Patents by Inventor Michael B. Horner

Michael B. Horner 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: 5947334
    Abstract: A system to mix, carbonate, if desired, and dispense beverages in the micro-gravity environment of extra-terrestrial space incorporates chilled sources of beverage syrup, water and CO.sub.2, mixing chambers for receiving the fluid components of the beverages and receptacle interfaces which. selectively communicate with the mixing chambers and which couple with drinking receptacles formed by a pressure-resistant outer shell and a flexible internal liner. Within the mixing chambers, a reciprocable piston is driven by an entering pressurized beverage component to a retracted position and is subsequently driven by compressed air to an extended position with a concurrent expulsion of the mixed beverage from the mixing chamber and into the liner of a drinking receptacle coupled to one of the receptacle interfaces. A formation on the piston reacts with an agitator to enhance mixing of the beverage components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Arthur G. Rudick, Ashis Gupta, Michael J. Myers, Christopher C. Kjorlaug, Alexander Hoehn, Louis S. Stodieck, Michael B. Horner, Mark T. Edwards, Kirsten S. Sterrett, Jon A. Genova, Mark A. Rupert