Patents by Inventor Ronald P. Petersen

Ronald P. Petersen 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: 6367895
    Abstract: A multiple product merchandising machine of the rotating drum type which is capable of vending large size bottles. It includes a cylindrical merchandise carrying drum mounted within the cabinet for rotation about its central longitudinal axis disposed vertically within the cabinet and having a plurality of annular product supporting shelves at spaced intervals along the drum, concentric with the axis of the drum, a plurality vertical walls extending between adjacent shelves and together with the shelves defining a plurality of individual product compartments, a central column extending the height of the drum and having wall portions adjacent each product compartment with at least one hole defined in at least some of the wall portions, the holes so positioned and arranged that a necked-down portion of a bottle supporting a cap can be inserted into each hole with the remainder of the bottle being disposed within the confines of an associated product compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: John P. Huffman, David W. Duncan, Ronald P. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20020002831
    Abstract: An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Applicant: CRANE CO.
    Inventors: John Huffman, Ronald P. Petersen, Mark R. Henning, Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 6301908
    Abstract: An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: John Huffman, Ronald P. Petersen, Mark R. Henning, Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 6170285
    Abstract: A vending machine having a self-contained self-aligning refrigeration unit, a temperature sensing probe positioned in front of the machine behind a glass panel for sensing the temperatures in the machine near the product to be vended and having a monetary unit which slides in and out of the cabinet and rotates for easy access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Crane Co.
    Inventors: John P. Huffman, Charles W. Percy, Mark R. Henning, Gregory Scott Ivey, Ronald P. Petersen