Patents by Inventor Patrick T. Mulvaney
Patrick T. Mulvaney 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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Patent number: 11849879Abstract: Automated replenishment of consumables is a growing area of interest for customers and businesses alike, in that it has the potential to both improve customer satisfaction and create a steady stream of orders for a consumable service or product. As recognized herein, kitchen appliances, including those for dispensing beverages, present specific challenges to integration with a replenishment service, especially where multiple packages or formats of consumables may be utilized by a single kitchen appliance. Aspects provided herein include methods, systems, and devices for tracking consumption of foodstuffs prepared by a kitchen appliance, including either counting discrete quantities of foodstuffs or estimating non-discrete quantities. A signal requesting replenishment of at least one foodstuff may be transmitted to a replenishment server based on the counting and/or estimating.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney
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Publication number: 20230062135Abstract: Automated replenishment of consumables is a growing area of interest for customers and businesses alike, in that it has the potential to both improve customer satisfaction and create a steady stream of orders for a consumable service or product. As recognized herein, kitchen appliances, including those for dispensing beverages, present specific challenges to integration with a replenishment service, especially where multiple packages or formats of consumables may be utilized by a single kitchen appliance. Aspects provided herein include methods, systems, and devices for tracking consumption of foodstuffs prepared by a kitchen appliance, including either counting discrete quantities of foodstuffs or estimating non-discrete quantities. A signal requesting replenishment of at least one foodstuff may be transmitted to a replenishment server based on the counting and/or estimating.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney
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Patent number: 11534021Abstract: Automated replenishment of consumables is a growing area of interest for customers and businesses alike, in that it has the potential to both improve customer satisfaction and create a steady stream of orders for a consumable service or product. As recognized herein, kitchen appliances, including those for dispensing beverages, present specific challenges to integration with a replenishment service, especially where multiple packages or formats of consumables may be utilized by a single kitchen appliance. Aspects provided herein include methods, systems, and devices for tracking consumption of foodstuffs prepared by a kitchen appliance, including either counting discrete quantities of foodstuffs or estimating non-discrete quantities. A signal requesting replenishment of at least one foodstuff may be transmitted to a replenishment server based on the counting and/or estimating.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney
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Patent number: 11083331Abstract: A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney, Stephen C Williamson
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Publication number: 20210219776Abstract: The present disclosure describes slow cookers. A slow cooker includes an outer housing, a heating element, a container, a lid, a network housing unit, and a network antenna. The network antenna is located in a top portion of the network housing unit such that the network antenna resides above a maximum liquid fill line within the removable container or above a housing rim of the outer housing. The network may be a Wi-Fi network. Systems associated with operation of the slow cooker are also provided herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Patrick T Mulvaney, Ernest B Pryor, JR., Paula L Pennington
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Patent number: 10739797Abstract: An electric can opener comprises a motor, a controller, and a signal-detecting element monitoring at least one of (i) an audio signal and (ii) a motion-type signal during operation of the can opener. The controller determines a baseline signal value, calculates a threshold signal value and compares the monitored signal value to the calculated threshold value. The controller stops operation of the can opener if the detected signal is outside the threshold from the baseline.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: David Keegan, Patrick T Mulvaney, Matthew T Carley
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Publication number: 20200129004Abstract: Automated replenishment of consumables is a growing area of interest for customers and businesses alike, in that it has the potential to both improve customer satisfaction and create a steady stream of orders for a consumable service or product. As recognized herein, kitchen appliances, including those for dispensing beverages, present specific challenges to integration with a replenishment service, especially where multiple packages or formats of consumables may be utilized by a single kitchen appliance. Aspects provided herein include methods, systems, and devices for tracking consumption of foodstuffs prepared by a kitchen appliance, including either counting discrete quantities of foodstuffs or estimating non-discrete quantities. A signal requesting replenishment of at least one foodstuff may be transmitted to a replenishment server based on the counting and/or estimating.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney
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Patent number: 10307014Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A selector valve is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. At least a portion of the selector valve is movable by a user between a first valve position and a second valve position.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Publication number: 20190129453Abstract: An electric can opener comprises a motor, a controller, and a signal-detecting element monitoring at least one of (i) an audio signal and (ii) a motion-type signal during operation of the can opener. The controller determines a baseline signal value, calculates a threshold signal value and compares the monitored signal value to the calculated threshold value. The controller stops operation of the can opener if the detected signal is outside the threshold from the baseline.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: David Keegan, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Matthew T. Carley
