Work Moved Through Apparatus Patents (Class 15/3.13)
  • Patent number: 11969768
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a food-processing machine having cylindrical rolls disposed along a curve, each of the rolls having a peripheral working surface for contacting food products and an axis about which each roll rotates. A drive rail is mounted parallel to the axes of the rolls and extends the length of the rolls. A spray bar slidably mounts to the drive rail, extends adjacent the rolls, and has at least one nozzle for spraying liquid onto the working surfaces of the rolls to clean them of debris. A prime mover drives the spray bar along the drive rail parallel to the axes of the rolls while spraying the rotating rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Vanmark Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander C. Herzberg, Floyd Richardson, Josh Thompson
  • Patent number: 11737484
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for removal of undesired portions of a fruit or vegetable, such as removal of calyxes from strawberries before they are flash frozen. An automated process for high-throughput fruit or vegetable calyx removal includes a loading system, an identification system, and a removal system. The loading system is configured to transport the fruit or vegetable through the automated process. The loading system may also orient the fruits or vegetables along an axis of the fruit and or align the fruit or vegetables in a desired pattern, orientation, and/or arrangement. The identification system is configured to locate the calyx and determines calyx position data and an optimal cutting path for individual fruit. The removal system uses data received from the identification system to separate the calyx from the fruit or vegetable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignees: California Strawberry Commission, University of Maryland
    Inventors: Yang Tao, John Lin, Xin Chen
  • Patent number: 10051871
    Abstract: A system for storing products, in particular sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop (22), which is fixed to the sausage-shaped body and being used for a pendulously storage of the products (20) on rod-shaped storage devices (50). The System includes at least one rod-shaped storage device (50) for storing several products (20) by their loops (22) one after another. The system also includes at least one conveyor device (30) with at least one conveyor element (40) for conveying the products (20) by means of their loops (22) to storage places on the rod-shaped storage device (50). Furthermore, the system includes at least one damping unit (70, 170) for reducing a swinging motion of the products (20) is positioned at least partially along the rod-shaped storage device (50) such that it abuts on the products (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Poly-Clip System GMBH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Reitz, Manfred Waldstädt
  • Patent number: 9744479
    Abstract: Degassing device for systems for treatment of food products such as leaf vegetables, tuberous, fruit of meet, cheeses or sausages, and like, characterized in that it includes—a degassing conduct for a food product treatment fluid, the degassing conduct having, in sequence along its development trajectory, an inclined inlet tract, within which the flow fluid rises, a degassing tract, and an outlet tract, within which the flow is directed downward; and—a degassing chamber, in correspondence of the degassing tract; the degassing tract having, at least on its upper wall, a plurality of holes suitable to communicate said degassing tract with the degassing tract to permit exit of air bubbles trapped within the flow from said degassing chamber, preventing exit of food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Turatti, S.R.L.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Patent number: 9328959
    Abstract: A drying station for a vehicle wash facility includes at least one rotatable drying wheel positioned adjacent a vehicle treatment area. The at least one rotatable drying wheel has a drying material disposed thereon and which can engage an exterior of the vehicle to remove water accumulated thereon. The drying station includes a beater device disposed adjacent the at least one rotatable drying wheel with the beater device and the drying wheel being engageable as the at least one rotatable drying wheel rotates. As the rotatable drying wheel spins, the drying material contacts the beater device to help minimize its level of saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Motor City Wash Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Wentworth, Lionel Belanger
  • Patent number: 8082931
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for washing and drying leaf products and more generically vegetables, comprising a frame (2), a centrifugation basket (3), a container (tank) (4) within which said centrifugation basket (3) is provided, a basin (6), communicating with said container (4) for inlet and discharge of washing water, said centrifugation basket (3) being pivoted on said frame (2) so as to rotate of about 180° from a working position to a discharge position, and vice versa, and means (7) for collection and removal of washed and dried product, said means being provided raised with respect to said centrifugation basket (3), in a position corresponding to the discharge position of the same centrifugation basket (3), being further provided driving means for said centrifugation basket permitting driving said basket (3) at at least two rotation speeds, respectively a washing speed and a drying speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Turatti S.r.l.
    Inventor: Antonio Turatti
  • Publication number: 20090304884
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating comestible pieces to prolong freshness having, in series, (I) UV irradiation apparatus to irradiate the produce pieces whilst in a first liquid system as carrier, (II) a first immersion apparatus defined at least in part by a first drag through tube conveyor to receive produce pieces directly or indirectly from step (I) apparatus, to immerse them in a different liquid system, and to discharge produce pieces, and (III) a second immersion apparatus defined at least in part by a second drag through tube conveyor to receive the discharge from the first immersion apparatus and to discharge the produce pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Lionel Gordon Evans
  • Patent number: 7472648
    Abstract: Device for separating the stalks of fruit such as cherries, grouped together in clusters, from one another at their joining point, includes at least one hydraulic circuit including a tank (1) receiving the fruit to be treated; a centrifugal pump (2) connected to the tank for sucking up the liquid and the fruit therefrom; and at least one filtration device (3) receiving the liquid and the fruit discharged by the pump and capable of separating the fruit from the liquid. The tank has a base (4) which converges downwards as far as a lower outlet orifice (5) of this tank. The pump includes a housing (7) and at least one pumping wheel (9) guided in rotation relative to the housing along an at least substantially vertical axis (10) of rotation, and the pump has an axial suction inlet (11) connected below the lower outlet orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Materiel pour l'Arboriculture Fruitiere
    Inventor: Philippe Blanc
  • Patent number: 6883528
    Abstract: Apparatus for washing eggs including a housing with a first feed conveyor for receiving them through the housing inlet for conveying same to a second conveyor which transports them through an intermediate egg washer with various brushes and including a dispenser to apply cleaning solution onto eggs therebelow. Eggs are then transferred from the second conveyor to a third conveyor and transported through a lower washing station for final cleaning. Eggs then exit through a housing outlet for sanitizing and/or drying as may be necessary. The three conveyors are vertically tiered with, optionally, the second conveyor moving oppositely relatively to the first and third conveyor. In this manner a three tiered arranging of conveyors is provided. A pre-washing station can also, optionally, be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: Jeffrey B. Kuhl
  • Patent number: 6357456
    Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Frans Segers
  • Patent number: 6289543
    Abstract: A processing system for cleaning, washing, drying, and sorting cherry pits. Once the pits are removed from the cherries, they are washed, scrubbed, and cleaned. Any excess water is removed from them and the pits are then thoroughly dried. Any partial or broken pits are removed, as well as any metal impurities. The cleaned and dried whole cherry pits can then be inserted into bags or containers and included in a therapeutic product, such as a cushion, U-shaped neck device, or a huggable stuffed animal character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Frans Segers
  • Patent number: 6269509
    Abstract: An automated apparatus for cleaning golf balls constructed of light weight, portable type material and operable via standard battery power. The apparatus utilizes a housing having a fluid reservoir in the lower portion for holding a cleaning fluid, and a screw-type driven auger along with a pair of driven brushes and a fluid spray nozzle in the upper portion. A driven pump transports the cleaning fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle, which sprays the cleaning fluid on the golf ball as the auger and brushes engage the ball and remove the soil, respectively. Multiple sensing means are employed to energize and disable the apparatus upon the occurrence of predetermined events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Audie L. Mays