With Gas Treating Means Patents (Class 99/323.1)
  • Patent number: 11919786
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the purification of an aqueous solution comprising a photocatalyst employed as an anode and a cathode in communication with an electrolyte to achieve a current flow wherein a charge is applied between the cathode and the photocatalytic excited anode a corresponding increase in electron-hole pairs occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Waterdrape, LLC
    Inventors: John B. Hayden, Sapanbir S. Thind
  • Patent number: 11890583
    Abstract: There is disclosed a stand-alone, independent and re-usable valve that can be mounted to a conventional food container, such as a food bag, and can be coupled to a suction pump. The valve has a first part for insertion into the food container and a second part for mounting onto the first part with a wall of the food container in between, to obtain an air-tight closure of the valve. Further, an adapter is provided that can cooperate with a single type of coupling element for a suction pump at one end and can cooperate with various types of valves at another end. Additionally, an aerator is provided that can be coupled to a suction pump operating in a blowing mode for aerating liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Airtender Works B.V.
    Inventors: Dalibor Borjanin, Robert Franciscus Van Der Hulst, Rui Medeiros Santos
  • Patent number: 11793348
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing a tea in a drinking receptacle with a tea brewing machine, said machine being configured:—to brew tea from a capsule, said capsule comprising tea leaves, by introducing hot water in said capsule and dispensing brewed tea from the capsule in the drinking receptacle, and—to pump and heat water and dispense hot water to the capsule, wherein said process comprises a step of pasteurization of tea leaves inside the capsule before dispensing brewed tea from the capsule inside the drinking receptacle, wherein said pasteurization step comprises the sub-steps of: p1)—introducing hot water in the capsule until all the tea leaves are submerged by hot water inside the capsule and stopping water introduction before tea is dispensed therefrom in the drinking receptacle, then p2) keeping all the tea leaves submerged in hot water during a period of time, wherein the temperature of hot water introduced in sub-step p1) and the sum of the periods of time of sub-steps p1) and p2) bef
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Matthieu Ozanne
  • Patent number: 11759045
    Abstract: A portable, battery-operated vacuum infusion machine includes a top container assembly with a compartment that houses an air pump, a battery, and a controller. The top container assembly couples to the top opening of a separate bottom container. When coupled together, the top and bottom containers are connected by flow holes superimposed by a filter in the top container. An air pump switched on or off by a controller exerts negative pressure in the bottom container by means of a suction port and induces liquid in the top container to enter the bottom container under pressure while the filter in the top container ensures that the infusion residue is separated from the liquid and only the prepared infusion has passage to the bottom container. The bottom container can be opened by means of removing the top container in order to allow for serving the prepared infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Eduardo Gomez Umana
  • Patent number: 11759047
    Abstract: The mixing apparatus includes a first container, wherein the first container comprises: a first port; and a mixing chamber. The mixing apparatus further includes a second container where the second container is adapted to receive the first container, and a seal disposed between the first container and the second container. In addition, the mixing apparatus includes a channel between the first port and the mixing chamber, where the channel is defined by the seal and the first container. In some examples, the seal includes: a first seal portion; and a transition seal portion, the transition portion includes a seal split; and an air intake channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Britt Roumen, Tim Gerard Tibbe, Bart-Jan Zwart
  • Patent number: 11723492
    Abstract: A detachable handle system for a pot, the system including a detachable handle and a lower cap which attaches to the pot. The detachable handle includes a non-corrosive spring-loaded locking system to lock to and unlock from the lower cap, and a push button which causes the detachable handle to lock to and unlock from the lower cap when operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NIKPAR, LLC
    Inventor: Nikolaos Parginos
  • Patent number: 11712128
    Abstract: Milk module for generating milk foam or milk beverages, preferably for installing into a coffee machine, is designed as an independent unit. The milk module includes a cooling chamber connected to a cooling assembly for receiving a milk container, a conveyor pump, a steam generating device, a device for heating milk or generating the milk foam, and a connection system. The heated milk or generated milk foam is conveyed through a discharge line to the coffee outlet in the coffee machine by the connection system. A cleaning container with a cleaning agent can be positioned into the cooling chamber instead of the milk container. A suction tube is mounted in the refrigerated box in a pivotal manner, which hangs freely at the bottom, and which in the forwards-pivoted position can be contactlessly inserted into the milk container or the cleaning container from the top when being installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: STEINER AG WEGGIS
    Inventor: Adrian Steiner
  • Patent number: 11666175
