Patents by Inventor Gregory G. Stettes
Gregory G. Stettes 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).
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Publication number: 20220330761Abstract: A food holding apparatus and associated components and methods. The food holding apparatus includes a food holding unit and at least one food pan transporter. A food pan is stowable in a food pan receiving location of the food holding apparatus. The food pan is moveable by the pan transporter into and out of the food pan receiving location.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Gregory G. Stettes, Tim Howard
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Publication number: 20220233023Abstract: Pan storage apparatus, components thereof, and associated methods. A pan storage apparatus can include a housing including a pan support surface for supporting a pan. The pan storage apparatus can include cover support structure for supporting a cover to cover an open top of the pan when the pan is supported by the pan support surface. A variety of covers can be used, and/or the covers can be rearranged to accommodate holding different types, sizes, and/or arrangements of pans. Desirably, the covers are retained in the housing when the pans are inserted into or removed from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Gregory G. Stettes, Douglas Michael Lewis, Alan B. Mosely, JR.
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Patent number: 8087542Abstract: An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry mix with water to produce a whipped fluid slurry for a beverage. The mixing apparatus includes an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry. A whipping chamber is connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry and further includes an impeller that induces fluid turbulence to produce the whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Patent number: 8070019Abstract: An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry product mix with liquid to produce a mixed beverage. The apparatus includes a product canister containing the dry product mix. The product canister includes a dispensing mechanism that dispensed a portion of the mix through an outlet. During dispensing, a plurality of agitators positioned within the product canister and in contact with the product mix displaces the product mix, thereby keeping the product mix loose and lifted and resulting in a more evenly distributed product mix feed for dispensing through the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Patent number: 7912579Abstract: A vending machine automatically detects the size of a customer-selected container or cup placed in the dispensing area of the vending apparatus to receive a dispensed beverage. A plurality of sensors positioned proximate the container receiving area detects the container's size (e.g., small/large; small/medium/large). In response, the vending machine conveys or illuminates to the customer one or more of the available beverage selections (provided by the vending machine) indicating which of the beverage selections is available based on the detected cup size.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Crane Merchandising SystemsInventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Patent number: 7885520Abstract: A dual heater element for heating a liquid for use in a vending apparatus is provided. The heater element includes two elements. A first heating element is operable for use at a conventional first operating voltage or range (e.g., 120 VAC) while a separate second heating element is operable for use with a conventional second operating voltage or range (e.g., 230 VAC). A first pair of terminals coupled to the first heating element and a second pair of terminals coupled to the second heating element are selectively and/or interchangeably connected to a pair of line voltage terminals. The configuration of the line voltage electrical system and the use of a heater element with dual elements each operating (normal operation) at different voltages or voltage ranges allows the vending apparatus to be manufactured without variation in components and enables dual voltage source operation for two different line voltages (e.g., line voltage supply is either 120 VAC or 230 VAC).Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: Crane Merchandising Systems, Inc.Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Publication number: 20080164274Abstract: A vending machine automatically detects the size of a customer-selected container or cup placed in the dispensing area of the vending apparatus to receive a dispensed beverage. A plurality of sensors positioned proximate the container receiving area detects the container's size (e.g., small/large; small/medium/large). In response, the vending machine conveys or illuminates to the customer one or more of the available beverage selections (provided by the vending machine) indicating which of the beverage selections is available based on the detected cup size.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Publication number: 20080164284Abstract: An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry mix with water to produce a whipped fluid slurry for a beverage. The mixing apparatus includes an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry. A whipping chamber is connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry and further includes an impeller that induces fluid turbulence to produce the whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Publication number: 20080163760Abstract: A dual heater element for heating a liquid for use in a vending apparatus is provided. The heater element includes two elements. A first heating element is operable for use at a conventional first operating voltage or range (e.g., 120 VAC) while a separate second heating element is operable for use with a conventional second operating voltage or range (e.g., 230 VAC). A first pair of terminals coupled to the first heating element and a second pair of terminals coupled to the second heating element are selectively and/or interchangeably connected to a pair of line voltage terminals. The configuration of the line voltage electrical system and the use of a heater element with dual elements each operating (normal operation) at different voltages or voltage ranges allows the vending apparatus to be manufactured without variation in components and enables dual voltage source operation for two different line voltages (e.g., line voltage supply is either 120 VAC or 230 VAC).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Publication number: 20080163756Abstract: An apparatus, method and vending system mixes a dry product mix with liquid to produce a mixed beverage. The apparatus includes a product canister containing the dry product mix. The product canister includes a dispensing mechanism that dispensed a portion of the mix through an outlet. During dispensing, a plurality of agitators positioned within the product canister and in contact with the product mix displaces the product mix, thereby keeping the product mix loose and lifted and resulting in a more evenly distributed product mix feed for dispensing through the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Gregory G. Stettes
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Patent number: 7036688Abstract: The present invention relates to the mixing of dry beverage mixes with water. It presents an apparatus for whipping a fluid slurry comprising of an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry, a whipping chamber connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry, an impeller located in the whipping chamber, one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber, wherein the impeller induces fluid turbulence that produces a whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above the indentations, and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Crane Co.Inventors: Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
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Publication number: 20030015546Abstract: The present invention relates to the mixing of dry beverage mixes with water. It presents an apparatus for whipping a fluid slurry comprising of an inlet for receiving an unwhipped fluid slurry, a whipping chamber connected to the inlet for whipping the unwhipped fluid slurry, an impeller located in the whipping chamber, one or more indentations in the surface of the whipping chamber, wherein the impeller induces fluid turbulence that produces a whipped fluid slurry when the impeller rotates above the indentations, and an outlet for discharging the whipped fluid slurry.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Inventors: Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
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Publication number: 20020002831Abstract: An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: January 10, 2002Applicant: CRANE CO.Inventors: John Huffman, Ronald P. Petersen, Mark R. Henning, Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
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Patent number: 6301908Abstract: An ice making device including a control system to regulate the dispensing of manufactured ice to a hopper for subsequent dispensing into a container such as a cup. The control system senses a low level of ice in the hopper and initiates a signal that is sent to a controller. The controller initiates a time delay that prevents discharge of ice from the ice making device to the hopper until a monitored variable about the ice meets a predetermined value. When the value is reached, additional ice is dispensed to the hopper. Such an ice making device has use in combination with a beverage dispensing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1999Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Crane Co.Inventors: John Huffman, Ronald P. Petersen, Mark R. Henning, Gregory G. Stettes, Franklin D. Newkirk
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Patent number: D481418Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Crane Co.Inventors: Alistair John Meldrum, Gregory G. Stettes, David W. Duncan, Kenneth G. Albers