Patents Examined by Stephen L Akridge
  • Patent number: 9886810
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dispenser interface, associated methods and systems, and dispensers employing the dispenser interface and associated systems and methods. An example embodiment provides a product dispenser assembly for dispensing a product. The dispenser comprises a dispenser controller having a first communication interface; and a communication controller having a second communication interface. The second communication interface is operatively connected to the first communication interface. The communication controller is configured to be in communication with one or more devices. The communication controller is configured to receive a command from one of the one or more devices; and provide the command to the dispenser controller. The dispenser controller and communication controller are configured to cause (a) product to be dispensed, (b) dispenser data to be stored, or (c) dispenser data to be communicated in accordance with the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David Warren Murphy
  • Patent number: 9844294
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the consumption by an infant of beverages produced from capsules in a beverage production machine. Capsule information regarding a plurality of different types of capsules is stored in a server. Further at least one user account including personal information about the infant consuming beverage produced from capsules is stored in said server. A beverage is produced from a capsule and the capsule used therefore by the beverage production machine is identified. The information on the identified capsule is transmitted to the server; such information including at least the date and time the beverage is prepared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Yann Epars, Mark Shepherd, Florian Jacquier, Daniel Roland Manser
  • Patent number: 9840407
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of beverage sources each containing a beverage component, and at least one flow valve connected to one or more of the beverage sources and operable to control a flow of the beverage component therefrom. The system further includes a graphical display that presents a plurality of available beverages and a gesture capture device that receives a selection gesture input to select a beverage from the plurality of available beverages. A controller is also included that adjusts the at least one flow valve based on the selection gesture input to dispense the selected beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincenzo DiFatta, Jeffrey Joray, Christopher Knight