Patents by Inventor Robert T. Topper

Robert T. Topper 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: 6547346
    Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) and the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, William E. Zellner
  • Patent number: 6438983
    Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Zellner, Robert T. Topper
  • Patent number: 6427468
    Abstract: A plurality of frost shields (50) are removably positioned about the upper circumferential expanse of the walls of the liner (20) of a refrigerated cabinet (10). The frost shields (50) are magnetically mountable to the liner (20) to facilitate ease of installation and removal. Each frost shield (50) is a pliable panel fabricated in a layered construction with a relatively thin observe layer (52) of vinyl mounted on nominally thicker back layer of thermoplastic material (54) impregnated with magnetic material (60). Each frost shield (50) may be provided with a pair of handles (70) inserted in their respective slots (58) formed through the frost shield panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Tyler Refrigeration Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, Ronald E. Luyet
  • Publication number: 20020073724
    Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) and the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: William E. Zellner, Robert T. Topper
  • Publication number: 20020073725
    Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) and the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rand, Joseph F. Sanders, Robert T. Topper
  • Publication number: 20020074906
    Abstract: A refrigerated cabinet (10) includes a cabinet base (20) defining an open top compartment having a refrigerated interior for housing a refrigerated product (50) and a canopy (30) disposed atop the refrigerated compartment. A transparent glass window in the front wall of the canopy (30) is extended downwardly to the product fill line within the refrigerated compartment thereby expanding the customer view area. The rear wall of the canopy (30) includes a transparent service door (40) and a framework (42). The service door (40) may be rotated independently of the framework (42) to an open position providing service access to the refrigerated compartment. The service door (40) and the framework (42) may also be rotated together as a unit to a second open position to provide access to the refrigerated compartment for cleaning and sanitizing. A lamp (80) for illuminating the cabinet interior is disposed externally of the canopy (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, William E. Zellner
  • Patent number: 6272875
    Abstract: An improved ice cream dipping cabinet which readily permits visualization of frozen food product stored therein. The dipping cabinet has an inner box that is at least partially surrounded by an outer box. Cold, refrigerating air is circulated between the inner and outer boxes, cooling the inner box walls and the food product stored therein. The inner and outer boxes have an upper, transparent portion to permit visualization of food products stored within the inner box. The inner box has a door that is hermetically sealed to a top wall thereof to prevent moisture migration from the inner box. The outer box has an open top to permit access to the inner box door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert T. Topper
  • Patent number: 6094934
    Abstract: A refrigeration machine for merchandising and displaying frozen articles. The refrigeration machine has a cabinet having a front wall, opposing side walls and an intermediate support shelf. A top portion of the front wall and the side walls extend above the intermediate support shelf to define a refrigeration unit compartment. The top portion of the front wall has a thicken area and a forward portion of the side walls also have thickened areas that are continuous with the thickened area of the front wall. The thickened areas form a boss which engages a divider wall of a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is removable from the cabinet as a single member. The refrigeration unit has mounts for a compressor and a condenser so that an electrical tray and a condensate tray can be placed under the compressor and condenser. The cabinet has shelf supports that support shelves at varying degrees of inclination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rand, William E. Zellner, Robert J. Mercer, Robert T. Topper, Joseph F. Sanders
  • Patent number: 5974818
    Abstract: A low temperature frozen food display case that allows a consumer to directly view a frozen product contained therein and which minimizes moisture loss from the frozen food. The display case provides an base member which defines a first portion of a cooling air passageway, side walls extending upwardly from the base member, inner and outer members which are sealed to the side walls and the base member and cooperate to define a second portion of the cooling air passageway. A rear wall defines a plurality of access openings which are selectively closed by pivotal doors. Each of the doors define a third portion of the cooling air passageway through which cooling air from an outlet of the passageway first portion is communicated to the passageway second portion. Food contained within the food storage compartment is not directly contacted by cold air which flows through the cooling air passageway surrounding the storage compartment and, therefore, moisture loss is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, Joseph F. Sanders, William E. Zellner
  • Patent number: 5556268
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting viscous material from a collapsible container into the other end of the cylinder by suctioning the material from the container. When the piston moves in a second direction, the integral valve opens to allow the piston to pass through the previously suctioned viscous material then within the cylinder. The dispensing nozzle includes a normally closed, spring-biased valve opened by the force of the pressurized material, closing of the valve being assisted by a transient suction force occurring as the valved piston begins to move in the second direction through the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, John W. Gilliom, James M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5553756
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting viscous material from a collapsible container into the other end of the cylinder by suctioning the material from the container. When the piston moves in a second direction, the integral valve opens to allow the piston to pass through the previously suctioned viscous material then within the cylinder. The dispensing nozzle includes a normally closed, spring-biased valve opened by the force of the pressurized material, closing of the valve being assisted by a transient suction force occurring as the valved piston beings to move in the second direction through the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, John W. Gilliom, James M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5494194
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston with an integral valve moves in a first direction within a cylinder to pressurize viscous material contained therein, such as ice cream or the like, thereby pushing it out of a dispensing nozzle located at one end of the cylinder while simultaneously extracting viscous material from a collapsible container into the other end of the cylinder by suctioning the material from the container. When the piston moves in a second direction, the integral valve opens to allow the piston to pass through the previously suctioned viscous material then within the cylinder. The dispensing nozzle includes a normally closed, spring-biased valve opened by the force of the pressurized material, closing of the valve being assisted by a transient suction force occurring as the valved piston begins to move in the second direction through the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, John W. Gilliom, James M. Tucker
  • Patent number: 5227027
    Abstract: A water distillation system and process capable of high efficiency operation used in combination with a heat pump system wherein the water distillation apparatus includes a water pre-heating device positioned within the feed water to heat the feed water to approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate operation of a water evaporator device which vaporizes the water by boiling thereof. Contaminants are removed from this pure water vapor which is at approximately 215 degrees Fahrenheit. The water vapor is passed to a water condenser to provide high purity water at approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat pump system provides for refrigerant condensing at approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate boiling of the water in the adjacent water evaporator and includes refrigerant vaporization adjacent the water condenser to facilitate absorbing and reclaiming of the latent heat of the distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Robert T. Topper
  • Patent number: D438404
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, Thomas W. Rand, William E. Zellner, Ronald E. Luyet, Greg Arhart, Brad Ritner
  • Patent number: D440432
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Topper, Thomas W. Rand, William E. Zellner, Ronald E. Luyet, Greg Arhart, Brad Ritner