Patents by Inventor Rick A. Meeker

Rick A. Meeker 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: 9169928
    Abstract: A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: R.A Jones & Co.
    Inventors: James A. Bloome, Kelly D. Eastman, Rick A. Meeker, Rodney P. Smith
  • Patent number: 8336186
    Abstract: A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Packaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Bloome, Kelly D. Eastman, Rick A. Meeker, Rodney P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090173043
    Abstract: A filter setting and sealing apparatus includes a wobble plate mounted to press a filter edge into a plane defined by the top rim of a brew cup. A sealer defined by expandable sealer jaws is moveable into the filter. The jaws are actuated for radial outward expansion to seal the filter to the cup proximate the filter rim and cup edge. A second sealer is used to seal any gaps remaining in the seal after initial sealing. Methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Packaging Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: James A. Bloome, Kelly D. Eastman, Rick A. Meeker, Rodney P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5306202
    Abstract: One known type of machine in use for separating meat from feed material containing sinew-like material and bone particles includes a foraminous cylinder or sleevelike screen in which a conveying auger rotates. Such feed material is introduced into the infeed end of the cylinder/auger combination. The auger conveys the feed material toward the discharge end of the combination. During conveyance, meat is separated by exuding through the foramina. Compacted residue formed primarily of bone particles and sinew-like material discharges through a restricted orifice provided by a valve located at the discharge end of the cylinder/auger combination. Heretofore, the foramina in the screen were arranged in circumferential rows separated from each other by circumferential bands free of foramina. According to the present invention, novel foraminous cylinders or screens are provided in which the foraminous areas do not include circumferential bands which are free of foramina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventor: Rick A. Meeker
  • Patent number: 5241800
    Abstract: An automatically controlled Chub packaging machine wherein the product delivery pump, tube or film feed, and clamping mechanism of the vertically reciprocating clipping head, are automatically controlled by means of servo actuators operatively connected to a microprocessor. The microprocessor of the automatic control system also coordinates the functioning of the film heat sealer and the voider. An operator interface membrane panel with video display allows the operator to set, observe and adjust the various functions of the machine. The microprocessor system links all elements together and places various rates and set points in memory for immediate recall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventors: Gary L. Steinke, Russell S. Johnson, Jr., Rick A. Meeker
  • Patent number: 4875601
    Abstract: A cut-off nozzle for use in dispensing increments of flowable products comprised of a liquid medium in which solids are dispersed, particularly burrito fillings. The cut-off nozzle structure incorporates a light-weight slide member which is shuttled with fast movement between "open" and "close" positions within a chamber having outlet openings in the bottom with which discharge openings in the slide member register or coincide when the slide member is shuttled to its "open" position. The geometry of the chamber-outlet and slide-discharge openings combines with the fast closing action of the slide to provide a sharp positive cut-off of increments of product dispensed from the nozzle with elimination of leakage or drip, plugging and separation of product constituents. The nozzle may be fed with a single stream of product or with two different streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventors: Gary F. Roberts, Rick A. Meeker
  • Patent number: 4570278
    Abstract: Portable polishers and buffs are provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher and buffs are particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. Elongated polishing rolls or buffs counter-rotate such that one polishing buff rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing buff rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The buffs, which include a plurality of fabric disks that are axially compacted and secured onto a disposable sleeve, provide a buff having substantially enhanced polishing attributes. A universal mount assembly is also provided to facilitate use of the portable polisher in combination with a power-assisted lift assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Co.
    Inventors: James A. Bloome, Rick A. Meeker, Jerry T. Whicker, Frederick J. Foreman
  • Patent number: 4499624
    Abstract: A portable polisher is provided for surface preparation or for surface repair of substrates such as sheet aluminum. The polisher is particularly well suited for restoring the polished finish of aluminum aircraft skin that has been dulled by normal use and to repair blemishes on polished aluminum that occur during handling and fabrication. This apparatus includes elongated polishing rolls that are driven by a motor in conjunction with a suitable counter-rotating drive arrangement such that one polishing roll rotates in a clockwise direction about its elongated axis and another polishing roll rotates in a counterclockwise direction about its elongated axis. The apparatus may also include features for counter-oscillating the polishing rolls about their respective longitudinal axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The Kartridg Pak Company
    Inventors: James A. Bloome, Rick A. Meeker, Jerry T. Whicker, Frederick J. Foreman