Patents by Inventor James Hester

James Hester 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: 9567154
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Mars, Incorporated
    Inventors: David Andrew James Hester, Glenn Harrison, John Charles Cooke, Jon William Shaw
  • Patent number: 9122278
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localization information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localization information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems PLC
    Inventors: Christopher Andrew Smith, Geoffrey James Hester
  • Publication number: 20140136046
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a route for an autonomous vehicle, the method including: determining localisation information for the vehicle with respect to a first frame of reference that is fixed with respect to a current state of the vehicle; determining localisation information for the vehicle with respect to a second frame of reference that is fixed with respect to an entity (e.g. Earth), the vehicle being moveable with respect to the entity; establishing a route for the vehicle with respect to the second frame using the localisation information for the vehicle with respect to the second frame; transforming the route from the second frame to the first frame; and determining a route for the vehicle with respect to the first frame using the localisation information for the vehicle with respect to the first frame and the transformed route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS plc
    Inventors: Christopher Andrew Smith, Geoffrey James Hester
  • Patent number: 8167006
    Abstract: An automated baby formula dispenser for preparing bottles of formula at programmable time intervals includes a housing, a formula reservoir designed for holding dry formula, a water reservoir, and a water dispensing line that extends into the formula reservoir. A dispensing nozzle is in environmental communication with the formula reservoir for dispensing mixed baby formula through the dispensing nozzle. A filter prevents unmixed dry formula from being dispensed through the dispensing nozzle. A tray is positioned beneath the dispensing nozzle. Bottles are positionable on the tray and the tray is rotatable such that the bottles are fillable in succession with mixed baby formula dispensed from the dispensing nozzle. A control unit is operationally coupled to the water reservoir and the tray for dispensing water into the formula reservoir and rotating the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jason Mathis, James Hester
  • Patent number: 7987767
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Mars Incorporated
    Inventors: David Andrew James Hester, Martin Eric Colston, John Charles Cooke, David Hay, Michael Wright
  • Publication number: 20040137128
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Andrew Hayes, David Andrew James Hester, Jon William Shaw, Martin Eric Colston, Geoffrey Furneaux, Elizabeth Clare Charman, Glenn Harrison, John Charles Cooke, David Hay, Michael Wright
  • Patent number: 6755607
    Abstract: A hydro-energy converter comprises a rotary member (9, 57) for converting energy of running water into rotary motion, means (3, 65, 67) for securing the rotary member in a position such that water can run past the rotary member, and baffle means (21, 63) for creating a head of water upstream of the rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Robert George Hester, Ronald William James Hester
  • Patent number: D682410
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: L.A. Darling Company LLC
    Inventor: James Hester
  • Patent number: D713955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: L.A. Darling Company
    Inventors: James Hester, Randy R. Guthrie