Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Smith
Thomas M. Smith 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: 12045437Abstract: An example process includes: while displaying a user interface different from a digital assistant user interface, receiving a user input; in accordance with a determination that the user input satisfies a criterion for initiating a digital assistant: displaying, over the user interface, the digital assistant user interface, the digital assistant user interface including: a digital assistant indicator displayed at a first portion of the display; and a response affordance displayed at a second portion of the display, where: a portion of the user interface remains visible at a third portion of the display; and the third portion is between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: July 23, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Neal Ellis, Oluwatomiwa B. Alabi, Robert Burton, Richard R. Dellinger, Thomas R. Fazio, Craig M. Federighi, Rebecca P. Fish, Nikrouz Ghotbi, James N. Jones, Ieyuki Kawashima, Stephen O. Lemay, Pedro Mari, Aaron Musengo, James E. Palmer, Patchaya Beam Seilaudom, Andrea Valentina Simes, Tyler McClay Smith, Trungtin Tran, Robert A. Walker, II
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Publication number: 20240130565Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer) includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2024Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith
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Patent number: 11910957Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith
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Patent number: 11678769Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
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Publication number: 20230093737Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith
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Patent number: 11529019Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2018Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith, Brandon Whitt, Aaron Hill
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Publication number: 20220346600Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. The basket and gantry include interface elements for enabling precise movements and rapid opening and closing of baskets at the system. Aspects of an automated cooking system and a corresponding method for discharging cooked food product help to avoid the problems associated with manually operating a cooking system. Specifically, the system described herein provides for apparatuses and methods to cook and dispense food product in a more efficient manner with regard to both time and labor considerations within food production environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
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Publication number: 20220346599Abstract: An automated cooking system is provided for adding time and labor efficiencies in food production environments such as restaurants. The automated cooking system includes at least a fryer, a dispensing freezer, a hot holding station, a plurality of baskets, and a gantry system. The gantry system includes a gantry control for a gantry, configured to engage and move each of the baskets. A method for managing basket workflow during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. Further, a method for managing basket workflow at a dispensing freezer during food preparation at an automated cooking system is described. The automated cooking system and methods provide repetition of basket loading and discharge cycles such that the gantry can fully manage and automate cooking using up to 6 or more baskets at the fryer, thereby maximizing food product throughput in the standard footprint space for the fryer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
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Publication number: 20220346597Abstract: An automated cooking system for adding time and labor efficiencies has a fryer including a plurality of fryer vats, heating elements, and a vertical transport assembly associated with each of the fryer vats. The vertical transport assembly is configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the fryer vat, and optionally also with reciprocating shaking movements as well. The vertical transport assembly includes a lift base, a platform support hanger, and a basket support platform. The basket support platform includes a tray-shaped platform portion defined by a wire rack construction that circumferentially surrounds a bottom portion of the basket to retain the basket, the platform portion having an angled entry taper to correct any misalignments of the basket and the basket support platform as a gantry moves the basket onto the basket support platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Kimberly Reichelderfer, Thomas M. Smith, Adrian Jason Pereira, Michael Maddux
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Patent number: 11213796Abstract: A feed distribution apparatus and method of using such an apparatus are provided for introducing a three-phase flow into a moving bed reactor that is operated under co-current flow conditions. The feed distribution apparatus can allow for separate introduction of liquid and solids in a manner that allows for even distribution of liquid within the solids. The gas portion of the flow can be introduced in any of a variety of convenient manners for distributing gas into a liquid or solid flow.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering CompanyInventors: Arsam Behkish, Anjaneya S. Kovvali, Adam C. Madlinger, Thomas M. Smith
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Patent number: 11185190Abstract: A fryer includes a cooking chamber for holding a cooking medium and at least one heating element positioned within the cooking chamber. The fryer further includes a conveyor belt for selectively advancing food product through the cooking chamber. The conveyor belt includes first and second chains coupled together by a plurality of elongate members extending therebetween. The conveyor belt further includes a plurality of paddles coupled to the first and second chains and extending therebetween to define a plurality of compartments. Each of the plurality of paddles includes a screen, and each compartment is sized to receive at least a portion of the food product. The conveyor belt defines a continuous loop.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Thomas M. Smith, Steven V. Ricca
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Publication number: 20200398213Abstract: A feed distribution apparatus and method of using such an apparatus are provided for introducing a three-phase flow into a moving bed reactor that is operated under co-current flow conditions. The feed distribution apparatus can allow for separate introduction of liquid and solids in a manner that allows for even distribution of liquid within the solids. The gas portion of the flow can be introduced in any of a variety of convenient manners for distributing gas into a liquid or solid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Inventors: Arsam Behkish, Anjaneya S. Kovvali, Adam C. Madlinger, Thomas M. Smith