    Abstract: Device for heating milk or milk froth with steam in a steam/liquid mixer which is equipped with a tubular mixing chamber, at least one steam supply pipe and a milk/milk froth supply nozzle aligned in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber. The steam supply pipe operatively discharges steam into a steam supply chamber upstream of the mixing chamber and which is connected to the mixing chamber by steam inlet holes running around the milk/milk froth supply nozzle in the longitudinal direction of the mixing chamber. The steam supply holes are preferably aligned axially parallel to the center axis of the mixing chamber. This arrangement of the steam inlet holes brings about even and thorough mixing of the steam with the cold milk or the milk froth in the mixing chamber, and so optimal heating of the milk or the milk froth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: STEINER AG WEGGIS
    Inventor: Adrian Steiner
  • Patent number: 11591203
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser adapted to dispense liquid from a beverage container. The liquid dispenser includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The liquid dispenser includes an electric powered pump that is configured to cause fluid to flow into the bottom portion when the electric powered pump is activated. The bottom portion is fluidly connected or interconnected to the top portion such that fluid which flows into the bottom portion is configured to flow out of the bottom portion and to the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: CHAGRINOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Curtis Taylor, Matthew Hanson
  • Patent number: 11503946
    Abstract: A milk frother (1) including a container having a chamber (2) for containing milk, a mixing chamber (3) equipped with an external dispenser (4) for dispensing the milk, a connecting channel (5) for connection between the containment chamber (2) and the mixing chamber (3), a transfer impeller (6) for transferring the milk from the containment chamber (2) to the mixing chamber, a mixing impeller (8) provided in the mixing chamber (3), and disconnectable connector (9) for connecting the transfer impeller (6) and the mixing impeller (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: De'Longhi Appliances S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giuseppe De'Longhi, Antonio Panciera, Stefano Quaresimin
  • Patent number: 11213161
    Abstract: A system for heating and frothing a beverage comprises a device for heating and frothing a beverage and a froth wand. The device for heating and frothing a beverage includes a steamer, a steam conduit connecting the steamer to a steam nozzle and a froth wand holder for removably holding a froth wand. The froth wand is a disposable froth wand and comprises a tubular wall having a steam inlet end comprising a steam inlet, a steam outlet end comprising a steam outlet separate from the steam inlet and a steam channel extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet. The froth wand holder is arranged for holding the disposable froth wand at least in an operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage in which operational position the steam nozzle is in communication with the steam inlet of the disposable froth wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Christinus Maria Wessels, Hendrik Johan Dees
  • Patent number: 11147294
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques and methods for dispersing a volume of gas in a beverage contained in an unpressurized container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: STARBUCKS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Schacht, Michael Cummer
  • Patent number: 10898023
    Abstract: The invention refers to a mixing and foaming device (300) for mixing a powder food or beverage product with a fluid and further foaming said mixture, the device (300) comprising a mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), an air entry (30) and a fluid inlet (21); the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102) comprising a pumping element (110) whose rotation allows both powder and fluid to enter a foaming chamber (121) of the mixing, pumping and foaming unit (102), where a foaming element (120) rotates relatively within the foaming chamber (121), subjecting the mixture of fluid, powder and optionally air to a certain level of shear stress which allows this mixture to mix and/or to foam. The invention further refers to a method for providing foam from a food or beverage product powder using such a device (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventor: Gregory Savioz
  • Patent number: 10806294
    Abstract: A froth wand comprises a tubular wall having a steam inlet end comprising a steam inlet, a steam outlet end comprising a steam outlet separate from the steam inlet and a steam channel extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet. The froth wand is a disposable froth wand. The froth wand can comprise a container for containing a beverage base material, such as roasted ground coffee. The tubular wall of the froth wand can comprise an air opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Christinus Maria Wessels, Hendrik Johan Dees
  • Patent number: 10034572
    Abstract: A device for the convenient frothing or mixing or agitating of milk or other liquids is disclosed. The unit may take many forms, but common to nearly all is that the user simply pours or dispenses the liquid from the devices vessel or holding area, and as the fluid flows to the devices exit spout, the fluid is frothed, thus providing a “Pour to Froth” experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Steven Jerome Caruso
  • Patent number: 10028614
    Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture in a gap between a housing, in particular an outer cylinder, and a rotating element rotating arranged therein. The device further comprises a milk supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with milk and an air supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with air, both supply circuits being independent from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Alexandre Perentes, Alfred Yoakim, Alexa Perrin
  • Patent number: 9801500
    Abstract: An apparatus for agitating liquid foodstuff, comprising a whisk that includes a magnetic rotor of a brushless electromotor assembly, and a main body including a liquid foodstuff container in which the whisk is receivable such that it is rotatable around a rotation axis (L) thereof, and a stator of the electromotor assembly. The stator is configured to electromagnetically drive the rotor in rotation, and includes at least one magnetic sensor configured to provide a signal that reflects positional changes of the magnetic rotor relative to the magnetic sensor. The main body also includes a controller configured to detect an initial, manually effected rotational movement of the whisk around its rotation axis from the signal of the magnetic sensor, and, once such initial movement of the whisk is detected, to operate the apparatus independent of said initial, movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Mark Ronald Ven Der Woning
  • Patent number: 9751054
    Abstract: The present invention provides a milk foamer that implements simplification of a configuration of a cup lid, and reduces contamination and corrosion to a drive mechanism or a junction. A milk foamer includes a base body 1, a cup body 2 placed on the base body 1, a cup lid 3 placed on the cup body 2, and a stirring mechanism 5 configured to stir milk in the cup body 2, wherein the stirring mechanism 5 includes a stirring head 50 and a shaft 51 for supporting the stirring head 50, and a magnetic drive mechanism configured to magnetically drive the stirring head 50 is provided to the base body 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Huan Jin, Wanquan Liu, Masaaki Origane, Teruaki Taguchi, Hideaki Kishi
  • Patent number: 9321018
    Abstract: A wine and spirit aerator includes a tube, a diffuser and an air pump attached to opposing ends of the tube. The aerator may include a stopper sized and shaped to be inserted into a lip of a wine or spirit bottle. The tube and diffuser can extend to the bottom of the bottle. The tube can have telescoping sections or be sized for single glass operation where the pump can be set on a structure between uses. The diffuser can be porous or sintered metal. The pump can be removed and replaced with a carbon dioxide injector to turn the aerator into a carbonated beverage preparation apparatus or a plant feeding apparatus. A method of marketing wine and spirits is also provided in which videos of same aerated by the disclosed aerators are posted to a website that offers both the aerators and the wine or spirit for purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Inventor: Robert W. Connors
  • Patent number: 9295279
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for pasteurizing a liquid product (P) consisting of at least one liquid component that can be pumped, comprising a supply container (6) for making the unpasteurized product available, an inlet line (8a) for conveying the unpasteurized product, a pasteurization circuit (25) for pasteurizing the product (P), and an outlet line (8b) for conveying the pasteurized product. The pasteurization circuit (25) comprises a buffer container (2) for holding the product (P) during a prescribed constant contact time for pasteurization and a fluctuating flow rate of the product (P) through the buffer container (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Miteco AG
    Inventor: Angelo Cadeo
  • Patent number: 9233824
    Abstract: A method of making a beverage including a gas in a beverage making includes pressurizing a gas storage tank arranged to store a gas, supplying a beverage diluent liquid into a dissolver, and dissolving, by way of the dissolver, portion of the gas into the beverage diluent liquid at a minimum dissolver gas volumes level. The method further includes creating a blended beverage diluent liquid having a selectable target gas volumes level by diluting volumetrically the beverage diluent liquid from the dissolver including the gas, with the beverage diluent liquid which is absence the gas, to form the blended beverage diluent liquid having the predefined target gas volumes level, and dispensing selectively a predefined ratio of a beverage ingredient and the blended beverage diluent liquid to form a beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Kirschner, William J. Moore, C. Brad Green, H. Brock Kolls
  • Patent number: 9049961
    Abstract: A device for preparing a heated liquid for use with a beverage-making appliance includes a liquid transport channel in communication with a liquid reservoir which discharges into a first chamber. The first chamber includes a steam inlet which is connectable to a steam generator. A second chamber of the device is connected to the first chamber via a restriction and has a liquid outlet. The device is in the form of a cartridge n which the liquid reservoir, the liquid transport channel, the first chamber, the steam inlet, the restriction, the second chamber, and the liquid outlet are provided. All components of the device are integrated into one cartridge, so the cartridge can be discarded after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sijtze Van Der Meer, Gertjan Drent
  • Patent number: 9032864
