Patents by Inventor William T. Jacobs
William T. Jacobs 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: 10470604Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a heater tank can be filled with liquid to an expansion level after a beverage is formed. The liquid in the heater tank may be heated, causing expansion of the liquid in the tank. Thereafter, a volume of liquid may be delivered to the tank to fill the tank to a liquid delivery level at which the tank is filled to deliver a controlled volume of liquid to form a beverage. No further heating of liquid in the tank may be performed or required after filling to the delivery level since the volume of liquid delivered to fill the tank to the liquid delivery level may be relatively small. Accurate volumes of liquid may be delivered in a way that compensates for any expansion that may occur due to heating.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Zimmerman, William T. Jacobs
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Patent number: 10136754Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cartridge holder of a beverage forming machine. The cartridge holder may have an opening arranged to receive and hold a cartridge with the cartridge holder. The opening may be adjustable in size and/or shape to allow the cartridge holder to receive and engage with cartridges of different size and/or shape. The cartridge holder may include one or more movable portions that are adjustable in position to effectively adjust a size and/or shape of the opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Peter Thomas Launie, Jr., Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, Stoyan Plamenov Hristov, Jordan Dean Jack Greiner, Peter Nicholas Woskov, Yoav Rabino, James E. Shepard, Ian Tinkler, William T. Jacobs, Patrick J. Lazatin, William Philip McHugh, Kevin Thomas Brandimarte, Mario Liuzza, Timothy Maclean
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Patent number: 9554668Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a carafe is positionable at a carafe receiving area of a beverage forming machine with a lid of the carafe in an open position or a closed position. The carafe may be positioned at the carafe receiving area in any one of multiple rotational positions within a range of 45 to 180 degrees, and the machine may detect whether the lid is open or not for any of the rotational positions. Beverage forming is prevented if the lid is detected to be closed, allowing the carafe to be safely stored on the machine regardless of lid position.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Paolino Carnevale, William T. Jacobs, Hassib Hawat
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Patent number: 9272893Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling liquid flow to the liquid supply of a beverage forming apparatus. The liquid supply may include two valves positioned in series for controlling a flow of a liquid into the liquid supply. Pressures upstream, between and/or downstream of the valves may be detected and used to determine if one or both of the valves leak when closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventor: William T. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20150201789Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cartridge holder of a beverage forming machine. The cartridge holder may have an opening arranged to receive and hold a cartridge with the cartridge holder. The opening may be adjustable in size and/or shape to allow the cartridge holder to receive and engage with cartridges of different size and/or shape. The cartridge holder may include one or more movable portions that are adjustable in position to effectively adjust a size and/or shape of the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Peter Thomas Launie, JR., Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, Stoyan Plamenov Hristov, Jordan Dean Jack Greiner, Peter Nicholas Woskov, Yoav Rabino, James E. Shepard, Ian Tinkler, William T. Jacobs, Patrick J. Lazatin, William Philip McHugh, Kevin Thomas Brandimarte, Mario Liuzza, Timothy Maclean
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Patent number: 8863987Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a waste bin arranged to collect leaked or spilled liquid has a liquid level sensor and can be removed from the beverage forming machine, e.g., to allow disposal of the waste bin contents. One or more electrical contacts on the waste bin can be connected to the level sensor and electrically connect to control circuitry of the beverage forming machine when the waste bin is received by the machine. A liquid level detected by the level sensor may correspond to a fill level that is far less than the maximum volume of the waste bin, allowing beverage production to be prevented unless the waste bin can collect the full volume of a beverage dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: William T. Jacobs, Paolino Carnevale
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Publication number: 20140272023Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a heater tank can be filled with liquid to an expansion level after a beverage is formed. The liquid in the heater tank may be heated, causing expansion of the liquid in the tank. Thereafter, a volume of liquid may be delivered to the tank to fill the tank to a liquid delivery level at which the tank is filled to deliver a controlled volume of liquid to form a beverage. No further heating of liquid in the tank may be performed or required after filling to the delivery level since the volume of liquid delivered to fill the tank to the liquid delivery level may be relatively small. Accurate volumes of liquid may be delivered in a way that compensates for any expansion that may occur due to heating.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Keuring, IncorporatedInventors: Jennifer Zimmerman, William T. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20140263432Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a waste bin arranged to collect leaked or spilled liquid has a liquid level sensor and can be removed from the beverage forming machine, e.g., to allow disposal of the waste bin contents. One or more electrical contacts on the waste bin can be connected to the level sensor and electrically connect to control circuitry of the beverage forming machine when the waste bin is received by the machine. A liquid level detected by the level sensor may correspond to a fill level that is far less than the maximum volume of the waste bin, allowing beverage production to be prevented unless the waste bin can collect the full volume of a beverage dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: William T. Jacobs, Paolino Carnevale
