Patents Assigned to Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
  • CARTRIDGE WITH FILTER GUARD
    Publication number: 20180160845
    Abstract: A cartridge for forming a beverage includes a container defining an interior space, a filter, a beverage medium contained in the interior space, and a filter guard. The filter may be arranged so that liquid that interacts with the beverage medium flows through the filter to exit the interior space. The container may include a surface arranged to be pierced by a piercing member to permit beverage to exit the container. The filter guard may be arranged to contact the piercing member to resist damage to the filter when the container surface is pierced. hi one embodiment, the filter guard and filter may be in contact with the container surface that is pierced, yet damage to the filter that might be caused by the piercing element may be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick H. Beaulieu, James W. Wuertele
  • BEVERAGE FORMING APPARATUS
    Publication number: 20180140129
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: GEOFFREY Y. SMITH, Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, James E. Shepard, Yoav Rabino, Ian Tinkler
  • Beverage forming device and method with moving beverage cartridge holder
    Patent number: 9968216
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving, moving and holding a cartridge. A cartridge holder may be movable between an open position in which the cartridge holder is in an upwardly inclined orientation to receive a cartridge and a closed position in which the cartridge holder is in a downwardly inclined orientation. A cover may be arranged to at least partially cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position, yet be positioned away from the opening with the cartridge holder in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, James E. Shepard, Ian Tinkler
  • Beverage forming apparatus with cartridge detectors
    Patent number: 9918586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, James E. Shepard, Yoav Rabino, Ian Tinkler
  • BEVERAGE CARTRIDGE
    Publication number: 20170355515
    Abstract: A beverage cartridge and method for forming a beverage cartridge. An outer cup may be made of paper and a polymer liner provided at the inner space of the cup. The liner may define an interior space that is closed by a lid, and the liner and lid may be impervious to moisture and gases, e.g., to protect a beverage material in the interior space. A filter may be attached to the liner and/or lid, and the liner may be peelably removable from the cup. The liner, filter and/or lid may be removable together from the cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley Michael Marcinkowski
  • Beverage formation apparatus and method using vibratory energy
    Patent number: 9833102
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming beverages using a beverage cartridge and sonic energy. A cartridge may include a sonic receiver, such as a feature that extends into an interior space of the cartridge and is arranged to receive a sonic emitter that introduces sonic energy into the interior space. The sonic receiver may be excited by sonic energy, which causes the sonic receiver to itself introduce sonic energy into the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Peterson, Ross Peter Jones, Miles William Noel Hember, Javier Gonzalez-Zugasti
  • Compositions, systems and methods for portion-packaged soups and meals
    Patent number: 9821951
    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: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
  • Beverage machine with carafe compatible drip tray
    Patent number: 9788685
    Abstract: 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. A drip tray may receive waste liquid into two different waste liquid receiving areas, and may detect the presence of liquid for different volumes received into the respective areas. Holes or other opening in the drip tray may be configured to receive liquid flowing down a side surface of a carafe when the liquid reaches a periphery of the carafe base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventor: Nikolas Kastor
  • Cartridge with filter guard
    Patent number: 9750370
    Abstract: A cartridge for forming a beverage includes a container defining an interior space, a filter, a beverage medium contained in the interior space, and a filter guard. The filter may be arranged so that liquid that interacts with the beverage medium flows through the filter to exit the interior space. The container may include a surface arranged to be pierced by a piercing member to permit beverage to exit the container. The filter guard may be arranged to contact the piercing member to resist damage to the filter when the container surface is pierced. In one embodiment, the filter guard and filter may be in contact with the container surface that is pierced, yet damage to the filter that might be caused by the piercing element may be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick H. Beaulieu, James W. Wuertele
  • BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE ARRANGED TO SHARE CAPSULE IMAGE AND MACHINE OPERATION DATA
    Publication number: 20170215632
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sharing capsule image data and beverage preparation parameters, from one or more beverage preparation machines with a remote computer system via a network, such as the Internet, is disclosed. The remote computer system may process the capsule image data to determine characteristics of the capsule (e.g., a type of capsule, such as a brand, or beverage ingredients in the capsule), thereby relieving the beverage preparation from having to determine information about the capsule. The remote computer may track a user's consumption of capsules, may compare this value to the user's past capsule purchase history, and may determine if the user's supply of capsules is below a threshold value (e.g., below a week's worth of capsules).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Tinkler, Jianming Huang, Kevin William Hartley, Cameron McLeod, Samuel Ross Rulli, Nicholas George Ioannidis, James K. Lynch, Brian David Rheaume, Jeffrey Sol Hadden, Philip Hadley, Yvona Hlobilova
