Patents by Inventor Paul Novotny
Paul Novotny 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: 12083687Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining whether a container is empty in the context of robotic picking solutions. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to gather container data regarding a container at a first location, wherein the container data includes at least two of weight data related to the container, depth data related to the container, and color sensor data related to the container, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory to provide a sensor fusion module configured to process the received container data to determine whether the container is empty.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: RightHand Robotics, Inc.Inventors: Lael Odhner, Mark Keck, Yuli Friedman, Paul Novotny, Matthew Browne, Joel Brooks
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Publication number: 20220032467Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for determining whether a container is empty in the context of robotic picking solutions. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to gather container data regarding a container at a first location, wherein the container data includes at least two of weight data related to the container, depth data related to the container, and color sensor data related to the container, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored on a memory to provide a sensor fusion module configured to process the received container data to determine whether the container is empty.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Lael Odhner, Mark Keck, Yuli Friedman, Paul Novotny, Browne Matthew, Joel Brooks
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Patent number: 10040043Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20160129410Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Timothy W. BETHUY, William J. BLACK, Brian T. CAHILL, Ronald SCHILLING, Paul NOVOTNY, Fabio NEBBIA, Giovanni PERUCCA
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Patent number: 9150401Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20140076929Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8616412Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2013Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8590746Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8356730Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20130008920Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8276786Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20120118394Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20120118912Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8127966Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8123080Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8113384Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 8079495Abstract: A dispensing head is removably attached to a beverage dispensing system base without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and noncarbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Publication number: 20110024455Abstract: A dispensing head is removably attached to a beverage dispensing system base without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and noncarbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 7828175Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
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Patent number: 7669737Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca