Christopher M Imdieke

US Patent:

20120070553, Mar 22, 2012

Filed:

Sep 20, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/886423

Inventors:

William Thomas Hockett - Kennewick WA, US
Frederick D. Webb - Hermiston OR, US
Brian J. Pikl - Aumsville OR, US
Christopher M. Imdieke - Molalla OR, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12
A23L 1/01

US Classification:

426438, 99404

Abstract:

A fryer can include a base having a reservoir for receiving oil for frying a food product and a hood coupled to the base. The fryer can have an inlet at an upstream section and an outlet at a downstream section. At least one conveyor can move food product from the inlet to the outlet. A first baffle member and second baffle member can be positioned over the conveyor to define a frying chamber therebetween. The first and second baffle members can restrict air from flowing into the frying chamber from outside of the frying chamber.

US Patent:

20220390173, Dec 8, 2022

Filed:

Sep 13, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/472988

Inventors:

- Santa Monica CA, US
David PHELPS - Beaverton OR, US
Christopher IMDIEKE - Woodburn OR, US

International Classification:

F26B 15/18
F26B 3/08
F26B 23/10
F26B 25/14

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the use of a mechanical apparatus to convey a workpiece through a fluidized bed dryer. In particular, the invention relates to a single or multiple stage vibrating fluidized drag conveyor having spaced apart conveyor paddles attached to a continuous chain or a similar device, and driven by a variable frequency motor drive. The invention is of particular applicability in the case of low-density workpieces where chaotic motion of air may disrupt or reverse the orderly flow of workpieces through the dryer.

US Patent:

20190299140, Oct 3, 2019

Filed:

Mar 15, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/354319

Inventors:

- Woodburn OR, US
Christopher Michael Imdieke - Molalla OR, US

Assignee:

GEM EQUIPMENT OF OREGON, INC. - Woodburn OR

International Classification:

B01D 46/04
B01D 46/00

Abstract:

Embodiments herein provide a plenum separator for removing excess oil from fried food items, and then separating the oil from an air/oil mixture. The separator may include a plenum defined by exterior walls, including a top wall with a slot therein, and having a width. An inner channel is typically disposed below the slot, the inner channel having a periphery defined by an exterior wall and an inner wall, the inner wall having a downwardly-extending portion and a curved portion, the curved portion having a turn of about 90 degrees defining a wall radius and terminating in an inner wall edge. A central pipe may be disposed within the plenum, generally above the inner wall edge, the central pipe having a pipe radius that is smaller than the wall radius, the pipe having an open portion extending substantially its entire length disposed at an upper quadrant thereof that faces away from the inner wall, the pipe being closed at a first end and open at a second end. An outer channel may be defined between the inner wall and another of the exterior walls, and an elongated aperture may be disposed in an upper portion of the inner wall, below and adjacent to the slot, the aperture partially interconnecting the outer and inner channels. A system for feeding fried food items with excess oil thereon may extend across and above the width of the plenum. A sink may be disposed at a bottom of the plenum. A blower typically draws air from the second end of the pipe, causing the air/oil mixture to be drawn into the slot and through the inner channel, with at least a portion of the air in the air/oil mixture passing through the opening in the pipe, with at least a portion of the oil in the air/oil mixture falling to the sink, and with at least a portion of the air/oil mixture passing from the inner channel to the outer channel and through the elongated aperture to be recirculated through the inner channel.

US Patent:

20170112180, Apr 27, 2017

Filed:

Jan 6, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/400016

Inventors:

- Santa Monica CA, US
David PHELPS - Beaverton OR, US
Christopher IMDIEKE - Woodburn OR, US

International Classification:

A23P 20/15
A23P 20/10

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a mechanical emulsification tank and processing unit. In particular, the invention relates to an continuous feed conveyor fed emulsifier used to immerse and process food products, and in particular snack foods, as part of a process for preparing such items for further steps such as cooking, baking, or frying.

US Patent:

20170115060, Apr 27, 2017

Filed:

Oct 17, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/295394

Inventors:

- Santa Monica CA, US
David PHELPS - Beaverton OR, US
Christopher IMDIEKE - Woodburn OR, US

International Classification:

F26B 17/04
B65G 19/22
F26B 25/00
B65G 19/10
F26B 21/00
B65G 19/28
B65G 27/04

Abstract:

The present invention relates to the use of a mechanical apparatus to convey a workpiece through a fluidized bed dryer. In particular, the invention relates to a single or multiple stage vibrating fluidized drag conveyor having spaced apart conveyor paddles attached to a continuous chain or a similar device, and driven by a variable frequency motor drive. The invention is of particular applicability in the case of low-density workpieces where chaotic motion of air may disrupt or reverse the orderly flow of workpieces through the dryer.

US Patent:

20160058064, Mar 3, 2016

Filed:

Sep 2, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/475380

Inventors:

- Dallas OR, US
Devin Patrick DONAHUE - Keizer OR, US
Christopher Michael IMDIEKE - Molalla OR, US

Assignee:

MEDURI FARMS, INC. - Dallas OR

International Classification:

A23N 15/02

Abstract:

Devices and methods for mechanically removing portions of individual pieces of produce may include a conveyor configured to transport pieces of produce from an upstream end portion to a downstream end portion on a plurality of spaced, elongate teeth, and a blade assembly disposed at the downstream end portion of the conveyor. The blade assembly may include a cutting edge configured to pass generally parallel to the elongate teeth at a selected distance such that a desired portion of each piece of the retained produce is removed by the cutting edge. The disclosed devices and methods may be particularly well suited for removing the stem or cap portions of strawberries.

US Patent:

20140373730, Dec 25, 2014

Filed:

Sep 11, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/483559

Inventors:

- Omaha NE, US
Frederick D. Webb - Hermiston OR, US
Brian J. Pikl - Aumsville OR, US
Christopher M. Imdieke - Molalla OR, US

International Classification:

A47J 37/12

US Classification:

99404

Abstract:

A fryer can include a base having a reservoir for receiving oil for frying a food product and a hood coupled to the base. The fryer can have an inlet at an upstream section and an outlet at a downstream section. At least one conveyor can move food product from the inlet to the outlet. A first baffle member and second baffle member can be positioned over the conveyor to define a frying chamber therebetween. The first and second baffle members can restrict air from flowing into the frying chamber from outside of the frying chamber.