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Publication number: 20140263397Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling liquid flow to the liquid supply of a beverage forming apparatus. The liquid supply may include two valves positioned in series for controlling a flow of a liquid into the liquid supply. Pressures upstream, between and/or downstream of the valves may be detected and used to determine if one or both of the valves leak when closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Keurig, IncorporatedInventor: William T. Jacobs
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Publication number: 20140261853Abstract: A beverage forming method and system in which a carafe is positionable at a carafe receiving area of a beverage forming machine with a lid of the carafe in an open position or a closed position. The carafe may be positioned at the carafe receiving area in any one of multiple rotational positions within a range of 45 to 180 degrees, and the machine may detect whether the lid is open or not for any of the rotational positions. Beverage forming is prevented if the lid is detected to be closed, allowing the carafe to be safely stored on the machine regardless of lid position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: Paolino Carnevale, William T. Jacobs, Hassib Hawat
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Patent number: 8151694Abstract: A beverage forming apparatus includes a storage tank, and a centrifugal pump having an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit. The centrifugal pump may include a priming vent located below a full level of the storage tank and permit air to vent as liquid primes the pump. A metering tank may have an inlet connected to the centrifugal pump by a pump conduit, and an outlet connected to a brew chamber that forms a beverage using liquid received from the metering tank. In one embodiment, a flow control valve, such as a check valve, may be provided in the pump conduit to allow flow from the pump to the metering tank, but resist flow in reverse. In another embodiment, a vent valve in the pump conduit may be arranged to vent at least a portion of the pump conduit, e.g., to ambient air pressure.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: William T. Jacobs, James E. Shepard, Kevin P. Sullivan, Ian Tinkler
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Publication number: 20100024658Abstract: A beverage forming apparatus includes a storage tank, and a centrifugal pump having an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit. The centrifugal pump may include a priming vent located below a full level of the storage tank and permit air to vent as liquid primes the pump. A metering tank may have an inlet connected to the centrifugal pump by a pump conduit, and an outlet connected to a brew chamber that forms a beverage using liquid received from the metering tank. In one embodiment, a flow control valve, such as a check valve, may be provided in the pump conduit to allow flow from the pump to the metering tank, but resist flow in reverse. In another embodiment, a vent valve in the pump conduit may be arranged to vent at least a portion of the pump conduit, e.g., to ambient air pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2008Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: William T. Jacobs, James E. Shepard, Kevin P. Sullivan, Ian Tinkler
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Patent number: 7640845Abstract: A method and apparatus for draining a component of a beverage forming system such as a coffee brewer. A tank used for holding and/or heating a beverage precursor liquid may be automatically drained. A beverage forming machine including a drain system may be self-contained in that the liquid drained from the tank is held by another tank that is part of the beverage forming machine. The tank into which the drained liquid is deposited may be removable from the beverage forming machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2005Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: Douglas Woodnorth, William T. Jacobs, Robert M. Pelovitz
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Patent number: 7523695Abstract: A system for dispensing a metered volume of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage dispenser. The system includes: a storage tank for containing a supply of unheated water, a dispensing tank, and a delivery line communicating with the brew chamber and with the dispensing tank at an intermediate level demarcating the interior of the dispensing tank into upper and lower compartments wherein the volume of the upper compartment is equal to the metered volume. The system also includes a vent valve communicating via a vent line with the upper compartment, and a supply line connecting the storage tank to the lower compartment. An air pump is arranged to deliver pressurized air to the upper compartment. A water pump in the supply line is arranged to deliver water from the storage tank to the lower compartment. A heater for heating water is received in the dispensing tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: Richard B. Streeter, William T. Jacobs, Nicholas G. Lazaris, Charles F. Squires
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Patent number: 7398726Abstract: A system for dispensing a metered volume of heated water to the brew chamber of a single serve beverage dispenser. The system includes a storage tank for containing a supply of unheated water and a dispensing tank. A delivery line communicates with the brew chamber and with the dispensing tank at an intermediate level demarcating the interior of dispensing tank into upper and lower compartment. The volume of the upper compartment is equal to the metered volume. A vent valve communicates via a vent line with the upper compartment. A supply line connects the storage tank to the lower compartment. An air pump is arranged to deliver pressurized air to the upper compartment. A water pump in the supply line is arranged to deliver water from the storage tank to the lower compartment. A heater for heating water received in the dispensing tank. A sensing mechanism for generating control signals indicative of the level and temperature of water in the dispensing tank.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Keurig, IncorporatedInventors: Richard B. Streeter, William T. Jacobs, Nicholas G. Lazaris, Charles F. Squires