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US 7,007,497 B2Granted
Modular freeze branding device
OwnerDavid P. Allardinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A disclosed modular freeze branding device includes a frame and a number of character assemblies that are configured to be supported by the frame. Each assembly includes a substrate and a section of refrigerant conduit that is coupled to the substrate. The section of conduit has one or more thermally conductive segments arranged along a first side of the substrate to form the shape of a character. Variations and methods are also disclosed.
Claims23
Apparatus comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- and
- (b) a plurality of character assemblies that each include:
- (1) a substrate configured to fit in the frame;
- and
- (2) a section of refrigerant conduit coupled to the substrate and having one or more thermally conductive segments arranged along a first side of the substrate to form the shape of a character;
- (3) wherein the section of refrigerant conduit has a plurality of terminations extending from a second side of the substrate.
4 more elements
Apparatus comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- and
- (b) a plurality of character assemblies that each include:
- (c) a substrate configured to fit in the frame;
- (d) a section of refrigerant conduit coupled to the substrate and having one or more thermally conductive segments arranged along a first side of the substrate to form the shape of a character;
- and
- (e) a plurality of springs elastically coupling the section of refrigerant conduit to the substrate.
4 more elements
A method for freeze branding livestock, comprising:
- (a) for each one of a set of characters formed from one or more exposed, coplanar segments of a thermally conductive conduit mounted on a substrate, fitting the substrate into a frame;
- (b) causing refrigerant to flow through the thermally conductive conduit;
- (c) then applying the segments with uniform pressure against the hide of a specimen of livestock to brand the specimen;
- and
- (d) then stopping the flow of refrigerant.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.