Brian Eugene Hill

US Patent:

6991822, Jan 31, 2006

Filed:

Jun 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/454958

Inventors:

Brian Hill - Northbrook IL, US
Hector Chavez - Skokie IL, US

Assignee:

Brian Hill - Long Grove IL

International Classification:

A23L 2/52

US Classification:

426397, 426590, 426592, 426616

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.

US Patent:

7768378, Aug 3, 2010

Filed:

Apr 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/411973

Inventors:

Brian R. Hill - Des Plaines IL, US
Steven A. Belzek - Schiller Park IL, US
Robert Brewczynski - Northlake IL, US
Kenneth A. Kaczmarz - LaGrange Park IL, US
Mitchell S. Mlynarczyk - Hoffman Estates IL, US
Francis H. Zimmerman - Libertyville IL, US
Ernest Vaughn - Waukegan IL, US

Assignee:

CompX International Inc. - Mauldin SC

International Classification:

B60R 25/00
H04L 9/14
E05B 65/44
E05B 63/00

US Classification:

340 573, 340 528, 70 81, 70106

Abstract:

Disclosed is apparatus and methodology for providing a retrofittable lock assembly for an enclosure. A manually or electronically accessible lock assembly has been provided that may be attached to an enclosure to control access to items stored in the enclosure. In a particular form, the retrofittable lock may be applied to a refrigerator used to store controlled medications. The retrofittable lock contains electronic circuitry that maintains a record of user identification, date, and time of access of users seeking access to items stored in the enclosure.

US Patent:

8109113, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

Mar 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/408380

Inventors:

Gary L. Takata - Buffalo Grove IL, US
Brian R. Hill - Des Plaines IL, US
Christopher K. Khoo - Lake in the Hills IL, US
Timothy P. Hogan - Bristol WI, US
John J. Hsing - Chicago IL, US
Sam J. Ford - Mundelein IL, US
Tim J. DeGroot - Northbrook IL, US
William A. Miller - Buffalo Grove IL, US
James Martin - Arlington Heights IL, US
Christopher E. Peters - Palatine IL, US

Assignee:

Fluid Management Operations, LLC - Wheeling IL

International Classification:

A23G 9/00

US Classification:

62345, 62381

Abstract:

An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup lifter disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop.

US Patent:

8297482, Oct 30, 2012

Filed:

Nov 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/623531

Inventors:

Brian Hill - Des Plaines IL, US

Assignee:

Fluid Management Operations LCC - Wheeling IL

International Classification:

B65D 5/72

US Classification:

222490, 222542

Abstract:

A combination manifold and nozzle closure system is disclosed. The closure system limits exposure of the nozzle outlets to air between dispenses or between uses. Manifold accommodates a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a nozzle outlet extending beyond an end of the manifold. An actuator shaft passes through the manifold and is connected to a plate at its distal end with a film disposed between the plate and the nozzle outlets. An actuator moves the actuator shaft from a closed position where the film engages the nozzle outlets and the plate is disposed just below the nozzles to an open position where the film and plate have been pulled upward beyond the nozzle outlets. The plate includes a plurality of openings and the film includes a plurality of valves each opening in the plate is in alignment with a valve and each valve is in alignment with one of the nozzle outlets. By moving the plate and film upward past the nozzle outlets, the valves and the film open and the nozzle outlets extend through the openings in the plate and are therefore free to dispense. To close the system, the actuator moves the shaft, plate and film downward where the valves and the film close and engage the nozzle outlets to keep the nozzle outlets relatively isolated from air between dispenses.

US Patent:

20020066374, Jun 6, 2002

Filed:

Oct 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/044623

Inventors:

Brian Hill - Northbrook IL, US
Hector Chavez - Skokie IL, US

International Classification:

A23P001/00
A23L001/216

US Classification:

099/540000, 426/481000, 426/482000, 099/541000, 099/542000, 099/543000

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.

US Patent:

20060051473, Mar 9, 2006

Filed:

Nov 3, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/265895

Inventors:

Brian Hill - Northbrook IL, US
Hector Chavez - Skokie IL, US

Assignee:

Brian Hill - Long Grove IL

International Classification:

B65B 25/06

US Classification:

426397000

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for narrowing and moving a workpiece from a fruit or vegetable through an opening in a container wherein the workpiece is relatively wider than the opening is provided. The apparatus has a plunger with an extension portion slidably movable within a bore formed in a loader. The loader has a base portion mountable over the opening. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the apparatus includes a compression plate for compressing the fruit or vegetable into a slicer, forming a plurality of workpieces. The slicer, holding the workpieces, is aligned with the plunger and one workpiece is plunged through a first bore and into a container.

US Patent:

50977555, Mar 24, 1992

Filed:

Aug 17, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/394957

Inventors:

Brian Hill - Buffalo Grove IL

Assignee:

Redi-Cut Foods, Inc. - Rosemont IL

International Classification:

A23L 1212
F26B 1900

US Classification:

99484

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing produce and particularly fresh vegetables for salads. The vegetables are stored in an area near the beginning of the process line, and the storage area is partitioned by vinyl strips to create a temperature gradient for different vegetables. The vegetables are first cleaned on mesh conveyors under high pressure nozzles that spray chlorinated water at the desired storage temperature of the vegetables. A trimming table includes a lower conveyor for moving the vegetables for hand processing. An upper, cleated conveyor carries the vegetables to a slicer. Another cleated conveyor lifts the sliced vegetables vertically into a hopper where they are mixed with cooling water that then flows through a significant horizontal length of pipe. The vegetables move to shaker tables that provide the bulk of the dewatering and then vibrate the vegetables into a single layer for air drying. The air drying is provided by air knives and a vacuum that draws water through the cotton belt on which the vegetables travel.

US Patent:

58487077, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

Feb 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/602313

Inventors:

Brian I. Hill - Buffalo Grove IL

International Classification:

A47F 700

US Classification:

211 131

Abstract:

A storage structure is composed of a storage rack having a plurality of storage bays, each of which is adapted to store a bundle, such as a food-related bundle having a pallet and a number of boxes of food items positioned on the pallet. The storage bays are disposed in a plurality of rows between a first end of the storage rack and a second end of the storage rack, the rows including an upper row and a lower row. The storage structure has a transmitter for transmitting a beam of radiation and a receiver for receiving the beam of radiation. The transmitter is associated with the first end of the storage rack and is positioned to transmit the radiation beam in a direction substantially parallel to the side of the storage rack, and the receiver is associated with the second end of the storage rack. The storage structure has an alarm generator coupled to the receiver for generating an alarm when the radiation beam is interrupted by one of the bundles located on the storage rack.