Patents by Inventor Terry L. Holmes
Terry L. Holmes 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: 8377490Abstract: A method and system are provided for forming sliced cheese directly from a quantity of cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. In general, cheese slices are formed from a quantity of cheese in which at least one discrete cheese piece is introduced into an elongated chamber having a longitudinal interior surface and housing a conveyor. Resulting cheese mass is transported forwardly and longitudinally of the chamber via the conveyor to a discharge outlet of the chamber and into a funnel. The cheese mass is extruded at a temperature of less than about 50° F. as a plurality of cheese extrudate sheets through a plurality of elongated orifices of a die plate which receive cheese mass exiting from the outlet of the funnel. The cheese extrudate sheets are cut along their lengths to provide discrete cheese slices.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventors: Terry L. Holmes, Orestes Rivero
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Publication number: 20110014311Abstract: A method and system are provided for portioning a cheese mass to be sliced and shredded directly from a quantity of bulk cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. The cheese extrudate strands and sheets are cut to provide discrete cheese shreds and slices, and can be automatically portioned and deposited in packages.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2010Publication date: January 20, 2011Inventors: Terry L. Holmes, Orestes Rivero, Adalys Rivero
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Patent number: 7758905Abstract: A method and system are provided for portioning a cheese mass to be sliced and shredded directly from a quantity of bulk cheese, without the need to thermally process the cheese. The cheese extrudate strands and sheets are cut to provide discrete cheese shreds and slices, and can be automatically portioned and deposited in packages.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLCInventor: Terry L. Holmes
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Patent number: 6371835Abstract: An apparatus and method for honing, sharpening or grinding a curved peripheral cutting surface of a slicer blade are provided. Included is the use of one of a set of interchangeable cams that generally follows the curved shape of the blade cutting surface, whether same has a constant radius or varying radii. The honing is accomplished off-line of the slicer equipment, and the movement of two honing or grinding wheels is closely controlled so as to provide honed or ground cutting edges which are of substantially uniform width throughout their respective peripheries. The two honing or grinding wheels operate independently of each other on opposing edges of the blade, a large blade load area is provided therebetween, precision gib adjustments are provided between the wheel and the cam follower, and a single tool is needed to make adjustments of the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.Inventors: Dennis G. Flisram, Terry L. Holmes
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Patent number: 5746649Abstract: An assembly and method are disclosed for separating the muscle tissue of meat from sinew. A plurality of elongate pins which are spaced from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the pins pierce the meat from which the sinew is to be removed to restrain the sinew against movement, and a compressive force is imparted to the muscle tissue by a compression assembly while the sinew is being restrained against movement. The force which is imparted to the muscle tissue separates the muscle tissue from the sinew and causes the muscle tissue to move away from the restrained sinew and through the spaces between the pins. With the assembly and method of the invention it is possible to remove significant and substantial portions of the sinew from the meat being processed, and to reduce the fat in the muscle tissue to as little as less than 1-11/2 wt %.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 1996Date of Patent: May 5, 1998Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.Inventors: Gary R. Skaar, Terry L. Holmes, Donald E. Lucke, Gerald R. Popenhagen, Jay I. Gust, William N. G. Barron, III, Dean F. Schwarz
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Patent number: 5609512Abstract: An apparatus and method for honing, sharpening or grinding a curved peripheral cutting surface of a slicer blade are provided. Included is the use of one of a set of interchangeable cams that generally follows the curved shape of the blade cutting surface, whether same has a constant radius or varying radii. In order to minimize downtime and sanitation operations, the honing is accomplished off-line of the slicer equipment. Preferably, the slicer blade remains perfectly flat during honing, and the movement of one or more honing or grinding wheels is closely controlled so as to provide honed or ground cutting edges which are of substantially uniform width throughout their respective peripheries. Honing is accomplished in accordance with objectively measured sharpness standards by which superior sharpness levels are attained.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 1995Date of Patent: March 11, 1997Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.Inventors: Terry L. Holmes, Gary R. Skaar, Larry C. Gundlach, Dennis G. Flisram
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Patent number: 5453044Abstract: Charges of solid coolant granules are automatically inserted into a fresh animal carcass or a portion of an animal carcass by the use of an inserting tool. The granular solid coolant charge is contained within a chamber of the tool which also includes a flat spear blade. When the blade forms a slit in a selected muscle area, the granular solid coolant charge is positively, rapidly and consistently positioned within the pocket that had just been opened by the spear blade. The insertion tool and process are especially well-adapted for use in reducing the development of pale, soft and exudative meat, while accomplishing this in a manner that is rapid and minimizes variations from carcass to carcass.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1994Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Norman C. Abler, Jay I. Gust, Terry L. Holmes, Donald E. Lucke
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Patent number: 5417376Abstract: A device for regulating the discharge of bones and other hard, objectionable material from processed food includes a flow control device contained within a housing applied to the discharge line downstream of a grinding apparatus. The device has a reciprocating valve element having an elongated cylindrical valve head with a groove formed therein at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the valve element. This groove is constantly contacted by the discharge product flow stream in open and closed positions of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1994Date of Patent: May 23, 1995Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Terry L. Holmes, Jay I. Gust, William G. VanDyke
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Patent number: 5404777Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved slicing of large food sticks, loafs and the like are provided. A slicing blade having a flat top surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing apparatus includes an orifice assembly or other arrangement for imparting generally laterally directed forces on the food products being sliced. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of the butt ends of those products. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: April 11, 1995Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Gary R. Skaar, Terry L. Holmes, Dennis G. Flisram
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Patent number: 5379633Abstract: An objective measurement of the relative sharpness of a slicing blade is made in accordance with the apparatus and method of this invention by making a test cut in a test specimen in a controlled manner in a sharpness tester device which records the peak force required to cut a standard test specimen 44.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1993Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Dennis G. Flisram, James A. Rattmann, Gary R. Skaar, Terry L. Holmes
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Patent number: 5320014Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved slicing of large food sticks, loafs and the like are provided. A slicing blade having a flat top surface or top flat land width along its cutting edge provides generally longitudinal forces on the food product being sliced, which forces are in a direction generally opposite to the direction through which the food products are fed through a slicing apparatus. The slicing apparatus includes an orifice assembly or other arrangement for imparting generally laterally directed forces on the food products being sliced. The invention is particularly important in improving handling of the butt ends of those products. Fast feed rates can be practiced without experiencing jamming, yields are increased, slicing line utilization is enhanced, and sanitary conditions are more easily maintained.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1992Date of Patent: June 14, 1994Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Gary R. Skaar, Terry L. Holmes, Dennis G. Flisram
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Patent number: 4902375Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for assembling composite labels including a label or a seal at least partially covering a ribbon segment. A stream of ribbon segments are severed from a length of ribbon, are spaced from each other, and are transported to a location at which they are positioned at least partially under a seal or label and onto a moving web of backing material in order to form the composite product.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1986Date of Patent: February 20, 1990Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: Terry L. Holmes, Daniel A. Thiemann, Charles Schroeder, deceased
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Patent number: 4640219Abstract: An apparatus for the application of coating material onto elongated food products wherein the applicator nozzle and nozzle opening portion of the apparatus correspond to the side surfaces of the elongated food product. The food product to be coated is passed before nozzles discharging impelled coating material from a coating material supply source that meters desired amounts of coating material to the blower device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 1985Date of Patent: February 3, 1987Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: James E. Anderson, Terry L. Holmes
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Patent number: 4562615Abstract: Improved vacuumizing apparatus and method for dispensing uniform volumes of ham products. The apparatus comprises a hydraulically actuated knife and an improved spring biased check valve. The method is concerned with making sectioned and formed ham products from pre-tumbled chunks of ham.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1984Date of Patent: January 7, 1986Assignee: Oscar Mayer Foods CorporationInventors: James E. Anderson, Terry L. Holmes