Patents by Inventor John William Tobin

John William Tobin 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).

  • Dispensing machine
    Patent number: 7380494
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dispensing machine and method for making a beverage. The dispensing machine of this invention has a delivery means which can deliver beverage precursor and beverage enhancing component with a single pump. The method results in a beverage, such as a tea-based beverage, that has superior quality, and the dispensing machine is quieter and more energy efficient than standard beverage dispensing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Tobin, Mauro Dominick Mordini
  • Tea beverage with improved flavor
    Patent number: 7357956
    Abstract: The invention is directed to beverages with improved flavor. The beverages are not sour and have a monoprotic acidulant with a pKa of less than about 2.6 and/or a polyprotic acidulant with a pKa1 of less than about 2.6 and a pKa2 of less than about 3 or greater than about 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods, North America, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Shi-Qiu Zhang, Donald Joseph Hamm, John William Tobin
  • Beverage brewing system and method for brewing a beverage
    Patent number: 7182970
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a beverage brewing system and method for brewing a beverage. The brewing system is equipped to heat beverage extracts prior to mixing the beverage extract with solvent. The method results in a beverage, such as a tea-based beverage, that has no visible undissolved beverage extract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Lipton, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: John William Tobin
  • Beverage dispensing machine
    Patent number: 6792847
    Abstract: A brewing machine suitable to deliver beverage enhancing component to a beverage precursor is described. The brewing machine may be used to dispense a ready-to-drink tea beverage having superior aroma, flavor and color characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Unilever Bestfoods North America, a division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: John William Tobin, Martin John Spisak
  • Method for delivering flavor compounds to a beverage and a beverage comprising the flavor compounds
    Publication number: 20040086620
    Abstract: Fresh flavor is delivered to an on-premise beverage at the point of dispense. Flavor compounds are incorporated in a separate component and then the separated flavor component is mixed with beverage concentrate at the time of dispense to produce a superior beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Unilever Bestfoods North America
    Inventors: John William Tobin, Gregg Lance Lehmberg, June Qi-Zheng
  • Beverage dispensing machine
    Publication number: 20040050259
    Abstract: A brewing machine suitable to deliver beverage enhancing component to a beverage precursor is described. The brewing machine may be used to dispense a ready-to-drink tea beverage having superior aroma, flavor and color characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Unilever Bestfoods NA
    Inventors: John William Tobin, Martin John Spisak
  • Beverage brewing system and method for brewing a beverage
    Publication number: 20030116025
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a beverage brewing system and method for brewing a beverage. The brewing system is equipped to heat beverage extracts prior to mixing the beverage extract with solvent. The method results in a beverage, such as a tea-based beverage, that has no visible undissolved beverage extract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Unilever Bestfoods NA
    Inventor: John William Tobin