Patents by Inventor Nicholson James Hirzel

Nicholson James Hirzel 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).

  • Food processing system, apparatus for testing a foreign object sensor and a method for operating the food processing system
    Patent number: 10906682
    Abstract: A food processing system is disclosed. The food processing system includes a food scaling portion, a food bagging portion and a chute portion connecting the food scaling portion to the food bagging portion. The food processing system also includes a foreign object sensor arranged about the chute portion. The foreign object sensor and the chute portion cooperatively form a foreign object sensing zone within a passage formed by the chute portion that extends along a portion of a length of the chute portion. The food processing system also includes at least one sensor testing conduit extending through one or both of the food scaling portion and the chute portion. An exit opening of the at least one sensor testing conduit is arranged in an opposing relationship with respect to the foreign object sensing zone. A foreign object sensor apparatus for detecting non-foodstuff material is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: KELLOGG COMPANY
    Inventor: Nicholson James Hirzel
  • Food Processing System, Apparatus For Testing A Foreign Object Sensor And A Method For Operating The Food Processing System
    Publication number: 20170259949
    Abstract: A food processing system is disclosed. The food processing system includes a food scaling portion, a food bagging portion and a chute portion connecting the food scaling portion to the food bagging portion. The food processing system also includes a foreign object sensor arranged about the chute portion. The foreign object sensor and the chute portion cooperatively form a foreign object sensing zone within a passage formed by the chute portion that extends along a portion of a length of the chute portion. The food processing system also includes at least one sensor testing conduit extending through one or both of the food scaling portion and the chute portion. An exit opening of the at least one sensor testing conduit is arranged in an opposing relationship with respect to the foreign object sensing zone. A foreign object sensor apparatus for detecting non-foodstuff material is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Nicholson James Hirzel