Patents by Inventor Francis Nutter

Francis Nutter 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).

  • Method and apparatus for beverage formation with pneumatically sealed reservoir
    Patent number: 8516948
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. An access opening for a reservoir of a brewer may be opened (e.g., to allow a user to provide liquid into the reservoir for forming a beverage), and thereafter, the access opening of the reservoir may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed. The access opening may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed by closing a lid of the reservoir, e.g., by a user pressing down on the lid. Pneumatic sealing of the reservoir may allow the water in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir for flow to the brew chamber by introducing air pressure into the reservoir, e.g., by an air pump. The reservoir may be vented during heating of the water, and during pressurization of the reservoir for delivery of the brew water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Keurig, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer Zimmerman, Constance L. Fortini, Darius Dilmaghani, Finn Brudevold, Francis Nutter, James E. Shepard
  • Method and apparatus for beverage formation with pneumatically sealed reservoir
    Publication number: 20080134902
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. An access opening for a reservoir of a brewer may be opened (e.g., to allow a user to provide liquid into the reservoir for forming a beverage), and thereafter, the access opening of the reservoir may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed. The access opening may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed by closing a lid of the reservoir, e.g., by a user pressing down on the lid. Pneumatic sealing of the reservoir may allow the water in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir for flow to the brew chamber by introducing air pressure into the reservoir, e.g., by an air pump. The reservoir may be vented during heating of the water, and during pressurization of the reservoir for delivery of the brew water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Keurig, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jennifer Zimmerman, Constance L. Fortini, Darius Dilmaghani, Finn Brudevold, Francis Nutter, James E. Shepard