  • Beverage forming station door for beverage machine
    Patent number: 9717366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for opening and closing a door of a beverage forming machine, e.g., for accessing a beverage forming station. The door may be opened by retracting the door into an interior space of the housing, e.g., by moving the door rearwardly. When at the closed position, at least one edge of the door may be flush with an adjacent outer housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Nevin, Cynthia Weflen
  • Beverage machine cartridge holder with damped movement
    Patent number: 9687108
    Abstract: 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 in an open position, e.g., the opening may face a front of the beverage forming machine and be in an upwardly inclined position in the open position. A cam and cam follower may cause the cartridge holder to pivot and move to a closed position, e.g., in which the opening of the cartridge holder is in a downwardly inclined orientation. Rotation of the cartridge holder may be damped in at least a portion of movement between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Swerchesky
  • GAS SOURCE WITH REDUCED DUST CHARACTERISTICS FOR USE IN BEVERAGE MAKING
    Publication number: 20170120203
    Abstract: Molecular sieve beads, such as zeolite, used to adsorb and release gas for carbonating a beverage are coated with fumed and/or precipitated silica. Such coating may reduce dust otherwise produced by the beads without inhibiting the beads' ability to adsorb and release gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Jennifer Caitlin Carlson, Matthew Elmer, Peter S. Given, JR., Peter Gosselin, Andrew Chamberlin, Caitlin Elizabeth LaClair
  • Beverage forming device with multi-part beverage cartridge holder
    Patent number: 9622613
    Abstract: A beverage forming system and method in which a wall member mounted to a frame of the system defines a first portion of a chamber, and a cartridge holder movably mounted relative to the frame and the wall member defines a second portion of the chamber. The cartridge holder may have an opening to receive a cartridge and be arranged to hold and move a cartridge between an open position and a closed position. A cover, which may be moveable relative to the wall member and/or the cartridge holder, may be arranged to cover the opening of the cartridge holder with the cartridge holder in the closed position. Thus, with the cartridge holder in the closed position and the cover covering the opening, the cartridge holder, the wall member and the cover define the chamber in a closed state in which a cartridge held by the cartridge holder is enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Sullivan, Ian Tinkler, James E. Shepard
  • BEVERAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH CARTRIDGE DETECTORS
    Publication number: 20170027374
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Jonathan Alexander Brodie, Stuart Jay Foster, James E. Shepard, Yoav Rabino, Ian Tinkler
  • Beverage carafe lid open/closed detection and system control
    Patent number: 9554668
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Paolino Carnevale, William T. Jacobs, Hassib Hawat
  • Beverage cartridge
    Patent number: 9555957
    Abstract: A method, system and cartridge for forming a beverage includes a cartridge having a container defining an interior space, a lid, a filter, and a beverage medium contained in the interior space. The filter may be attached to the lid only, and extend into the interior space to separate first and second chambers of the cartridge. The filter may hold the beverage medium and be arranged so that, when the lid is removed from the container, e.g., by peeling the lid from the container, the filter and beverage medium are removed together with the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl T. Winkler, Shih-Hao Lai, Richard Pasquini
  • Beverage forming device with beverage outlet control
    Patent number: 9549636
    Abstract: A beverage forming system and method in which characteristics of a dispensed beverage are controlled. A beverage forming system may include an outlet chamber having an inlet opening to receive beverage from a beverage forming chamber, and an outlet opening to output beverage. The outlet chamber may have a standpipe in the outlet chamber between the inlet and the outlet openings that prevents a direct passage of beverage to the outlet openings, thus controlling characteristics of the beverage, such as an amount of foam, the size of bubbles in a foam, etc. The standpipe may have a portion extending upwardly from a bottom of the outlet chamber and impeding a direct flow path between the inlet and the outlet openings, thus forcing flow to pass around and/or over the standpipe portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Y. Smith, Stoyan Plamenov Hristov, James E. Shepard
  • Beverage cartridge
    Patent number: D789198
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Ngo, Paul Hammerstrand, Anthony C. Lai, Benjamin Li, Keith Choi
  • Beverage cartridge holder
    Patent number: D792165
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter David Cauwood, Matthew John Maitland, Iain James Sabberton, Keir S. Jackson, Anthony C. Lai, Anthony James Sargeant