Patents by Inventor Stephan A. CLAY

Stephan A. CLAY 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).

  • Publication number: 20230413832
    Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a user-selectable voltage, current level, and/or frequency and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: SIMMONS ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan A. CLAY, Derrick C. ARP, Jeffrey L. AIREY
  • Patent number: 10238121
    Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus including a trough for containing water through which the poultry is carried for stunning. The apparatus also including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. The apparatus further including a stunning electrode positioned within the trough, the stunning electrode including a metal plate adapted and positioned within the trough to be contacted in a contact zone by the poultry as the poultry are carried along, the contact zone of the metal plate being substantially smooth and uninterrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Simmons Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Airey, Derrick C. Arp, Stephan A. Clay
  • Publication number: 20180317504
    Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus including a trough for containing water through which the poultry is carried for stunning. The apparatus also including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. The apparatus further including a stunning electrode positioned within the trough, the stunning electrode including a metal plate adapted and positioned within the trough to be contacted in a contact zone by the poultry as the poultry are carried along, the contact zone of the metal plate being substantially smooth and uninterrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: SIMMONS ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. AIREY, Derrick C. ARP, Stephan A. CLAY
  • Patent number: 9668491
    Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. In the method, DC voltage/current is applied for initial stunning, followed by an AC voltage/current to immobilize poultry and to further relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, such that the poultry does not exhibit involuntary motions, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SIMMONS ENGINEEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan A. Clay, Derrick C. Arp, Jeffrey L. Airey
  • Publication number: 20160345596
    Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. In the method, DC voltage/current is applied for initial stunning, followed by an AC voltage/current to immobilize poultry and to further relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, such that the poultry does not exhibit involuntary motions, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: SIMMONS ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephan A. CLAY, Derrick C. ARP, Jeffrey L. AIREY