Patents by Inventor Whit Frans

Whit Frans 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).

  • Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester
    Patent number: 9565801
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Serafin Albarran, Daniel Albarran, Jorge Alejo, Ignacio Barajas, Richard L. Bascou, Dennis Johnny Castillo, Maximino Corral, Whit Frans, Frank Edward Davis, Stephen C. Jens, Raul Machuca, Manuel Maldonado Magana, Carlos Uribe Meza, Gabriel Fuentes Villasenor, Terry Young
  • DECORING MECHANISM WITH MECHANIZED HARVESTER
    Publication number: 20160081273
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Serafin ALBARRAN, Daniel ALBARRAN, Jorge ALEJO, Ignacio BARAJAS, Richard L. BASCOU, Dennis Johnny CASTILLO, Maximino CORRAL, Whit FRANS, Frank Edward DAVIS, Stephen C. JENS, Raul MACHUCA, Manuel Maldonado MAGANA, Carlos Uribe MEZA, Gabriel Fuentes VILLASENOR, Terry YOUNG
  • Method of harvesting and decoring produce using a mechanical harvester
    Patent number: 9072225
    Abstract: Produce with a core planted in a field can be harvested and decored using a mechanical harvester. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The method includes moving the mechanical harvester through the row in the field; positioning the produce in the ground using the positioning apparatus; severing a substantial portion of the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground using the decoring device; lifting the produce from the ground; and transporting the produce to a processing unit or a storage unit using the transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Serafin Albarran, Daniel Albarran, Jorge Alejo, Ignacio Barajas, Richard L. Bascou, Dennis Johnny Castillo, Maximino Corral, Whit Frans, Frank Edward Davis, Stephen C. Jens, Raul Machuca, Manuel Maldonado Magana, Carlos Uribe Meza, Gabriel Fuentes Villasenor, Terry Young
  • DECORING MECHANISM WITH MECHANIZED HARVESTER
    Publication number: 20140182260
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Serafin ALBARRAN, Daniel ALBARRAN, Jorge ALEJO, Ignacio BARAJAS, Richard L. BASCOU, Dennis Johnny CASTILLO, Maximino CORRAL, Whit FRANS, Frank Edward DAVIS, Stephen C. JENS, Raul MACHUCA, Manuel Maldonado MAGANA, Carlos Uribe MEZA, Gabriel Fuentes VILLASENOR, Terry YOUNG
  • Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester
    Patent number: 8631635
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Serafin Albarran, Daniel Albarran, Jorge Alejo, Ignacio Barajas, Richard Bascou, Dennis Castillo, Maximino Corral, Whit Frans, Frank E. Davis, Stephen C. Jens, Raul Machuca, Manuel Magana, Carlos Meza, Gabriel Villasenor, Terry Young
  • DECORING MECHANISM WITH MECHANIZED HARVESTER
    Publication number: 20120311989
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: DOLE FRESH VEGETABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Serafin Albarran, Daniel Albarran, Jorge Alejo, Ignacio Barajas, Richard Bascou, Dennis Castillo, Maximino Corral, Whit Frans, Frank E. Davis, Stephen C. Jens, Raul Machuca, Manuel Magana, Carlos Meza, Gabriel Villasenor, Terry Young
  • Decoring mechanism with mechanized harvester
    Patent number: 8312701
    Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc.
    Inventors: Serafin Albarran, Daniel Albarran, Jorge Alejo, Ignacio Barajas, Richard Bascou, Dennis Castillo, Maximino Corral, Whit Frans, Frank E. Davis, Stephen C. Jens, Raul Machuca, Manuel Magana, Carlos Meza, Gabriel Villasenor, Terry Young