Patents by Inventor Michael H. Lago

Michael H. Lago 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: 7857910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Patent number: 7401613
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Patent number: 7325485
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Patent number: 6977091
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to improve the appearance and texture of froth on a liquid food product. The liquid food product is prepared in a receptacle with a froth layer above a liquid layer. Droplets of a liquid are sprayed on the froth layer to increase the homogeneity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Michael H. Lago
  • Patent number: 6889603
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Publication number: 20040194811
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Applicant: NESTEC SA
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Publication number: 20040118291
    Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
  • Publication number: 20040071841
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method to improve the appearance and texture of froth on a liquid food product. The liquid food product is prepared in a receptacle with a froth layer above a liquid layer. Droplets of a liquid are sprayed on the froth layer to increase the homogeneity thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Michael H. Lago