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Patent number: 10154683Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing irregular pieces of meat from meat products. Further, a method of mass-producing a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance includes combining whole muscle meat with a mixture having a low-phosphate solution and/or a low-salt solution and cooking the combination to produce whole muscle meat logs. Once the whole muscle meat has been cooked, the meat may be pulled, shredded, or sliced on a variety of pulling, shredding, and slicing equipment to create a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Matthew A. Hurm, Mark E. Malenke, Amy Lynn Nehls, Muluken Tilahun, Edward A. Kusmider, Carrie K. Giannettino, Randy Glynn, Sarah C. Humke, Lynda Cabrales
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Patent number: 9999229Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler
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Publication number: 20170181457Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing irregular pieces of meat from meat products. Further, a method of mass-producing a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance includes combining whole muscle meat with a mixture having a low-phosphate solution and/or a low-salt solution and cooking the combination to produce whole muscle meat logs. Once the whole muscle meat has been cooked, the meat may be pulled, shredded, or sliced on a variety of pulling, shredding, and slicing equipment to create a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2017Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Matthew A. Hurm, Mark E. Malenke, Amy Lynn Nehls, Muluken Tilahun, Edward A. Kusmider, Carrie K. Giannettino, Randy Glynn, Sarah C. Humke, Lynda Cabrales
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Patent number: 9629374Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing irregular pieces of meat from meat products. Further, a method of mass-producing a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance includes combining whole muscle meat with a mixture having a low-phosphate solution and/or a low-salt solution and cooking the combination to produce whole muscle meat logs. Once the whole muscle meat has been cooked, the meat may be pulled, shredded, or sliced on a variety of pulling, shredding, and slicing equipment to create a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Matthew A. Hurm, Mark E. Malenke, Amy Lynn Nehls, Edward A. Kusmider, Carrie K. Giannettino
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Publication number: 20170000137Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2016Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler
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Patent number: 9468218Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler
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Patent number: 9457922Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing food products into a food tray are disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one sleeve at least one sleeve having a first end configured to singly receive food products and an at least partially closed second end opposite the first end. The at least one sleeve has a first position where the food products are singly receivable through the first end to form a stack having a predetermined orientation in the at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve is configured to rotate from the first position to a second position where the food products are positioned over the food tray and substantially simultaneously unloaded in the predetermined orientation through an opening positioned between the first and second ends into the food tray.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Mark E. Malenke, Brian Charles Adamski, Tod Wesley Heleniak
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Publication number: 20150063974Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance fro the food product to pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler
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Patent number: 8894347Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance for the food product to pass.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2009Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler
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Patent number: 8708002Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the volumetric metering and depositing of a food product comprising a plurality of particles or flowable particles. The plurality of food particles are transported upon a discharge conveyor having a first rate of speed, the plurality of particles arranged uniformly from passing beneath a product leveling device. When the plurality of particles reach the end of the discharge conveyor, the particles fall from the end of the conveyor under the operation of gravity and are deposited in a shuttle while the shuttle travels at a second rate of speed from a position at least partially below the conveyor to collect the falling particles in cells or receiving receptacles. The relationship between the first rate of speed of the conveyor and the second rate of speed of the shuttle define a metered amount of particles collected in each of the receiving receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Kraft Foods Group Brands LLCInventors: Mark E. Malenke, Charles Robert Sample, Brian Charles Adamski, Brian Wayne Tomac, David Hess, Tod Wesley Heleniak
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Publication number: 20140053511Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing food products into a food tray are disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one sleeve at least one sleeve having a first end configured to singly receive food products and an at least partially closed second end opposite the first end. The at least one sleeve has a first position where the food products are singly receivable through the first end to form a stack having a predetermined orientation in the at least one sleeve. The at least one sleeve is configured to rotate from the first position to a second position where the food products are positioned over the food tray and substantially simultaneously unloaded in the predetermined orientation through an opening positioned between the first and second ends into the food tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Mark E. Malenke, Brian Charles Adamski, Tod Wesley Heleniak
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Publication number: 20120067451Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the volumetric metering and depositing of a food product comprising a plurality of particles or flowable particles. The plurality of food particles are transported upon a discharge conveyor having a first rate of speed, the plurality of particles arranged uniformly from passing beneath a product leveling device. When the plurality of particles reach the end of the discharge conveyor, the particles fall from the end of the conveyor under the operation of gravity and are deposited in a shuttle while the shuttle travels at a second rate of speed from a position at least partially below the conveyor to collect the falling particles in cells or receiving receptacles. The relationship between the first rate of speed of the conveyor and the second rate of speed of the shuttle define a metered amount of particles collected in each of the receiving receptacles.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Mark E. MALENKE, Charles Robert SAMPLE, Brian Charles ADAMSKI, Brian Wayne TOMAC, David HESS, Tod Wesley HELENIAK
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Publication number: 20110293817Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for producing irregular pieces of meat from meat products. Further, a method of mass-producing a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance includes combining whole muscle meat with a mixture having a low-phosphate solution and/or a low-salt solution and cooking the combination to produce whole muscle meat logs. Once the whole muscle meat has been cooked, the meat may be pulled, shredded, or sliced on a variety of pulling, shredding, and slicing equipment to create a home-style meat product with an irregular appearance.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Matthew A. Hurm, Mark E. Malenke, Amy Lynn Nehls, Muluken Tilahun, Edward A. Kusmider, Carrie K. Giannettino, Randy Glynn, Sarah C. Humke, Lynda Cabrales
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Publication number: 20110059213Abstract: A method for producing a processed meat product begins at the supplier, where whole muscle meat is reduced into whole muscle meat pieces and the pieces may be macerated to increase their surface area. Prior to shipment of the whole muscle meat from the supplier to the meat processing plant, the whole muscle meat pieces are mixed with an initial ingredient mixture to create a raw base mixture and then packed into a container. The containers are shipped to a meat processing plant, whereby upon receipt of the raw base mixture at the processing plant, the raw base mixture is mixed with a customized ingredient mix to create a processed whole muscle mixture. The processed whole muscle mixture may then be stuffed and thermally processed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventors: Jennifer J. Anderson, Jose C. Rojo, David L. Moen, Timothy D. Schnell, William T. Paulos, Mark E. Malenke
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Patent number: 7858130Abstract: A system and method are provided for handling food products whereby stacked food products can be mechanically singulated or singulated product not on pitch can be dispensed individually at a regular pitch onto transport system carrying the food products to a subsequent process unit or units in an automated and essentially labor-free manner. The automated handling system may be used advantageously on stacks of pizza crusts, among other food product types.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Mark E. Malenke, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Tomac, David Hess, Scott Adler
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Publication number: 20100119347Abstract: An apparatus for handling food products comprises an alignment trough disposed at an incline for holding a stack of the food products at an incline. The alignment trough defines a portion of a passage upon which the food products travel. The stack defines a bottom food product. At least one movable member extends into the passage to control the separation of the bottom food product from the remainder of the stack by moving to provide clearance for the food product to pass.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventors: Mark E. Malenke, Gary S. Rusch, Tod W. Heleniak, Brian Adamski, Larry D. Wierschke, Scott A. Adler