Patents by Inventor Steven Mackey
Steven Mackey 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).
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Patent number: 11839325Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a single unitary shape with a plurality of openings for receiving the plurality of inlet ports. The gasket arrangement may include one or more inner ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Patent number: 11503945Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20220330741Abstract: An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports. A gasket arrangement may be used with the inlet arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20220304502Abstract: A beverage machine having a heater tank with a horizontally oriented heating element. The heating element may be arranged as a helical coil with a longitudinal axis arranged horizontally in the heater tank. A bottom wall of the heater tank may define a concave shape at the interior of the heater tank, and the heating element may be at least partially arranged within the concave shape, e.g., with a longitudinal axis of the coil extending along a central portion of the bottom wall. An inlet to the heater tank may be arranged at the bottom wall, e.g., in the central portion of the bottom wall, and may direct liquid at the heating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, John Couture
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Patent number: 11395558Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2022Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20220160163Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2022Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20220031113Abstract: A beverage preparation machine having an inlet arrangement and a gasket arrangement is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured with a plurality of inlet ports to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The gasket arrangement may include a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of inlet ports is received within one of the plurality of openings. The gasket arrangement may be integrally formed and may include one or more ribs disposed about each of the plurality of openings. A perimeter rib may extend along a perimeter of the gasket arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2021Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20210393071Abstract: An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: December 23, 2021Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20210289982Abstract: An inlet arrangement of a beverage forming apparatus is provided, where the inlet arrangement is configured to deliver liquid to a beverage cartridge. The inlet arrangement includes a central inlet port and a plurality of inlet ports arranged around the central inlet port. The beverage forming apparatus has the ability to implement different dispensing operations in which dispensing occurs through selectable subsets of the inlet ports. A gasket arrangement may be used with the inlet arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Blair Mikkelsen, Steven Mackey, Joseph George Fucci, Roger Johnson
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Publication number: 20200146501Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 10531762Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20190166886Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Patent number: 10201171Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Patent number: 10093530Abstract: A beverage making machine may be arranged to cool a precursor liquid in a tank using a cooling liquid in a cooling container disposed around the tank. The cooling liquid may be freezable to form ice, e.g., to provide the system with improved cooling capacity and/or speed. A plurality of fins may extend between the tank and the cooling container, with each of the plurality of fins being physically attached to the cooling container or the tank and being arranged to conduct heat from the tank and/or from the cooling liquid. The plurality of fins may include first portions attached to the tank and extending outwardly, and second portions attached to the cooling container and extending inwardly. Side surfaces of corresponding first and second portions may be in contact with each other to aid in transferring heat via the fin portions.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Steven Mackey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Jeremy B. Gordon, Stephen Hingston
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Publication number: 20180066887Abstract: A beverage making machine having a tank may be arranged to carbonate and/or chill liquid in the tank. A thermoelectric device may be thermally coupled to the tank to cool precursor liquid in the tank, and a heat pipe may transfer heat from the thermoelectric device to a heat sink. The heat sink may be located remotely from the thermoelectric device, e.g., in an air duct that helps prevent contact of moisture, dirt, etc. in the duct with the thermoelectric device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Steven MacKey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Qian Gao, Jeremy B. Gordon
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Patent number: 9816751Abstract: A beverage making machine having a tank may be arranged to carbonate and/or chill liquid in the tank. A thermoelectric device may be thermally coupled to the tank to cool precursor liquid in the tank, and a heat pipe may transfer heat from the thermoelectric device to a heat sink. The heat sink may be located remotely from the thermoelectric device, e.g., in an air duct that helps prevent contact of moisture, dirt, etc. in the duct with the thermoelectric device.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Steven Mackey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Qian Gao, Jeremy B. Gordon
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Publication number: 20160235242Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20160107876Abstract: A beverage making machine may be arranged to cool a precursor liquid in a tank using a cooling liquid in a cooling container disposed around the tank. The cooling liquid may be freezable to form ice, e.g., to provide the system with improved cooling capacity and/or speed. A plurality of fins may extend between the tank and the cooling container, with each of the plurality of fins being physically attached to the cooling container or the tank and being arranged to conduct heat from the tank and/or from the cooling liquid. The plurality of fins may include first portions attached to the tank and extending outwardly, and second portions attached to the cooling container and extending inwardly. Side surfaces of corresponding first and second portions may be in contact with each other to aid in transferring heat via the fin portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Steven Mackey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Jeremy B. Gordon, Stephen Hingston
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Publication number: 20160109175Abstract: A beverage making machine having a tank may be arranged to carbonate and/or chill liquid in the tank. A thermoelectric device may be thermally coupled to the tank to cool precursor liquid in the tank, and a heat pipe may transfer heat from the thermoelectric device to a heat sink. The heat sink may be located remotely from the thermoelectric device, e.g., in an air duct that helps prevent contact of moisture, dirt, etc. in the duct with the thermoelectric device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Steven Mackey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Qian Gao, Jeremy B. Gordon
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Publication number: 20160106136Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro