Patents by Inventor William C. Mills, Jr.

William C. Mills, Jr. 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).

  • Crumb removal system
    Patent number: 5150798
    Abstract: A crumb removal system has an inclined chute extending beneath a horizontal vibratory conveyor trough with an upper convex curved end of the inclined chute spaced in front of the discharge end of the conveyor trough. The spacing between the upper curved end of the chute and the discharge opening of the conveyor trough forms an opening through which fines and small pieces of broken snack food chips can fall and be separated from unbroken chips and larger pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Mills, Jr.
  • Method and apparatus for closing bottom end flaps of a carton
    Patent number: 5102382
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for closing the bottom end flaps of a reusable rectangular carton whereby the carton is disposed in an expanded position with the bottom end flaps biased outward with respect to the carton sidewalls. A sequence controller is programmed to release the bias and fold each bottom end flap in a predetermined sequence. A closure is effected by disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Recot, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Center, William C. Mills, Jr., John R. Plaskett
  • Method and apparatus for closing bottom end flaps of a carton
    Patent number: 5066269
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for closing the bottom end flaps of a reusable rectangular carton whereby the carton is disposed in an expanded position with the bottom end flaps biased outward with respect to the carton sidewalls. A sequence controller is programmed to release the bias and fold each bottom end flap in a predetermined sequence. A closure is effected by disposing at least two end flaps in locking relationship to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Assignee: Frito-Lay, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Center, William C. Mills, Jr., John R. Plaskett