Patents Examined by Frederick C. Nicolas
  • Sold out detection using a level sensor for a beverage dispenser
    Patent number: 11542146
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser for dispensing beverages and process may include a fluid container containing a fluid ingredient, a conduit fluidly connected to the fluid container, and an electrical conductivity sensor. The electrical conductivity sensor may be (i) fluidly connected to the conduit, and (ii) configured to sense an electrical conductivity of the fluid ingredient flowing through the conduit. The electrical conductivity sensor may further be configured to output (i) a first electrical signal in response to sensing an air bubble, and (ii) a second electrical signal in response to not sensing an air bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Doug McDougall, Brian Johnson, Dick P. Welch, Caitlin Lahey, Joshua Allen Maust
  • Apparatus for nitrogenizing a beverage
    Patent number: 11542145
    Abstract: An apparatus for nitrogenizing a beverage utilizing a container having a chamber with a plurality of baffles. The container also includes a nitrogen regulator in the form of a collapsible orifice at the base of the container. An agitator in the form of an impeller creates a shear on the beverage during delivery of a stream of nitrogen into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: TORR INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy E. Orr, Randy Anderson
  • Dispensing pump with locking structures and methods of using the same
    Patent number: 11541410
    Abstract: A dispensing pump includes a spring assembly and a locking arrangement to prevent the dispensing head from being deployed and/or actuated during shipment, stocking and pre-purchase handling. The dispensing pump includes a pump base, and a dispensing head having a piston stem. The spring assembly includes a slotted tubular spring element and first and second loading cones received at opposing ends of the slotted tubular spring element. Various locking arrangements may include interacting rotatable lugs provided between the dispensing head and the pump base, snap beads to retain the piston and dispensing head in a secured shipping position, and recyclable locking rings disposed between the dispensing head and pump base which prevent an active dispensing head from being actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eelco H. Deman, Jacqueline Jennette
  • Dispensation devices and methods of manufacture and use thereof
    Patent number: 11534781
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses various dispensation devices for dispensation of various volumes of content. For example, some of such content can include cream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Over the Top Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Luckow, Lori Gitomer, Elissa Harman, Robyn Scheck, Brent Lindberg, Martin Short, Robert Croft
  • Distributor
    Patent number: 11530126
    Abstract: The disclosure herein discloses a distributor, which includes a keg head, a valve element, an elastic member, and a valve element switch configured to control the valve element to act. The keg head is provided with a liquid inle, a liquid outlet, and a valve element mounting hole. The valve element includes a control portion controlling the communication or disconnection between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and a switch connecting portion configured to be connected to the valve element switch. The valve element is provided with a first matching body. The valve element switch is provided with a second matching body. The elastic member acts on the valve element such that the first matching body tends to move to abut against the second matching body. According to the disclosure herein, the valve element is in floating connection to the valve element switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ningbo Major Draft Beer Equipment Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xiaoyang Ye, Bangcai Luo
  • Fluid dispenser
    Patent number: 11530127
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser for use for birds and animals and for use to purify water for human consumption is described, the dispenser having a fluid container and a valve rod that move relative to each other to open and close valves to an inlet funnel at an upper end of the dispenser and to a fluid reservoir at a lower end of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Richard Mravik
  • Liquid container tilting apparatus and method
    Patent number: 11524887
    Abstract: A liquid container tilting apparatus designed for household and commercial use; made from a resilient material, capable of automatically tilting to a maximum tilt angle to optimize the draining of the last 1-6 cups of liquid from the container. As the liquid from the container drains, the tilting angle increases. The tilting apparatus is made of a base, a platform lever and a basket. The platform lever is part of the base. The basket holds the liquid container securely to the platform lever. The liquid container tilting apparatus can be cleaned and stored inside the liquid container or hung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventor: Keith Lauster Davis
  • Application system with improved seal
    Patent number: 11518601
    Abstract: An application system is presented having a cartridge, at least one first accessory part, for example a stopper, and at least one second accessory part, for example a static or dynamic mixer. The cartridge has at least one container with an outlet opening and at least one outlet connected to the container via the outlet opening on the end face of the cartridge, wherein the at least one outlet can be connected to the at least one first accessory part and the at least one second accessory part such that a seal is produced between the outlet and the respective accessory part. At least one separate seal plane is provided for each accessory part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Bublewitz, Jens-Peter Reber