    Abstract: A container assembly (10) for retaining a liquid (16) during aging of the liquid (16) comprises a container (12) and an oxygenator (230). The container (12) includes a container body (14) that defines a chamber (14A) that receives and retains liquid (16). The oxygenator (230) is positioned substantially within the chamber (14A). The oxygenator (230) includes a fluid source (662), one or more diffusers (672), and a valve (670). The one or more diffusers (672) are in fluid communication with the fluid source (662). The valve (670) selectively controls the introduction of a fluid from the fluid source (662) into the liquid (16) through the one or more diffusers (672). The container assembly (10) further comprises an insert retainer assembly (338) and one or more flavor inserts (440) that are received and retained by the insert retainer assembly (338).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Roleder
  • Patent number: 9033187
    Abstract: A bottle aerator of the type having a venturi tube having a constricted section with a narrower cross-sectional section and a fluid inlet section having a wider cross-sectional section, such that the fluid pressure is lower in the constricted section compared to the pressure in the fluid inlet section, and the fluid speed is higher in the constricted section compared to the fluid speed in the fluid inlet section, which is improved by the constricted section being constructed and arranged so that when the bottle aerator is inserted into a bottle, the constricted section is positioned inside the bottle. The air inlet is provided at or below the constricted section, which allows air from outside the bottle to mix with the fluid as it passes through the constricted section, so that the fluid is aerated while still inside the bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Aerawine LLC
    Inventor: Jamin Luebke
  • Patent number: 9016670
    Abstract: The present invention is a froth wand for an espresso machine that can generate a high velocity stream of steam to foam a beverage at the beverage brewing apparatus. The wand includes an adapter for attaching to the beverage brewing machine at a steam supply outlet, and a conduit for communicating the steam to a steam tube. The steam tube has a cylindrical body with an annular recessed exit, and is surrounded by a cylindrical sheath. The sheath includes a cylindrical plug with a small longitudinal aperture that fits into the outlet of the steam tube. The mating of the sheath's plug and the steam tube forces the steam through the aperture, accelerating the steam at the exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke Kelly, Keith R. DeBald
  • Patent number: 9003957
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a hot beverage. The apparatus includes a hot steam source for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel, a rotary stirring device including a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; and a cleaning container. A control unit controls movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend inside a vessel; and the activation of the steam source and of the stirring device while the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.
    Inventor: Gaetano Pagano
  • Patent number: 8997633
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of use in making beverages. The apparatus includes components and structures for making beverages by mixing heated water or other liquid and a beverage making substance in combination with controllable evacuation, pressurization, or both of a mixing vessel. The method includes controllable brewing using a vacuum, positive pressure, or both to control one or a combination of active controllable agitation of ingredients, steep time, pressurization, extraction time, agitation pulsing, dispensing pulsing as well as other numerous other beverage preparation characteristics and controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bunn-O-Matic Corporation
    Inventors: John Douglas Bishop, Charles H. Clark, William E. Midden, Randy D. Pope, Suresh Radhakrishnan, Rex Allen Rogers
  • Patent number: 8991795
    Abstract: An automated frothing assembly. The automated frothing assembly has a wand module that includes an elongate member having an inlet, one or more outlets, and a fluid passageway extending between and in fluid communication with the inlet and the plurality of outlets. At least one of the one or more outlets extends parallel to a vertical plane that includes the centerline of the elongate member and at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane that is perpendicular to both the vertical plane and the centerline of the elongate member. The assembly further includes an actuator configured to be operatively coupled to the wand module and to drive the movement of at least a portion of the wand module along an axis, and an electronic controller configured to be electrically coupled to the actuator and to control the operation of the actuator to control the movement of the wand module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Briggo, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Studor, Brent Clafferty, Stephen A. Miller, Marwan Hassoun, Pete P. Garcia, Jr., Lynn Warren Hamrick
  • Patent number: 8991305
    Abstract: Milk frothing system (1) including a water conduit (10) that successively interconnects a water reservoir (11); a pump (12); a heater (15), configured to evaporate water; and a mixing node (31). The system further includes an air conduit (20) that successively interconnects an air inlet (21); a first check valve (22); a second check valve (24); and the mixing node. The system also includes a steam/air conduit (30) that successively interconnects the mixing node, and a frothing device (32). The milk frothing system additionally includes an expansion vessel (60), having a water chamber and an air chamber, said water chamber being connected to a point of the water conduit, downstream of the pump and upstream of the heater, and said air chamber being connected to a point of the air conduit, downstream of the first check valve and upstream of the second check valve provided therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Sipke Theo Douma
  • Patent number: 8985561
