Patents by Inventor Michael A. Carter

Michael A. Carter 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: 5435430
    Abstract: There is utilized a particular bucket conveyor apparatus for the transport of fragile articles such as cookies and crackers from an input feed point to a multiple number of discharge areas. At the discharge areas the bucket conveyors are tilted rearwardly to spread the fragile crackers and cookies over a lower transverse belt or vibrating conveyor. In the operation of the apparatus each of the buckets is filled initially to less than about 50 percent of its volume. In this way if there is not an available discharge point, the bucket can once again go through the cycle before it would reach a point of overflowing. When the buckets are in a full condition, they will empty half or more of their contents onto a storage station conveyor prior to passing the input feed point. This bucket conveyor mechanism lends itself to a high degree of computerized control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Nabisco, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Steiner, Michael A. Carter, Robert E. Strom
  • Patent number: 5334202
    Abstract: A portable bone distraction apparatus comprises a frame having a pair of relatively moveable parts which are respectively connectable to the bone parts on opposite sides of a break and tissue condition sensors positionable on opposite sides of a break. The sensors determine tissue conditions such as temperature or oxygen content. The apparatus includes a microprocessor control circuit which governs rate and frequency of distractions with automatic termination or reduction of the rate and/or frequency of distraction if sensed conditions proximate the break exceed predetermined programmed values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Michael A. Carter
  • Patent number: 5232641
    Abstract: Rapid cooling of molded workpieces formed in an injection molding machine such as PET parisons is provided by a receiver receiving molded workpieces upon ejection from the molding machine, the receiver being transported out of the molding machine to an adjacent position where a cooling head coupled to a source of cooling fluid such as liquid CO.sub.2 directs the fluid toward the surfaces of each workpiece. The cooling head engages and is sealed to the receiver to inhibit the escape of cooling fluid into the atmosphere thereby reducing cost, environmental impact, etc. A sensor coupled to a control of the cooling fluid source permits the release of cooling fluid from said source to contact the workpieces only when the cooling head is engaged with and sealed to the receiver. A vacuum unit withdraws cooling fluid from the receiver subsequent to contact between the workpieces and the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is then recooled and recycled for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Inventors: James T. Williamson, Michael A. Carter
  • Patent number: 5114327
    Abstract: Rapid cooling of molded workpieces formed in an injection molding machine such as PET parisons is provided by a receiver receiving molded workpieces upon ejection from the molding machine, the receiver being transported out of the molding machine to an adjacent position where a cooling head coupled to a source of cooling fluid such as liquid CO.sub.2 directs the fluid toward the surfaces of each workpiece. The cooling head engages and is sealed to the receiver to inhibit the escape of cooling fluid into the atmosphere thereby reducing cost, environmental impact, etc. A sensor coupled to a control of the cooling fluid source permits the release of cooling fluid from said source to contact the workpieces only when the cooling head is engaged with and sealed to the receiver. A vacuum unit withdraws cooling fluid from the receiver subsequent to contact between the workpieces and the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid is then recooled and recycled for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventors: James T. Williamson, Michael A. Carter