Eric Allen Lawrence

US Patent:

6585477, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Jun 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/888236

Inventors:

Eric C. Lawrence - South El Monte CA

Assignee:

Lawrence Equipment - So. El Monte CA

International Classification:

B65G 5704

US Classification:

4147931, 414790, 4147944, 198597

Abstract:

A counter-stacker includes an infeed conveyor having a plurality of lanes for containing planar food articles. A vacuum conveyor system is located adjacent to the infeed conveyor and includes a plurality of vacuum conveyors. Each vacuum conveyor includes a frame, a pair of pulleys rotationally mounted to the frame, a drive shaft coupled to one of the pair of pulleys, a vacuum generator for generating vacuum conditions within the frame, and a vacuum belt mounted to the pair of pulleys. Each vacuum conveyor is pivotable about one of the pair of pulleys. An oscillating catch cup frame containing a plurality of catch cups is used to stack the planar food articles.

US Patent:

7097026, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/957303

Inventors:

Eric C. Lawrence - South El Monte CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Equipment, Inc. - South El Monte CA

International Classification:

B65G 13/02

US Classification:

1986901

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring an object from a first conveyor to a second conveyor, the apparatus having a drive roller; a guide having a first end and a length, the first end being positioned adjacent the drive roller; a guide roller, the guide roller being magnetic and positioned adjacent to the guide along the length of the guide; and a conveyor positioned around the drive roller, the guide, and the guide roller; wherein the conveyor has a ferrous component causing the conveyor to be moveably coupled to the guide roller.

US Patent:

7264107, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Sep 30, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/957293

Inventors:

Eric C. Lawrence - South El Monte CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Equipment, Inc. - South El Monte CA

International Classification:

B65G 15/12
B65G 47/252

US Classification:

198404, 198603, 198605, 198560, 99386, 99423, 99443 C

Abstract:

A system for transferring an object between driven conveyors comprising an upper conveyor comprising a discharge end, a first belt for transporting the object, the first belt engaging a first end roller and a gooseneck roller, where the first end roller is disposed below the gooseneck roller by a displacement sufficient to create a downward sloping section in the first belt; a transfer guide located adjacent to the discharge end of the upper conveyor, to receive the object from the downward sloping section; a lower conveyor comprising a second belt to receive the object from the transfer guide; and means for driving the upper conveyor and lower conveyor such that the first belt moves towards the transfer guide and the second belt moves away from transfer guide. A lower run of the first belt may be disposed above an upper run of the second belt by a belt spacing approximately equal to or less than the thickness of the object.

US Patent:

7448313, Nov 11, 2008

Filed:

Oct 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/595318

Inventors:

Eric Clay Lawrence - South El Monte CA, US

Assignee:

Lawrence Equipment, Inc. - South El Monte CA

International Classification:

A47J 37/00

US Classification:

99349, 99353

Abstract:

An apparatus for combining delivery of objects from a first transport conveyor () and a second transport conveyor (), comprising a first continuous discharge conveyor (), a second continuous discharge conveyor () which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis; means for pivoting the second discharge conveyor about the longitudinal axis between a lower position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are adjacent, and an upper position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate the objects therebetween; and means for synchronizing the pivoting means with discharge of the objects from the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor.

US Patent:

20070034092, Feb 15, 2007

Filed:

Aug 12, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/203508

Inventors:

Eric Lawrence - Huntington Beach CA, US
Mark Lawrence - Sunset Beach CA, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/06

US Classification:

099349000

Abstract:

A dough forming apparatus for flatbread products, the apparatus having: a loading station; a pressing station; a discharge station; and a conveyor belt passing through the loading station, the pressing station and the discharge station; wherein the discharge station further comprises a heated discharge platen.

US Patent:

20090272277, Nov 5, 2009

Filed:

May 1, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/434099

Inventors:

Eric LAWRENCE - Huntington Beach CA, US

Assignee:

LAWRENCE EQUIPMENT, INC. - South El Monte CA

International Classification:

A21C 11/00
A23P 1/00
A47J 37/00

US Classification:

99349

Abstract:

A dough forming apparatus comprising a lower support frame, a lower pressing platen coupled to the lower support frame, and an upper pressing platen assembly positioned above the lower pressing platen. The upper pressing platen assembly further comprises a backing structure, an upper backing platen coupled to the backing structure, and a pressing plate removably coupled to the upper backing platen by vacuum or electromagnetic means. Means for heating the pressing plate, and shims for adjusting the flatness of the pressing surface are provided. A conveyor supported by the lower support frame is positioned to pass between the lower pressing platen and the upper pressing platen assembly. A method of adjusting the apparatus is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20120114812, May 10, 2012

Filed:

Nov 4, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/940012

Inventors:

Eric C. LAWRENCE - Huntington Beach CA, US

Assignee:

LAWRENCE EQUIPMENT, INC. - South Elmonte CA

International Classification:

B30B 15/00
G01N 33/10

US Classification:

426231, 100305

Abstract:

In some embodiments, a dough pressing system includes means for coupling a cover to a pressing platen, wherein the cover can reduce the wear caused to the pressing platen by the heat and pressure used to process one or more products. The cover optionally can be configured to be removably attached to the pressing platen with vacuum pressure.In some implementations, one or more spacers are placed between the cover and the pressing platen. The thickness of the spacers can adjust the thickness and diameter of products processed by the pressing platen. For example, to increase uniformity among products pressed together in a press cycle, the spacers can have different thicknesses that correspond with the location of the spacer in the pattern of dough balls.

US Patent:

55645542, Oct 15, 1996

Filed:

Nov 1, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/333001

Inventors:

Eric C. Lawrence - South El Monte CA

Assignee:

Lawrence Equipment, Inc. - El Monte CA

International Classification:

B65G 4726

US Classification:

198432

Abstract:

A reciprocating accumulation conveyor temporarily accumulates pressed tortillas delivered periodically from a press and delivers them onto an oven belt in a substantially continuous supply, thereby providing more uniform baking. The reciprocating accumulation conveyor has an accumulation belt which accelerates to match the speed of the press belt in the press, when the press belt moves periodically between pressing cycles, to accumulate the pressed batch of tortillas. The accumulation belt simultaneously extends partially over the prior batch moving onto the oven belt, and drops down behind the lasts row of the prior batch on the oven belt. The accumulation conveyor belt then advances at a delivery speed to transfer the tortillas onto the oven belt.