Patents by Inventor David J. Barnard

David J. Barnard 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).

  • Method and apparatus for controlling the blending of drinks
    Patent number: 6342260
    Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kolar, Benjamin J. Dastoli, Brent A. Miller, David J. Barnard, Richard D. Boozer
  • Method and apparatus for controlling the blending of drinks
    Publication number: 20010028913
    Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Applicant: Vita-Mix Corporation.
    Inventors: David J. Kolar, Benjamin J. Dastoli, Brent A. Miller, David J. Barnard, Richard D. Boozer
  • Method and apparatus for controlling the blending of drinks
    Patent number: 6194013
    Abstract: A drink-blending machine (10) includes an ice-shaving unit (11) and a blender assembly (12). The ice-shaving unit (11) is adapted to transfer ice from a bin (15) to the pitcher (18) of the blender assembly (12). A weighing mechanism (31) includes a deflection beam (33), one end of which carries the pitcher (18). The deflection beam (33) includes a strain gauge (34) which provides a signal proportional to weight to a control circuitry box (30). In operation of the machine (10), a quantity of liquid is placed in the pitcher (18) and dependent upon the weight of ice or liquid-to-ice ratio predetermined by depressing a selected button (44), ice from the ice-shaving unit (11) is transferred to the pitcher (18) until the predetermined weight of ice is received by the pitcher (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Kolar, Benjamin J. Dastoli, Brent A. Miller, David J. Barnard, Richard D. Boozer
  • Chocolate yogurt and preparation
    Patent number: 6068865
    Abstract: A chocolate yogurt containing active cultures and having a diminished acid taste compatible with chocolate and a new product form that enables the enjoyment of the product utilizing only normal channels of distribution are enabled by separately preparing and packaging a yogurt base portion and a chocolate flavoring portion. The yogurt base portion contains active cultures and has a pH of less than about 4.6. The chocolate flavoring portion containing cocoa, nonfat dry milk solids, and a buffering salt. The two portions are packed, preferably, in a two-piece composite package. The two packages are opened and the contents mixed just prior to consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc
    Inventors: Thomas D. Lee, William J. Dell, Madeline M. Bissonnette, David J. Barnard
  • Enclosure for a food processor
    Patent number: D427016
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kindig, Kevin Scheifele, Paul K. Foisy, David J. Barnard
  • Enclosure for a food processor
    Patent number: D432864
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Vita-Mix Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kindig, Kevin Scheifele, Paul K. Foisy, David J. Barnard