Other

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.

Siecor Corporation

Thomas G Knodell, Jr

Paul A Svejkovsky

Kenneth C Petri

P Blake Svejkovsky

Jonny Fitzgerald

David L Burke

Paul B Svejkovsky

Michael De Jong

Paul A Svejkovksy

Blake Svejkovsky

Paul S Svejkovsky

Paul B Svejkovksy

Gilbert C Winfree, Jr

A differential impulse conveyor () is provided for moving goods, including a tray () having a tray floor () supporting goods, with the tray movable in a forward direction and a backward direction. A drive motor () is provided for moving the tray floor in the forward direction and the backward direction. The tray floor includes plurality of dimples () each projecting upward from an adjacent product supporting surface () of the tray floor. Each dimple () includes an upwardly projecting pusher portion () for pushing goods forward during the forward movement of the tray, and a tapered ramp portion () extending upward from the product supporting surface and engaging the pusher portion for moving goods in front of the pusher portion.

Differential impulse conveyor with improved tray

An improved seasoning systemuniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensorsand. The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drumor a deflectorand a second seasoning unitbetween linear conveyors. Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drumwhich both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray. An improved seasoning trayhas a planar floorwith an angled discharge edgefor uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

Seasoning system and method

An improved tumble drum is provided for mixing one food product with another food product, and includes a rotating tumble drum for rotating the products about a drum axis of rotation, with the drum having a product input in one end and a product output in an axial opposing end. A tumble drive motor rotates the tumble drum. Another drive mechanism reciprocates the tumble drum linearly in a direction aligned with the axis of rotation. The product is discharged from the axial opposing end of the tumble drum. A product tray is providing for inputting food product to the tumble drum, and the rotating tumble drum may be fixed to the product tray such that the drive mechanism linearly rotates both the tumble drum and the product tray in a slow forward/backward manner.

Tumble drum for mixing food product

An improved seasoning system uniformly coats a food product with the desired amount of seasoning, with the seasoning rate preferably being controlled as a function of the product volume signals from the sensors and . The seasoning system preferably utilizes linear motion conveyors and either a rotating drum or a deflector and a second seasoning unit between linear conveyors . Oil may be sprayed onto food products and tumbled in a drum which both rotates and moves in a reciprocating manner with the conveyor tray . An improved seasoning tray has a planar floor with an angled discharge edge for uniformly distributing seasoning on the product. The seasoning system minimizes damage to the food product and uniformly coats the product with a desired amount of seasoning.

A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base and a tray movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

Differential impulse conveyor with linear motor drive

A discharge gate mechanism or structure for proportioning a volume of goods between two flow streams. The gate discharge structure includes a one-piece tube having a gate discharge opening therein. A feed trough is connected to tube for reciprocal simultaneous movement with tube for moving the goods along trough and tube . A motor is effective to rotate tube and opening therein relative to feed trough to position discharge opening at a desired location for controlling the discharge of goods between two flow streams.

Proportional gate mechanism for a conveyor and method

A conveyor,includes a cyclically powered drive mechanism,for moving products along an elongate tray,in a forward direction. The tray,includes a substantially planar floor,for supporting product thereon and tray side,on opposing transverse sides of the tray floor. A flow leveler,is positioned along the tray floor and normalizes the flow of product moving along the tray. In its preferred embodiment, the flow leveler includes a plurality of elongate ramp members,laterally spaced between the tray sides, and optionally arranged in staggered rows. The flow leveler may include a planar leveler floor,for positioning within a cutout in the tray floor and a plurality of securing members,for movably securing the leveler floor to the tray. The inclined ramp surface of the leveler is preferably angled up to 25&deg; to 45&deg;. The flow leveler is particularly well suited for leveling the flow rate of irregularly shaped snack goods conveyed along the linear motion conveyor.

Cyclically powered conveyor with flow leveler

A differential impulse conveyor includes a conveyor base,and a tray,movable in a forward direction to move goods with the tray and in a backward direction to slide goods along the tray. A pair of tray support members,interconnect the conveyor base in the tray. Each tray support member may be pivotally connected at a lower end of the conveyor base and pivotally connected at an upper end of the tray. An electrically powered linear motor,moves the tray forward and rearward. A connector support,for interconnecting the base and the tray, or for interconnecting any stationary member and a movable member, may include a linear bearing having an end surface with a radius for rolling engagement with a contact surface having a radius twice of that of the end surface to achieve the desired linear motion of the tray or movable member.

The present invention provides a connector and connector sleeve assembly comprising a connector with reduced parts that is received in one side of the connector sleeve. The connector has a bayonet style protrusion that is received in a bayonet cut-out in the connector sleeve. The other side of the connector sleeve is configured to receive a standard connector design such as an SC connector or an ST type connector. The connector has an enlarged portion for being gripped by fingers such that the reduced part connector can be readily connected and disconnected from the connector sleeve in tight spaces.

Fiber optic connector and connector sleeve assembly

Contained on a stapler cartridge there is at least one distal slot capable of accommodating at least one firing wedge or the knife blade which is thereby capable of moving through the distal slot. There is further contained at least one proximal slot capable of accommodating at least the one firing wedge or the knife blade. The firing wedge or knife blade is able to move into the proximal slot exclusively in a proximal direction. Once the firing wedge or the knife blade is moved into the slot, the firing wedge is no longer able to move distally, thereby locking end of proximal section of the stapler cartridge.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Worth, TX, United States of America

Thomas G Knodell, Jr