Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Hecht

Thomas R. Hecht 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: 10676337
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus including at least one multiple lever-switching assembly where the lever assembly has a plurality of levers and valves configured to dispense fluids, flavorings, syrups, and optionally pressurized gas through one or more channels in each of the assemblies. The levers are part of a mechanical hydraulic system, that is not reliant on electrical connections to control or regulate the dispensing of fluids. Each set of levers can operate independently or in combination with other levers on the assembly, and can further actuate individual valves or more than one valve within the body of each assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 10654703
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a nozzle and multiple fluid lines in fluid communication with the nozzle where the beverage dispensing apparatus has a body with a plurality of apertures, a plurality of buttons, each protruding through a respective one of the apertures and configured to control a flow of fluid through a respective one of the multiple fluid lines, the plurality of buttons having at least one active dispensing button configured to mechanically dispense a fluid and at least one remote dispensing button, and a remote dispensing device located remotely from the body configured to regulate dispensing a fluid through one of the multiple fluid lines so that when the at least one remote button is depressed, the remote dispensing device dispenses a fluid through the fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10654700
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluids with variable carbonation. The method includes receiving a selection of a carbonation level of a beverage and determining a valve timing scheme to achieve the selected carbonation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 10577235
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10494246
    Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a non-mixed fluid along with a post-mix fluid. The post-mix fluid is formed by mixing a base beverage with at least one beverage additive. For example, the beverage dispensing system may dispense a post-mix fluid (e.g. cola) and a non-mixed fluid (e.g. spirits) separately. In some embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed simultaneously with the non-mixed fluid from separate fluid outlet ports. In other embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed from a first fluid outlet port and, subsequently, the non-mixed fluid may be dispensed from a second fluid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 10457537
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10442671
    Abstract: Disclosed is a beverage dispensing system for dispensing a non-mixed fluid along with a post-mix fluid. The post-mix fluid is formed by mixing a base beverage with at least one beverage additive. For example, the beverage dispensing system may dispense a post-mix fluid (e.g. cola) and a non-mixed fluid (e.g. spirits) separately. In some embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed simultaneously with the non-mixed fluid from separate fluid outlet ports. In other embodiments, the post-mix fluid may be dispensed from a first fluid outlet port and, subsequently, the non-mixed fluid may be dispensed from a second fluid outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 10407292
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10183854
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing apparatus, systems, and related methods are provided that have a recirculation loop to cool fluids in a dispensing tube bundle that delivers beverage fluids to a beverage dispensing assembly. A beverage dispensing apparatus includes an adjustable bypass manifold having an adjustable flow restriction that is configurable to enable the use of the beverage dispensing apparatus with different chilled soda recirculation systems. The adjustable bypass manifold includes ports for connection to the recirculation loop and ports for connection to a soda recirculation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20180297831
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing method for dispensing and sensing the dispensing of one or more beverage components from a bar gun. The method of detecting includes using a sensor associated with a button on the bar gun to detect that the button is depressed to mechanically actuate a valve within a body of the bar gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10077181
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide corks and cork systems that find particular use in connection with wireless spouts used for monitoring the amount of liquid poured from liquid containers. It is desirable to be able to use a wireless spout with various differently-sized bottle. Accordingly, the cork features provided can ease removal and replacement of the wireless spouts onto and off of variously sized bottles, and allow the same spout to be re-used with a differently sized bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Automatice Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Tuyls, Dennis J. Honrine, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 10065847
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing apparatus, systems, and related methods are provided that have a recirculation loop to cool fluids in a dispensing tube bundle that delivers beverage fluids to a beverage dispensing assembly. A beverage dispensing apparatus includes an adjustable bypass manifold having an adjustable flow restriction that is configurable to enable the use of the beverage dispensing apparatus with different chilled soda recirculation systems. The adjustable bypass manifold includes ports for connection to the recirculation loop and ports for connection to a soda recirculation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 10053353
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing apparatus, systems, and related methods are provided that have a recirculation loop to cool fluids in a dispensing tube bundle that delivers beverage fluids to a beverage dispensing assembly. A beverage dispensing apparatus includes an adjustable bypass manifold having an adjustable flow restriction that is configurable to enable the use of the beverage dispensing apparatus with different chilled soda recirculation systems. The adjustable bypass manifold includes ports for connection to the recirculation loop and ports for connection to a soda recirculation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20180215603
    Abstract: A method of dispensing fluids with variable carbonation. The method includes receiving a selection of a carbonation level of a beverage and determining a valve timing scheme to achieve the selected carbonation level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 9964234
    Abstract: A holster for mounting a bar gun to a surface, the bar gun having a nozzle and a handle magnet. The holster has an elongated mounting plate having a top side, bottom side, first end and second end, and an aperture located between the first end and second end where the aperture penetrates the mounting plate from the top side to the bottom side and is configured to receive the nozzle of the bar gun. A holster magnet is fixed to the mounting plate adjacent the aperture between the aperture and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 9950085
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: D812951
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Silas Anthony Veloz
  • Patent number: D819383
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker, Steven D. Chappell
  • Patent number: D874203
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker, Steven D. Chappell
  • Patent number: D899194
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Juha K. Salmela