Patents by Inventor Donald R. Buttle

Donald R. Buttle 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: 5662955
    Abstract: A coffee grinder which has several different automatic grinding capacities is connected to a coffee brewer which has several different automatic brewing capacities by a control that inhibits brewing of all but the corresponding brew capacity following grinding of a quantity of coffee. The grinder is also inhibited from grinding any more coffee until the appropriate brew cycle of the coffee brewer is started. Once the corresponding brewing cycle is selected, the coffee grinder is reset and any grinding capacity may be selected. A calibration mode for the coffee grinder and the coffee brewer is provided wherein the duration of the grinding cycle or brewing cycle, respectively, is set by manually initiating the cycle and then halting of the cycle when the appropriate capacity is reached. The duration of the cycle is then set for subsequent automatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: National Controls Corporation
    Inventors: William A Joseph, Jr., Donald R. Buttle, David G. Motkowski
  • Patent number: 5660336
    Abstract: A coffee grinder which has several different automatic grinding capacities is connected to a coffee brewer which has several different automatic brewing capacities by a control that inhibits brewing of all but the corresponding brew capacity following grinding of a quantity of coffee. The grinder is also inhibited from grinding any more coffee until the appropriate brew cycle of the coffee brewer is started. Once the corresponding brewing cycle is selected, the coffee grinder is reset and any grinding capacity may be selected. A calibration mode for the coffee grinder and the coffee brewer is provided wherein the duration of the grinding cycle or brewing cycle, respectively, is set by manually initiating the cycle and then halting of the cycle when the appropriate capacity is reached. The duration of the cycle is then set for subsequent automatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: National Controls Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Joseph, Jr., Donald R. Buttle, David G. Motkowski
  • Patent number: 5417145
    Abstract: A coffee grinder which has several different automatic grinding capacities is connected to a coffee brewer which has several different automatic brewing capacities by a control that inhibits brewing of all but the corresponding brew capacity following grinding of a quantity of coffee. The grinder is also inhibited from grinding any more coffee until the appropriate brew cycle of the coffee brewer is started. Once the corresponding brewing cycle is selected, the coffee grinder is reset and any grinding capacity may be selected. A calibration mode for the coffee grinder and the coffee brewer is provided wherein the duration of the grinding cycle or brewing cycle, respectively, is set by manually initiating the cycle and then halting of the cycle when the appropriate capacity is reached. The duration of the cycle is then set for subsequent automatic operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: National Controls Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Joseph, Jr., Donald R. Buttle, David G. Motkowski
  • Patent number: 5285705
    Abstract: A beverage mixing apparatus such as a coffee grinding and brewing apparatus is provided with an operative cycle which includes the transportation of a predetermined amount of a solid component of a beverage mixture from a storage compartment to and through a passageway into a mixing chamber wherein the liquid component of the beverage is mixed with the solid component. The apparatus further comprises a valve assembly associated with the passageway and having a plate movable between a closed position and an open position. The plate defines an opening which registers with the passageway when the plate is in the open position. A solenoid is connected to the plate for moving the plate between its open and closed positions. When the plate is in its open position the solid component can be moved from the storage chamber to the mixing chamber. In the closed position, the plate prevents moisture from the mixture from moving to the storage chamber through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Grindmaster Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Buttle, Christopher J. Kenny, Brian D. Newnan
  • Patent number: 4721957
    Abstract: A parameter sensor system includes a sensor, one terminal of which is grounded on a metal chassis or the like. The ground potential of the metal chassis at the point of connection may shift above or below true ground potential due to the operation of other, high current devices also attached to the chassis. A switchable current source is connected to the second terminal of the sensor, and is turned on and off. A measuring circuit is also connected to the second terminal, and provides an output signal representative of the difference between the voltage on the second terminal when the current source is on and when it is off. The output signal varies as a direct function of sensor resistance, and is unaffected by shifts in ground voltage at the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Buttle