Ralph H Miller

US Patent:

20050072603, Apr 7, 2005

Filed:

Oct 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/678982

Inventors:

Frank Criscione - Gladstone MO, US
Randy Vire - Clarksville AR, US
Robert Jones - Dartmouth, CA
Ralph Miller - Parkville MO, US

International Classification:

G01G021/00

US Classification:

177126000

Abstract:

Apparatuses and methods for weighing a product along a product determination and separation line are provided. A conveyor assembly is positioned on a load cell to determine a combined weight of the conveyor assembly and the product that is being transported by the conveyor assembly. The frame of the conveyor assembly includes several pivot connections. A first pivot connection allows the moving surface of the conveyor assembly to be rotated from an operating position to a position in which the underside of the conveyor assembly can be easily cleaned. A second pivot connection is located between two portions of a support for a conveyor belt. The second pivot allows for easy application and release of tension on the conveyor belt for assembly and disassembly.

US Patent:

20050137744, Jun 23, 2005

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017983

Inventors:

Antoine Winkelmolen - Shawnee KS, US
Ralph Miller - Parkville MO, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

700223000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for product separation and processing are provided where an apparatus for sorting and grouping objects includes: an attribute measurement device ; a first conveyor moving at a first rate of speed; a second conveyor oriented perpendicularly to the first conveyor and moving at a second rate of speed which is less than the first rate of speed; a position determination device ; and a controller unit that groups sets of objects matching a target attribute based on attribute measurements and position information from a population of objects

US Patent:

20080185319, Aug 7, 2008

Filed:

Mar 26, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/055791

Inventors:

Antoine J. H. Winkelmolen - Shawnee KS, US
Ralph A. Miller - Parkville MO, US

International Classification:

B07C 3/12
B65G 47/22
B65B 57/00
B07C 3/08

US Classification:

209597, 19834105, 53 52

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for product separation and processing are provided where an apparatus for sorting and grouping objects includes: an attribute measurement device ; a first conveyor moving at a first rate of speed; a second conveyor oriented perpendicularly to the first conveyor and moving at a second rate of speed which is less than the first rate of speed; a position determination device ; and a controller unit that groups sets of objects matching a target attribute based on attribute measurements and position information from a population of objects

US Patent:

20130280998, Oct 24, 2013

Filed:

Apr 3, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/856281

Inventors:

Oliver HAHN - Parkville MO, US
Ronnie Lee AVEY - Gladstone MO, US
Ralph A. MILLER - Parkville MO, US

International Classification:

A22C 21/00

US Classification:

452136, 452135

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.