Patents by Inventor Brendan J. Duffy

Brendan J. Duffy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210338011
    Abstract: A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen, Ben W. Fagen
  • Patent number: 11076720
    Abstract: A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Gudpod Corp.
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen, Ben W. Fagen
  • Publication number: 20190374067
    Abstract: A module includes a housing and an agitator. The housing defines a cavity and includes a boss that extends from a first end of the housing into the interior cavity towards a second opposing end of the housing. The boss has an exterior surface and defines an inner bore. The boss includes a flange extending outwardly from the exterior surface. The agitator includes a base, a shaft, and a mixing element. The shaft of the agitator extends from the base and is slidable relative to the inner bore of the boss such that the agitator is movable between a fully retracted position, a partially extended position, and a fully extended position. The mixing element of the agitator extends from the base and includes a portion that is configured to engage the flange of the boss in a non-rotational fashion in response to the agitator being in the partially extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Brendan J. Duffy, Ben W. Fagen, Jr., Nickolas T. Koken, Lam Yick Ming, Alex Fung, Oscar Chow Hung
  • Publication number: 20190069724
    Abstract: A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen, Ben W. Fagen
  • Patent number: 10182682
    Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: GUDPOD CORP.
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen
  • Patent number: 10154758
    Abstract: A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Gudpod Corp.
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen, Ben W. Fagen
  • Publication number: 20170112326
    Abstract: A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen, Ben W. Fagen
  • Publication number: 20150313413
    Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen
  • Publication number: 20150272393
    Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen
  • Patent number: 9131806
    Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Gudpod Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen
  • Patent number: 8960999
    Abstract: A beverage mixing system includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Gudpod Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Gian-Carlo Ochoa, Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna, Gary Van Deursen
  • Patent number: 6672200
    Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber. A baffle is affixed to the distal end of a shaft, which is moved between a first and second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Keurig, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan J. Duffy, Karl T. Winkler, David G. Honan, Jon Taylor, Peter L. Stokes
  • Publication number: 20020152895
    Abstract: An automated beverage brewing system includes a liquid storage tank and a metering chamber. The metering chamber is at least partially submerged beneath a standing level of liquid in the storage tank. The chamber includes a sealable liquid inlet port communicating with the interior of the storage tank beneath the standing level of liquid. The chamber also includes a liquid outlet port and an aperture that receives compressed air, wherein the compressed air forces liquid from the liquid output port of the chamber for use in preparing a brewed beverage. A pump provides the compressed air and a controller monitors a pressure signal value indicative of the air pressure in the metering chamber. The controller commands the pump on to commence flow of liquid from the metering chamber. The controller then commands the pump off several seconds after detecting a drop in air pressure within the chamber. A baffle is affixed to the distal end of a shaft, which is moved between a first and second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Brendan J. Duffy, Karl T. Winkler, David G. Honan, Jon Taylor, Peter L. Stokes
  • Patent number: D843162
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Gudpod Corp.
    Inventors: Nickolas T. Koken, Ben W. Fagen, Jr., Brendan J. Duffy, Chris Penna