Patents by Inventor Richard A. Martindale

Richard A. Martindale 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: 10654703
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus having a nozzle and multiple fluid lines in fluid communication with the nozzle where the beverage dispensing apparatus has a body with a plurality of apertures, a plurality of buttons, each protruding through a respective one of the apertures and configured to control a flow of fluid through a respective one of the multiple fluid lines, the plurality of buttons having at least one active dispensing button configured to mechanically dispense a fluid and at least one remote dispensing button, and a remote dispensing device located remotely from the body configured to regulate dispensing a fluid through one of the multiple fluid lines so that when the at least one remote button is depressed, the remote dispensing device dispenses a fluid through the fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10577235
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10457537
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 10407292
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20180297831
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing method for dispensing and sensing the dispensing of one or more beverage components from a bar gun. The method of detecting includes using a sensor associated with a button on the bar gun to detect that the button is depressed to mechanically actuate a valve within a body of the bar gun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9964234
    Abstract: A holster for mounting a bar gun to a surface, the bar gun having a nozzle and a handle magnet. The holster has an elongated mounting plate having a top side, bottom side, first end and second end, and an aperture located between the first end and second end where the aperture penetrates the mounting plate from the top side to the bottom side and is configured to receive the nozzle of the bar gun. A holster magnet is fixed to the mounting plate adjacent the aperture between the aperture and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 9950085
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9908767
    Abstract: In many aspects, a system for a beverage dispenser can include a detector, a touch screen, and a control unit electrically coupled to the touch screen and detector. The control unit is configured to implement a method. In the method, a first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display during an operational mode. A sleep mode is entered after detecting no motion events from the detector after a predetermined amount of time. A second graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display or the touch screen is turned off as a result of entering the sleep mode. A motion event is then detected in proximity to the detector, and as a result, the sleep mode is discontinued, and the operational mode is activated, and the first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for redisplay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Martindale, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 9895458
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle includes a housing adapted to receive a nozzle of a beverage dispensing handle and an ultraviolet light source bent around the housing to surround at least a portion of the housing. The ultraviolet light source generates and emits germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170320720
    Abstract: Disclosed is a holster for a bar gun. The holster includes a detachable drip cup that is removable from the holster while the holster is installed to a support structure and while the bar gun is stowed in the holster. The holster is mounted to an underside of the support structure, e.g. a bar top, and further includes a first contact surface configured to be vertical and contact the front side of the support structure and a second contact surface configured to be horizontal and contact the underside of the support structure. The holster further includes an a bar gun receiving surface defining an aperture to receive the bar gun. The bar gun receiving surface includes a portion which is flush with the top surface of the support structure, when the holster is mounted to the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 9719508
    Abstract: A flexible impeller pump includes improved flexible impeller geometry, an impeller shaft having protruding portions that produce a stronger and more durable connection between the impeller shaft and the flexible impeller, a smoother housing cam surface, and wear resistant surfaces that are disposed between end faces of the flexible impeller and adjacent housing end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOMATIC BAR CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Juha K. Salmela, James M. Tuyls, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9714162
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing mixing nozzle for mixing a multi-component beverage mixture. The nozzle has a disruption plate for slowing and dispersing a dispensed fluid into an adjacent expansion region. The disruption plate and floor of the expansion region have turbulence-inducing surfaces to aid in mixing the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: 9706794
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170183213
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170183214
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170183211
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170183212
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9655985
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOMATIC BAR CONTROLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale
  • Patent number: 9622615
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including a control unit and a touch screen. Inputs are made to the touch screen to dispense beverages and apply system adjustments. The control unit controls a plurality of beverage dispensing valves according to inputs made to the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky, Richard A. Martindale
  • Publication number: 20170072079
    Abstract: Disinfecting devices and related methods are provided that apply germicidal ultraviolet light to disinfect dispensing components of food and beverage dispensers. A disinfecting holster for a bar gun includes a support surface configured to interface with a bar gun to support the bar gun when stowed in the holster, a housing coupled with the support surface and surrounding a dispensing nozzle of the bar gun when the bar gun is stowed in the holster, and an ultraviolet light source configured to emit germicidal ultraviolet light onto the nozzle. The housing substantially contains the ultraviolet light within the housing during the application of the ultraviolet light to the dispensing nozzle. The ultraviolet light can be periodically applied to maintain the nozzle in a disinfected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale