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US 12,134,891 B2Granted
Separation panels in food production
OwnerJesse James Lewininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A barrier panel to separate food production operations and/or operators in food processing facilities, minimizing contact between the components to minimize bacteria and contaminant harbors, which requires little or no disassembly for cleaning, the upper portion of the panel being translucent or transparent and supported by contact tabs which are rounded to minimize surface area touches.
Claims17
A separator panel assembly comprising:
- a lower panel portion including a slot;
- a vertical frame member located at each side of the lower panel portion;
- an upper panel portion located above the lower panel portion and between the vertical frame members located at each side of the lower panel portion, wherein the upper panel portion includes:
- an interlock tab at a lower end of the upper panel portion, and wherein the interlock tab fits inside the slot of the lower panel portion;
- at least one contact tab located adjacent to the interlock tab at the lower end of the upper panel portion;
- and
- wherein the at least one contact tab supports the upper panel portion at an upper edge of the lower panel portion;
- and
- at least one stabilizer pin located at at least one of the vertical frame members, wherein the upper panel portion is supported in an upright position by the at least one stabilizer pin;
- wherein a width of the upper panel portion is less than a width of the lower panel portion so that a gap exists between at least one side of the upper panel portion and the corresponding vertical frame member, such that the upper panel portion and the corresponding vertical frame member do not touch.
7 more elements
A method of disassembling a separator panel assembly, comprising:
- providing:
- a lower panel portion located between two vertical frame members, wherein the lower panel portion includes a slot;
- and
- an upper panel portion including an interlock tab that fits into the slot of the lower panel portion;
- at least one stabilizer pin located at each of the two vertical frame members, wherein the upper panel portion is supported by the at least one stabilizer pin;
- lifting the upper panel portion such that the interlock tab disengages from the slot;
- pivoting the upper panel portion about the stabilizer pins such that the upper panel portion is angled with respect to the lower panel portion;
- and
- disengaging the upper panel portion from the stabilizer pins.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.