Patents Examined by Donnell A Long
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Patent number: 11629040Abstract: The disclosure described herein relates to a beverage dispensing system mixing nozzle and a process for making or repairing the same. Particular examples of the present disclosure include a manifold comprising multiple tubes where the manifold is inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. In some examples, multiple manifolds are inserted into and secured within a seat of the mixing nozzle. The tubes extend into the body of the manifold to form a leak proof connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Mercury Plastics LLCInventors: Scott Raymond Gardner, Donald Currey, Earl Christian
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Patent number: 11622656Abstract: A fluid dispenser having a temperature sensor that senses a temperature of an external surface presented by a user's hand, and a pump mechanism that is configured to dispense fluid onto the user's hand when the pump mechanism is activated. It is determined whether the fluid has been dispensed onto the user's hand based, at least in part, on the temperature of the external surface presented by the user's hand.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: OP-Hygiene IP GmbHInventor: Heiner Ophardt
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Patent number: 11618663Abstract: A computer-implemented method for indicating to a user an amount of an item to dispense from a bulk item dispenser is disclosed. The computer-implemented method includes detecting a real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser. The computer-implemented method further includes overlaying an augmented scale onto the bulk item dispenser, wherein the augmented scale is positioned with respect to the real-world scale located on the bulk item dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Frédéric Bauchot, Joel Viale, Zsolt Szalai
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Patent number: 11617477Abstract: A total-use dispenser for dispensing a fluid product therefrom. A total-use dispenser may have a body forming an enclosure having both a top opening and a bottom outlet and a tapering portion that tapers down toward the bottom outlet and a pump configured in the top opening to dispense the fluid product from the dispenser. The pump may be configured in the top opening to pump air into the rigid body to force fluid product therefrom. The fluid product may be dispensed from a bottom outlet or from a spout coupled with a spout conduit that extends into the squeezable body of the total-use dispenser. The total-use dispenser enables substantially all the fluid product to be dispensed from the enclosure, such as at least 90% by weight, at least 97% by weight and most preferably 99% or more by weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS, LLCInventor: Jim E. Fulbrook
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Patent number: 11618617Abstract: A lid assembly configured to be coupled to a beverage container, the lid assembly including a base defining an axis, a sip ring rotatable about the axis with respect to the thread base, and an elevator assembly coupled to the sip ring. The elevator assembly includes an upper elevator and a lower elevator coupled to the upper elevator for co-rotation with the upper elevator. Rotation of the sip ring rotation of the sip ring is configured to cause the elevator assembly to translate along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventors: Ryan Curt Jones, Lauren B. Margolin
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Patent number: 11613457Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANYInventors: James Dalberg, Jevawn Sebastian Roberts, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 11613456Abstract: A consumable item dispenser and method may include an ingredient storage unit configured to store a consumable ingredient used to produce consumable items by the dispenser. A sensor may be configured to sense an amount of consumable ingredient remaining to be dispensed. An input/output unit may be configured to communicate data over a communications network. A processing unit may be in communication with the sensor, and be configured to authenticate an electronic device associated with an operator and register the electronic device associated with the operator. A determination as to whether an amount of the ingredient in the ingredient storage unit is at or below a threshold level. The processing unit may generate a notification indicative that the ingredient is at or below a threshold level, and communicate the notification to the operator in response to being generated.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: Udayan Joshi, Marc Katz, Matthew Arnwine, Scott Harrison
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Patent number: 11608258Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-purpose hydration station for dispensing different kinds of beverages, soft ice, ice, hot water and non-heated water. More specifically, the multi-purpose hydration station features a hot water dispenser unit, a non-heated water dispenser unit, a beverage dispenser unit, a soft ice dispenser unit and an ice maker for dispensing the user's requested item and eliminates the need to use separate dispensing machines to dispense different kinds of beverages or items. Additionally, the hydration station features a refrigeration and a non-refrigeration storage area to allow the users to store their items as per their requirements. The hydration station offers a convenient solution for setting up a hydration station that saves space, energy and expenses of the user.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Inventor: Shanette Jenkins
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Patent number: 11603305Abstract: A beverage system that produces a beer includes a first source comprising uHGB, a second source including a carbonated and/or nitrogenated water, a first fluid line fluidly coupled to the first source and configured to allow the uHGB to flow from the first source through the first fluid line, a second fluid line fluidly coupled to the second source and configured to allow the water to flow from the second source through the second fluid line, a mixing point, that fluidly couples the first fluid line to the second fluid line, configured to allow the uHGB to blend with the water at the mixing point to produce the beer, first and second one-way valves on either side of the mixing point, and a third fluid line fluidly coupled to the mixing point and configured to allow the beer to flow to a dispensing tap.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Alfa Laval Copenhagen A/SInventors: Ronan McGovern, John Cataldo, Natalie Ciaccia, Adam Weiner, Ricky Ma
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Patent number: 11596274Abstract: A foam discharge container is a foam discharge container for discharging foam in response to a pushing operation, and includes a discharge port which is opened in a direction opposite to a pushing direction of the pushing operation and discharges foam, and a pushing portion that keeps the distance between a discharge target body receiving foam and the discharge port constant.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: KAO CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Ohnishi
