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:
Mar. 07, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1998
Darryl D Brayton, West Richland, WA (US);
Stephen G Romero, West Richland, WA (US);
Howard M Rickard, Richland, WA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Re-configurable modular food processing cells (10) consisting of rapidly re-configurable functional modules (50) are easily transported to any site for appropriate reconfiguration to process harvested crop material. Each cell (10) provides a shipping container-type enclosure (20), and is therefore highly transportable. Within each modular food processing cell are a plurality of functional modules (50), each module adapted for a specific food processing function, such as cleaning, grinding or filling or labeling containers. Transitional fixtures and fittings (80) allow the output of a first functional module to be input into a second functional module. A computer control system (30), carried by each cell (10), controls the operation of each module (50) by means of control circuitry (40) and video display instructions to the module operator personnel (16). A re-configurable deck flooring (60), and optionally a re-configurable ceiling (70), allows rapid rearrangement and customization of the interior floor plan and associated functionality of the container cell (10). While in a preferred embodiment of the invention the cells are housed within shipping containers, it in an alternate version of the invention the cells can be operated in lines that are within a standard facility, i.e., without a shipping container. In such a facility, the cells can be rapidly reconfigured to provide for relatively low scale production quantities, such as with gourmet or specialty foods.