Patents by Inventor Michael Maddux

Michael Maddux 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: 11678769
    Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Henny Penny Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
  • Publication number: 20220346599
    Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
  • Publication number: 20220346597
    Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies has a fryer including a plurality of fryer vats, heating elements, and a vertical transport assembly associated with each of the fryer vats. The vertical transport assembly is configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the fryer vat, and optionally also with reciprocating shaking movements as well. The vertical transport assembly includes a lift base, a platform support hanger, and a basket support platform. The basket support platform includes a tray-shaped platform portion defined by a wire rack construction that circumferentially surrounds a bottom portion of the basket to retain the basket, the platform portion having an angled entry taper to correct any misalignments of the basket and the basket support platform as a gantry moves the basket onto the basket support platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
  • Publication number: 20220346600
    Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. The basket and gantry include interface elements for enabling precise movements and rapid opening and closing of baskets at the system. Aspects of an automated cooking system and a corresponding method for discharging cooked food product help to avoid the problems associated with manually operating a cooking system. Specifically, the system described herein provides for apparatuses and methods to cook and dispense food product in a more efficient manner with regard to both time and labor considerations within food production environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
  • Patent number: 8915329
    Abstract: Tunable perforate acoustic liners are disclosed using shape memory materials, which allow the acoustic liners to tune for multiple frequencies across a wide range, unlike current designs which are limited to specific frequencies or small ranges. The liner will be initiated through a sensor and feedback loop to monitor the current acoustic environment and initiate geometry change needed to more effectively attenuate engine noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Michael Hermiller, Michael Maddux
  • Patent number: 8097733
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) processes for their preparation, their use as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pfizer Inc.
    Inventors: Edgardo Alvira, Matthew J. Graneto, Margaret Lanahan Grapperhaus, Kaliappan Iyanar, Todd Michael Maddux, Matthew William Mahoney, Mark Alan Massa, Kirby Ray Sample, Michelle Ann Schmidt, Ronald Edward Seidel, Jon Gordon Selbo, Michael Brent Tollefson, Richard Alan Vonder Embse, Grace Mary Wagner, Scott Santford Woodard
  • Patent number: 8053034
    Abstract: The high performance tank systems relate to producing efficient, inexpensive, durable corrosion proof galvanized mild-steel tanks for transporting fluids on land transport vehicles. The tanks can be used to transport fluids of many types. Due too the annealing process used the tanks are stress relieved and less prone to fractures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventors: Colin Dickinson, Penny Dickinson, Robert N. Mundell, Michael A. Maddux, Jess Noble
  • Publication number: 20110087965
    Abstract: A method for setting up a list of audio files for a mobile device, and a mobile device utilizing the method for setting up the list of audio files are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Patrick Johansson, Michael Maddux