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Patent number: 11591201Abstract: The present application thus provides a beverage dispensing system for combining a micro-ingredient and a diluent. The beverage dispensing system may include a nozzle and a remote micro-ingredient storage system positioned at a distance from the nozzle. The remote micro-ingredient storage system may include a stirring reservoir in communication with the nozzle to agitate the micro-ingredient therein.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: THE COCA-COLA COMPANYInventors: Dick P. Welch, Brian R. Johnson
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Patent number: 11591203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: CHAGRINOVATIONS, LLCInventors: Curtis Taylor, Matthew Hanson
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Patent number: 11591200Abstract: A tool for opening and dispensing soft package contents which has two arms, a hinge connecting the arms, and a hollow prick. A soft package is placed between the two arms so the soft package contents can be opened and dispensed in an easy and sanitary manner through the hollow prick, after which the arms can be opened, and the soft package easily disposed.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Inventor: Christopher Robles
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Patent number: 11590793Abstract: Apparatus is provided for an accessory for a paint can. The apparatus comprises a roughly cylindrical frame disposed for being securely seated on a paint can, which may securely receive the original paint can lid or a replacement lid. The apparatus may further comprise a sealable spout; an air vent; a rod for wiping paint from a brush; concavities to allow the handle to be used; a splash guard; a collar for securing the apparatus to a paint can; and/or a lid. A user may use the apparatus to store paint, and paint using the paint in the can, or poured from the can, without paint being wasted and covering the can. Paint on the can, or air leaks, creates problems: the paint in the can dries, or the information on the outside of the can and/or can lid is obscured, which the present invention solves.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Inventor: Adrien Casey
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Patent number: 11591206Abstract: A contactless autofill dispenser includes a housing and a dispense area for receiving a cup. The dispenser includes a supply of consumable product disposed within the housing. The dispenser includes an outlet connected to the supply and extending from the housing into the dispense area for dispensing the consumable product into the cup. The dispenser includes a controller disposed within the housing and connected to the supply, wherein the controller is configured to control dispensing of the consumable product from the outlet. The dispenser includes a time of flight sensor attached to or with a direct line of sight into the dispense area and connected to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Kazim A. Khan, Terry Tae-il Chung
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Patent number: 11591205Abstract: A touchless beverage dispensing valve assembly includes a nozzle and a valve configured to control a flow of a substance through the valve to the nozzle. A solenoid is configured to operate the valve between open and closed conditions. A trigger sensor includes an optical sensor and a controller. The controller executes a trigger sensor control module to receive an output from the optical sensor and operate the solenoid to control the valve between the open condition and the closed condition. A feedback device is operable to selectively provide a visual indication an operational status of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2021Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Bendig, E. Scott Sevcik, David K. Njaastad
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Patent number: 11584630Abstract: This disclosure relates to a sanitary fitting for dispensing prepared liquids, for example, for beverages. A disclosed system includes a first control element for setting a quantity of the prepared liquid to be dispensed and an actuating element for providing the quantity of prepared liquid set by means of the first control element, wherein at least one second control element is configured to select a type of preparation, for example, from at least two different types of preparation, of non-prepared liquid, wherein the first and the at least one second control element are actuatable independently of one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: BLANCO GMBH + CO KGInventors: Thomas Funke, Özkan Kaya
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Patent number: 11584632Abstract: An example of a beverage dispenser includes a nozzle and a valve coupled upstream of the nozzle. A sensor is operable to detect an object within a detection zone and provide a signal representative of a distance between the object and the sensor. A controller is configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a sub-zone from a plurality of sub-zones within the detection zone in which the object is located. The valve is controlled between an open condition to dispense the substance through the nozzle and a closed condition based upon the determined sub-zone.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Christopher D. Coul, James Bendig
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Patent number: 11585267Abstract: The invention includes a system to reduce deposits from a surface of an intake valve, preferably in a GDI engine. The system includes a delivery device having a reservoir for holding a cleaning agent. The reservoir has a body that defines an interior space, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior space of the reservoir body. The delivery device has a delivery conduit that extends from the outlet port and terminates at a distal end. The proximal end of the delivery conduit is in fluid communication with the outlet port. An actuator having an open position and a closed position is included in the delivery device. Upon activation of the actuator from a closed position to an open position, a portion of the cleaning agent flows from the interior space through the outlet port and is delivered under pressure to distal end of the delivery conduit.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: CRC Industries, Inc.Inventors: Melodee Nemeth, Julie Williams
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Patent number: 11577890Abstract: An example beverage container lid is provided. The beverage container lid includes a lid body including a first opening formed therein. The beverage container lid includes a latch structure pivotably coupled relative to the lid body. The latch structure includes a first sealing element configured to align with the first opening and open or close the first opening in the lid body during pivoting of the latch structure relative to the lid body. The latch structure includes an engagement assembly configured to releasably engage with the lid body to allow for positioning of the latch structure in three or more operational mode positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: LWD-BB INC.Inventors: Nathan Woody, Dennis Wootten, Paul Hammerstrom, Josh Yablon
