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:
Apr. 05, 2011
Filed:
May. 11, 2007
Giovanni Gaetano, Dublin, OH (US);
Robert John Mazurek, Beauvais, FR;
Thomas Clayton Pritchard, Bakersfield, CA (US);
Giovanni Gaetano, Dublin, OH (US);
Robert John Mazurek, Beauvais, FR;
Thomas Clayton Pritchard, Bakersfield, CA (US);
Nestec S.A., Vevey, CH;
Abstract
A method and device for manufacturing a viscous or semisolid product. The device includes a versatile product holding tray for manufacturing or forming the product. This tray is a polygonal member that includes a top surface for receiving the liquid or semisolid product, and a plurality of sides wherein at least one side includes a registration recess that is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a retaining bar of an endless conveyor to facilitate positioning of the tray upon the conveyor so that the retaining bar advances the tray during manufacture of the product. The device also includes an endless conveyor that includes a plurality of spaced tray retainer bars thereon for holding and advancing the tray to one or more product forming stations for forming the product on the trays.