Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Kieffer

Thomas E. Kieffer 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: 20240023561
    Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: James W. Bigott, Daryl R. Monroe, Scott E. Willis, Phillip Tiberio, Michael W. McGaha, Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Patent number: 11779023
    Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: DUKE MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: James W. Bigott, Daryl R. Monroe, Scott E. Willis, Phillip Tiberio, Michael W. McGaha, Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20230189822
    Abstract: Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Patent number: 11602149
    Abstract: Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20210161152
    Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: James W. Bigott, Daryl R. Monroe, Scott E. Willis, Phillip Tiberio, Michael W. McGaha, Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Patent number: 10918112
    Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: DUKE MANUFACTURING CO.
    Inventors: James W. Bigott, Daryl R. Monroe, Scott E. Willis, Phillip Tiberio, Michael W. McGaha, Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20200323222
    Abstract: Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Patent number: 10694753
    Abstract: Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Duke Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20170273314
    Abstract: Dough preparation apparatus and associated methods. The dough preparation apparatus can store and be configured to execute a plurality of dough preparation recipes. In one example, the dough preparation apparatus is configured for thawing or slacking frozen dough and conditioning the dough prior to baking. The dough preparation apparatus facilitates production of baked bread having higher and more consistent quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: James W. Bigott, Daryl R. Monroe, Scott E. Willis, Phillip Tiberio, Michael W. McGaha, Robert J. Reese, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20170156347
    Abstract: Food preparation apparatus and associated methods. In one method, dough is proofed in an oven compartment and then baked in the same oven compartment. Temperature and/or humidity can be controlled during proofing and/or baking cycles. A blower may be used, for example, to exhaust gas to ambient to reduce heat and/or moisture in the compartment. For example, the blower may be used between proofing and baking cycles to prepare an environment in the oven compartment for the baking cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Publication number: 20160077678
    Abstract: A food preparation apparatus includes a food preparation chamber and multiple food preparation environment control devices for adjusting a food preparation control environment in the food preparation chamber. The food preparation apparatus includes a user interface permitting a user to program a food preparation recipe to be executed by the food preparation apparatus. The user interface includes a user input configured for receiving at least one parameter for controlling at least one food preparation environment control device and a graphical display for displaying aspects of the programmed recipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Philip Gregory Geerling, Jeffrey A. Stafford, Gregory Glen Stettes, Thomas E. Kieffer, Kim Charles Fietsam
  • Patent number: 7365255
    Abstract: An optimally coupled stringed musical instrument bridge having an individual bridge assembly supporting and retaining each string. Each assembly comprises an action (height) and intonation (length) adjustable string support assembly and string retention assembly integrally incorporated into the instrument body. The bridge minimizes acoustic energy lost to friction, thereby increasing sustain, minimizes fundamental or harmonic interaction between strings, and maximizes acoustic energy transmitted to the instrument body, thereby allowing the natural instrument resonances to emanate. The bridge and its attributes are especially suited for use with bass guitars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventors: John J. Piskulic, Thomas E. Kieffer
  • Patent number: 5032796
    Abstract: A preamplifier for audio frequecy electrical signals generated by a musical instrument such a guitar having distortion characteristics simulating those of a vacuum tube amplifier. A solid state amplifier has an input for receiving electrical signals generated by the musical instrument and has an output for providing an output signal. Circuitry asymmetrically clips the output signal to provide as the output signal a nonlinear asymmetrically clipped signal having harmonic content which varies as a function of the amplitude and duration of the received electrical signals. The clipped signal has musically desirable harmonic overtones and produces different tonal responses simulating the characteristics of an overdriven vacuum tube amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: St. Louis Music, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerrold S. Tiers, Thomas E. Kieffer
  • Patent number: D504222
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas E. Kieffer