Richard B Hawkins

US Patent:

6689407, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Jun 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/888925

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

GoodMark Foods, Inc. - Garner NC

International Classification:

A21L 131

US Classification:

426315, 34207, 99355, 99386, 99443 C, 99479, 122 21 A, 426465, 426520, 426524, 432133

Abstract:

Mass production food processing methods, systems, and apparatus with increased capacity over conventional design are configured to direct food to travel serially over side-by-side travel paths so as to travel a plurality of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier.

US Patent:

6713107, Mar 30, 2004

Filed:

Mar 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/087548

Inventors:

Sarid Shefet - Cary NC
Fabian Huschka - Winnenden, DE
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC
Ulrich Fessmann - Winnenden, DE
André Boudewijns - Helmond, NL
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN
Wilhelm Fessmann GmbH U. Co. - Winnenden

International Classification:

A23L 131

US Classification:

426315, 34207, 99355, 99386, 99443 C, 99479, 126 21 R, 126 21 A, 426465, 426521, 426524, 432133

Abstract:

Gas and/or air distribution systems and methods for distributing thermally and/or otherwise treated gas in a food processor by moving at least one food item over a predetermined travel path in a food processor having a food travel path comprising a moving floor and upwardly extending first and second sidewalls located on opposing sides thereof, the travel path having a corresponding first and second side portions. The methods include: (a) moving at least one food item over a predetermined travel path in a food processor having a food travel pathway comprising a moving floor and upwardly extending first and second sidewalls located on opposing sides thereof, the travel pathway having corresponding first and second side portions; (b) introducing exogenous fluid into the food processor from a plurality of inlet ports positioned proximate the first side portion of the travel pathway during the moving step to thereby treat the food; (c) exhausting fluid from the food processor from a plurality of exhaust ports positioned proximate the second side portion of the travel pathway; and (d) directing the exogenous fluid to travel from the first side portion to the second side portion over the food held on the food travel pathway during the moving step. The distribution system may be particularly suitable for processing systems employing vertically stacked tiers and/or moving floors that advance or move the food during the processing exposure (such as heating, cooling, curing, smoking, and the like).

US Patent:

6786813, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171865

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 51

Abstract:

Automated loaders are configured with winding mechanisms that load elongated products directly onto transfer members, such as sticks or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern proximate to the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a desired motion onto the stick or rod. Methods for discharging elongated product, such as encased meats, so that they straddle or loop directly onto the stick, bar or other desired food support are also described.

US Patent:

6793068, Sep 21, 2004

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/170887

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC
Larry Jones - Garner NC

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

B65G 3700

US Classification:

198778, 198458, 198442, 426315, 99443 C

Abstract:

Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.

US Patent:

6821197, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Mar 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/389442

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

A22B 100

US Classification:

452185

Abstract:

Automated loaders are configured with winding mechanisms that load elongated products directly onto transfer members, such as sticks or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern proximate to the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a desired motion onto the stick or rod. Methods for discharging elongated product, such as encased meats, so that they straddle or loop directly onto the stick, bar or other desired food support are also described.

US Patent:

6866573, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/170869

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC, US
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC, US
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC, US
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC, US

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

A22C011/00

US Classification:

452 32

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in serial order and spaced apart relationship, a plurality of elongated support members having opposing first and second ends and an associated length, along a selected travel path; (b) loading each of the elongated support members individually with a respective continuous length of multiple loops or multiple discrete lengths of elongated product at the loading station; and (c) advancing the loaded elongated support members away from the loading station along the selected travel path. The loaders may be configured with winding mechanisms that wind elongated products directly onto elongated support members, such as bars, sticks, or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern above and below the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a winding motion onto the bar, stick, or rod so that they loop or drape directly onto the rod, stick, bar or other desired food support is also described.

US Patent:

6878053, Apr 12, 2005

Filed:

Jun 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/170652

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC, US
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC, US
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC, US
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC, US
Larry Jones - Garner NC, US

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

A22C011/00

US Classification:

452177

Abstract:

Automated loaders are configured with winding mechanisms that wind elongated products directly onto transfer members, such as sticks or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern above and below the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a winding motion onto the stick or rod. Methods for discharging elongated product, such as encased meats, so that they loop directly onto the stick, bar or other desired food support is also described.

US Patent:

7004307, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/894996

Inventors:

Sarid M. Shefet - Cary NC, US
John Michael Phillips - State Road NC, US
Lawrence Alan Chandler - Raleigh NC, US
Richard Rodeheaver Hawkins - Raleigh NC, US
Larry Jones - Garner NC, US

Assignee:

ConAgra Foods, Inc. - Edina MN

International Classification:

B65G 37/00

US Classification:

198778, 198458, 198442, 99443 C, 426315

Abstract:

Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food transport. The system can direct food to travel serially over side-by-side predetermined travel lanes using one or more of a pick-up mechanism and/or router guide channels to pick-up and/or laterally translate the food product form the first travel lane to the second travel lane so that it travels greater than one, and typically a plurality, of revolutions about a tier or level in a vertically stacked food processing unit before moving to the next tier. Associated methods redirect and/or laterally translate food being transported in an automated food processing system.