James D Azzar

US Patent:

7021922, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Jul 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/621523

Inventors:

James Douglas Azzar - East Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 45/40

US Classification:

425556, 425574, 425575, 425588

Abstract:

The invention relates to a portioning apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a hopper and augers to push flowable material to a rotor. Retractable vanes on the rotor push the flowable material toward a fill slot as the rotor rotates. Below the fill slot, there is a mold plate with front and back mold cavities. In a front fill position, the mold plate is positioned so the front mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot while flowable material in the back mold cavities are pushed out by back knockouts. In a back fill position, the flowable material in the front mold cavities are pushed out by front knockouts while the back mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot. The mold plate reciprocatively oscillates between the front fill position and the back fill position for high output of portioned material.

US Patent:

7521077, Apr 21, 2009

Filed:

Jan 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/335603

Inventors:

James Douglas Azzar - East Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

B29C 45/40
A23P 1/10

US Classification:

426513, 426646, 452 41

Abstract:

The invention relates to a portioning apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a hopper and augers to push flowable material to a rotor. Retractable vanes on the rotor push the flowable material toward a fill slot as the rotor rotates. Below the fill slot, there is a mold plate with front and back mold cavities. In a front fill position, the mold plate is positioned so the front mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot while flowable material in the back mold cavities are pushed out by back knockouts. In a back fill position, the flowable material in the front mold cavities are pushed out by front knockouts while the back mold cavities are filled with flowable material from the fill slot. The mold plate reciprocatively oscillates between the front fill position and the back fill position for high output of portioned material.

US Patent:

7655173, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/181825

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI, US
Stevens C. Steketee - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

A23P 1/10
B28B 7/12

US Classification:

264335, 425437, 426513, 426516

Abstract:

A food portioning system to efficiently output portion food material, the system including a hopper, a mold plate, air knockout assembly, and air and hydraulic cylinders. Flowable food material is put into the hopper where it is pushed into the mold cavity of the mold plate. By the action of the air and hydraulic cylinders, the mold plate is driven to a knockout position where the air knockout assembly releases compressed air onto the mold cavity to knock out the portioned food from the mold cavity.

US Patent:

7824172, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/181806

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI, US
Stevens C. Steketee - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

A23P 1/10

US Classification:

425437, 425149, 425150, 425406, 426513, 426516, 264334, 264335

Abstract:

A food portioning system to efficiently output portion food material, the system including a hopper, a mold plate, air knockout assembly, and air and hydraulic cylinders. Flowable food material is put into the hopper where it is pushed into the mold cavity of the mold plate. By the action of the air and hydraulic cylinders, the mold plate is driven to a knockout position where the air knockout assembly releases compressed air onto the mold cavity to knock out the portioned food from the mold cavity.

US Patent:

7824599, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Jul 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/181873

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI, US
Stevens C. Steketee - Grand Rapids MI, US

International Classification:

A23P 1/10

US Classification:

264334, 264335, 425149, 425150, 425406, 426513, 426516

Abstract:

A food portioning system to efficiently output portion food material, the system including a hopper, a mold plate, air knockout assembly, and air and hydraulic cylinders. Flowable food material is put into the hopper where it is pushed into the mold cavity of the mold plate. By the action of the air and hydraulic cylinders, the mold plate is driven to a knockout position where the air knockout assembly releases compressed air onto the mold cavity to knock out the portioned food from the mold cavity.

US Patent:

8586168, Nov 19, 2013

Filed:

Jul 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/832443

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - East Grand Rapids MI, US

Assignee:

ABO Consulting, LLC - Kingbury NV

International Classification:

B32B 3/24

US Classification:

428136, 271 1

Abstract:

A sheet-form paper for separating portions produced by a portion control machine and dispensing from a paper feed system, each sheet of the sheet-form paper including a recess formed in at a side edge for receiving a male guide, and a slit extending inwardly from an edge of the recess for engaging a knife edge of the male guide. The slit extends from an innermost edge of the recess substantially perpendicular to the side edges of the sheet.

US Patent:

54589525, Oct 17, 1995

Filed:

May 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/245357

Inventors:

Richard C. Wagner - Frankfort IL
James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Hollymatic Corporation - Countryside IL

International Classification:

B32B 900

US Classification:

428192

Abstract:

A stack of paper is provided for separating portions produced by a portion control machine. The paper is dispensed from a paper feed system that feeds the bottom-most sheet from the stack along support rails that support opposite edges of the sheet. An integral stiffening strip extends between the opposite side edges of each sheet for stiffening the sheet therebetween and to minimize bowing of the sheet when supported at its opposite side edges. The stiffening strip has an arcuate cross-section, and the stiffening strip includes a rigidifying wax coating that is impregnated in the sheet at least to a greater extent in other areas of the sheet than at the strip. The invention also contemplates a method of fabricating the sheets of paper.

US Patent:

56783809, Oct 21, 1997

Filed:

Aug 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/705019

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

E04C 238

US Classification:

527164

Abstract:

An elongated elastomeric T-molding formed of a body having opposed decorative outer and inner mounting surfaces defining spaced first and second edges and being adapted for flush mounting to an edge of an article of furniture by means of an integral flange projecting at right angles outwardly of the inner mounting surface of the body is frictionally fitted within an elongated groove within an edge of a planar article of furniture such that the inner mounting surface of the body lies flush with the edge of such planar article of furniture. The body has at least one decor line and preferably laterally spaced parallel decor lines integrally molded within the outer surface of the body and extending longitudinally along the body. The color of the elastomeric material of the decor line or lines contrasts with that of the body and is preferably of different durameter hardness. Preferably, the decor lines project outwardly from the decorative outer surface of the body to function as bumpers to prevent marring of the body decorative outer surface.