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US4165818A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Portion controlled frozen food dispenser with pump control

Assignee: Jimmy Dean Meat Co Inc
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Filing: 1977-09-12
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Granted: 1979-08-28
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Expires: 1997-09-12
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Abstract

Abstract The specification discloses a system and process for producing discrete chilled products having preselected weights from a semi-fluid mixture. The semi-fluid mixture is pumped along a distribution path to an extruding manifold which extrudes a plurality of parallel continuous lengths of the mixture. The continuous lengths are directed through a chilling station in a parallel relationship in order to chill and firm the lengths such that the lengths maintain their extruded cross-sectional configuration. A cutter periodically severs the continuous lengths at predetermined intervals to provide a plurality of discrete products having predetermined weights. The pumping rate, rate of travel through the freezer and periodic severing of the continuous lengths may be selectively varied in order to maintain any desired weight of the discrete products.

Inventors

  • 👤 Vincent E. Bernard

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 15:55
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B4/00; A23B4/06; A23B4/062; A23B4/064; A22; A22C; A22C7/00

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
In an extruder wherein a pump pumps semi-fluid material, the combination comprising: a fluid filled bladder disposed in the outlet of the pump to sense the pressure of the semi-fluid material at the outlet of the pump, a fluid filled bellows means in fluid communication with said bladder for sensing changes in pressure in said bladder and for expanding in a first direction in response to pressure change in said bladder, means for generating electrical signals in response to expansion of said bellows, and means responsive to said electrical signals for varying the speed of the pump.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
In an extruder wherein a pump pumps semi-fluid material, the combination comprising: a fluid filled bladder disposed in the outlet of the pump to sense the pressure of the semi-fluid material at the outlet of the pump, a fluid filled bellows means in fluid communication with said bladder for sensing changes in pressure in said bladder and for expanding in a first direction in response to pressure change in said bladder, means for generating electrical signals in response to expansion of said bellows, and means responsive to said electrical signals for varying the speed of the pump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said bladder is streamlined in order not to substantially interfere with the passage of the semi-fluid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said fluid is edible to prevent danger in case of leakage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 10 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said generating means comprises:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 22 words
gear means rotatable by longitudinal movement of said bellows, and potentiometer means movable by said gear means to generate said electrical signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 22 words
gear means rotatable by longitudinal movement of said bellows, and potentiometer means movable by said gear means to generate said electrical signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said gear means comprises: a first gear connected to said bellows means to move linearly, and a second gear meshed with said first gear to be rotated by said first gear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 37 words
The combination of claim 1 further comprising: bias means for moving said bellows in a second direction opposite said first direction when the expansion force of said bellows is less than the force of said bias means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2408851A Cited
US2439239A Cited
US3013696A Cited
US3095120A Cited
US3545274A Cited
US3960019A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-08-27 1983-02-26 1983-08-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-08-27 1987-02-26 1987-08-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-08-27 1991-02-26 1991-08-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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