Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Novak

Thomas J. Novak 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).

  • Publication number: 20160106136
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20140370163
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20140335239
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
  • Publication number: 20140331868
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
  • Publication number: 20140331867
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain,Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
  • Publication number: 20140326144
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountian, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
  • Publication number: 20140328980
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
  • Patent number: 8834948
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
  • Patent number: 8808775
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
  • Publication number: 20130129870
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Milles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter Cauwood, Keith Thompson
  • Publication number: 20120321756
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20110226343
    Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
  • Publication number: 20110076361
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage involves the use of a filter aid, e.g., that is provided in a beverage cartridge with a beverage medium in a dry state. In one embodiment, a cartridge including a dried fruit material may also include a filter aid, such as perlite, diatomaceous earth or cellulose, that is mixed together with the fruit material. The filter aid may assist in flow through the beverage medium or through a filter, e.g., by helping prevent the clogging of pores of a filter used to remove particulate from a beverage formed by interaction of the beverage medium with water introduced into the cartridge. Thus, the filter aid may permit the use of some beverage media that would otherwise clog a filter and/or prevent proper dissolution of materials in the beverage media without the filter aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
    Inventors: Peter Peterson, Thomas J. Novak
  • Publication number: 20100028495
    Abstract: A beverage cartridge and method for forming a beverage is provided. The cartridge may include a container having an internal volume with a substantially soluble beverage precursor disposed within the container. The beverage precursor may be formed of a plurality of particulates where at least 60% of the plurality of particulates has a largest dimension that is greater than about 200 microns and less than about 700 microns. The cartridge may be water tight, and may be filterless. A liquid can be introduced into the container at a volumetric flow rate of at least 0.03 ounces/second to dissolve the beverage precursor to form a beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Laurence Lee
  • Patent number: 5316783
    Abstract: Parboiled rice having the beneficial properties of parboiled rice, such as intact grain structure and texture, and having improved color vis-a-vis a typical parboiled rice, and further in the case of a brown rice starting material being substantially without the characteristic parboiled flavor and color, and methods of making same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Uncle Ben's, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia P. Kratochvil, Yah Hwa E. Lin, Thomas J. Novak