Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Britt

Thomas C. Britt 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).

  • Spiral gas-solids contact apparatus
    Patent number: 8978576
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh
  • Spiral gas-solids contact apparatus and method
    Patent number: 8323711
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, Jr., Peter Thomas Kashulines, Jr., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh
  • SPIRAL GAS-SOLIDS CONTACT APPARATUS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20090092752
    Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for contacting gas and solids in the manufacture of edibles, and particularly in connection with coating edible particulate solids. A drum is positioned around an inner tube so that an annular space is defined between the drum and the tube. A rotatable spiral element defines a gas pathway in the annular space, such that rotation of the spiral pushes particulate solids through the drum while the solids are contacted with gas in the annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: MARS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Otto Brandt, JR., Peter Thomas Kashulines, JR., Thomas C. Britt, K. Ressie Cavenaugh