Patents Examined by Donnell Long
  • Commodity dispenser system with inventory monitor and use-based replenishment features
    Patent number: 11641984
    Abstract: A commodity dispenser system includes a terminal dispenser device with a container configured to contain a commodity. The terminal dispenser device includes a user-controlled dispenser for selectively dispensing the commodity from the container. The terminal dispenser device includes a sensor and a communication device, and the sensor is configured to detect an inventory condition of the commodity within the container. The system further includes a server configured to communicate with the communication device of the terminal dispenser device, receive a communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected, and initiate an order for a replenishing shipment of the commodity to the dispenser device based, at least partly, on the communication corresponding to the inventory condition detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Elif Affan, Glenn William Kaye, Nicholas Robert Bull, Daniel Peter Sterling, Mark A. Granja
  • Tube container holder
    Patent number: 11639249
    Abstract: A tube container holder that can support a tube container in an orientation in which a discharge port thereof is located downward. The tube container holder includes an attaching portion that is configured to attach the tube container holder to an attachment-target object and a sandwiching portion having a groove portion that is configured such that a sealing portion of a tube container is insertable thereinto and sandwiched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SINKATEC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuneo Yamada
  • Cleansing bar reusage system
    Patent number: 11638502
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an upcycling system for recycling fragments of solid personal care products. The system includes a dispensing device and a method that allows an individual to turn personal care bar fragments into a liquid cleansing solution that can then be dispensed from the device. The dispenser has at least one suction cup and a removable hook to allow it to easily be stored within a shower. Further, the dispenser has a spout and a push-button assembly that controls the flow of liquid soap from the spout. The method allows a user to place a personal cleansing bar fragment into the device and add a warm liquid to turn the fragment into a liquid cleansing solution that can then be poured from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Sarah Campbell
  • Condiment bottle
    Patent number: 11634255
    Abstract: A condiment bottle includes a container and cap assembly. The cap assembly includes a securing part releasably connected to the container, a nozzle secured to the container by the securing part, and a closure part connected to both the securing part and the nozzle. The closure part is configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the condiment bottle from a closed position where the closure part sealingly engages the nozzle to an intermediate position where the closure part is spaced from and covering the top of the nozzle. The closure part is further configured to pivotally move from the intermediate position to an open position where the closure part is located along a sidewall of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Lance E. Hazelton, Nicholas Reynolds, Dan Juda
  • Perfect pour drink mixer
    Patent number: 11627838
    Abstract: A beverage container has a housing, a controllable flow restriction element, and at least two liquid storage compartments in the housing. The housing is relatively rotatable with respect to the controllable flow restriction element about a main axis for rotation of the controllable flow restriction element between a closed liquid flow position and an open liquid flow position. The controllable flow restriction element has openings therein within the housing. Rotation of the controllable flow restriction element toward the closed position effects the closed position. Mixing of liquids from the first liquid compartment and the second liquid compartment are effected by rotational movement of the controllable flow restriction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Litman, Christy R. Pappas, John Dispenza
  • Cutter
    Patent number: 11628465
    Abstract: A cutter and a caulking gun having the same are provided. The cutter is configured to be connected to a caulking gun having a connecting member which is disposed on the caulking gun and includes a first assembling portion. The cutter includes a main body including a base and a cutting portion connected with the base, the cutting portion includes a cutting blade, and the base includes a second assembling portion configured to be detachably connected with the first assembling portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: SIANG SYUAN FU ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Han-Lin Hong
  • Beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle
    Patent number: 11629040
    Abstract: The disclosure described herein relates to a beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle and a process for making or repairing the same. Particular examples of the present disclosure include a manifold comprising multiple tubes where the manifold is inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. In some examples, multiple manifolds are inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. The tubes extend into the body of the manifold to form a leak proof connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLC
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Donald Currey, Earl Christian
  • Fluid dispenser with thermometer
    Patent number: 11622656
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of an external surface presented by a user's hand, and a pump mechanism that is configured to dispense fluid onto the user's hand when the pump mechanism is activated. It is determined whether the fluid has been dispensed onto the user's hand based, at least in part, on the temperature of the external surface presented by the user's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbH
    Inventor: Heiner Ophardt
  • Automatic bulk item dispenser measurement system
    Patent number: 11618663
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for indicating to a user an amount of an item to dispense from a bulk item dispenser is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes detecting a real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser. The computer-implemented method further includes overlaying an augmented scale onto the bulk item dispenser, wherein the augmented scale is positioned with respect to the real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frédéric Bauchot, Joel Viale, Zsolt Szalai
  • Total-use dispenser
    Patent number: 11617477
    Abstract: A total-use dispenser for dispensing a fluid product therefrom. A total-use dispenser may have a body forming an enclosure having both a top opening and a bottom outlet and a tapering portion that tapers down toward the bottom outlet and a pump configured in the top opening to dispense the fluid product from the dispenser. The pump may be configured in the top opening to pump air into the rigid body to force fluid product therefrom. The fluid product may be dispensed from a bottom outlet or from a spout coupled with a spout conduit that extends into the squeezable body of the total-use dispenser. The total-use dispenser enables substantially all the fluid product to be dispensed from the enclosure, such as at least 90% by weight, at least 97% by weight and most preferably 99% or more by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventor: Jim E. Fulbrook
