Patents Assigned to Lancer Partnership. Ltd.
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Patent number: 6968669Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which cross seals are made substantially parallel to a central axis (60) of fitments (40). The cross seals (68, 82) are substantially parallel to the vertical plane that includes the central axis (60) of the fitment (40), and may comprise at least a section angled toward the fitment (66, 84, 86) to create an angled side.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Lancer Partnership Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Robert S. Bosko
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Patent number: 6934602Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes an electronic control system for controlling beverage dispenser components. The beverage dispenser components include at least a user interface, a dispensing valve, and a valve interface for regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system includes a microcontroller for monitoring the user interface and for activating the valve interface responsive to user input, thereby regulating the delivery of a beverage from the dispensing valve. The electronic control system further includes a program memory with firmware configured in a state machine system architecture for controlling the microcontroller. The state machine system architecture supports either a non-preemptive or a preemptive multitasking real time operating system. The firmware includes supervisory control firmware, dispenser tasks firmware, and low level drivers firmware.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: David C. Sudolcan, Thomas J. Chadwell
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Publication number: 20040262243Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus employ purified water to backflush a filtration device. Purified water includes water having a total dissolved solids reading less than that of the water being filtered. Examples of purified water may include water treated using reverse osmosis, steam distillation, or deionization processes, and the like. In the simplest form, the purified water is used to rinse or backflush a filter or filter cartridge. Further extensions include valves to switch from a primary flowpath used for normal operations to a secondary flowpath used to conduct backflushing routines. Backflushing routines may be initiated on demand or through an automated routine that repeats the process on a regular basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2003Publication date: December 30, 2004Applicant: LANCER PARTNERSHIP, LTD.Inventor: Robert S. Bosko
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Patent number: 6834317Abstract: A network topology for communication within and between food service equipment items generally comprises one or more food service equipment items, each having a controller and at least one functional subsystem configured as a slave to the controller, and a master interface and a bus slave interface associated with each controller. Each master interface is adapted for electrical communication over an intra-equipment communication channel with a slave interface associated with the functional subsystem. Each bus slave interface is adapted for communication, external to the food service equipment item, over an inter-equipment communication channel. Each bus slave interface is substantially electrically identical to each slave interface.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20040239535Abstract: A self-calibrating touch sensor generally includes a dielectric switch pad in electrical communication with a controller. A forcing function waveform is delivered to the dielectric switch pad. The step response waveform of the dielectric switch pad is then monitored by the controller to detect changes in the dielectric properties of the dielectric switch pad. Upon startup of a system in which the self-calibrating touch sensor is embedded or upon detection of an event indicative of a persistent change in the dielectric environment about the dielectric touch pad, the controller processes the step response waveform to determine the time constant of the circuit comprising the dielectric switch pad. The determined time constant is stored as baseline value by the controller. The controller then monitors the step response waveform for temporary changes from the stored value, indicative of a key press event.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: LANCER PARTNERSHIP, LTD.Inventors: Thomas J. Chadwell, David C. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20040216427Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Alfred A. Schroeder, Michael T. Romanyszyn, Merrill R. Good, John D. Santy, George E. Hernandez, Ronald Ray Hoch
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Patent number: 6811698Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Patent number: 6811712Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Patent number: 6797170Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Patent number: 6788218Abstract: A method for monitoring a remotely located industrial process from a central service location generally comprises transmitting, through existing two-way digital paging networks, a monitoring instruction to the remote location, executing an operational command contained in the monitoring instruction on the industrial process, logging the effect of the execution of the command in a history file and transmitting content from the history file back to the central service location. The monitoring instruction may comprise the identification of an operational event for execution by the remotely located industrial process or be adapted for the on demand execution of one or more scripts of operational events.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: David C. Sudolcan
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Publication number: 20040069723Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Perry McGuar
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Patent number: 6712342Abstract: Methods and apparatus for beverage dispensing are provided with a carbonator (12) that includes a plurality of hydrophobic hollow fibers (32). A pre-carbonation circuit (28) may also be included. A water treatment system (14) may be used to supply water to the carbonator (12) and/or the pre-carbonation circuit (28).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Robert S. Bosko
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Patent number: 6712968Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Publication number: 20040055973Abstract: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: Michael T. Romanyszyn, Perry McGuar
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Publication number: 20040020868Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Publication number: 20040020867Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Publication number: 20040020869Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating fluids includes a vortex nozzle assembly having improved vortex nozzles. The overall system and system layout, which includes an elbow design, are improved as well as vortex system methods. The vortex nozzle assembly includes an access port and methods for measuring physical properties at the fluid flows. A frame assembly provides support for the vortex system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventor: Michael T. Romanyszyn
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Publication number: 20040003600Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Applicant: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Stephen K. Versteeg
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Patent number: 6669238Abstract: A locking apparatus for securing at least one component to an anchoring component piece includes an abutment plate for contact with the anchoring component piece and a plate contactor notch disposed on the abutment plate for contact with at least one component. In particular, the plate contactor notch includes a clutching surface for contact with at least one component. The locking apparatus further includes a slide aperture disposed on said abutment plate for facilitating attachment of the abutment plate to the anchoring component piece. The slide aperture, in turn, includes a slide aperture correction slot for facilitating resilient displacement of the abutment plate as well as includes a slide aperture mounting slot for receiving a mounting screw that attaches the abutment plate to the anchoring component piece.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1999Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Lancer Partnership, LTDInventor: John D. Santy, Jr.
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Patent number: 6662573Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cooling chamber filled with a bath of cooling fluid for cooling beverage fluids. A cooling unit, including an evaporator coil extending from the cooling unit into the cooling chamber, freezes the cooling fluid into a frozen cooling bank about the evaporator coil. Sensor units positioned at desired locations about the evaporator coil provide output corresponding to the size and shape of the frozen cooling bank. Also, a control unit reads the output from the sensor units and operates the cooling unit to regulate the growth of the frozen cooling bank. In addition, the control unit may read output from temperature sensors attached to dispensing valves or monitoring ambient temperature conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.Inventors: John T. Hawkins, Jr., Stephen K. Verteeg