Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Derby

Jeffrey D. Derby 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: 6935624
    Abstract: A carbonation system includes a vessel for carbonating a liquid, a CO2 supply connected to the vessel so as to create a CO2 atmosphere in the vessel, an inlet diffuser through which the liquid enters the vessel, and an outlet pipe through which the carbonated liquid exits the vessel. The inlet diffuser includes a plurality of openings arranged on its vertical face, such that when the liquid exits the inlet diffuser through the plurality of openings, the liquid is substantially atomized and the atomized liquid is elected in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The plurality of openings can be arranged in horizontal rows so that openings in adjacent rows are not in vertical alignment with each other. In addition, the atomized liquid can be ejected at an upward angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Bellas, Jeffrey D. Derby
  • Publication number: 20040201114
    Abstract: A carbonation system comprises a vessel for carbonating a liquid, a CO2 supply connected to the vessel so as to create a CO2 atmosphere in the vessel, an inlet diffuser through which the liquid enters the vessel, and an outlet pipe through which the carbonated liquid exits the vessel. The inlet diffuser comprises a plurality of openings arranged on its vertical face, such that when the liquid exits the inlet diffuser through the plurality of openings, the liquid is substantially atomized and the atomized liquid is ejected in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The plurality of openings can be arranged in horizontal rows so that openings in adjacent rows are not in vertical alignment with each other. In addition, the atomized liquid can be ejected at an upward angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: October 14, 2004
    Applicant: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Bellas, Jeffrey D. Derby
  • Patent number: 6758462
    Abstract: A carbonation system comprises a vessel for carbonating a liquid, a CO2 supply connected to the vessel so as to create a CO2 atmosphere in the vessel, an inlet diffuser through which the liquid enters the vessel, and an outlet pipe through which the carbonated liquid exits the vessel. The inlet diffuser comprises a plurality of openings arranged on its vertical face, such that when the liquid exits the inlet diffuser through the plurality of openings, the liquid is substantially atomized and the atomized liquid is ejected in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The plurality of openings can be arranged in horizontal rows so that openings in adjacent rows are not in vertical alignment with each other. In addition, the atomized liquid can be ejected at an upward angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Bellas, Jeffrey D. Derby
  • Publication number: 20030071376
    Abstract: A carbonation system comprises a vessel for carbonating a liquid, a CO2 supply connected to the vessel so as to create a CO2 atmosphere in the vessel, an inlet diffuser through which the liquid enters the vessel, and an outlet pipe through which the carbonated liquid exits the vessel. The inlet diffuser comprises a plurality of openings arranged on its vertical face, such that when the liquid exits the inlet diffuser through the plurality of openings, the liquid is substantially atomized and the atomized liquid is ejected in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. The plurality of openings can be arranged in horizontal rows so that openings in adjacent rows are not in vertical alignment with each other. In addition, the atomized liquid can be ejected at an upward angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Richard F. Bellas, Jeffrey D. Derby