Frank D Pierce

US Patent:

20050152774, Jul 14, 2005

Filed:

Jan 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/755108

Inventors:

Frank Pierce - Pacific Grove CA, US
Lee Marcum - Salinas CA, US
Frank Nunes - Carmel Highlands CA, US
Lynn Thompson - Yuma AZ, US

International Classification:

B65F009/00
E04D001/00
E04B002/00

US Classification:

414809000, 052536000, 052588100

Abstract:

A grooved support surface, the support surface being defined by a first plurality of support modules which are held in side-by-side relation together. Individual support modules typically comprise an elongated body having at least a pair of flat segments, joined at a common side edge, and extending transversely to each other. The support modules together define a plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending grooves in the support surface.

US Patent:

41679164, Sep 18, 1979

Filed:

Jun 19, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/916773

Inventors:

Frank D. Pierce - Carmel CA

Assignee:

Lockwood Technical, Inc. - Sand City CA

International Classification:

B05C 102

US Classification:

118212

Abstract:

Obstructive formations are mounted within the liquid containing chamber closely adjacent the working surface of an applicator wheel and opposite the path of one or more of the pattern-forming wheels recesss. Escape of air or recirculated liquid from the recesses and its replacement by fresh liquid is thereby facilitated, improving the effectiveness of wheel operation, especially at high peripheral speeds.

US Patent:

47183330, Jan 12, 1988

Filed:

Nov 10, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/928970

Inventors:

Frank D. Pierce - Pacific Grove CA
Bradford E. Knickerbocker - Piedmont CA
Don H. Lenker - Salinas CA

Assignee:

Castle & Cooke, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

A23N 420
A23N 700

US Classification:

99486

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a system for peeling an object having a generally soft interior portion surrounded by a generally hard external surface, where the system is suitable for use by consumers or in areas with consumers. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a knife means for removing the hard external surface from the object, leaving substantially the soft interior portion. The apparatus also includes a housing enclosing the knife means to protect consumers or an operator of the apparatus from the knife means. The housing has two openings, one for receiving the object and one for discharging the soft interior portion after the object has been peeled. For some objects to be peeled, such as pineapples, the hard external surface of the object has two end portions and an intermediate body portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a first knife means and means for grappling the object and rotating it towards the first knife means for severing the two end portions of the external surface.

US Patent:

47203889, Jan 19, 1988

Filed:

Jan 22, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/821267

Inventors:

Frank D. Pierce - Pacific Grove CA
Bradford E. Knickerbocker - Piedmont CA
Don H. Lenker - Salinas CA

Assignee:

Castle & Cooke, Inc. - San Francisco CA

International Classification:

G01N 722
A23P 100
B26D 500

US Classification:

426231

Abstract:

The invention is directed to a system for peeling an object having a generally soft interior portion surrounded by a generally hard external surface, where the system is suitable for use by consumers or in areas with consumers. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a knife means for removing the hard external surface from the object, leaving substantially the soft interior portion. The apparatus also includes a housing enclosing the knife means to protect consumers or an operator of the apparatus from the knife means. The housing has two openings, one for receiving the object and one for discharging the soft interior portion after the object has been peeled. For some objects to be peeled, such as pineapples, the hard external surface of the object has two end portions and an intermediate body portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the apparatus of the invention includes a first knife means and means for grappling the object and rotating it towards the first knife means for severing the two end portions of the external surface.