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Publication number: 20200380633Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage device and apparatus for controlling a roadway resource are disclosed. For example, the method receives from a device associated with a vehicle a request to reach a target destination by a target arrival time and a maximum payment amount to reach the target destination by the target arrival time. The method next determining a route to the target destination and determines a roadway resource along the route that is controllable. The method then sends an instruction to the device associated with the vehicle, where the instruction indicates to navigate the vehicle along the route and controls the roadway resource to enable the vehicle to reach the target destination by the target arrival time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Brian S. Amento, Matti A. Hiltunen, Kaustubh Joshi, David P. Kormann, Rajesh Krishna Panta, Kermit Hal Purdy, Thomas M. Smith, Alex Varshavsky, Svetlana Yarosh
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Publication number: 20200305646Abstract: A fryer and method for cooking food products is provided that automates the movement of baskets carrying the food products. The fryer includes a cooking chamber with a heating element located therein for heating cooking medium in the cooking chamber. The fryer also includes at least one vertical transport assembly that selectively engages with and moves the basket vertically into and out of the cooking medium. A horizontal transport assembly selectively engages with and moves the basket horizontally between different positions. The horizontal transport assembly hands off the basket to and from the vertical transport assembly, and first and second hooks on the horizontal transport assembly engage with front and rear receiving mechanisms on the basket to continuously maintain at least two points of contact with the basket. This allows for controlled pivotal movements of the basket when food products are to be added or removed from the basket.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: October 1, 2020Inventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Steven V. Ricca, Thomas M. Smith, Brandon Whitt, Aaron Hill
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Patent number: 10748229Abstract: A method and computer-readable storage device and apparatus for controlling a roadway resource are disclosed. For example, the method receives from a device associated with a vehicle a request to reach a target destination by a target arrival time and a maximum payment amount to reach the target destination by the target arrival time. The method next determining a route to the target destination and determines a roadway resource along the route that is controllable. The method then sends an instruction to the device associated with the vehicle, where the instruction indicates to navigate the vehicle along the route and controls the roadway resource to enable the vehicle to reach the target destination by the target arrival time.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Inventors: Brian S. Amento, Matti A. Hiltunen, Kaustubh Joshi, David P. Kormann, Rajesh Krishna Panta, Kermit Hal Purdy, Thomas M. Smith, Alex Varshavsky, Svetlana Yarosh
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Patent number: 10697288Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a piezoelectric element in an electroacoustic communications node used in a downhole wireless telemetry system. An end mass is secured to the piezoelectric element. At least one fastener attaches a pre-tensioning support plate to a housing of the node. The pre-tensioning support plate and the at least one fastener impart a tensioning force to the end mass and/or the piezoelectric element when the pre-tensioning support plate and the end mass and/or the piezoelectric element are secured to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Limin Song, H. Alan Wolf, Thomas M. Smith, Katie M. Walker
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Patent number: 10675615Abstract: The disclosure relate generally to structures, forms, and monoliths, and methods of preparing the same. This disclosure can produce uniform structured passageways or channels of active material, including adsorbent or catalyst, by imprinting or molding features into a paste on a support that can be subsequently assembled into a gas or liquid treating structure, i.e. a monolith. The paste, which can include an active material, binder, and other potential additives, can be applied to the support or pushed through a support (as in a mesh) as a thin film. The paste can be imprinted, stamped, shaped or otherwise handled to give features of desired height, shape, width, and positioning. When stacked or rolled, the features of one layer contact a subsequent layer, which seal to form passageways. The resulting structure can have high cell-density (>1000 cells per square inch) and a large volume fraction of active material.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Tracy A. Fowler, Thomas M. Smith, Joshua I. Cutler, Jenna L. Walp
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Publication number: 20200176783Abstract: Cathode collector structures and/or corresponding cathode structures are provided that can allow for improved operation for a molten carbonate fuel cell when operated under conditions for elevated CO2 utilization. A cathode collector structure that provides an increased open area at the cathode surface can reduce or minimize the amount of alternative ion transport that occurs within the fuel cell. Additionally or alternately, grooves in the cathode surface can be used to increase the open area.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Jonathan Rosen, Timothy A. Barckholtz, Heather A. Elsen, Gabor Kiss, Lu Han, Thomas M. Smith, Sandipan K. Das, Chao-Yi Yuh, Carl A. Willman, Timothy C. Geary, Keith E. Davis, Abdelkader Hilmi, Lawrence J. Novacco
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Publication number: 20200060475Abstract: A fryer includes a cooking chamber for holding a cooking medium and at least one heating element positioned within the cooking chamber. The fryer further includes a conveyor belt for selectively advancing food product through the cooking chamber. The conveyor belt includes first and second chains coupled together by a plurality of elongate members extending therebetween. The conveyor belt further includes a plurality of paddles coupled to the first and second chains and extending therebetween to define a plurality of compartments. Each of the plurality of paddles includes a screen, and each compartment is sized to receive at least a portion of the food product. The conveyor belt defines a continuous loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2017Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Thomas M. Smith, Steven V. Ricca
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Patent number: 10517432Abstract: A fryer apparatus includes a cooking chamber to hold cooking medium and cook food products within, a filter pan removably attached to the cooking chamber, a tube connecting the filter pan to the cooking chamber, and a pump configured to circulate cooking medium. The filter pan has a bottom wall surrounded by four side walls and an inlet passage configured to receive cooking medium into the filter pan. A filter element is removably attached to the bottom wall of filter pan and extends in a lateral direction along a length of the fryer apparatus and may have two bends spaced laterally from each other. A plug may be attached to the filter element and an outlet passage attached to the plug and configured to discharge the cooking medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Henny Penny CorporationInventors: Melissa M. Hohler, Thomas M. Smith, Kendall Lynn Olinger