  • Beverage container lid assembly
    Patent number: 11618617
    Abstract: A lid assembly configured to be coupled to a beverage container, the lid assembly including a base defining an axis, a sip ring rotatable about the axis with respect to the thread base, and an elevator assembly coupled to the sip ring. The elevator assembly includes an upper elevator and a lower elevator coupled to the upper elevator for co-rotation with the upper elevator. Rotation of the sip ring rotation of the sip ring is configured to cause the elevator assembly to translate along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Curt Jones, Lauren B. Margolin
  • Backflow detection and mixing module with a thermal mass flow meter
    Patent number: 11613457
    Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
  • Proactive dispenser to operator mobile alert system
    Patent number: 11613456
    Abstract: A consumable item dispenser and method may include an ingredient storage unit configured to store a consumable ingredient used to produce consumable items by the dispenser. A sensor may be configured to sense an amount of consumable ingredient remaining to be dispensed. An input/output unit may be configured to communicate data over a communications network. A processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, and be configured to authenticate an electronic device associated with an operator and register the electronic device associated with the operator. A determination as to whether an amount of the ingredient in the ingredient storage unit is at or below a threshold level. The processing unit may generate a notification indicative that the ingredient is at or below a threshold level, and communicate the notification to the operator in response to being generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Udayan Joshi, Marc Katz, Matthew Arnwine, Scott Harrison
  • Multi-purpose hydration station
    Patent number: 11608258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose hydration station for dispensing different kinds of beverages, soft ice, ice, hot water and non-heated water. More specifically, the multi-purpose hydration station features a hot water dispenser unit, a non-heated water dispenser unit, a beverage dispenser unit, a soft ice dispenser unit and an ice maker for dispensing the user's requested item and eliminates the need to use separate dispensing machines to dispense different kinds of beverages or items. Additionally, the hydration station features a refrigeration and a non-refrigeration storage area to allow the users to store their items as per their requirements. The hydration station offers a convenient solution for setting up a hydration station that saves space, energy and expenses of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: Shanette Jenkins
  • Unit for dispensing ultra-high gravity beers on draft
    Patent number: 11603305
    Abstract: A beverage system that produces a beer includes a first source comprising uHGB, a second source including a carbonated and/or nitrogenated water, a first fluid line fluidly coupled to the first source and configured to allow the uHGB to flow from the first source through the first fluid line, a second fluid line fluidly coupled to the second source and configured to allow the water to flow from the second source through the second fluid line, a mixing point, that fluidly couples the first fluid line to the second fluid line, configured to allow the uHGB to blend with the water at the mixing point to produce the beer, first and second one-way valves on either side of the mixing point, and a third fluid line fluidly coupled to the mixing point and configured to allow the beer to flow to a dispensing tap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Copenhagen A/S
    Inventors: Ronan McGovern, John Cataldo, Natalie Ciaccia, Adam Weiner, Ricky Ma
  • Foam discharge container
    Patent number: 11596274
    Abstract: A foam discharge container is a foam discharge container for discharging foam in response to a pushing operation, and includes a discharge port which is opened in a direction opposite to a pushing direction of the pushing operation and discharges foam, and a pushing portion that keeps the distance between a discharge target body receiving foam and the discharge port constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ohnishi
  • Beverage dispensing systems with remote micro-ingredient storage systems
    Patent number: 11591201
    Abstract: The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a micro-ingredient and a diluent. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring reservoir in communication with the nozzle to agitate the micro-ingredient therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: Dick P. Welch, Brian R. Johnson
  • Wine dispenser
    Patent number: 11591203
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser adapted to dispense liquid from a beverage container. The liquid dispenser includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The liquid dispenser includes an electric powered pump that is configured to cause fluid to flow into the bottom portion when the electric powered pump is activated. The bottom portion is fluidly connected or interconnected to the top portion such that fluid which flows into the bottom portion is configured to flow out of the bottom portion and to the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CHAGRINOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Taylor, Matthew Hanson
  • Package opener, dispenser, and related methods
    Patent number: 11591200
    Abstract: A tool for opening and dispensing soft package contents which has two arms, a hinge connecting the arms, and a hollow prick. A soft package is placed between the two arms so the soft package contents can be opened and dispensed in an easy and sanitary manner through the hollow prick, after which the arms can be opened, and the soft package easily disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Robles
  • Paint can accessory
    Patent number: 11590793
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for an accessory for a paint can. The apparatus comprises a roughly cylindrical frame disposed for being securely seated on a paint can, which may securely receive the original paint can lid or a replacement lid. The apparatus may further comprise a sealable spout; an air vent; a rod for wiping paint from a brush; concavities to allow the handle to be used; a splash guard; a collar for securing the apparatus to a paint can; and/or a lid. A user may use the apparatus to store paint, and paint using the paint in the can, or poured from the can, without paint being wasted and covering the can. Paint on the can, or air leaks, creates problems: the paint in the can dries, or the information on the outside of the can and/or can lid is obscured, which the present invention solves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: Adrien Casey