Patents by Inventor Robert Comfort

Robert Comfort 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: 7357563
    Abstract: Continuous stream ratio blending of two or more liquids. Each stream flow is time synchronized to all others and turned on and off to dose precise ratios into a constant pressure streams combining chamber. Combined on-off flows constitute a net flow rate exceeding some maximum continuous flow demand for the blended liquids. Dosed streams are pumped from the streams combining chamber at a rate matching their inflow, then through a mixing element into a finished blend tank. Use of a constant pressure streams combining chamber feeding a mix pump allows decoupling of individual streams ratio dosing flows and pressures one from another and from the combined stream. Blended liquid is available on demand as a continuous stream from the level controlled finished blend tank. The level sensor automatically starts and stops blended flow into the tank. Streams flow can be stopped upon completion of any dose cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Oden Corporation
    Inventors: Iver Phallen, David Messing, Robert Comfort
  • Publication number: 20050270899
    Abstract: Continuous stream ratio blending of two or more liquids. Each stream flow is time synchronized to all others and turned on and off to dose precise ratios into a constant pressure streams combining chamber. Combined on-off flows constitute a net flow rate exceeding some maximum continuous flow demand for the blended liquids. Dosed streams are pumped from the streams combining chamber at a rate matching their inflow, then through a mixing element into a finished blend tank. Use of a constant pressure streams combining chamber feeding a mix pump allows decoupling of individual streams ratio dosing flows and pressures one from another and from the combined stream. Blended liquid is available on demand as a continuous stream from the level controlled finished blend tank. The level sensor automatically starts and stops blended flow into the tank. Streams flow can be stopped upon completion of any dose cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Iver Phallen, David Messing, Robert Comfort
  • Patent number: 6669051
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the high speed dispensing of all beverages, and particularly carbonated beverages. The major elements of the device include a main flow control valve (3) coupled to a pressurized container (1) such as a beer keg, a positive shut-off filling nozzle (10), a pressure control valve (7) associated with the filling nozzle, and requisite control electronics and actuators to establish a dispenser operating sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Niagara Pump Corporation
    Inventors: Iver J. Phallen, Douglas N. Vogt, Robert Comfort, Richard J. Jezuit, Jr., David C. Messing, Scott McIlhagga, David J. Carroll
  • Patent number: 5996650
    Abstract: Liquid filling apparatus and method of producing a fill or dose of a defined quantity of liquid based upon the mass of the liquid. In one embodiment, a servo motor driven rotary positive displacement pump is used to produce flow through a Coriolis mass flow meter to feed a positive shut-off filling nozzle, wherein mass flow data from the meter is used to control the servo motor-pump-nozzle to produce a precise fill dose of liquid based upon its mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Oden Corporation
    Inventors: Iver J. Phallen, Richard J. Jezuit, Jr., Robert Comfort, Scott McIlhagga, David J. Noworyta, Peter B. Millett, Jr.