James D Conlin

US Patent:

6751977, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Apr 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124736

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Sands - Freeport IL
James D. Conlin - South Beloit IL

Assignee:

Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc. - Syracuse NY

International Classification:

F25D 2500

US Classification:

62378, 62382, 62381

Abstract:

A freezer component stores and removes frozen food in response to a signal. The freezer component includes a rotatable portion, a loading side and a feeding side. Two raiseable platforms are located in each of the loading side and the feeding side. Food is loaded into the freezer component by placing food onto the platforms positioned in the loading side. The rotatable portion then rotates 180Â to position the food-loaded platforms in the feeding side. The empty platforms now located in the loading side are loaded with additional food. When a signal is received, food in the feeding side is removed from the freezer component by alternately raising the two platforms holding the food. When the feeding side is empty and contains no more food, the rotatable portion rotates 180Â in the reverse direction. The food loaded platforms are now located in the feeding side. The empty platforms are located in the loading side and ready for loading of additional food.

US Patent:

7001626, Feb 21, 2006

Filed:

Apr 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124629

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Sands - Freeport IL, US
James D. Conlin - South Beloit IL, US
Thomas J. Franken - Roscoe IL, US
Andrew Paul Franklin - Beloit WI, US
Randy L. Ginner - Beloit WI, US
Ronald J. Glavan - Rockton IL, US
Scott A. Glawe - Roscoe IL, US
David A. Hill - Beloit WI, US
Michael J. Newberry - Poplar Grove IL, US
Jack Pellicane - Wyomissing PA, US
Manuel Calzada - Rolling Meadows IL, US
Henry Thomas Ewald - Roselle IL, US

Assignee:

Carrier Commerical Refrigeration, Inc. - Syracuse NY
McDonald's Corporation - Oakbrook IL

International Classification:

A01K 43/00

US Classification:

426231, 426523, 426524, 99325, 99389, 99443 C, 99484, 62381, 221150 A

Abstract:

An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

US Patent:

8234972, Aug 7, 2012

Filed:

Nov 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/284643

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Sands - Freeport IL, US
James D. Conlin - South Beloit IL, US
Thomas J. Franken - Roscoe IL, US
Andrew Paul Franklin - Beloit WI, US
Randy L. Ginner - Beloit WI, US
Ronald J. Glavan - Rockton IL, US
Scott A. Glawe - Roscoe IL, US
David A. Hill - Beloit WI, US
Michael J. Newberry - Poplar Grove IL, US
Jack Pellicane - Wyomissing PA, US
Manuel Calzada - Rolling Meadows IL, US
Henry Thomas Ewald - Roselle IL, US

Assignee:

Restaurant Technology, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

A47J 37/04

US Classification:

99357, 99373, 99391, 99393, 99443 C, 99494, 221150 HC

Abstract:

An automated grill automatically transfers frozen food from a freezer component to grilling component by an automatic loading device in response to a signal. Frozen food is loaded in a loading side in the freezer component. When the signal is received indicating that the food is to be grilled, food in a feeding side is raised and delivered to the loading device. When a sensor detects that food is positioned in the loading device, the loading device removes the food from the freezer component and into the grilling component. The food is then grilled as it travels between two substantially vertical grilling structures each surrounded by a conveyor belt. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar. A lateral sensor detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling component, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.

US Patent:

8253581, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Apr 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/122635

Inventors:

Jeffrey L. Sands - Freeport IL, US
James D. Conlin - South Beloit IL, US
Thomas J. Franken - Roscoe IL, US
Andrew Paul Franklin - Beloit WI, US
Randy L. Ginner - Beloit WI, US
Ronald J. Glavan - Rockton IL, US
Scott A. Glawe - Roscoe IL, US
David A. Hill - Beloit WI, US
Michael J. Newberry - Poplar Grove IL, US
Jack Pellicane - Wyomissing PA, US
Manuel Calzada - Rolling Meadows IL, US
Henry Thomas Ewald - Roselle IL, US

Assignee:

Restaurant Technology, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

G08B 21/00

US Classification:

340673, 340676, 414788, 209552

Abstract:

A loading device includes a feeder having a cutout and a sensor. When a sensor detects that an item is positioned in the cutout, a motor slides the feeder out of a first component to remove the item from the first component for delivery to a second component. Alternatively, the loading device is a pivotal arm which pivots to slide the item out of the first component.

US Patent:

20030197000, Oct 23, 2003

Filed:

Apr 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/124754

Inventors:

Jeffrey Sands - Freeport IL, US
James Conlin - South Beloit IL, US
Thomas Franken - Roscoe IL, US
Andrew Franklin - Beloit WI, US
Randy Ginner - Beloit WI, US
Ronald Glavan - Rockton IL, US
Scott Glawe - Roscoe IL, US
David Hill - Beloit WI, US
Michael Newberry - Poplar Grove IL, US
Jack Pellicane - Wyomissing PA, US
Manuel Calzada - Rolling Meadows IL, US
Henry Ewald - Roselle IL, US

International Classification:

F27D011/00

US Classification:

219/388000

Abstract:

A grilling component includes a pair of grilling structures supported at an oblique angle from the vertical. Each grilling structure includes a heater and a moveable conveyor belt positioned around the heater. As the food travels on the conveyor belts between the heaters, the food is cooked. Preferably, the conveyor belt is made of a non-stick coated Invar™. A lateral sensor positioned proximate to an edge of each of the conveyor belts detects and compensates for lateral movement of the conveyor belts. After the food exits the grilling structures, the food slides onto a heated holding area for serving.