The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 29, 2025
Filed:
May. 01, 2023
General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Kyle Thomas Hart, Marion, IA (US);
Alexis Hugunin, Marion, IA (US);
David S. Lutz, Andover, MN (US);
General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A weighing assembly supplies a predetermined amount of food product based on weight using a weighing machine having a plurality of weigh hoppers. A circular dispersion table having a dome shape distributes pieces of the product across the table by gravity to the weigh hoppers. A diverter chute is located above the dispersion table and includes multiple gates, with each gate configured to change a flow of the pieces of product over a portion of the dispersion table. The diverter chute further comprises an actuator for each gate for opening the gate as directed by a controller. Each actuator includes a piston and a lever arm connected to the piston and connected to a respective gate. An input conveyor drops pieces of food through the diversion chute to the dispersion table.