    Abstract: A beverage carbonation system, container, carbonator and method for carbonating a beverage are provided. The beverage carbonation system has a container that is removably engageable with a carbonator. The container has a container outlet valve and a container inlet valve that are fluidly engageable with a carbonator outlet port and carbonator inlet port, respectively. At least one pump transfers liquid and carbon dioxide gas between a container chamber and a carbonation chamber when the container is engaged with the carbonator, thereby carbonating the liquid. When the container is disengaged from the carbonator, the container outlet valve and the container inlet valve are closed to fluidly seal the container containing the carbonated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bonne O Inc.
    Inventor: Darren Hatherell
  • Patent number: 8978546
    Abstract: This invention provides a device for preserving and dispensing a beverage, having: (a) a housing including one or more compartments, each compartment for storing a beverage container; and (b) one or more dispensing head removably connected to a cartridge, wherein said dispensing head having an aerator for aerating said beverage, wherein said cartridge removably and securely holds a beverage container, wherein said beverage flows from said container to said dispensing head by the force of a pump connected to said cartridge. In one embodiment, the beverage is wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Electrical & Electronics Ltd
    Inventors: Andrew Yuen Chin Chen, Amy Decem Cheng, Dick Tak Fung Leung, Paul Cheuk Wai Lai, Raymond Wai Ming Wong
  • Publication number: 20150068406
    Abstract: A wine aerator includes a spout, a deflector connected with the spout, and an upper spout element connected with the spout. The spout connects with the neck of a wine bottle, defines an upstream outlet passage terminating at an intermediate outlet opening, and includes an extension defining a lower downstream surface downstream from the intermediate outlet opening. The deflector connects with the spout and is spaced from the lower downstream surface and is aligned with the intermediate outlet opening to cover the intermediate outlet opening. The upper spout element connects with the spout and is offset from the lower downstream surface. The upper spout element at least partially defines an aeration opening downstream from the intermediate outlet opening and the deflector. The upper spout element is configured to at least partially direct wine toward a downstream outlet opening while air contacts the wine through the aeration opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: HELEN OF TROY LIMITED
    Inventors: Douglas A. Marsden, Benjamin J. Beck, Elizabeth K. Delfino, Michael T. McDuffee
  • Patent number: 8960079
    Abstract: Device for producing a frothed liquid comprising a chamber 13 opened to atmosphere with a transverse bottom wall 14 and a longitudinal upward wall 15, at least one diluent inlet 18, at least one liquid delivery outlet 20, wherein the diluent inlet is provided through the upward wall and is dimensioned and oriented for directing a thin jet of diluent in the chamber, and wherein the at least one liquid delivery outlet is configured in the bottom wall for liquid to rise up along the side of the upward wall by the jet of diluent entering the chamber as a result of the direction and dimension of the diluent inlet in the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Raphael Gugerli, Jean-Luc Thuliez, Iwan Kissling, Raphael Bernhardsgruetter, Cedric Beausire, Nihan Dogan, David J. Harrison, David Hamel
  • Patent number: 8960080
    Abstract: A foaming nozzle is connected to a gas generating device for generating a high-pressure gas which has a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure and spouting the high-pressure gas from the tip of the nozzle, and the foaming nozzle foams, while stirring, a liquid located in the direction of the spouting. The foaming nozzle has formed in the tip thereof at least two kinds of spouting holes for spouting the high-pressure gas. At least one kind of spouting hole is formed in a shape different from the shape of the other kind of spouting hole so as to spout the high-pressure gas at a speed different from the speed of the high-pressure gas spouted from the other kind of spouting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: SS&W Japan
    Inventor: Shojiro Saito
  • Patent number: 8956507
    Abstract: This invention relates to a high efficiency apparatus for manufacturing an aqueous wood smoke solution in the form of a liquid smoke desired concentration by burning wood, wooden chips or sawdust in a limited amount of air. Wood consumption per unit of liquid smoke is significantly smaller comparing to conventional methods, while the air pollution is reduced to a negligible level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Slavomir Olejar
  • Patent number: 8935978
    Abstract: A frothing device including a central body which is detachably associable with a steam delivery tube and an outer casing which fits over the central body. The central body forms channels for the passage of air and of liquid to be frothed, in order to mix them with the steam and consequently mix the three flows. The device further includes a first mixing region for forming a mixture composed of the air and the liquid to be frothed, which arrive respectively from an air intake channel and a liquid rising channel, which are formed by the central body and by the outer casing, the formed mixture then converges in a second mixing region with the steam that is injected in the second mixing region and arrives from the delivery tube and then enters the beverage by means of a discharge channel that extends from the second mixing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Illycaffe' S.p.A.
