Scott A Lindee

US Patent:

6368092, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Jun 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/326085

Inventors:

Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL
Glenn Sandberg - Lockport IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

A23P 110

US Classification:

425107, 425556, 425575, 426513

Abstract:

A patty forming machine includes a mechanical compartment having a front wall and surrounding a reciprocating device, a reciprocating mold plate having cavities for forming patties, and a reciprocating knock-out device for knocking the patties from the mold plate. The knock-out device includes vertically reciprocating knock-out rods, knock-out bar arms connected to the knock-out rods, a bar connected to the knock-out bar arms, and a plurality of cups connected to the bar. The knock-out rods are guided both above and below the knock-out bar arms for vertical reciprocating movement. The knock-out rods are connected together by a tie rod and clamp blocks located at opposite ends of the tie bar. The knock-out rods are driven into vertical reciprocation by knock-out arms which are driven to pivot by rotating cams. Located adjacent to each of the cams is an oil reservoir which is substantially sealed except for being penetrated by two wicks, one of the wicks being used to transport oil to the pivotal connection of the respective knock-out arm, and respective other of the wicks arranged to transport oil to the cam surface which drives the knock-out arm.

US Patent:

6428303, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Jun 4, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/326081

Inventors:

Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL
Glenn Sandberg - Lockport IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

A22C 700

US Classification:

425215, 425225, 425556, 425575, 426513

Abstract:

A patty forming machine includes a frame structure supporting a compartment which encloses a mechanical reciprocating device, the compartment having a front wall. A mold plate locate outside of the front wall includes cavities for receiving food product for the formation of patties. At least one drive rod having a circular cross-section penetrates the front wall and connects the mold plate to the reciprocating device. The machine also includes a vacuum bar assembly having a vacuum bar for interleaving flexible paper sheets with formed patties. The vacuum bar is driven by a reciprocating rod having a round cross-section and penetrating through the front wall of the housing to operatively connect the vacuum bar to the reciprocating device. The frame structure of the machine is underlied by a bottom skin which is spaced below a horizontal frame to provide an access gap for clear viewing and maintenance of a top of the bottom skin.

US Patent:

6454559, Sep 24, 2002

Filed:

Feb 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/790931

Inventors:

Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

B29C 4518

US Classification:

425572, 425574, 425575

Abstract:

A mold plate assembly for a patty-forming apparatus includes a reciprocating mold plate having patty-forming cavities, with at least two rows of cavities aligned in a longitudinal direction, and a fill hole located rearwardly of the cavities. The assembly includes a bottom fill plate and a top fill plate structure arranged facing opposite sides of the mold plate. The mold plate reciprocates between a cavity fill position and a patty discharge or knock-out position. Outlet slots are arranged through the top fill plate structure to deliver food product into said mold cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position. During filling of food product into the cavities, a pressurized food product flow distribution path is established through the bottom fill plate, through the fill hole of the mold plate, through the top fill plate structure, through the outlet slots and into the cavities. The fill hole is reciprocated between an open and a closed position with the mold plate, to either allow food product into the mold cavities when the mold plate is in the fill position, or to prevent flow through the outlet slots when the mold plate is in the closed position. The mold plate assembly allows for the use of multiple rows of cavities in the mold plate and ensures consistent filling in both the rearward and forward rows of cavities.

US Patent:

6484615, Nov 26, 2002

Filed:

Aug 15, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/911821

Inventors:

Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

B26D 726

US Classification:

83596, 83 86, 83 88, 834092, 83444, 83672, 83932, 30309, 30310, 30347

Abstract:

A slicing machine including a slicing blade for slicing at least first and second product loaves disposed in a side-by-side arrangement using a single rotation of the slicing blade is set forth. A single rotation of the slicing edge about the center of rotation results in a penetration gradient into each of the first and second product loaves that diminishes in magnitude over the single rotation. To this end, the slicing edge may have a profile defined a plurality of constant radius sections. Each constant radius section has a section center defining the center of the constant radius for that constant radius section. Further, each constant radius section has a section center differing from the section center of an adjacent constant radius section. Such a blade and its associated slicing station provide great control of slices from the loaves as they proceed from the loaf to a receiving conveyor of the slicing station.

US Patent:

6669005, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Jul 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/201047

Inventors:

Glenn Sandberg - Lockport IL
Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

B65G 4300

US Classification:

1984602

Abstract:

A feed conveyor is operable in a first direction to deposit a stream of articles across a width of a downstream conveyor operating along a second direction, the second direction being at an angle to the first direction. The feed conveyor is an extendable conveyor that is accurately controlled for circulating speed, extension speed and retraction speed, to deposit articles transversely onto the downstream conveyor in a tightly spaced, grid pattern. The extension and retraction speed are controlled by a first servomotor and the conveying speed of the feed conveyor is controlled by a second servomotor.

US Patent:

6763750, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Feb 7, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/072338

Inventors:

Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

B26D 706

US Classification:

83 88, 83155, 19846811

Abstract:

A conveying surface for a slicing apparatus that can be moved in two orthogonal directions in a coordinated manner to allow a depositing of slices in a pattern on the conveying surface. The conveying surface can be an endless belt conveyor circulated in the longitudinal direction by a servo-motor via a telescopic drive shaft and shifted in the lateral direction by servo-motor driving a crank arm mechanism.

US Patent:

6769337, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Jun 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/162431

Inventors:

Glenn Sandberg - Lockport IL
Glen F. Pryor - Tinley Park IL
Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

B26D 118

US Classification:

83413, 83414, 834661, 83446, 83932

Abstract:

An improved orifice plate assembly for a loaf slicing machine, the orifice plate assembly located adjacent to a moving slicing blade includes a frame defining an opening and a first orifice-defining member and a second orifice-defining member slidably mounted together slidably on the frame. The first orifice-defining member and the second orifice-defining member, together define an orifice. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the frame and to each of the first and second orifice-defining members, the adjustment mechanism when adjusted changes the orifice dimension between the first and second orifice-defining members without substantially changing a centerline location of the orifice. The adjustment mechanism includes a stud fixed to the first orifice-defining member, and two links pivotally mounted to the frame and engaged to two rods fixed to the second orifice-defining member. The stud is engaged to one end of the links and the rods are engaged to a respective other end of the links such that a movement of the stud inwardly pivots the links to draw the second orifice-defining member toward the first orifice-defining member.

US Patent:

6882434, Apr 19, 2005

Filed:

Apr 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/959876

Inventors:

Glenn Sandberg - Lockport IL, US
Scott A. Lindee - Mokena IL, US
Salvatore Lamartino - Orland Park IL, US
Robert Bania - Orland Park IL, US

Assignee:

Formax, Inc. - Mokena IL

International Classification:

G01B011/24
G01N021/86
B26D005/00
A22C018/00

US Classification:

356601, 250223 R, 25055922, 99537, 83364, 452157

Abstract:

A system, suitable for high-speed operation, by which raw product (), such as a slab of meat, can be accurately processed, such as by slicing into segments of desired weight, comprises a product profiling apparatus (). The product profiling apparats () meassures the profile of the physical process. The product profiling apparatus () includes line lasers () for directing a line of light across the upper and lower surfaces of the product () and visual image cameras () directed toward the profile surface to capture, at fixed increments, the product profile. The product may also be weighed and the product density determined from the overall profile measurements. A controller () receives this data, and instructs the physical process accordingly.