Patents by Inventor Nigel G. Mills
Nigel G. Mills 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: 10722099Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first heat exchanger arranged to deliver refrigerant medium heat to a first fluid and a second heat exchanger arranged to provide a heat exchange relationship between the refrigerant medium and a second fluid, the first heat exchanger located upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant medium circuit. A bypass arrangement for causing at least some refrigerant medium to selectively bypass at least one of the first condenser or the second condenser based upon subcooled refrigerant medium condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Nigel G. Mills
-
Patent number: 10722097Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first condenser and a second condenser, the first condenser located upstream of the second condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant medium circuit includes a first flow path through the first condenser and a second flow path in bypass of the first condenser, and a valve for selectively controlling whether at least some refrigerant medium flows along the first flow path or the second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Nigel G. Mills, Alexander R. Anim-Mensah
-
Publication number: 20190133410Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first heat exchanger arranged to deliver refrigerant medium heat to a first fluid and a second heat exchanger arranged to provide a heat exchange relationship between the refrigerant medium and a second fluid, the first heat exchanger located upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant medium circuit. A bypass arrangement for causing at least some refrigerant medium to selectively bypass at least one of the first condenser or the second condenser based upon subcooled refrigerant medium condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alexander R. ANIM-MENSAH, Nigel G. MILLS
-
Publication number: 20190133405Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first condenser and a second condenser, the first condenser located upstream of the second condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant medium circuit includes a first flow path through the first condenser and a second flow path in bypass of the first condenser, and a valve for selectively controlling whether at least some refrigerant medium flows along the first flow path or the second flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Nigel G. MILLS, Alexander R. ANIM-MENSAH
-
Patent number: 10178937Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first condenser and a second condenser, the first condenser located upstream of the second condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant medium circuit includes a first flow path through the first condenser and a second flow path in bypass of the first condenser, and a valve for selectively controlling whether at least some refrigerant medium flows along the first flow path or the second flow path.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Nigel G. Mills, Alexander R. Anim-Mensah
-
Patent number: 10178940Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first heat exchanger arranged to deliver refrigerant medium heat to a first fluid and a second heat exchanger arranged to provide a heat exchange relationship between the refrigerant medium and a second fluid, the first heat exchanger located upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant medium circuit. A bypass arrangement for causing at least some refrigerant medium to selectively bypass at least one of the first condenser or the second condenser based upon subcooled refrigerant medium condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Nigel G. Mills
-
Patent number: 10057946Abstract: An oven includes a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a user interface configured to display information associated with processes employed for cooking, first and second energy sources, and a cooking controller. The first energy source provides primary heating and the second energy source provides secondary heating for the food product. The cooking controller executes instructions associated with a cooking program directing application of energy to the food product via the first or second energy sources. The cooking controller includes processing circuitry configured to monitor energy added to the food product via the first energy source in accordance with the cooking program, receive an indication of a change to a cooking parameter associated with a second energy source, and determine a modification to the cooking program by employing a modification algorithm based on the cooking parameter change.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.Inventors: Nigel G. Mills, Richard W. Cartwright, Richard A. Kice
-
Publication number: 20170027407Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first condenser and a second condenser, the first condenser located upstream of the second condenser in the refrigerant circuit. The refrigerant medium circuit includes a first flow path through the first condenser and a second flow path in bypass of the first condenser, and a valve for selectively controlling whether at least some refrigerant medium flows along the first flow path or the second flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC .Inventors: Nigel G. Mills, Alexander R. Anim-Mensah
-
Publication number: 20170027404Abstract: A warewash machine includes a chamber for receiving wares, the chamber having at least one wash zone. A refrigerant medium circuit includes a first heat exchanger arranged to deliver refrigerant medium heat to a first fluid and a second heat exchanger arranged to provide a heat exchange relationship between the refrigerant medium and a second fluid, the first heat exchanger located upstream of the second heat exchanger in the refrigerant medium circuit. A bypass arrangement for causing at least some refrigerant medium to selectively bypass at least one of the first condenser or the second condenser based upon subcooled refrigerant medium condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.Inventors: Alexander R. Anim-Mensah, Nigel G. Mills
-
Patent number: 9380912Abstract: A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: PREMARK FEG LLC.Inventors: Richard B. Manson, Nigel G. Mills, Terry R. Wiseman
-
Publication number: 20150208865Abstract: A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Richard B. Manson, Nigel G. Mills, Terry R. Wiseman
-
Patent number: 9021941Abstract: A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Premark Feg L.L.C.Inventors: Richard B. Manson, Nigel G. Mills, Terry R. Wiseman
-
Patent number: 8600819Abstract: A random weight item transaction system include a scale with label RFID tag functionality, service person RFID tag functionality and customer RFID tag functionality. A slicer in proximity to the scale may include service person and bulk food product RFID functionalities. The scale may make weigh transaction data available to a computerized checkout system via a communications link or via writing the information to the label RFID tag.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Premark FEG. L.L.C.Inventors: Robert J. Schuller, Robert J. Weisz, Nigel G. Mills, Mark E. Eberhardt, Jr.