  • Dispensing closure with plug sealing and locking lug
    Patent number: 11518579
    Abstract: A closure for a bottle includes an upper portion, a lower portion attached to the upper portion and including a flange extending inwardly from an interior wall of the lower portion, and the flange resides entirely within the lower portion. The closure further includes one or more grip elements located on an outer surface of the lower portion, and an annular sleeve disposed in the lower portion and including a set of interior threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: THE CLOROX COMPANY
    Inventors: Kerry D. Azelton, Benjamin Ma, Joshua R. Bush, Adam Frederick, Jon Markey, Alexandria Rinella
  • Cartridge, dispensing assembly and method of manufacturing a cartridge
    Patent number: 11518603
    Abstract: A cartridge for a medium to be dispensed includes a rigid head part having a dispensing outlet and a flexible film forming a cartridge wall. The film bounds a cartridge chamber for the medium and extends partially in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge. The head part includes a collar surrounding the dispensing outlet in a radially outer region of the head part, and the collar extends in the longitudinal direction and has an inner circumferential surface. A front end of the film is sealingly and non-releasably connected to the inner circumferential surface of the collar. Attachment of the film to the inner circumferential surface of the head part is at a contact surface that is different from the outer surface of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: MEDMIX SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Philipp Seiler, Tobias Bodenmüller
  • Applicators for applying fibers to surfaces
    Patent number: 11511312
    Abstract: An applicator for applying fibers to a surface is described herein. The applicator includes a body having a first end and a second end. The first end has a first opening configured to couple to a container housing the fibers and to receive the fibers from the container. The second end has a second opening for dispensing the fibers from the body. The applicator also includes an air flow generating member for creating an air current for propelling the fibers through the second opening as the fibres pass along a pathway between the first opening and the second opening. The fibers are directed along the pathway from the first opening towards the second opening and into the air current by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SURETHIK
    Inventors: Nick Dimakos, Steven Henry Fyke, Tim MacKay, Alina Oprea
  • Apparatus, system and method for filling a beverage container
    Patent number: 11511986
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a filling apparatus that can be connected to a valve on a keg, such as a Sankey-D valve, and can be used to pour alcohol and other liquids into the keg, which may be pre-filled with a non-alcoholic drink mix. The filling apparatus has an upper structure which is coupled to a lower portion configured to mate with a keg valve. The filling apparatus may be designed to depress portions of the keg valve to allow for both filling and venting of the keg simultaneously. The filling apparatus may further be designed with features to prevent liquid escape during degassing of the keg. The filling apparatus may include a Sankey-D coupler or a coupler with a probe portion as the lower body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Craft Standard Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: William Ray, Don Ray, Benjamin Simon
  • Ingredient dispensing in a fluid mixture system using monitored pressure
    Patent number: 11492246
    Abstract: Ingredient dispensing systems and methods in a fluid mixture system using a monitored chamber pressure are disclosed. One system includes a chamber, an inlet to the chamber, a set of ingredient reservoirs, in the chamber, storing a respective set of ingredients and sealed by a respective set of valve, a pressure source, and a controller. The system is programmed to set a pressure of the chamber using the pressure source and the inlet to the chamber. The system is also programmed to dispense, using the pressure, at least two ingredients from the respective set of ingredients by actuating at least two valves from the respective set of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Cana Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Springer, Jeffery Lance Kizer, Matthew Ambauen, Stephan Weidi Tai, Erik James Shahoian, David Friedberg, Andrés Ornelas Vargas, Simon Spence, Peter Delmenico, Andrew Christopher Jenkins, Nathan Andrew Ray, Kristopher Bernardo Dos Santos
  • Soap container
    Patent number: 11484160
    Abstract: A system for a soap container including a container assembly and a drawer assembly is disclosed. The container assembly includes a container. The container houses and maintains a sponge member and a soap solution readily available to a user for cleaning of a desired surface. The container includes a reservoir at a top portion. The reservoir has an open top face and is refilled through the top face once the soap solution is depleted. The reservoir is selectively sealed with a tray. A nozzle is attached to the reservoir to dispense the soap solution within. The drawer is removably secured to a slot at a lower portion of the container. The sponge member is removably secured within the drawer, such that when the drawer is opened, the sponge member is underneath of the nozzle, which is actuated to dispense the soap solution onto the sponge member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Nhut Huynh
