Patents by Inventor Roger C. Later

Roger C. Later 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for vacuum cooling produce
    Patent number: 5992169
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for vacuum cooling field harvested produce such as lettuce includes a vacuum chamber, a partial vacuum-forming mechanism in the chamber, a water discharging mechanism in the chamber for spraying water onto the produce to cool the produce, and a mechanism in the chamber for detecting and adjusting the temperature and pressure, dynamically, to minimize undesired removal of water from the surface and interstitial tissues of the produce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Roger C. Later
  • Apparatus and methods for vacuum cooling fresh produce
    Patent number: 5386703
    Abstract: A vacuum cooler for produce and the like includes a vacuum tube forming a vacuum chamber into which produce is placed. A vacuum pump lowers the atmospheric pressure while cold water is gently sprayed onto the produce. Water vapor from the produce is condensed, directed to a sump in the chamber without permitting such condensed water to impinge on the produce, and then directed through a water disinfecting chamber for reuse. The cooler includes a venting system that admits outside air into the vacuum chamber, gradually returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure, and permitting removal of produce from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Roger Carson Later
    Inventor: Roger C. Later
  • Apparatus and methods for vacuum cooling fresh produce
    Patent number: 5375431
    Abstract: A vacuum cooler for produce and the like comprising a vacuum tube forming a vacuum chamber into which produce is placed. A vacuum pump lowers the atmospheric pressure while cold water is gently sprayed onto the produce. Water vapor from the produce is condensed, and directed to a sump in the chamber without permitting such condensed water to impinge on the produce. The cooler includes a venting system that admits outside air into the vacuum chamber, gradually returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure, and permitting removal of produce from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Inventors: Roger C. Later, Roger D. Later
  • Method and apparatus for decontamination of soils and other particulate materials
    Patent number: 5259962
    Abstract: Solid materials, such as soils, containing contaminants are treated with hydroxyl radicals, in the gas phase. The hydroxyl radicals are created by hydrogen peroxide or ozone, preferably a combination of hydrogen peroxide, ozone and UV light. A decontamination unit for on-site use in the treatment of contaminated solid materials, such as contaminated soil is a totally enclosed closed-loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: Roger C. Later