Patents by Inventor Ralph W. Schwarze

Ralph W. Schwarze 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: 7207506
    Abstract: A blending station apparatus and method includes a foodstuffs storage location where a plurality of individual foodstuffs storage containers are held, a control panel for inputting information into the blending station so that the beverage size and one or more of the various types of foodstuffs, as well as other ingredients such as ice, water, supplements, etc., can be selected to make a drink, a blending container to hold the various ingredients, a mixing location for blending the ingredients to achieve a uniform drink consistency, and a cleaning location to clean the blending container after the blended contents have been dispensed into a container for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: K-TEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Dickson, Jr., B. Shawn Elgaaen, Ralph W. Schwarze, David J. Throckmorton
  • Patent number: 7048217
    Abstract: A blending station apparatus and method includes a foodstuffs storage location where a plurality of individual foodstuffs storage containers are held, a control panel for inputting information into the blending station so that the beverage size and one or more of the various types of foodstuffs, as well as other ingredients such as ice, water, supplements, etc., can be selected to make a drink, a blending container to hold the various ingredients, a mixing location for blending the ingredients to achieve a uniform drink consistency, and a cleaning location to clean the blending container after the blended contents have been dispensed into a container for consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: K-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Dickson, Jr., B. Shawn Elgaaen, Ralph W. Schwarze, David J. Throckmorton
  • Publication number: 20040233781
    Abstract: A blending station apparatus and method includes a foodstuffs storage location where a plurality of individual foodstuffs storage containers are held, a control panel for inputting information into the blending station so that the beverage size and one or more of the various types of foodstuffs, as well as other ingredients such as ice, water, supplements, etc., can be selected to make a drink, a blending container to hold the various ingredients, a mixing location for blending the ingredients to achieve a uniform drink consistency, and a cleaning location to clean the blending container after the blended contents have been dispensed into a container for consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: K-TEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Dickson, B. Shawn Elgaaen, Ralph W. Schwarze, David J. Throckmorton
  • Patent number: 5957577
    Abstract: An enclosure apparatus for processing devices includes a portion movable between an open position and a closed position. A receptacle in which items to be processed are contained is placed within the enclosure when the movable portion is in the open position. Upon securing the enclosure about the receptacle, the enclosure engages a lid covering the receptacle to maintain the lid in position within the receptacle. Engagement of the lid by the enclosure causes the lid to flex outwardly and seal against the receptacle opening. A switch may be interposed between the enclosure and the processing device to immediately initiate a blending cycle at the moment the enclosure is secured about the processing receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: K-Tec, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Dickson, Ralph W. Schwarze
  • Patent number: 5024318
    Abstract: A selectively operable, continuous-loop conveyor provides support and transporation of containers containing spices or the like to and from a transfer station in which the containers are inserted in or removed from carriers which support them along the conveyor. The carriers include guide members which maintain the relative orientation between the carriers and the track. A drive hub with fingers extending into the track forces carriers disposed in that region adjacent to the fingers along a portion of the track, and thereby forcing other carriers in the track around the track. Further, a bar extending across the face of the rack has two ends, each of which may be pushed to drive the carriers in a corresponding different direction. Each carrier is in the form of a downwardly facing cup with spaced inwardly extending, biased members which engage the edges of a container inserted in the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Inventors: Ralph W. Schwarze, Thomas D. Dickson, Jr.
  • Patent number: D277356
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventors: Thomas D. Dickson, Jr., Ralph W. Schwarze