Patents by Inventor R. William Kneifel
R. William Kneifel 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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Publication number: 20240144402Abstract: A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2023Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Keith Faigin, R. William Kneifel, II, Kent A. Deemter, Stuart De Geus, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Jaime Pescia, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Patent number: 11939159Abstract: A system for dispensing ingredients includes a cabinet and a conveyor disposed beneath the cabinet. The conveyor includes a staging region and a dispensing region in communication with an interior of the cabinet through a dispenser opening. One or more containers are removably disposed within the cabinet, and each of the one or more containers has an outlet disposed above the dispenser opening and includes an ejector operable to dispense one of the ingredients through the outlet. One or more bins are removably received within the conveyor. The bins are operable to be moved by the conveyor between a first position in the staging region and a second position in the dispensing region. Within the dispensing region, the conveyor is configured to move the bins between dispensing positions beneath respective ones of the containers.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Eric Brasseur, Edward Gleich, Anita Klopfenstein, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley, Thomas Hennessy, Kyle M. Bey, Evan Allen, Alex Szmatula
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Patent number: 11842414Abstract: A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2018Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Keith Faigin, R. William Kneifel, II, Kent A. Deemter, Stuart de Geus, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Jaime Pescia, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Publication number: 20220383250Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2022Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Patent number: 11429920Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Publication number: 20220189237Abstract: A food management system includes a cabinet having a chamber, a lift, and an ejector. The chamber is defined, in part, by a front wall including a chute defining a first end of a dispensing region along the cabinet. At least one lift is disposed within the chamber, and is configured to receive a plurality of containers therein. The lift is operable to sequentially present at least one of the containers to the dispensing region of the cabinet. The ejector includes a bumper disposed within the dispensing region. The bumper is operable to translate through the dispensing region from a retracted position on an opposite side of the at least one lift from the chute, to an extended position between the retracted position and the chute to bias the at least one of the containers from the at least one lift through the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, David Scrivano, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Patent number: 11282328Abstract: A food management system includes a cabinet having a chamber, a lift, and an ejector. The chamber is defined, in part, by a front wall including a chute defining a first end of a dispensing region along the cabinet. At least one lift is disposed within the chamber, and is configured to receive a plurality of containers therein. The lift is operable to sequentially present at least one of the containers to the dispensing region of the cabinet. The ejector includes a bumper disposed within the dispensing region. The bumper is operable to translate through the dispensing region from a retracted position on an opposite side of the at least one lift from the chute, to an extended position between the retracted position and the chute to bias the at least one of the containers from the at least one lift through the chute.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, David Scrivano, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Publication number: 20220063912Abstract: A system for dispensing ingredients includes a cabinet and a conveyor disposed beneath the cabinet. The conveyor includes a staging region and a dispensing region in communication with an interior of the cabinet through a dispenser opening. One or more containers are removably disposed within the cabinet, and each of the one or more containers has an outlet disposed above the dispenser opening and includes an ejector operable to dispense one of the ingredients through the outlet. One or more bins are removably received within the conveyor. The bins are operable to be moved by the conveyor between a first position in the staging region and a second position in the dispensing region. Within the dispensing region, the conveyor is configured to move the bins between dispensing positions beneath respective ones of the containers.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel II, Eric Brasseur, Edward Gleich, Anita Klopfenstein, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley, Thomas Hennessy, Kyle M. Bey, Evan Allen, Alex Szmatula
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Publication number: 20210304129Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: September 30, 2021Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Patent number: 11087419Abstract: A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Keith Faigin, R. William Kneifel, II, Kent A. Deemter, Stuart DeGues, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Jaime Pescia, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Patent number: 10977600Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Patent number: 10803416Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Publication number: 20200290497Abstract: A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2018Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Keith Faigin, R. William Kneifel II, Kent A. Deemter, Stuart de Geus, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Jaime Pescia, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Publication number: 20200184760Abstract: A food management system includes a cabinet having a chamber, a lift, and an ejector. The chamber is defined, in part, by a front wall including a chute defining a first end of a dispensing region along the cabinet. At least one lift is disposed within the chamber, and is configured to receive a plurality of containers therein. The lift is operable to sequentially present at least one of the containers to the dispensing region of the cabinet. The ejector includes a bumper disposed within the dispensing region. The bumper is operable to translate through the dispensing region from a retracted position on an opposite side of the at least one lift from the chute, to an extended position between the retracted position and the chute to bias the at least one of the containers from the at least one lift through the chute.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, David Scrivano, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Publication number: 20200051012Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Publication number: 20200043108Abstract: A dynamic vending system includes a vending manager and a delivery vehicle. The vending manager is configured to receive and evaluate a plurality of dynamic conditions from the delivery vehicle and to provide instructions including a planned route to the delivery vehicle based on the dynamic conditions. The delivery vehicle includes a plurality of products available for sale, and is configured to execute the instructions including the planned route. The delivery vehicle is further configured to receive requests from consumers to stop along the planned route and to execute a transaction with the consumer for one of the products available for sale. The transaction includes the selection of one of the products available for sale, receipt of payment for the product, and dispensing the selected product to the consumer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Inventors: Keith Faigin, R. William Kneifel, II, Kent A, Deemter, Stuart DeGues, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Jaime Pescia, Christopher P. Ilitch
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Patent number: 10546267Abstract: A food locker includes a housing, a food support member, a first door, a second door, and a lock. The housing includes a front wall a front wall, a rear wall, and a chamber. The front wall includes a first opening in communication with the chamber. The rear wall includes a second opening in communication with the chamber. The food support member is disposed within the chamber. The first door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the first opening when the first door is in the open position. The second door is supported by the housing and is movable between a closed position and an open position. The food support member is accessible through the second opening when the second door is in the open position. The lock is operatively coupled to at least one of the housing and the first door and is actuatable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Kent A. Deemter, R. William Kneifel, II, Matthew Omlor, Rick Moreno, David Scrivano, Dana Tilley
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Patent number: 8758538Abstract: A system for applying composite fiber to a lay-up tool has a fixed creel for supplying fiber to the fiber placement dispensing head and a fixed arm having a first end attached to the creel and having a second end attached to the dispensing head. The dispensing head is fixed on the end of the arm. A robot having a first and second pivot axis and at least a first wrist supports the lay-up tool. The robot manipulates the tool for application of fiber from the head to the tool. Manipulating the tool instead of the dispensing head allows the path length for the fiber between the creel and head to be fixed in length and orientation during application of fiber to the tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2010Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Fives Machining Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Borgmann, Stephen J. Albers, R. William Kneifel, II
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Publication number: 20110277935Abstract: A system for applying composite fiber to a lay-up tool has a fixed creel for supplying fiber to the fiber placement dispensing head and a fixed arm having a first end attached to the creel and having a second end attached to the dispensing head. The dispensing head is fixed on the end of the arm. A robot having a first and second pivot axis and at least a first wrist supports the lay-up tool. The robot manipulates the tool for application of fiber from the head to the tool. Manipulating the tool instead of the dispensing head allows the path length for the fiber between the creel and head to be fixed in length and orientation during application of fiber to the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: CINCINNATI MACHINE, LLCInventors: Robert E. Borgmann, Stephen J. Albers, R. William Kneifel, II
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Patent number: 7114157Abstract: The present invention is a system for controlling exclusive access by control programs (30) to system resources (52).Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Kuka Roboter GmbHInventors: Michael C. Chaffee, Edward Volcic, Kenneth A. Stoddard, R. William Kneifel, II