Patents by Inventor Phillip L. Minerich

Phillip L. Minerich 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: 6799467
    Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Marie A. Guion, Andrew D. Bicek, Thomas B. Priebe, Daniel T. Wolters, Paul C. Luna
  • Publication number: 20030226411
    Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Marie A. Guion, Andrew D. Bicek, Thomas E. Priebe, Daniel T. Wolters, Paul C. Luna
  • Patent number: 6311842
    Abstract: At least one corrugated sheet is formed into a corrugated carton has a top panel, a bottom panel, opposite side walls, and opposite end walls. Intermittently spaced slits are formed through the corrugated sheet along fold lines defined between the top panel and the side walls and between the top panel and the end walls. Discrete openings are provided in the top panel to receive individual cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Jeffrey E. Johnson, Nicholas A. Philips
  • Patent number: 5593610
    Abstract: An microwave container with synergistic active elements provides more uniform heating than prior art containers, and is more tolerant of variations in food product, load and heating conditions. The active elements (which are conductive and microwave opaque) include an annular ring in the base of the container, a band extending from the base of the side walls up the walls to a level approximately even with the anticipated fill level in the container, a lip extending from the bottom of the side walls onto the base, and at least one, preferably three cooperative active elements in the lid of the container. These containers can be used for thawing and cooking frozen, uncooked meats and other foods, with which prior art containers produced unsatisfactory results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Hormel Foods Corporation
    Inventors: Phillip L. Minerich, Bryan C. Hewitt, Cindy M. Lacroix, Melville D. Ball