Patents by Inventor Donald G. Hovinga

Donald G. Hovinga 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).

  • Patent number: 5236103
    Abstract: A refrigerated food module stores and dispenses refrigerated foods from within a housing of a vending machine. The vending machine is of the type adapted for storing unrefrigerated foods and has a selection panel from which foods can be selected. The selected food is dispensed to a receiving device from which it can be retrieved by a customer. The refrigerated food module includes an insulated housing for containing the refrigerated foods and a self-contained refrigeration unit for cooling the insulated housing. Dispensing mechanisms are located in the insulated housing for dispensing a selected refrigerated food to the receiving device. A portion of the insulated housing is movable between a closed position in which it is in sealing engagement with the insulated housing and an open position in which the dispensing mechanisms in the insulated housing can dispense the refrigerated foods to the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Unidynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Leonard A. Ficken, Donald G. Hovinga
  • Patent number: 4679715
    Abstract: An ice cube and cold beverage dispenser has a cabinet with a single inside bin chamber for ice cubes. A cold plate beverage chiller is located in the bottom of the chamber. A ice cube agitator and outlet is spaced above the cold plate. A false bottom is located under the agitator and outlet with the false bottom being spaced above the cold plate and having cube ports for passing cubes downward upon the plate and for precluding dispensing of cubes dropped on the plate, with front and rear walls and the agitator and the cold plate and the false bottom all being canted forward. The agitator is of lesser diameter than the width of the cube bin and is located on one side of the bin and a feeder driven by the agitator in an opposite direction of rotation feeds ice cubes upwards and towards the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: Schneider Metal Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Donald G. Hovinga