Patents by Inventor Robert W. BALSTAD

Robert W. BALSTAD 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).

  • Beverage dispensing valve system
    Patent number: 10906795
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balstad, Terry Tae-II Chung, Hari K. Koripoti, Mohan Rao P
  • Beverage dispensing system
    Patent number: 10676339
    Abstract: A method of determining a sold-out state of a beverage dispenser is provided. The method includes providing a beverage dispenser including a pump having a gas exhaust port, a dispensing valve, and a sensor disposed on the pump gas exhaust port. The method may include activating the beverage dispenser to dispense a beverage through the dispensing valve and during the activating, sensing a gas exhaust pattern of the pump. The method may also include generating a signal based on the sensed gas exhaust pattern and determining whether the beverage dispenser is in a normal-pour state or a sold-out state. The method may also include providing feedback about the sold-out state to a user interface of the beverage dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Karol, Robert W. Balstad, Anthony Romano, Alberto Pravato, Alessandro Roncato
  • BEVERAGE DISPENSING VALVE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190345017
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Robert W. BALSTAD, Terry Tae-Il CHUNG, Hari K. KORIPOTI, Mohan RAO P
  • Beverage dispensing valve system
    Patent number: 10399840
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Balstad, Terry Tae-Il Chung, Hari Koripoti, Mohan Rao P
  • BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190185311
    Abstract: A method of determining a sold-out state of a beverage dispenser is provided. The method includes providing a beverage dispenser including a pump having a gas exhaust port, a dispensing valve, and a sensor disposed on the pump gas exhaust port. The method may include activating the beverage dispenser to dispense a beverage through the dispensing valve and during the activating, sensing a gas exhaust pattern of the pump. The method may also include generating a signal based on the sensed gas exhaust pattern and determining whether the beverage dispenser is in a normal-pour state or a sold-out state. The method may also include providing feedback about the sold-out state to a user interface of the beverage dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Sam KAROL, Robert W. BALSTAD, Anthony ROMANO, Alberto PRAVATO, Alessandro RONCATO
  • Beverage Dispensing Valve System
    Publication number: 20170297887
    Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser utilizing a beverage dispensing valve including a movable valve activation device is provided. The beverage dispensing valve can move the valve activation device to a predetermined activation position to dispense a fluid in response to a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Robert W. BALSTAD, Terry Tae-il Chung, Hari Koripoti, Mohan Rao P