Patents by Inventor Tom Espy

Tom Espy 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).

  • Patent number: 11832624
    Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BIRKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tom Espy, Mike Gangel, Drew Mohnen, Chad McCune
  • Publication number: 20220369656
    Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Tom Espy, Mike Gangel, Drew Mohnen, Chad McCune
  • Patent number: 11412748
    Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Birko Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Espy, Mike Gangel, Drew Mohnen, Chad McCune
  • Patent number: 11061008
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for processing animal carcass, wherein the system comprises an artificial animal carcass that includes a bladder inside; a sensory module under the exterior surface of artificial animal carcass; and a display module operably coupled with the sensory module. The bladder inside the artificial animal carcass is configured to be filled with water at the slaughter facility, so that the weight of artificial carcass is approximately the same as the weight of real carcass to be processed. The sensory module is configured to measure a selected parameter on the surface of artificial animal carcass to be displayed on the display module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: BIRKO Corporation
    Inventors: Drew Mohnen, Tom Espy, Mike Gangel
  • Publication number: 20200207396
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fixtures for facilitating the lifting and/or moving of a pallet truck, such as an electrically-powered pallet jack. Some embodiments of the invention increase the safety and effectiveness of moving pallet trucks, thereby addressing an opportunity for improvement in the art identified by the applicants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventor: Tom Espy
  • Publication number: 20200128836
    Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Tom Espy, Mike Gangel, Drew Mohnen, Chad McCune
  • Publication number: 20190376943
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for processing animal carcass, wherein the system comprises an artificial animal carcass that includes a bladder inside; a sensory module under the exterior surface of artificial animal carcass; and a display module operably coupled with the sensory module. The bladder inside the artificial animal carcass is configured to be filled with water at the slaughter facility, so that the weight of artificial carcass is approximately the same as the weight of real carcass to be processed. The sensory module is configured to measure a selected parameter on the surface of artificial animal carcass to be displayed on the display module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Drew Mohnen, Tom Espy, Mike Gangel
  • Patent number: 10455843
    Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Birko Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Espy, Mike Gangel, Drew Mohnen, Chad McCune
  • Patent number: 9101950
    Abstract: A swivel body for a packing house washer which includes a hollow housing, a ball joint mounted on a water line coupler which is mounted into the hollow swivel body. The waterline coupler has a hollow neck which is in fluid communication with the swivel body chamber. Water is forced into the swivel body chamber and passes through the waterline coupler into a spray bar. The ball joint fastened to the coupler and neck allows the waterline coupler to articulate within the swivel body. Bushings are used for water tight fitting of the ball joint within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BIRKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tom Espy
  • Publication number: 20110101133
    Abstract: A swivel body for a packing house washer which includes a hollow housing, a ball joint mounted on a water line coupler which is mounted into the hollow swivel body. The waterline coupler has a hollow neck which is in fluid communication with the swivel body chamber. Water is forced into the swivel body chamber and passes through the waterline coupler into a spray bar. The ball joint fastened to the coupler and neck allows the waterline coupler to articulate within the swivel body. When animal carcasses forcibly contact the sprayer bar, the movement afforded by the ball joint diminishes the likelihood of damage to the sprayer bar or any part of the swivel body. Bushings are used for water tight fitting of the ball joint within the housing. This device is easy to disassemble and repair and has a substantially longer life span than known devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Tom Espy