Patents by Inventor Michael A. Zizas

Michael A. Zizas 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).

  • Patent number: 7269960
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Elsom, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Daniel C. Leaver, Michael A. Zizas, Donald E. Wiley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7263853
    Abstract: A machine mounting adapter accommodates mounting of a variety of differently dimensioned machines on top of a standard sized base machine, and in particular enables any one of a number of differently sized ice machines to be mounted on top of a given ice dispenser. The adapter includes both a specially configured cover that replaces a standard cover normally found on the ice dispenser and a pair of rigid bars that together with the specially configured cover are supported on a top perimeter edge defined around an open upper end of an ice retaining bin of the ice dispenser. An ice machine mounts on top of the cover with an ice drop hole in the cover providing access for ice made by the ice machine to enter the bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A Zizas
  • Publication number: 20060207271
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 21, 2006
    Inventors: Kyle Elsom, Thaddeus Jablonski, Daniel Leaver, Michael Zizas, Donald Wiley
  • Patent number: 7104085
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Elsom, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Daniel C. Leaver, Michael A. Zizas, Donald E. Wiley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7059141
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: IMI Cornelius Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Elsom, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Daniel C. Leaver, Michael A. Zizas
  • Publication number: 20060042298
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Kyle Elsom, Thaddeus Jablonski, Daniel Leaver, Michael Zizas, Donald Wiley
  • Publication number: 20040263036
    Abstract: A machine mounting adapter accommodates mounting of a variety of differently dimensioned machines on top of a standard sized base machine, and in particular enables any one of a number of differently sized ice machines to be mounted on top of a given ice dispenser. The adapter includes both a specially configured cover that replaces a standard cover normally found on the ice dispenser and a pair of rigid bars that together with the specially configured cover are supported on a top perimeter edge defined around an open upper end of an ice retaining bin of the ice dispenser. An ice machine mounts on top of the cover with an ice drop hole in the cover providing access for ice made by the ice machine to enter the bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Zizas
  • Publication number: 20040216474
    Abstract: An ice/beverage dispenser is characterized by an ice/beverage dispensing machine having an integral ice making capacity. An icemaker of the dispenser and the ice and beverage dispensing portion share an evaporator that that is utilized both for chilling beverage water for dispensing and for making ice. The evaporator is efficiently utilized in that one side of it is used for making ice and both sides of it are used for chilling water. The present invention uses a processor based control circuit that operates the refrigeration system between ice-making and water chilling modes in such manner as to ensure that cold beverages will always be served. The ice/beverage dispenser also includes a system for quickly combining and separating the ice making and beverage dispensing water supply, water drain and electrical functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Daniel C. Leaver, Michael A. Zizas