Patents by Inventor Jeff Allison
Jeff Allison 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).
-
Publication number: 20240057807Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Publication number: 20240057908Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid reservoir and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. An inlet adapter is removably coupleable to the housing. A user can engage an actuator to move a plunger from a first position in which the fluid reservoir has a first volume, to a second position in which the fluid reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume, which draws bodily fluid into the fluid reservoir via the inlet adapter. The actuator modulates a plunger rate of motion below a threshold as the plunger is moved. When a predetermined volume of bodily fluid is transferred into the fluid reservoir, a volume indicator transitions from a first state to a second state and the inlet adapter can then be removed to transfer the predetermined volume into a sample bottle external to the housing via the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. BULLINGTON, Jeff ALLISON, Brian SHAY, Joshua D. MARUSKA, John Andrew JOHNSON, Shan E. GAW
-
Patent number: 11786155Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid reservoir and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. An inlet adapter is removably coupleable to the housing. A user can engage an actuator to move a plunger from a first position in which the fluid reservoir has a first volume, to a second position in which the fluid reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume, which draws bodily fluid into the fluid reservoir via the inlet adapter. The actuator modulates a plunger rate of motion below a threshold as the plunger is moved. When a predetermined volume of bodily fluid is transferred into the fluid reservoir, a volume indicator transitions from a first state to a second state and the inlet adapter can then be removed to transfer the predetermined volume into a sample bottle external to the housing via the port.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Bullington, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, Joshua D. Maruska, John Andrew Johnson, Shan E. Gaw
-
Patent number: 11779150Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Publication number: 20230225546Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Patent number: 11259665Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Izaak Matthew Koller, Brian Shay, Harold A Brown, Jared Drinkwater, Levi Makaio Miller, Jeff Allison, Peter Bristol
-
Publication number: 20210235920Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Patent number: 11013362Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Publication number: 20200253524Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing that defines a fluid reservoir and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. An inlet adapter is removably coupleable to the housing. A user can engage an actuator to move a plunger from a first position in which the fluid reservoir has a first volume, to a second position in which the fluid reservoir has a second volume greater than the first volume, which draws bodily fluid into the fluid reservoir via the inlet adapter. The actuator modulates a plunger rate of motion below a threshold as the plunger is moved. When a predetermined volume of bodily fluid is transferred into the fluid reservoir, a volume indicator transitions from a first state to a second state and the inlet adapter can then be removed to transfer the predetermined volume into a sample bottle external to the housing via the port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Magnolia Medical Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. BULLINGTON, Jeff ALLISON, Brian SHAY, Joshua D. MARUSKA, John Andrew JOHNSON, Shan E. GAW
-
Publication number: 20200030628Abstract: A phototherapeutic system in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a housing at least partially defining an irradiation zone configured to accommodate at least a portion of a human subject. The system further comprises an ultraviolet (UV) radiation source configured to direct UV radiation along a radiation path extending from the radiation source to the irradiation zone. The radiation source includes a concentrated source at which UV radiation is generated, and a collimating reflector (or lens) configured to reflect (or refract) the UV radiation and thereby increase collimation of the UV radiation. The system still further comprises a filter, a spreader, and a collimator disposed successively farther downstream from the radiation source along the radiation path. The spreader and the collimator respectively decrease and increase collimation of the UV radiation before the UV radiation reaches the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2017Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: BeneSol, Inc.Inventors: William Alexander MOFFAT, Keith KIRKWOOD, Jeff STEWART, Jeff ALLISON, Brian SHAY, Ned NESTOROVIC
-
Publication number: 20190290051Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Izaak Matthew Koller, Brian Shay, Harold A Brown, Jared Drinkwater, Levi Makaio Miller, Jeff Allison, Peter Bristol
-
Patent number: 10314426Abstract: A system for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, is provided. The system may have more than one brew module. The system allows a user to quickly and easily brew a variety of types of single-cup portions of a beverage. In some embodiments, the system may brew a single-cup portion of coffee in a relatively short period of time based on a combination of certain parameters. The system may include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles. The system may also include apparatus configured to substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. The system may also include apparatus configured to provide a precise dose of material based on, for example, volume of the material. Methods and apparatus for brewing a beverage are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Izaak Koller, Brian Shay, Harold A. Brown, Jared Drinkwater, Levi Makaio Miller, Jeff Allison, Peter Bristol
-
Publication number: 20180199750Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Patent number: 9930987Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Patent number: 9402406Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
-
Publication number: 20150135966Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for brewing a desired portion of a beverage, such as a single-cup portion of coffee, are provided. The system can include one or more hopper assemblies configured to provide a controlled dose of beverage material to a brew chamber. The system can also include a water input system configured to wet the ground beverage material as the grinds enter the brew chamber and substantially prevent steam from reaching grinder components of the system. Further, the system can include an automatic cleaning mechanism such that a user does not need to manually clean components of a brewing machine between brew cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Randy Hulett, David Doucette, Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Amanda L. Juris, Jeff Allison, Brian Shay, John Andrew Johnson, Roland Horth, Steve Frankovich, Glenn Klecker, Stephen Hoyt Hancock, Marc Singer
-
Publication number: 20140106042Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages at a rapid rate by enabling removal of spent flavor base (e.g., coffee grounds) from a brewing chamber. In one embodiment, a filter is provided in fixed attachment with a wiper. After a brewed beverage is forced from the brewing chamber through the filter, the filter can be removed from the brew chamber. Removal of the filter causes the wiper to pass over the brew chamber, sweeping away spent flavor base and preparing the brew chamber for subsequent use. In some embodiments, a scraper may be positioned such that removal of the filter from the brew chamber causes the scraper to remove spent flavor base from the filter and/or wiper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: STARBUCKS CORPORATIONInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
-
Patent number: 8621982Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the brewing of beverages from a liquid, such as water, and a flavor base, such as tea, cocoa, or coffee. Specifically, aspects of the present disclosure enable the brewing of beverages with a level of precision that can yield a uniform taste from cup to cup, and at a rapid rate. In one embodiment, a liquid is heated in a reservoir to a predetermined temperature. Prior to brewing a beverage with the liquid, the liquid may be passed through a temperature control unit to cool the liquid to a desired brewing temperature. By utilizing such a temperature control unit, the brewing temperature can be varied on a per-beverage basis. Moreover, utilization of a temperature control unit can enable the liquid to be brought to a desired brewing temperature relatively rapidly.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
-
Patent number: 8371211Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison
-
Publication number: 20110088560Abstract: A machine for brewing a beverage such as coffee includes a chamber and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston is operable to move to a first position to allow the chamber to receive a liquid and a flavor base such as ground coffee, to remain in the first position for a time sufficient for the beverage to brew, and to move to a second position to dispense the beverage by forcing the beverage out of the chamber. By modifying some or all steps of the French press brewing technique, the machine can typically control coffee-brewing parameters with a level of precision that yields brewed coffee having a uniform taste from cup to cup, and can typically brew the coffee with a speed that renders the machine suitable for use by establishments that serve significant amounts of coffee.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: Starbucks CorporationInventors: Zander Nosler, Randy Hulett, Jorah Wyer, Michael Baum, Jeff Allison