James S 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:

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.

US Patent:

49718495, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Aug 14, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/393348

Inventors:

James D. Azzar - Grand Rapids MI

Assignee:

Extrusions Division - East Grand Rapids MI

International Classification:

B32B 302
B32B 306

US Classification:

428100

Abstract:

An elongated, extruded, flexible elastomeric material protective edge member of T-shaped cross-sectional configuration for attachment to a curved edge of an article of furniture having a narrow, elongated groove within that edge and having a barbed flange projecting at right angles from the base at the center thereof is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced transverse slots formed within the barbed flange from the edge of the barbed flange remote from the base in the direction of the base to permit inward and outward bending of the trim strip through the plane of the barbed flange. Transverse grooves are provided within the rear surface of the base as extensions to the slots within the barbed flange over the portion of the trim strip to be bent to conform to curved portions of said article of furniture edge during coupling thereto. The transverse grooves extend preferably beyond the opposite sides of the barbed flange. Additionally, a longitudinal groove is provided within said rear surface of the base along the side of the barbed flange, extending parallel thereto and intersecting the transverse grooves to enhance the flexibility of the elastomeric material protective edge member to reduce resistance in bending of the base, to conform the trim strip to inner bends of the curved edge of the article of furniture during attachment of the trim strip to such article.