  • Gusseted flexible container
    Patent number: 11485560
    Abstract: Flexible containers are provided herein. In some embodiments, the flexible containers include a front panel, a back panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel attached to form a pourable material storage area, wherein the front panel and the top panel include a hole in the front panel and the top panel to form a dispensing system passage, and wherein the dispensing system passage is not in fluid communication with the pourable material storage area. A dispensing system is attached to the top panel between the top panel and the back panel and extends through the dispensing system passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: GBS HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Justin Robert Crosby
  • Multi piece corrugated box assemblies, blanks, and systems for heavy bag in box dispensed products
    Patent number: 11485536
    Abstract: Corrugated box assemblies, blanks, and systems for individually shipping a bag of liquid stored therein and converting an inner portion into a bag-in-box dispenser are provided. An example box assembly includes an inner portion including a plurality of walls. The inner portion includes an interior configured to receive and store the bag of liquid, which may range from about 3 to 6 gallons. The inner portion further includes a removable perforation feature defined by a series of perforations on at least one of a front wall and a front top flap extending from the front wall. A top portion and a bottom portion each include a plurality of walls that, when formed, define an opening sized to fit around the inner portion. The box assembly may be configured to pass individual box shipping test standards, such as ISTA and SIOC test standards. Methods of forming the box assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORRUGATED LLC
    Inventor: Carl Anthony Bulls, Jr.
  • Spray nozzle clamp
    Patent number: 11484905
    Abstract: A nozzle clamp includes a body defining a first surface and an opposing second surface. The nozzle includes an arm pivotally connected to the body and configured to move between first and second positions. The arm includes a bore therethrough and a protrusion that is configured to contact the nozzle. The nozzle includes a fastener movable within the bore of the arm and configured to contact the second surface of the body. The clamp is movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. When the clamp is in the first configuration, the fastener is in contact with the second surface of the body, and the arm is precluded from being rotated relative to the body. When the clamp is in the second configuration, the fastener is not in contact with the second surface, and the arm is permitted to be pivoted relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Burmester, Sang Hyub Shin
  • Drink dispensing device
    Patent number: 11485625
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drink dispensing device which consists of a dividable or single-part cylinder (5), in which stand up bags (7) or bottles (25), (26) are introduced containing beverages that are dispensed through independent taps (10). The device is positioned on a table-top base (3), (4), or on an on-floor base (17), (18), and are connected by a screw (19). The device structure proposed by the present invention may serve in the mounting of one or two stand up bags or even more bags as long as a respective configuration and a respective size are ensured. There is no limitation in size or the type of liquids, which may be alcoholic beverages, juices, oil, vinegar, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Panagiotis Bilias
  • Device for dispensing a fluid product, and method for filling and for plugging same
    Patent number: 11478809
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser device including a body; a reservoir containing one or two doses of a fluid, the reservoir including a stopper that closes the reservoir in leaktight manner before actuation; a dispenser head that is provided with a dispenser orifice; and dispenser mechanism for dispensing at least a portion of the fluid through the dispenser orifice during actuation. The device further includes a needle having a tip that is adapted to pierce the stopper during actuation, the reservoir being filled with the fluid and being closed with the stopper under a vacuum, so that the residual volume of air present in the reservoir between the fluid and the stopper is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: APTAR FRANCE SAS
    Inventor: Fabien Adam
  • Method for sealing a fitment to a flexible container and flexible container comprising a fitment
    Patent number: 11479398
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for sealing a fitment to a flexible container. In an embodiment, the method includes placing a fitment into the neck of a four panel flexible container formed from flexible film. The process includes complementarily aligning a multiseal around a base of the fitment. The process includes providing a plurality of primary seals (and flaps), secondary seals, and tertiary seals onto the base with respective primary sealing jaws, secondary sealing jaws, and tertiary sealing jaws to form the multiseal, wherein the secondary seals overlap the primary seals, and the tertiary seals overlap the primary seals and the secondary seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Wilkes, John R. Kiffmeyer, Ryan N. French, Miguel Avalos