Patents by Inventor James J. Farrell
James J. Farrell 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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Patent number: 9833109Abstract: A machine prepares semi-frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reflected or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation in all times.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: F'REAL FOODS, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges
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Patent number: 9579615Abstract: A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: f'real Foods LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Chris M. Bradley, Gage C. Cauchois, Steve T. Connell, Clayton G. Gardner, Shek Fai Lau, Joseph M. Lehman
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Patent number: 9420917Abstract: A method for blending food or beverages, preferably using a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door, that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder up. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Clayton G. Gardner, Steve T. Connell, Shek Fai Lau, Gage C. Cauchois, Joseph M. Lehman, Chris M. Bradley, Alan S. Crarer, Jeffrey A. Tilley
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Patent number: 9386882Abstract: A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Clayton G. Gardner, Steve T. Connell, Shek Fai Lau, Gage C. Cauchois, Joseph M. Lehman, Chris M. Bradley, Alan S. Crarer, Jeffrey A. Tilley
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Publication number: 20150190014Abstract: A machine prepares semi-frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reflected or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation in all times.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges
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Patent number: 8905626Abstract: A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: f'real foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens Peter Voges, Kathleen Ann Scheible
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Patent number: 8763515Abstract: A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J Farrell, Jens Peter Voges
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Publication number: 20130341446Abstract: A blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door; that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Clayton G. Gardner, Steve T. Connell, Shek Fai Lau, Gage C. Cauchois, Joseph M. Lehman, Chris M. Bradley, Alan S. Crarer, Jeffrey A. Tilley
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Publication number: 20130344220Abstract: A cupholder for a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The cupholder preferably has a generally cylindrically shaped body having a bottom and open top. A cupholder upper lip is preferably formed along the upper edge of the cupholder body. The cupholder upper lip preferably has an overhanging front portion that allows a user to slide his or her fingers underneath the overhang to conveniently push the cupholder into the cupholder receiving area or pull it out. A portion of the cupholder lip preferably also has substantially straight side edges to prevent the cupholder from rotating during the blending process. On the sides of the cupholder lip are preferably two lip indentations which allow a user to easily remove a cup with food or beverage from the cupholder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Gage C. Cauchois
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Publication number: 20130343150Abstract: A removable spindle for a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The spindle preferably includes a quick release coupling member, a rotating shaft, cup cover and rotating cutting blades. To facilitate cleaning of the spindle assembly, the quick release coupling member allows the spindle to be quickly detached from the blender. The rotating shaft is preferably housed in an outer sleeve for structural/alignment purposes and to keep the shaft free from food/beverage particles. Slidably attached to the outside of the outer sleeve and trapped between the quick release coupling member and the rotating cutting blades is a moveable cup cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Gage C. Cauchois, Steve T. Connell
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Publication number: 20130341439Abstract: A method for blending food or beverages, preferably using a blender that is compact enough for home use, rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing, with a front housing door, that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, a cupholder lip will be grasped by the clamping jaw of an elevator assembly to lift the cupholder up. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly will then continue to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: F'real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Clayton G. Gardner, Steve T. Connell, Shek Fai Lau, Gage C. Cauchois, Joseph M. Lehman, Chris M. Bradley, Alan S. Crarer, Jeffrey A. Tilley
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Publication number: 20130344221Abstract: A blender for home or commercial use that is rugged enough to blend frozen beverages, simple to use and safe. The blender includes an upper housing with a front housing door that covers the moving blending machinery. The blender also includes a cupholder receiving area which allows the user to safely insert a frozen food or beverage cup inside a cupholder for blending. After the start button is pressed, the cup and cupholder will be lifted together for blending in a balanced, linear motion by an elevator assembly. Dual lead screws or a dual belt drive are preferably used in the elevator assembly to achieve this balanced, linear motion. As the cupholder is lifted upward, a cover will be pressed over the top opening of the inserted cup to prevent spillage during blending. The elevator assembly continues to lift the cupholder upward until the rotating cutter blades of a spindle assembly cut through successive layers of the frozen food or beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Inventors: James J. Farrell, Jens P. Voges, Chris M. Bradley, Gage C. Cauchois, Steve T. Connell, Clayton G. Gardner, Shek Fai Lau, Joseph M. Lehman
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Patent number: 8549801Abstract: Dwellings made from energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly materials, and having optional provision for storing and charging an electric vehicle. Dwellings according to some embodiments comprise a backbone cable having a microprocessor attached thereto, as well as a plurality of functional devices in communication with the microprocessor via the backbone cable. A plurality of photovoltaic panels are present on the roof of the dwelling in some embodiments, and the power generated by the photovoltaic panels is sufficient to completely, or nearly-completely, supply all electrical power needs for the dwelling. Financing methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Inventors: James J. Farrell, III, Paul Bleck
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Publication number: 20110242931Abstract: A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: F'REAL FOODS, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Clayton Gardner
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Publication number: 20110239868Abstract: A container for containing food and/or beverage ingredients is described. The container is of a type which may be supported in a support while the ingredients inside the container are processed, such as by a rotating blade or other mechanism. The container includes anti-rotation elements positionable in anti-rotational contact with a corresponding protruding portion in a container support in a manner which restricts rotational movement of the vessel relative to the container support.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2011Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: F'REAL FOODS, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Clayton Gardner
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Publication number: 20110088568Abstract: A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: F'Real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens Peter Voges
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Publication number: 20110088558Abstract: A machine prepares semi frozen food products and/or beverages from pre-prepared (e.g. frozen) cups. A user chooses the desired frozen cup, inserts it into the machine, chooses how they would like it prepared from a range of thickness options, and the machine then opens a sealed chamber door and inserts the product upward into the chamber and prepares the product by blending it in the cup. Upon removal of the product and resealing of the chamber door, the cleaning mechanisms provide thorough cleaning of all food contact surfaces and the chamber interior. Automatic high temperature steam sanitation takes place in the chamber if the machine is not used for an extended period of time, thus greatly reducing or eliminating the need for manual cleansing and sanitation by an attendant and ensuring healthy food preparation at all times.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: F'Real Foods, LLCInventors: James J. Farrell, Jens Peter Voges
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Patent number: 7520662Abstract: The present application describes a method for rinsing a splash shield with water or a sanitizing solution. According to the disclosed method, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a mixing machine, and a splash shield is positioned to shield the opening of the vessel. After the material within the vessel is mixed by a mixing element, the splash shield is separated from the vessel and rinsed by a nozzle on the mixing machine. In another embodiment, a vessel containing contents to be mixed is positioned in a holder on a mixing machine, and a splash shield (which may or may not be rinseable) is positioned over the opening of the vessel. The contents of the vessel are mixed using a mixing element. During and/or after mixing, opposed relative movement of the mixing element and vessel may occur, creating an upward lifting force on the vessel. The weight of the shield is sufficient to overcome this upward lifting force on the vessel and thereby causes the vessel to remain seated in the holder.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: f'REAL? Foods, LLCInventor: James J. Farrell
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Patent number: D752508Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Inventors: Paul Bleck, James J. Farrell, III
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Patent number: D772156Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Inventors: Paul Bleck, James J. Farrell, III