Patents by Inventor Rick W. Bajema

Rick W. Bajema 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: 11035808
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Bajema, Jason Ballengee, Kevin Minard
  • Patent number: 10837927
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Bajema, Jason Ballengee, Kevin Minard
  • Patent number: 10801979
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Frito-Lay North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick W. Bajema, Jason Ballengee, Kevin Minard
  • Publication number: 20190064086
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Rick W. BAJEMA, Jason BALLENGEE, Kevin MINARD
  • Publication number: 20190064087
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Rick W. BAJEMA, Jason BALLENGEE, Kevin MINARD
  • Publication number: 20180080887
    Abstract: A non-invasive NMR based apparatus for measuring a food attribute (moisture, sugar content) in food products comprises a magnetic chamber, an RF pulsing device attached to the magnetic chamber, a sensor receiver, and a data processing unit in communication with the sensor receiver. The pulsing device exposes the food ingredients/snacks to an RF field and produces an NMR response signal that is detected by the sensor receiver. The data processing unit quantitatively measures a food attribute of the food product based on the NMR response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Rick W. BAJEMA, Jason BALLENGEE, Kevin Minard
  • Patent number: 6540911
    Abstract: A dewatering system for separating a stream of liquid from the items traveling therein. The dewatering system includes a primary grid which catches the stream of liquid from a flume or other device. The liquid stream, but not the solid items, passes through the primary grid and is caught by a baffle which smoothly redirects the liquid. The baffle is arranged with respect to the primary grid so that the surface of the stream flow through the grid is substantially tangential to a leading portion of the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick W. Bajema
  • Patent number: 6293407
    Abstract: A item separating or debris eliminating system includes a tank and a pump for circulating water from one end of the tank around through a duct and back into the opposite end of the tank. A medium density object collector is located within the tank, and a light debris collector is located within the tank. A conveyor filter is included through which substantially all of the water in the tank is circulated. The debris eliminating system preferably also includes a high density object collector within the tank. The system can be used to separate a variety of objects having different densities and terminal velocities in a fluid. Most preferably, the system is utilized for separating debris from potatoes and the like produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick W. Bajema
  • Patent number: 6213308
    Abstract: A item separating or debris eliminating system includes a tank and a pump for circulating water from one end of the tank around through a duct and back into the opposite end of the tank. A medium density object collector is located within the tank, and a light debris collector is located within the tank. A conveyor filter is included through which substantially all of the water in the tank is circulated. The debris eliminating system preferably also includes a high density object collector within the tank. The system can be used to separate a variety of objects having different densities and terminal velocities in a fluid. Most preferably, the system is utilized for separating debris from potatoes and the like produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick W. Bajema
  • Patent number: 5833868
    Abstract: A portable water recycler for cleaning and recycling water used in a produce washing system or another similar system. The portable water recycler is most particularly advantageous in the recycling of water used in a potato washing system. The portable water recycler includes a conveyor filter which removes and conveys debris generally laterally while allowing water to pass generally vertically through a funnel and into a reclaiming tank. The reclaiming tank has a sloped floor and a bottom outlet. Dirty water is discharged from the bottom outlet and pumped through at least one centrifugal separator for further separation of particulate material from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick W. Bajema