Patents Assigned to Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
-
Patent number: 10494246Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
-
Patent number: 10457537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
-
Patent number: 10442671Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
-
Patent number: 10407292Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
-
Patent number: 10183854Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
-
Publication number: 20180282144Abstract: A system and method to supply nitrogen gas is provided. Ambient air is compressed and stored in a storage receiver and then nitrogen is separated from the compressed air in a nitrogen membrane separation unit. The separated nitrogen is stored in a nitrogen storage tank under pressure and released through a pressure control valve. The system is confined to a small footprint and is useful as a nitrogen source where conventional compressed nitrogen tanks are a safety or space issue. Systems to prepare nitrogen infused beverages are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: AUTOMATIC BAR CONTROLS, INC.Inventor: Charles KLEINRICHERT
-
Patent number: 10065847Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: 10053353Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Jim Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: 10031505Abstract: In many aspects, a system for a beverage dispenser can include smartcups and smartcup application management systems configured to validate and identify smartcups for dispensing a beverage. Identifying and validating the authenticity of smartcups as well as identifying registered consumers associated with smartcups may provide more secure beverage dispensers that may be placed in public with minimal oversight. Additionally, by identifying registered users associated with a registered smartcup and providing an individualized and streamlined consumer experience, consumer interactions can be improved with a beverage dispenser/provider and may lead to increased usage by consumers.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: William Russell Martindale, Nicola La Gloria
-
Patent number: 10017373Abstract: A system and method to supply nitrogen gas is provided. Ambient air is compressed and stored in a storage receiver and then nitrogen is separated from the compressed air in a nitrogen membrane separation unit. The separated nitrogen is stored in a nitrogen storage tank under pressure and released through a pressure control valve. The system is confined to a small footprint and is useful as a nitrogen source where conventional compressed nitrogen tanks are a safety or space issue. Systems to prepare nitrogen infused beverages are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventor: Charles Kleinrichert
-
Patent number: 9964234Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
-
Patent number: 9950085Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
-
Patent number: 9908767Abstract: In many aspects, a system for a beverage dispenser can include a detector, a touch screen, and a control unit electrically coupled to the touch screen and detector. The control unit is configured to implement a method. In the method, a first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display during an operational mode. A sleep mode is entered after detecting no motion events from the detector after a predetermined amount of time. A second graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display or the touch screen is turned off as a result of entering the sleep mode. A motion event is then detected in proximity to the detector, and as a result, the sleep mode is discontinued, and the operational mode is activated, and the first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for redisplay.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Martindale, Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: 9895458Abstract: 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 nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle and an ultraviolet light source bent around the housing to surround at least a portion of the housing. The ultraviolet light source generates and emits 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
-
Patent number: 9896322Abstract: A manifold for a liquid dispensing system has at least two layers. The first layer has multiple through holes along its thickness direction, and one or more fluid channels perpendicular to the thickness direction. The second layer has one or more through holes along its thickness direction, each communicating with one of the through holes of the first layer. The second layer also has one or more fluid channels perpendicular to the thickness direction. The fluid channels each have an inlet at the edge of the respective layer and an outlet at one of the through holes. The second layer also has one or more holes defining valve bores. A valve in each of the valve bores controls flow of a liquid to a respective one of the fluid channels of the second layer. Also provided are a liquid dispensing system and a method of manufacturing a manifold.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: 9821997Abstract: The present invention is related to a pouring device for a container for the dosing of liquid, said pouring device comprising: a) a housing b) a passage for the liquid within the housing; c) an electrical operated opening/closing mechanism for opening or closing the passage in order to dosing of a predetermined or registerable amount of liquid, characterized in that the passage comprising a flexible tube, and the opening/closing mechanism is to block the tube by squeezing the tube in order to close the passage. The tube inside the spout is the only path for the liquid to go through from the bottle, meanwhile the rest components are protected from liquid. This guaranties a quick and controlled flow of the liquid and avoids any air bubbles to influence the pour precision.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventor: Achim Philipp Zapp
-
Patent number: 9745186Abstract: Devices for dispensing beverages, particularly multiple differing beverages from a dispensing nozzle, are provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a multiple beverage dispensing device includes a dispensing array attached to a dispense point isolation device within a dispensing nozzle, the dispensing array facilitates flow of a beverage base and at least one beverage additive into the dispensing nozzle and the dispense point isolation device isolating discharge of beverage additive to prevent cross-contamination and color-carryover caused by the residual traces of beverage additive often associated with conventional dispensing devices. In many embodiments, the dispense point isolation device further includes one or more isolation features, including any or all of a recess, trough, notch, raised ridge or tubular projection around an exit orifice of the beverage additive flow channel so as to further isolate release of the beverage additive and further inhibit cross-contamination and color-carryover.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: D803038Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Bret D. Baker, Thomas R. Hecht
-
Patent number: D812951Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Silas Anthony Veloz
-
Patent number: D819383Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker, Steven D. Chappell