Patents by Inventor James P. Cunha
James P. Cunha 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: 6990391Abstract: A liquid or semi-frozen liquid beverage or dispenser apparatus which includes a storage compartment for a bulk storage container and which includes a controller to control operations of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a transceiver module on the dispenser, wherein transceiver module includes a memory and a RF transceiver. A replaceable bulk storage container includes a box transponder whereby a wireless communication link is established between the box transponder and the transceiver module when the bulk storage container is within the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: 6918258Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Kan-Pak, LLCInventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: 6766650Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2003Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Publication number: 20040060307Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Publication number: 20040060306Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2003Publication date: April 1, 2004Applicant: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: 6705106Abstract: A method of controlling semi-frozen liquid beverage in a dispensing machine having a bowl to contain the beverage, a motor to turn a helical auger blade within the bowl to scrape the semi-frozen beverage, and a compressor to cool the beverage. The method includes the steps of actuating the compressor to the bowl until the temperature of the beverage is cool to reach an initial set point. The compressor is deactivated after temperature of the beverage is cooled at or below a set point. Torque on the motor caused by resistance to the auger blade is sensed after a defined time period following switching off of the compressor. The compressor is activated if the torque on the motor is below a certain level and the temperature set point is lowered from the initial set point to a lower set point in order to cool the product.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: 6460580Abstract: A self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill apparatus and method for a semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage machine having a bowl to contain semi-frozen beverage. The apparatus includes at least one refrigerated storage cavity for receiving a bulk storage container of liquid beverage. A thermally conductive fluid coupling is attached to the bowl of the beverage machine. A fluid tube extends between the fluid. coupling and the storage container., A pump transports the liquid beverage from the bulk storage container through the coupling and into the bowl of the beverage machine in a totally refrigerated environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: 6434966Abstract: A self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill apparatus and method for a semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage machine having a bowl to contain semi-frozen beverage. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one refrigerated storage cavity in the housing for receiving a bulk storage container of liquid beverage. The housing includes a planar surface, the planar surface adapted to support the beverage machine thereon. A fluid conduit is provided for passing the beverage from the bulk storage container to the beverage machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Publication number: 20020023457Abstract: A self-contained liquid storage, delivery, and automatic fill apparatus and method for a semi-frozen or chilled liquid beverage machine having a bowl to contain semi-frozen beverage. The apparatus includes a housing having at least one refrigerated storage cavity in the housing for receiving a bulk storage container of liquid beverage. The housing includes a planar surface, the planar surface adapted to support the beverage machine thereon. A fluid conduit is provided for passing the beverage from the bulk storage container to the beverage machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2001Publication date: February 28, 2002Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: D461991Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: August 27, 2002Assignee: Kan-Pak, LLCInventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury
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Patent number: D489213Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Kan-Pak, L.L.C.Inventors: James P. Cunha, Dennis J. Cohlmia, James A. Steinbacher, Joel D. Hockenbury