    Inventors: Diego Balestier, Riccardo De Luca
  • Patent number: 8935977
    Abstract: A device that includes a beverage unit for delivering a beverage under pressure, at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the beverage unit to generate a jet of beverage, a receiving unit with a chamber with at least one drain opening for delivering the beverage and a jet impact member within the chamber and having a top that lies free from an inner wall of the chamber. The nozzle and the jet impact member are oriented such that the jet hits against a portion of the top of the jet impact member to form a mist of the beverage that subsequently leaves the drain opening as a beverage with a foam layer. The device is constructed such that air can only be supplied to the chamber through the at least one drain opening and/or through an air supply channel which extends through the jet impact member into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Joeke Noordhuis, Jacob Willem Zijlstra
  • Patent number: 8925443
    Abstract: A method and apparati for regulating introduction of ambient air begins with initiating a liquid flow through a venturi to induce a localized drop in pressure at a bowl situated at a venturi throat. Airflow is admitted at a barrel inlet, through a first barrel lumen segment to a first half-moon port at a throttle first side. The airflow is selectively obstructed by a second half-moon port whose rotational position relative to the first half-moon port defines a variable aperture. The airflow is conducted from the second half-moon port through a second barrel lumen segment to the barrel outlet and mixing with the liquid to produce an aerated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: True Fabrications, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhruv Agarwal, Erin Malaspino, Amy Lin
  • Patent number: 8920860
    Abstract: A pronged clamp apparatus for attaching a soda bottle to a soda machine includes prongs to attach the bottle to the soda machine and a locking mechanism to lock the bottle to the machine at least during carbonation. The apparatus also comprises a flexible seal to facilitate a closed carbonation environment and a ring to constrict the prongs underneath a ringed extension of the bottle thereby lifting the bottle towards the seal to clamp the bottle to the flexible seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SodaStream Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Allan Ring, Avi Cohen, Doron Krom, Hagai Harduff, Amit Avigdor
  • Patent number: 8905383
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a carbonated water tank in which carbonated water is stored; a water level sensor sensing a water level of carbonated water stored in the carbonated water tank; a water tank supplying filtered water to the carbonated water tank; a carbon dioxide cylinder supplying carbon dioxide to the carbonated water tank; and a controller, if the water level of carbonated water sensed by the water level sensor is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum water level, supplying the filtered water to the carbonated water tank, and if supply of the filtered water is completed, supplying the carbon dioxide to the carbonated water tank so as to produce the carbonated water. If the carbonated water is discharged, the controller controls the water level sensor to sense the water lever of the carbonated water stored in the carbonated water tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Tae Ko, Seung Wan Kang, Jung Yeob Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Byung Mo Yu, Sung Ho Cho, Yong Soo Kyong
  • Patent number: 8894042
    Abstract: A wine aerator for pouring wine from a wine container such as a wine bottle into a receiver such as a wine glass. The wine aerator has a large mouthed vessel into which the wine is poured from any wine container and the wine passes through the vessel to an outlet having a plurality of radial holes to break up the flow of wine into small discrete flows to carry out the aeration process. The wine aerator has a base that is affixed to the vessel and has a plurality of outwardly extending projections that are dimensioned so as to contact the rim of a wine glass to position the wine aerator atop of the wine glass while the wine aerator is being used. The wine aerator is inexpensively constructed and has no moving parts where leakage could occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Taylor Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Kilduff, Adam Paskow, Norah Joffroy
  • Patent number: 8887625
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas is added into living organism applicable fluid substantially without changing constituents of the living organism applicable fluid by reacting a hydrogen generating system and a generating-purpose water, wherein the hydrogen generating system contains metal aluminum, which is a food additive, as a hydrogen generating agent and calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, which is also a food additive, as a hydrogen generating reaction accelerator such that the hydrogen generating agent and the hydrogen generating reaction accelerator are adjacent to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: MIZ Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumitake Satoh, Tomoki Seo, Ryosuke Kurokawa, Bunpei Satoh
