Patents by Inventor David A. Ricker

David A. Ricker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8561841
    Abstract: A concentrated flavor dispensing machine having displacement pumps for delivering between a fraction of a milliliter and a few ounces of fluids having a viscosity value between 1 to 4000 centepoise is described. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet for containing a multitude of displacement pumps, where each displacement pump is realizably connected to a disposable pre-filled fluid cartridge. Each displacement pump includes a stepper motor in engagement with a threaded drive rod that is advanced or retracted by any one of several predetermined distances. The drive rod impels a plunger positioned within the disposable cartridge to dispense a volume of fluid. Flexible capillary tubes connected to the output of each disposable cartridge direct the fluid to a central dispensing area. The disposable cartridge includes an expandable plunger which draws fluid back into the cartridge when the drive rod is withdrawn after a dispense operation for drip prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: A.C. Dispensing Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Erman, Chris Marshall, Avery Wilson, David A. Ricker, Michael McDougall, Kevin Stoneman, Ian MacLean
  • Patent number: RE46143
    Abstract: A concentrated flavor dispensing machine having displacement pumps for delivering between a fraction of a milliliter and a few ounces of fluids having a viscosity value between 1 to 4000 centepoise is described. The dispensing machine includes a cabinet for containing a multitude of displacement pumps, where each displacement pump is realizably connected to a disposable pre-filled fluid cartridge. Each displacement pump includes a stepper motor in engagement with a threaded drive rod that is advanced or retracted by any one of several predetermined distances. The drive rod impels a plunger positioned within the disposable cartridge to dispense a volume of fluid. Flexible capillary tubes connected to the output of each disposable cartridge direct the fluid to a central dispensing area. The disposable cartridge includes an expandable plunger which draws fluid back into the cartridge when the drive rod is withdrawn after a dispense operation for drip prevention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: A.C. DISPENSING EQUIPMENT, INC.
    Inventors: P. Gregory Erman, Chris Marshall, Avery Wilson, David A. Ricker, Michael McDougall, Kevin Stoneman, Ian MacLean