Patents by Inventor Raymond T. Hecker

Raymond T. Hecker 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).

  • Publication number: 20240296708
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Edward Locke, Raymond T. Hecker, Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20230401921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Patent number: 11776350
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: ELKAY MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20220380195
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing consumable liquids are disclosed. An example networked system includes a server and a plurality of beverage dispenser stations. Each of the beverage dispenser stations includes a filler including a filler outlet configured to deliver a beverage into a container, an RFID reader configured to read an RFID tag fixed to a water filter through which water for the beverage is to flow, and a controller. The controller is configured determine a duration-of-use of the water filter and a volume of water that has passed through the water filter. Each of the beverage dispenser stations also includes a network communications interface configured to communicate the duration-of-use and the volume of water to the networked administrative server to track use of the water filter among the plurality of beverage dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Patent number: 11410483
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Patent number: 11004298
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20210090377
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20200090446
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Patent number: 10482704
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Patent number: 10060104
    Abstract: A faucet that permits an installer to select any of a plurality of desired spout rotational ranges of the spout with respect to the faucet base. The faucet can include adjustable components that allow the installer to select a degree of rotation of the spout with respect to the base. The degree of rotation can be any suitable range between 0° and 360°, inclusive, in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the degree of rotation is 360°, the spout may rotate through multiple rotations of 360°. In some embodiments, the installer can choose between a preselected number of rotational ranges. In other embodiments, the selectable range of rotation is variable and the installer can select between a desired suitable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Chee Yeen Chong, René G. Laude, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 9930998
    Abstract: A magnetic sink accessory system for use with a sink having interior and exterior surfaces. The magnetic sink accessory system includes a ferromagnetic accessory belt configured to be disposed at least partially surrounding the exterior surface of the sink. The accessory belt includes an elongate flexible band and a plurality of ferritic metal pieces disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the flexible band so as to allow for the accessory belt to conform to contours of the exterior surface of the sink. The system includes a magnetic accessory attachment device including a body and a magnet disposed within the body such that when the body is placed near the interior surface of the sink in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic accessory belt, the magnet draws the body against the interior surface of the sink due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet and the accessory belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Salvatore Palazzolo, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20170365124
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20170245693
    Abstract: A magnetic sink accessory system for use with a sink having interior and exterior surfaces. The magnetic sink accessory system includes a ferromagnetic accessory belt configured to be disposed at least partially surrounding the exterior surface of the sink. The accessory belt includes an elongate flexible band and a plurality of ferritic metal pieces disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the flexible band so as to allow for the accessory belt to conform to contours of the exterior surface of the sink. The system includes a magnetic accessory attachment device including a body and a magnet disposed within the body such that when the body is placed near the interior surface of the sink in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic accessory belt, the magnet draws the body against the interior surface of the sink due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet and the accessory belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Salvatore Palazzolo, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 9704329
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: ELKAY MANUFACTURING COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20160244953
    Abstract: A faucet that permits an installer to select any of a plurality of desired spout rotational ranges of the spout with respect to the faucet base. The faucet can include adjustable components that allow the installer to select a degree of rotation of the spout with respect to the base. The degree of rotation can be any suitable range between 0° and 360°, inclusive, in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the degree of rotation is 360°, the spout may rotate through multiple rotations of 360°. In some embodiments, the installer can choose between a preselected number of rotational ranges. In other embodiments, the selectable range of rotation is variable and the installer can select between a desired suitable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Jonathan Chee Yeen Chong, René G. Laude, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Patent number: 9328486
    Abstract: A faucet that permits an installer to select any of a plurality of desired spout rotational ranges of the spout with respect to the faucet base. The faucet can include adjustable components that allow the installer to select a degree of rotation of the spout with respect to the base. The degree of rotation can be any suitable range between 0° and 360°, inclusive, in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the degree of rotation is 360°, the spout may rotate through multiple rotations of 360°. In some embodiments, the installer can choose between a preselected number of rotational ranges. In other embodiments, the selectable range of rotation is variable and the installer can select between a desired suitable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Chee Yeen Chong, René G. Laude, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20150315008
    Abstract: A networked system for providing and maintaining a set of liquid dispenser stations is described. The fluid dispensers communicate with a managing/supervisory cloud server via an interposed base station. The fluid dispensers communicate locally with the base station via wireless communication network links. The base station operates as an accumulator of status/usage information provided by the dispenser stations and bridge for passing information and control commands between the cloud server and the individual dispenser stations. The dispenser stations are configured with control processors (controllers) to facilitate performing a variety of local control operations associated with dispensing liquids that have been cooled (or heated) prior to dispensing by the dispenser stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Inventors: Edward Locke, William Hamilton, Franco Savoni, Damon D. Shaw, Raymond T. Hecker, Joel E. Leiser, Ellen Sajdak (Felicelli), Trevor Robert Smouter, Timothy Scott Edward Hiller
  • Publication number: 20150230667
    Abstract: A magnetic sink accessory system for use with a sink having interior and exterior surfaces. The magnetic sink accessory system includes a ferromagnetic accessory belt configured to be disposed at least partially surrounding the exterior surface of the sink. The accessory belt includes an elongate flexible band and a plurality of ferritic metal pieces disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the flexible band so as to allow for the accessory belt to conform to contours of the exterior surface of the sink. The system includes a magnetic accessory attachment device including a body and a magnet disposed within the body such that when the body is placed near the interior surface of the sink in the vicinity of the ferromagnetic accessory belt, the magnet draws the body against the interior surface of the sink due to a magnetic attraction between the magnet and the accessory belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Salvatore Palazzolo, Raymond T. Hecker
  • Publication number: 20140048145
    Abstract: A faucet that permits an installer to select any of a plurality of desired spout rotational ranges of the spout with respect to the faucet base. The faucet can include adjustable components that allow the installer to select a degree of rotation of the spout with respect to the base. The degree of rotation can be any suitable range between 0° and 360°, inclusive, in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. When the degree of rotation is 360°, the spout may rotate through multiple rotations of 360°. In some embodiments, the installer can choose between a preselected number of rotational ranges. In other embodiments, the selectable range of rotation is variable and the installer can select between a desired suitable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Chee Yeen Chong, René G. Laude, Raymond T. Hecker