Patents by Inventor Scott A. Lindee
Scott A. Lindee 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).
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Patent number: 11925299Abstract: A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David M. Hansen, John Eisenbrandt, Joseph A. Ebert, Scott A. Lindee, E. William Wight, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 11766801Abstract: A slicing apparatus for slicing food articles includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2023Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INCInventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Publication number: 20230182339Abstract: A slicing apparatus for slicing food articles includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 11383399Abstract: A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Publication number: 20210370542Abstract: A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 10980270Abstract: The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor, Christopher Moore, E. William Wight
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Publication number: 20200397191Abstract: A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: David M. Hansen, John Eisenbrandt, Joseph A. Ebert, Scott A. Lindee, E. William Wight, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 10842322Abstract: A rotary molding system for use in a patty forming machine and configured to mold food products and a fill plate for use within the rotary molding system are provided. A replaceable wear plate is provided which seats between a reciprocating stripper plate and a fill plate. Each plate has holes through which food product passes. A drum having mold cavities receives the food product from the fill plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: David M. Hansen, John Eisenbrandt, Joseph A. Ebert, Scott A. Lindee, E. William Wight, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 10828806Abstract: A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, David Hansen, Salvatore Lamartino, Bruce Bauer, Thomas C. Wolcott, Steve Ill, E. William Wight
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Publication number: 20200154754Abstract: The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2019Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor, Christopher Moore, E. William Wight
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Patent number: 10639812Abstract: A high-speed food article slicing machine with a slicing station, a moveable frame supporting a food article feed mechanism frame, a food article gate, and a safety guard system for detecting an intrusion into the machine. Food articles are loaded onto a lift tray and raised to a staging position where food articles are in contact with a food article gate. The lift tray is located in line with the food article feed paths such that lateral shifting of food articles into the feed paths is not needed. Food article grippers, individually driven along feed paths by an overhead conveyor, move food articles over the food article gate towards the slicing station. The food article gate functions to assist in removal of food article end portions. The slicing machines utilizes a horizontally radiating laser intrusion detector to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion is sensed.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 10625436Abstract: A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Patent number: 10384889Abstract: A card dispensing system for dispensing cards along a conveying surface which conveys sliced products downstream of a slicer for packaging the sliced products. A hopper contains a stack of cards which are withdrawn from the hopper by a suction force provided via at least one suction cup. The suction cup is moveable vertically to retrieve and remove the card from the hopper. The suction cup is moveable laterally to move the card into a receiving position where a card clamp on a clamp carriage arrives to receive the card. Suction force on the card is released when the card clamp clamps down on the card. The clamp carriage moves the card from the receiving position to the staging position where a nip engages with the card to feed the card through a junction in the conveyor line just as a food product passes over the junction.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Glen Pryor, Wayne Webster, Scott A. Lindee, Ryan Torrenga, Paul Choate
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Patent number: 10383354Abstract: The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: PROVISUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor, Christopher Moore, E. William Wight
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Publication number: 20190105794Abstract: A food article slicing machine includes a food article loading apparatus with a lift tray assembly for moving food articles from a staging position to an elevated position at a beginning of a food article feed path, a food article feed apparatus disposed over the food article loading apparatus having an upper conveyor assembly with an independently driven endless conveyor belt used in cooperation with a food article gripper for moving the food articles along the food article feed path, a food article stop gate that forms part of the food article feed path and opens to drop food article end portions, and a slicing station at an end of the food article feed path with a knife for slicing the food articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Publication number: 20180311853Abstract: A high-speed food article slicing machine with a slicing station, a moveable frame supporting a food article feed mechanism frame, a food article gate, and a safety guard system for detecting an intrusion into the machine. Food articles are loaded onto a lift tray and raised to a staging position where food articles are in contact with a food article gate. The lift tray is located in line with the food article feed paths such that lateral shifting of food articles into the feed paths is not needed. Food article grippers, individually driven along feed paths by an overhead conveyor, move food articles over the food article gate towards the slicing station. The food article gate functions to assist in removal of food article end portions. The slicing machines utilizes a horizontally radiating laser intrusion detector to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion is sensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, James E. Pasek, David Hancock, Thomas C. Wolcott
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Publication number: 20180281242Abstract: A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, David Hansen, Salvatore Lamartino, Bruce Bauer, Thomas C. Wolcott, Steve Ill, E. William Wight
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Publication number: 20180206547Abstract: The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor, Christopher Moore, E. William Wight
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Patent number: 10011053Abstract: A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: FORMAX, INC.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, David Hansen, Salvatore Lamartino, Bruce Bauer, Thomas C. Wolcott, Steve Ill, E. William Wight
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Patent number: 9955719Abstract: The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Provisur Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Paul Taylor, Christopher Moore, E. William Wight