Patents by Inventor Virgil J. Scherping

Virgil J. Scherping 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).

  • Food processing device
    Patent number: 5953983
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertically rotating agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forwardly and rearwardly projecting prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The preferred forwardly projecting prongs are elongated and have a generally rounded cross-section. The preferred rearwardly projecting prongs may be staggered or otherwise arranged so as to break up clumps while permitting curds to pass between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company Inc.
    Inventors: John M. McCormick, Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Food processing agitator device
    Patent number: 5921677
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Method for processing cheese curds
    Patent number: 5906854
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Salting Device
    Patent number: 5855671
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment, Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson
  • Food processing device
    Patent number: 5704280
    Abstract: An enclosed food processing device is provided having one or more conveyor belts and vertical agitators positioned above the belt. The agitators have forward and backward prongs that stir the food being processed without causing physical damage to it. The food enters the device through an inlet and is evenly distributed across a draining screen by an inlet deflector plate, which is adjustable to account for the different rates at which the food may flow into the device. Ramps are positioned under the device to collect liquid drained from the food, and the ramps have independent segments that separate the liquid based on the stage of the process at which it is drained from the food. A salting apparatus is provided for conveying salt to the food to be processed. The salt is dispensed in proportion to the amount of food to be salted. Salt is moved from a salt hopper into a chamber by a rotating dispensing wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Walker Stainless Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Scherping, George H. Schwinghammer, Gary L. Starkson