  • Patent number: 8882084
    Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice atomizes water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide solenoid valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is opened and closed for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time providing a volume of carbonated and non-carbonated fluid which upon mixing achieves a desired carbonation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Jayateertha Malagi, Servesh Adderi Ranganath
  • Patent number: 8875618
    Abstract: An appliance for heating and frothing a milk-containing liquid. The appliance includes a steam supply arrangement having an outlet with an opening for delivering into the milk-containing liquid bubbles of steam. The outlet is associated with a valve for adjusting the bubble size of the steam bubbles delivered into the liquid from the steam outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe S. Boussemart, Alexa Perrin
  • Patent number: 8870167
    Abstract: A fluid aerator connectable to the neck of a container holding a fluid, the fluid aerator having a tubular body having one end adapted to sealingly connect to the neck of the container, a plurality of mixing elements disposed within the tubular body, and wherein when the fluid aerator is attached to the neck of the container and fluid is dispensed from the container, ambient air is drawn into the tubular body and mixes with fluid as it passes over the plurality of mixing elements to aerate the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: John Charles Hardison
  • Publication number: 20140308416
    Abstract: A wine aerator includes a container having walls bounding an interior compartment. The compartment has an open condition in which a volume of a type of wine to be aerated is admitted to partially fill the compartment, and a closed condition for hermetically sealing the wine in the compartment. The remainder of the compartment contains a volume of air. A plurality of indicators are provided on the container for visually indicating different air/wine volume ratios based on the type of wine in the compartment. An agitator agitates the hermetically sealed wine with a selected one of the ratios for a predetermined time to aerate the wine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Peter CHENG
  • Patent number: 8857797
    Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus that includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached to one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water that passes therethrough. A carbon dioxide orifice is linked to a carbon dioxide source and is attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Santhosh Kumar, Ted Jablonski, Jayateertha Malagi, Servesh Adderi Ranganath, Nishant Kulkarni, Ravi Malavat
  • Publication number: 20140299001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for preparing milk and milk foam in drinks machines, such as coffee machines and similar pieces of equipment, which are provided with a heater unit for heating the milk and/or the milk foam with steam. The system contains, according to the invention, a feed for the milk and/or the milk foam and a separate feed for the steam, which is fed directly, as a heat-transfer medium, into the milk and/or the milk foam in the heater unit, which operates as an injector. The system allows a high heating capacity along with simultaneously good regulating capability and minimized thermal inertia. Since the foaming operation and the heating operation are separated from one another, the quality of the milk foam remains unimpaired by the heating operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: EVERSYS Holding SA
    Inventor: Frank Rimpl
  • Patent number: 8840092
    Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. A water flow control module is connected to a water source. At least one water orifice is linked to the water flow control module and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The water control module regulates a water flow rate into the inline carbonation apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Santhosh Kumar, Ted Jablonski, Jayateertha Malagi, Servesh Adderi Ranganath, Nishant Kulkarni, Ravi Malavat
  • Publication number: 20140272052
    Abstract: A carbonation device, comprising a container of a liquid, a body and a cartridge which contains a substance to be dispensed in the liquid, the body being adapted to be applied to an opening of the container and comprising a duct which is adapted to connect the liquid to the cartridge of the substance to be dispensed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SPARKLING DRINK SYSTEMS INNOVATION CENTER INTERNATIONAL SAS (SDS-IC INTERNATIONAL)
    Inventor: Serge Joseph Bueno