Leslie Thomas

US Patent:

8330809, Dec 11, 2012

Filed:

Feb 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/365364

Inventors:

Leslie Philip Thomas - West Bloomfield MI, US
Nathaniel Barret Brown - Howell MI, US

Assignee:

FPS Food Processing Systems, B.V. - Re Nootdrop

International Classification:

H04N 9/47
H04N 7/18

US Classification:

348 89, 348 91, 348 92

Abstract:

A vision system incorporated into an item of egg handling equipment, the system incorporating software control for detecting at least one of color shades and defects on both brown and white eggs. An enclosure incorporates a plurality of high resolution producing cameras, these communicating via cable with a switch to a remote vision PC system. A non-linear shaped diffuser is mounted along an open facing bottom of the enclosure for facilitating uniform lighting throughout an open interior of the enclosure associated with the cameras. The cameras are operable to produce multiple, high resolution images of each of a plurality of eggs continuously transported along the associated egg handling equipment, for classifying types of defects that are allowable and those that must be rejected, as well as assisting in the segregating of the eggs into more consistent shaded groups for eventual packaging.

US Patent:

20040099579, May 27, 2004

Filed:

Nov 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/303143

Inventors:

Leslie Thomas - West Bloomfield MI, US

International Classification:

B07C005/00
A01K043/04

US Classification:

209/510000, 209/576000

Abstract:

A system for sorting articles includes a conveyor transporting the articles in conveying zones. An identifier directed at an identification zone on the conveyor identifies an article bearing a particular characteristic. A sliding gate coupled to the conveyor at a removal zone on the conveyor downstream from the identification zone is arranged below the articles and controlled by the identifier to open when the article bearing the characteristic passes the removal zone. The sliding gate opens parallel to the conveyor and either in the conveyor direction or the direction opposing the conveyor direction. The sliding gate provides an opening of the same length as the conveying zone. A device for sorting articles includes a sliding gate on the conveyor at a removal zone. The sliding gate is arranged below the articles and controlled by an identifier to open when an article bearing a characteristic passes the removal zone. The identifier is directed at an identification zone on the conveyor and is able to identify the article bearing a characteristic at the identification zone. A method for sorting articles includes conveying the articles and identifying an article bearing a characteristic at an identification zone. The method also includes separating the article bearing the characteristic from the articles not bearing the characteristic by a sliding gate. The sliding gate is coupled to the conveyor at a removal zone downstream from the identification zone. The sliding gate is controlled by an identifier and opens when the article bearing the characteristic passes the removal zone.

US Patent:

58584340, Jan 12, 1999

Filed:

Aug 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/703714

Inventors:

Leslie Philip Thomas - Brighton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

A23B 500

US Classification:

426299

Abstract:

The invention relates to a multiple-row egg breaking and separating machine in which the egg contents and egg shells are passed adjacent one another through an inspection station at which the contents of the egg can be rejected because the shell or contents are contaminated, defective or abnormal. The present invention is particularly useful for high-speed breaking operations, yet still allows the inspector to view all the parts of the eggs for possible rejection of the egg contents. The present invention is particularly suited for automatic scanning of egg shells and contents, and eliminates possible U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) objections to prior art multiple-row egg breaking machines.

US Patent:

45195056, May 28, 1985

Filed:

Dec 23, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/452451

Inventors:

Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Framington MI

International Classification:

A01K 4308

US Classification:

209513

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for advancing eggs from a candling station through a plurality of weighing stations in an egg grading apparatus. The eggs are received from the candling station by elongated guide members and are advanced continuously on the guide members through the weighing stations by advancing bars disposed vertically above the guide members. After weighing, the eggs are advanced to a plurality of holding stations disposed in alignment with and downstream of the guide members and weighing stations. Pairs of eggs are lifted from the holding stations and horizontally adjacent pick-up locations by a rotatable and reciprocal lifting mechanism which rotates about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the guide members so as to facilitate engagement and vertically upward lifting of the eggs during upward rotational movement thereof.

US Patent:

45053731, Mar 19, 1985

Filed:

Jul 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/394443

Inventors:

Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Framington MI

International Classification:

B65G 4726

US Classification:

198432

Abstract:

An egg transfer system suitable for advancing eggs in an egg grader from a candling station to a weighing station at which the eggs are each deposited and individually weighed. The grade of each individual egg is recorded after which the eggs are advanced to a lifting apparatus adapted to rotatably lift and transfer the eggs to a conveying conveyor for delivery to predetermined packers disposed downstream thereof.

US Patent:

56177828, Apr 8, 1997

Filed:

Mar 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/414681

Inventors:

Leslie P. Thomas - Brighton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

A23J 109
A47J 4314
A01K 4300

US Classification:

99500

Abstract:

The invention relates to a multiple-row egg breaking and separating machine in which the egg contents and egg shells are passed adjacent one another through an inspection station at which the contents of the egg can be rejected because the shell or contents are contaminated, defective or abnormal. The present invention is particularly useful for high-speed breaking operations, yet still allows the inspector to view all the parts of the eggs for possible rejection of the egg contents. The present invention is particularly suited for automatic scanning of egg shells and contents, and eliminates possible U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) objections to prior art multiple-row egg breaking machines.

US Patent:

43612636, Nov 30, 1982

Filed:

Aug 28, 1980

Appl. No.:

6/181975

Inventors:

Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond International Corporation - New York NY

International Classification:

B65D 100

US Classification:

229 25EC

Abstract:

A denestable plastic egg tray formed of a substantially flat sheet of material and having a plurality of alternate rows of pockets and posts for housing the eggs. A row of downwardly extending pockets is provided adjacent the parallel sides of the peripheral rim, each of the pockets including inclined outer walls. At least one ledge member is provided on the inclined pocket walls suitable to be engaged by a denesting finger during removal of the tray from the remainder of the stack of similar trays.

US Patent:

45694443, Feb 11, 1986

Filed:

Jul 1, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/394162

Inventors:

John C. McEvoy - Canton MI
George N. Bliss - Franklin MI
Leslie P. Thomas - Canton MI

Assignee:

Diamond Automations, Inc. - Framington MI

International Classification:

A01K 4308
B65G 4746

US Classification:

209510

Abstract:

An apparatus for transferring eggs continuously conveyed in spaced-apart, aligned relationship by a conveyor to a receiving station at which eggs are packaged according to their individual physical characteristics. A frame on which solenoid-actuated plungers are mounted is disposed adjacent the conveyor at the receiving station for releasing eggs having the same physical characteristics from the conveyor in a predetermined sequence at the receiving station. The frame is movable with respect to the receiving station according to the speed of the conveyor.