Patents by Inventor Michael A. Graef
Michael A. Graef 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: 20230141811Abstract: A cup dispensing system in an automated dispensing beverage dispensing system receives a first supply of cups at a first dispensing assembly with a first selective release device and receives a second supply of cups at a second dispensing assembly with a second selective release device. The first and second dispensing assemblies respectively coincide with first and second indexed locations on a cup conveyance system. The cup dispensing system operates to dispense a first cup from the first dispensing assembly to the first indexed location and a second cup from the second dispensing assembly to the second indexed location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Zachary Dresser, David Njaastad, Michael Graef, Daniel Muskin-Pierret, Brian Mathews, Kevin Michael Carrara
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Publication number: 20220170624Abstract: Example handle-integrated lighting assemblies including one or more lighting module(s) located substantially within a handle of a lid of a grill are described. An example lighting assembly configured to be coupled to a lid of a grill includes a handle and a lighting module. The handle includes a crossbar and a stem coupled to and oriented at an angle relative to the crossbar. The lighting module includes a light source located within the handle. The light source is configured to project light through the stem in a direction away from the crossbar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Douglas W. Masek, Nicholas M. Nanos, JR., Chris Crowell, Mark D'Ambrosio, James Keclik, Thomas J. Schnell, JR., Kerry S. Berland, Michael A. Graef, Nathan Mellas
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Publication number: 20220167792Abstract: Slidable waste management systems for cookboxes of grills are disclosed. An example waste management system is configured to be coupled to a cookbox of a grill. The example waste management system includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail that are couplable to the cookbox, The example waste management system further includes a waste tray slidably coupled to the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The waste tray is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The waste tray has an upper opening and a lower opening. The upper opening is configured to receive waste from the cookbox when the waste tray is in the closed configuration. The example waste management system further includes a waste bin coupled to and located below the waste tray. The waste bin is configured to receive the waste from the waste tray via the lower opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Douglas W. Masek, James Keclik, Michael A. Graef, Brian Mathews, Nathan Mellas, Nathan Ioriatti, Nicholas M. Nanos, JR.
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Publication number: 20220167791Abstract: Example adjustable warming racks for cookboxes of grills are disclosed. An example warming rack is configured to be coupled to a cookbox of a grill. The example warming rack includes a first rack and a second rack. The first rack has a hook configured to couple the warming rack to the cookbox. The second rack is pivotally coupled to the first rack. The second rack is movable relative to the first rack to transition the warming rack between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Douglas W. Masek, James Keclik, Michael A. Graef, Brian Mathews, Nathan Mellas, Nicholas M. Nanos, JR.
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Patent number: 11333346Abstract: Example handle-integrated lighting assemblies including one or more lighting module(s) located substantially within a handle of a lid of a grill are described. An example lighting assembly configured to be coupled to a lid of a grill includes a handle and a lighting module. The handle includes a crossbar and a stem coupled to and oriented at an angle relative to the crossbar. The lighting module includes a light source located within the handle. The light source is configured to project light through the stem in a direction away from the crossbar.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: WEBER-STEPHEN PRODUCTS LLCInventors: Douglas W. Masek, Nicholas M. Nanos, Jr., Chris Crowell, Mark D'Ambrosio, James Keclik, Thomas J. Schnell, Jr., Kerry S. Berland, Michael A. Graef, Nathan Mellas
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Patent number: 11318253Abstract: A dart syringe projectile includes a tubular body front and rear ends and a bore extending between said ends. A needle assembly is mounted on the body front end and a tail assembly is mounted on the body rear end. The body bore or the tail assembly receives a striker, a percussion cap positioned in front of the striker, an explosive charge positioned in front of the percussion cap and a plunger positioned in front of the explosive charge. A reservoir cavity in front of the plunger receives a substance for injection. The dart syringe projectile has a flight configuration with the substance in the reservoir cavity and an injection configuration with the plunger propelled forwardly by the explosive charge and the substance discharged from discharge ports in the needle, which are in spaced relation behind a needle tip.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Clear Dart, L.L.C.Inventors: Kevin D. Grace, Michael A. Graef
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Publication number: 20220048656Abstract: A strapping device includes a handle, a body, and an actuator. The handle includes an input device and a switch, the input device spaced from the switch by a biasing element that applies a bias force to the input device. The input device moves from a first state spaced from the switch to a second state contacting the switch responsive to receiving a force greater than the bias force. A circuit of the switch is closed responsive to the input device moving from the first state to the second state. The switch outputs an actuation signal responsive to the circuit being closed. The body includes a tensioner and a base including a strap receiver opposite the tensioner. The actuator moves the tensioner from a first tensioner position to a second tensioner position further from the strap receiver based on a movement force greater than the bias force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: SAMUEL, SON & CO. (USA) INC.Inventors: Michael A. Graef, Nathan C. Mellas
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Patent number: 11247792Abstract: A strapping device includes a body, a tensioner, and a handle. The body can have a first body end, a second body end, and a base extending between the first body end and the second body end. The tensioner can be coupled with the body and adjacent to the base, the body defining a strap axis between tensioner and the base, the tensioner applies a force to a strap received by the body along the strap axis. The handle can extend between a first handle end coupled with the first body end and a second handle end coupled with the second body end. The handle can be oriented at an angle relative to a plane parallel to the strap axis, the angle greater than or equal to 15 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc.Inventors: Nathan C. Mellas, Michael A. Graef, Rebecca L. Regan
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Patent number: 11219329Abstract: Systems and apparatus for dispensing edible granular material for a beverage include a hopper. The hopper includes at least a floor defining a bottom of the hopper. An auger includes an auger shaft, is positioned at the bottom of the hopper, and extends horizontally from the hopper. A tube is connected to the hopper and surrounds at least a portion of the auger. The tube extends away from the hopper. An outlet through the tube is located at an end of the tube distal from the hopper.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Elizabeth Bertness, Michael Graef
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Patent number: 11174051Abstract: A strapping device includes a handle, a body, and an actuator. The handle includes an input device and a switch, the input device spaced from the switch by a biasing element that applies a bias force to the input device. The input device moves from a first state spaced from the switch to a second state contacting the switch responsive to receiving a force greater than the bias force. A circuit of the switch is closed responsive to the input device moving from the first state to the second state. The switch outputs an actuation signal responsive to the circuit being closed. The body includes a tensioner and a base including a strap receiver opposite the tensioner. The actuator moves the tensioner from a first tensioner position to a second tensioner position further from the strap receiver based on a movement force greater than the bias force.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Samuel, Son & Co. (USA) Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Graef, Nathan C. Mellas
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Publication number: 20210106023Abstract: A clean in place assembly for a soft serve ice cream dispenser includes an ice cream dispenser. A clean in place system having a water tank including a heater disposed therein is attached to the ice cream dispenser. A control interface is disposed on the tank. The control interface is connected to operating circuitry of the ice cream dispenser. A nozzle of the ice cream dispenser is formed of a conductive metal material and includes a notch formed therein circumferentially about a portion of the nozzle and includes radiused surfaces that extend to portions of the nozzle that house O-rings.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: Kyle B. Elsom, Michael A. Graef, Ji Won Elizabeth Oh, Brian Mathews, Gary Paul Almblade
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Patent number: 10843358Abstract: Produce slicers for slicing produce include a frame. A blade assembly is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. A pusher head is removably and interchangeably received within the frame. The produce slicer includes a cover, at least one target ring in the cover defines a first target area. The blade assembly includes at least one blade set with a first frame bar and a second frame bar and a plurality of blades extend therebetween. The pusher head includes a pusher head body and at least one produce pusher with a plurality of fins extending in a direction away from the pusher head body.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Prince Castle LLCInventors: Mark Fastabend, Scott Hammac, Kyle Kestner, Anthony Caringella, Michael Graef, Julia Padvoiskis, Eric Larson
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Publication number: 20200262592Abstract: A strapping device includes a body, a tensioner, and a handle. The body can have a first body end, a second body end, and a base extending between the first body end and the second body end. The tensioner can be coupled with the body and adjacent to the base, the body defining a strap axis between tensioner and the base, the tensioner applies a force to a strap received by the body along the strap axis. The handle can extend between a first handle end coupled with the first body end and a second handle end coupled with the second body end. The handle can be oriented at an angle relative to a plane parallel to the strap axis, the angle greater than or equal to 15 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: SAMUEL, SON & CO. (USA) INC.Inventors: Nathan C. Mellas, Michael A. Graef, Rebecca L. Regan
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Publication number: 20200262591Abstract: A strapping device includes a handle, a body, and an actuator. The handle includes an input device and a switch, the input device spaced from the switch by a biasing element that applies a bias force to the input device. The input device moves from a first state spaced from the switch to a second state contacting the switch responsive to receiving a force greater than the bias force. A circuit of the switch is closed responsive to the input device moving from the first state to the second state. The switch outputs an actuation signal responsive to the circuit being closed. The body includes a tensioner and a base including a strap receiver opposite the tensioner. The actuator moves the tensioner from a first tensioner position to a second tensioner position further from the strap receiver based on a movement force greater than the bias force.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: SAMUEL, SON & CO. (USA) INC.Inventors: Michael A. Graef, Nathan C. Mellas
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Publication number: 20190313834Abstract: Systems and apparatus for dispensing edible granular material for a beverage include a hopper. The hopper includes at least a floor defining a bottom of the hopper. An auger includes an auger shaft, is positioned at the bottom of the hopper, and extends horizontally from the hopper. A tube is connected to the hopper and surrounds at least a portion of the auger. The tube extends away from the hopper. An outlet through the tube is located at an end of the tube distal from the hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Prince Castle LLCInventors: Elizabeth Bertness, Michael Graef
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Patent number: 10262433Abstract: Data eyeglasses include a first display, a camera, and an analyzing unit. The data eyeglasses is configured to: record the surroundings of the data eyeglasses via the camera, detect an image displayed by a second display in the recordings of the camera; detect that the displayed image has a marker for determining the pose of the data eyeglasses; detect the marker; and determine the pose of the data eyeglasses by use of the detected marker.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Wolfgang Spiessl, Matthias Roland Kaufmann, Michael Graef, Markus Gsinn
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Publication number: 20190060570Abstract: A dart syringe projectile includes a tubular body front and rear ends and a bore extending between said ends. A needle assembly is mounted on the body front end and a tail assembly is mounted on the body rear end. The body bore or the tail assembly receives a striker, a percussion cap positioned in front of the striker, an explosive charge positioned in front of the percussion cap and a plunger positioned in front of the explosive charge. A reservoir cavity in front of the plunger receives a substance for injection. The dart syringe projectile has a flight configuration with the substance in the reservoir cavity and an injection configuration with the plunger propelled forwardly by the explosive charge and the substance discharged from discharge ports in the needle, which are in spaced relation behind a needle tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kevin D. Grace, Michael A. Graef
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Patent number: D829047Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.Inventors: Jacob C. Greenberg, Michael Graef, Edward T. Eaton
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Patent number: D880235Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Prince Castle LLCInventors: Mark Fastabend, Kyle Kestner, Anthony Caringella, Michael Graef, Julia Padvoiskis, Eric Larson, Scott Hammac
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Patent number: D907958Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Prince Castle LLCInventors: Mark Fastabend, Kyle Kestner, Anthony Caringella, Michael Graef, Julia Padvoiskis, Eric Larson, Scott Hammac