Byron Albert Larson

US Patent:

6374873, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Jun 29, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/896979

Inventors:

Richard Price - Lehi UT
Byron Larson - South Jordan UT

Assignee:

Multi-Fill, Inc. - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

B65B 106

US Classification:

141238, 426503

Abstract:

A system and method for dividing a single stream of long, cooked noodles into a plurality of product streams. The system includes an inlet conduit for receiving the stream of cooked noodles, a rough portioner for dividing the stream of noodles into discrete portions, and a diverter mechanism which selectively directs the discrete portions into one of two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the noodles into any number of final outlet streams. The final outlet streams are directed toward container filling machines which precisely measure the noodles and place them into containers. A computerized logic controller can accommodate the failure of any one or more container filling machines by stopping flow to any combination of final outlet conduits while maintaining uninterrupted operation of the remainder of the system.

US Patent:

6619339, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Jan 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/037939

Inventors:

Richard Price - Lehi UT
Byron Larson - South Jordan UT

Assignee:

Multi-Fill, Inc. - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

G01F 1110

US Classification:

141138, 141 1, 141 67, 141 94, 141261, 222361

Abstract:

A controller for a volumetric pocket filler having a plurality of pneumatically powered components, includes a pneumatically powered actuator, having a motion path, and a plurality of pneumatic switches, disposed along the motion path of the actuator. The pneumatic switches are configured for contact with the actuator, to control air flow to the plurality of pneumatically powered components of the volumetric pocket filler.

US Patent:

20080230557, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 18, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/050818

Inventors:

Richard T. Price - Lehi UT, US
Byron D. Larson - South Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

G01F 11/00
B67D 5/40

US Classification:

222 1, 222372

Abstract:

A bulk product feeding system includes a product hopper, and a reciprocating ram, positioned in the bottom of the hopper. The hopper has substantially vertical sidewalls, and the ram has a width substantially equal to the width of the hopper. The hopper is configured to hold a bulk quantity of sticky or fragile product, and the sidewalls are spaced apart a distance sufficient to resist bridging of the product. The ram is configured to selectively reciprocate to controllably discharge product through the outlet. The bulk feeding system can include additional features such as a stepped ram, a flexible finger gate, and an oscillating finger gate.

US Patent:

20080230562, Sep 25, 2008

Filed:

Mar 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/726400

Inventors:

Richard T. Price - Lehi UT, US
Byron D. Larson - South Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

B67D 5/40
B23Q 7/00

US Classification:

222372

Abstract:

A bulk product feeding system includes a product hopper, and a reciprocating ram, positioned in the bottom of the hopper. The hopper has substantially vertical sidewalls, and the ram has a width substantially equal to the width of the hopper. The hopper is configured to hold a bulk quantity of sticky or fragile product, and the sidewalls are spaced apart a distance sufficient to resist bridging of the product. The ram is configured to selectively extend to push product out of an outlet of the hopper, and to retract to allow product to drop down to the bottom of the hopper.

US Patent:

20120103764, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/916316

Inventors:

Richard T. Price - Lehi UT, US
Byron Larson - South Jordan UT, US

International Classification:

B65G 15/30
B65B 35/24

US Classification:

1988442, 53393

Abstract:

A conveyor belt connector, adapted to connect first and second ends of an elongate flexible belt having a top and a bottom and operated substantially constantly under tension, includes a plurality of hooks, disposed at the first end of the belt, and a plurality of slots, disposed at the second end of the belt, configured to longitudinally pivotally attach to the plurality of hooks and connect the belt in a continuous loop.

US Patent:

62698508, Aug 7, 2001

Filed:

Dec 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/454896

Inventors:

Richard T. Price - Lehi UT
Byron D. Larson - South Jordan UT

Assignee:

Multi-Fill, Inc. - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

B65B 106

US Classification:

141238

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for dividing a single stream of long, sticky product into a plurality of product streams, comprising a product input conduit for providing a single stream of product, and having a rough portioner disposed therein for dividing the stream of product into discrete portions. The discrete portions are then dropped into a first diverter mechanism comprised of a reciprocating slide block mechanism, which selectively directs the discrete portions into two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the product into any number of final outlet streams, such as four, eight, etc. The final outlet streams are directed toward container filling machines which precisely measure the product and place it into containers as desired. The multipathway product distribution system is controlled by a computerized logic controller which can accommodate the failure of any one or more container filling machines in any combination by stopping flow to any combination of final outlet conduits while maintaining uninterrupted operation of the remainder of the system.

US Patent:

61455520, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Sep 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/397594

Inventors:

Richard T. Price - Lehi UT
Byron D. Larson - South Jordan UT

Assignee:

Multi-Fill, Inc. - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

B65B 4342

US Classification:

141135

Abstract:

A container following system for use with a particulate product measuring and dispensing machine having a discharge opening for allowing measured quantities of particulate product to drop therefrom into a moving container. The container following system comprises a following pocket disposed below the discharge opening of the particulate product measuring and dispensing machine and above a conveyor for moving containers to be filled. The following pocket comprises a reciprocating body having a generally vertical aperture through which particulate product drops from the discharge opening before landing in the container to be filled. The following pocket reciprocates in a direction generally parallel to the direction of motion of the container while product is dropping through the aperture, such that the product is caused to move in the direction of the moving container while dropping from the discharge opening to allow more accurate placement of the product in the container, and to allow higher line speeds for a given product and container combination. A method of filling containers with particulate product using the apparatus as described.

US Patent:

20140110437, Apr 24, 2014

Filed:

Oct 23, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/658442

Inventors:

- West Jordan UT, US
Byron D Larson - South Jordan UT, US

Assignee:

Multi-Fill, Inc. - West Jordan UT

International Classification:

B65D 88/66

US Classification:

222196, 222502, 222372

Abstract:

A bulk product feeding system includes a product hopper, having a sloped bottom, a front side, and an outlet located at a lowermost confluence of the sloped bottom and the front side, the hopper being configured to receive and hold a bulk quantity of sticky or fragile product. A first sloped ram is reciprocally disposed in the bottom of the hopper, and configured to reciprocate toward and away from the outlet. A second, substantially vertical ram is reciprocally disposed on the front side of the hopper, and configured to reciprocate toward and away from the outlet and the first ram. Motion of the first and second rams is coordinated to controllably discharge the product through the outlet.