Patents by Inventor Michael James Vincent

Michael James Vincent 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: 6325244
    Abstract: A system dispenses a desired portion of frozen product from a product container containing the frozen product. A label, attached to the product container identifying the formulation of the frozen product, is read to determine at least the formulation of the frozen product. Based upon at least the formulation, a controller controls the applied force to the product container in order to dispense the frozen product at a uniform rate. The force is adjusted by the controller such that the frozen product is dispensed at a uniform rate until the desired portion is dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Grand Soft Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Michael James Vincent, Hershel Edward Fancher, David Anthony Harpring, Patrick Joseph Ogburn
  • Publication number: 20010038019
    Abstract: A system dispenses a desired portion of frozen product at a uniform rate from a product container containing the frozen product. The product container has a spout, and a dispensing valve connected to the spout to seal the product container. The dispensing valve is used to control dispensing of the frozen product from the product container. A label, attached to the product container identifying the formulation of the frozen product, is read to determine at least the formulation of the frozen product. Based upon at least the formulation, a controller controls the applied force from a drive and applied the force to a piston in the product container in order to dispense the frozen product at a uniform rate. The force is adjusted by the controller such that the frozen product is dispensed at a uniform rate until the desired portion is dispensed. The product container is sufficiently rigid so as not to deform when the force is applied to dispense the frozen product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Michael James Vincent, Hershel Edward Fancher, David Anthony Harpring, Patrick Joseph Ogburn
  • Patent number: 6264066
    Abstract: A system dispenses a desired portion of frozen product at a uniform rate from a product container containing the frozen product. The product container has a spout, and a dispensing valve connected to the spout to seal the product container. The dispensing valve is used to control dispensing of the frozen product from the product container. A label, attached to the product container identifying the formulation of the frozen product, is read to determine at least the formulation of the frozen product. Based upon at least the formulation, a controller controls the applied force from a drive and applied the force to a piston in the product container in order to dispense the frozen product at a uniform rate. The force is adjusted by the controller such that the frozen product is dispensed at a uniform rate until the desired portion is dispensed. The product container is sufficiently rigid so as not to deform when the force is applied to dispense the frozen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Grand Soft Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Michael James Vincent, Hershel Edward Fancher, David Anthony Harpring, Patrick Joseph Ogburn
  • Patent number: 6242037
    Abstract: A novel food service package for containing a frozen concentrate for use in quick blending a drink of individual proportion is disclosed. The food service package of the present invention has a number of equally sized compartments with formed channels separating the compartments. Channels are formed under the dividers in the bottom of the package to provide a large surface are for rapid heat exchange so as to quickly temper the frozen concentrate in the package. A raised dome region is formed in the center of the package for rapidly dispersing the product dispensed from a single nozzle into each of the compartments. A gutter formed in each divider causes the dispensed concentrate to overflow from the compartments so as to rapidly self-level in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Dreyer's Grnad Ice Cream, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Vincent
  • Patent number: 6090426
    Abstract: A novel food service package for containing a frozen concentrate for use in quick blending a drink of individual proportion is disclosed. The food service package of the present invention has a number of equally sized compartments with formed channels separating the compartments. Channels are formed under the dividers in the bottom of the package to provide a large surface are for rapid heat exchange so as to quickly temper the frozen concentrate in the package. A raised dome region is formed in the center of the package for rapidly dispersing the product dispensed from a single nozzle into each of the compartments. A gutter formed in each divider causes the dispensed concentrate to overflow from the compartments so as to rapidly self-level in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Vincent
  • Patent number: 5976588
    Abstract: A novel food service package for containing a frozen concentrate for use in quick blending a drink of individual proportion is disclosed. The food service package of the present invention has a number of equally sized compartments with formed channels separating the compartments. Channels are formed under the dividers in the bottom of the package to provide a large surface are for rapid heat exchange so as to quickly temper the frozen concentrate in the package. A raised dome region is formed in the center of the package for rapidly dispersing the product dispensed from a single nozzle into each of the compartments. A gutter formed in each divider causes the dispensed concentrate to overflow from the compartments so as to rapidly self-level in the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael James Vincent