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Patent number: 10244879Abstract: A beverage carafe comprises a beverage reservoir and a channel for directing a flow of liquid from the reservoir when the carafe is tilted for dispensing the liquid. The channel has a floor and an elongated protrusion projecting upward from the floor. The protrusion is transverse to the flow of the liquid through the channel and has a curved distal face and curved sides.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventor: Patrick T Mulvaney
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Publication number: 20180263410Abstract: A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney, Stephen C Williamson
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Patent number: 9980602Abstract: A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a hot liquid generator (HLG) having a tank, an inlet for receiving liquid into the tank and an outlet, at least one heater in thermal communication with the liquid in the HLG tank, and a discharge port in fluid communication with the outlet of the HLG for discharge of the liquid. The cover is movably attached to the body between a closed position and an open position. At least one valve permits the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port in a closed position of the cover. The at least one valve is mechanically actuated by the cover in the open position of the cover to substantially prevent the discharge of the liquid via the discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, INc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney, Stephen C Williamson
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Patent number: 9888807Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port, a gas vent and a skirt extending from a wall of the second reservoir further than the gas vent. The skirt at least partially surrounds the gas vent. At least a portion of the skirt is spaced laterally inwardly from an outer sidewall of the second reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: William D Starr, Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Patent number: 9795245Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage and a hot water generator (‘HWG’) which has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A second reservoir is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. The second reservoir includes a discharge port. A fluid path connects the first and second reservoirs and bypasses the HWG. The kitchen appliance is operable for both pressurized brew/heat cycles and un-pressurized brew/heat cycles.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Patrick T Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Willilam D Starr
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Publication number: 20170099983Abstract: A beverage maker includes a reservoir having a first inlet port for receiving liquid for preparing a beverage and a first outlet port for discharging the liquid from the reservoir to a brew chamber. A hot liquid generator (HLG) inlet is in fluid communication with a reservoir second outlet port and an HLG outlet is in fluid communication with a reservoir second inlet. A valve fluidly communicates with the reservoir, the valve being normally in an open position, permitting flow therethrough, and moveable into a closed position, preventing flow therethrough. Liquid flows into the HLG via the reservoir second outlet. HLG powering increases the temperature of the liquid therein and effectuates movement of the liquid back to the reservoir via the HLG outlet. Liquid is continuously recirculated between the reservoir and the HLG, without exiting from the reservoir first outlet port, at least until the valve is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T Mulvaney
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Publication number: 20170079472Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Arthur W. Hudgins, Mark C. Steiner, Ernest B. Pryor, JR., Martin Brady, Yvonne Olson, Alexander D. Raring, Guoyao Ye, John D. Barnes, Michael G. Sandford, George Stamper, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Michael Garman
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Patent number: 9585513Abstract: A beverage maker includes a body and a cover movably attached to the body. The body includes therein (among other components), a tank, a pump, a controller, a switch electrically coupled with the pump, and a pressure release valve in fluid communication with at least the pump and tank for releasing the pressure therein. The cover mechanically actuates the switch into an “on” position, to maintain the pump in an inoperable condition, and mechanically actuate or release the pressure release valve into one of an open or closed position, upon movement of the cover to the closed position thereof The cover releases the switch for return into the “off” position, placing the pump in an operational condition, and mechanically actuating or releasing the pressure release valve into the other of the open or closed positions, upon movement of the cover from the closed position toward the open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Adam Hanes, Patrick T. Mulvaney
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Publication number: 20170035241Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a first reservoir for receiving a liquid to be used for preparing a beverage. A hot water generator (‘HWG’) has an inlet end, an outlet end and a passageway extending therebetween. The inlet end of the HWG is connected to the first reservoir. Liquid from the first reservoir flows into the HWG through the inlet end. A selector valve is connected to the outlet end of the HWG. At least a portion of the selector valve is movable by a user between a first valve position and a second valve position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: William D. Starr, Patrick T. Mulvaney, Adam Hanes, Larry Olson
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Patent number: 9538881Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.Inventors: Arthur W Hudgins, Mark C Steiner, Ernest B. Pryor, Jr., Martin Brady, Yvonne Olson, Alexander D Raring, Guoyao Ye, John D. Barnes, Michael G Sandford, George Stamper, Patrick T Mulvaney, Michael Garman
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Patent number: 9474410Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity. The housing has a housing rim defining an opening to the cavity. A heating or cooling element is disposed within the housing to heat or cool the cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover the opening of the container when placed on the container. The lid has an exterior surface and an opposing interior surface. At least one latching mechanism or handle is operable to seal the contents of the appliance within the appliance.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, IncInventors: Arthur W Hudgins, Mark C Steiner, Ernest B. Pryor, Jr., Martin Brady, Yvonne Olson, Alexander D Raring, Guoyao Ye, John D. Barnes, Michael G Sandford, George Stamper, Patrick T Mulvaney, Michael Garman