-
Patent number: 8432567Abstract: A label printer for handling labels with RFID tags includes one or more advantageous features such as locating an RF encoder unit antenna in position to read and/or write to label antennas after the label antennas have exited a label output slot of the printer, providing light elements to indicate status of a read and/or write operation to a label RFID tag or a voiding step to void labels when a read and/or write operation is unsuccessful.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Mark E. Eberhardt, Jr., Nigel G. Mills, Randall L. Redman, Kinred Bowling
-
Publication number: 20130092682Abstract: An oven includes a cooking chamber configured to receive a food product, a user interface configured to display information associated with processes employed for cooking, first and second energy sources, and a cooking controller. The first energy source provides primary heating and the second energy source provides secondary heating for the food product. The cooking controller executes instructions associated with a cooking program directing application of energy to the food product via the first or second energy sources. The cooking controller includes processing circuitry configured to monitor energy added to the food product via the first energy source in accordance with the cooking program, receive an indication of a change to a cooking parameter associated with a second energy source, and determine a modification to the cooking program by employing a modification algorithm based on the cooking parameter change.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2011Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS, INC.Inventors: Nigel G. MILLS, Richard W. CARTWRIGHT, Richard A. KICE
-
Patent number: 8375848Abstract: A self-cleaning rotisserie oven includes a cooking chamber for cooking food product. A rotor is used for supporting and moving a food product in the cooking chamber. A sump is positioned below the cooking chamber that collects water provided to the cooking chamber. A sensor is positioned to detect when the sump is filled to a set level. An inlet valve is configured to control supply of water to the cooking chamber. A controller is configured to carry out a self-cleaning process. The self-cleaning process includes (a) a pre-rinse phase where the controller (i) opens the inlet valve, (ii) closes the inlet valve when the sensor detects that the sump is filled to the set level, and (iii) determines a duration of time that the inlet valve was open during (i), and (b) a later phase during which the controller opens the inlet valve for an amount of time based on the duration of time determined during (a)(iii).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Richard D. Valentine, Nigel G. Mills, Matthew A. Weber, James M. Heiser, Clifford A. Blackmore
-
Patent number: 8249928Abstract: In addition to standard product labels, incentive labels are printed and provided to customers when an item is identified to and weighed by a scale/label printer located in a store by accessing an incentive database to determine the existence and nature of any incentive. One or more display devices may be used in connection with providing incentives, including enabling a customer to select from among a number of incentives displayed. An incentive label construction may be provided with desirable folding features. Certain incentives may be of a graduated/progressive type to invite larger purchases by customers.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Valassis In-Store Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Schuller, Robert J. Weisz, Nigel G. Mills
-
Patent number: 8066442Abstract: A supply of labels may be configured to facilitate folding. A label handling method involves initiating a label fold prior to a label completely exiting a label exit opening. A label apparatus includes a label obstructing member to promote label folding.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Robert J. Weisz, Nigel G. Mills, Kinred Bowling, Karl S. Schroeder
-
Publication number: 20110083657Abstract: An oven includes air deflectors arranged about a fan to aid in equalizing flow to two sides of the fan. The oven may also include plenums located on opposite sides of the oven cavity, with air interruption panels located in the plenums.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicant: Premark FEG L.L.C.Inventors: Michael J. Ploof, Nigel G. Mills
-
Publication number: 20110048248Abstract: A fryer unit includes a vat and heat exchange system with multiple passes within the fryer vat. Additional heat exchange passes may be provided in ductwork along the exterior surface of the lateral vat sidewalls.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Inventors: Richard B. Manson, Nigel G. Mills, Terry R. Wiseman