Patents by Inventor Roy Bates

Roy Bates 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: 20240041228
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a temperature controlled case is disclosed herein. A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space. The housing includes a duct that receives circulated air. A heat exchanger is coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct. The heat exchanger includes an intake face at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Lawrence W. Eget, Karuna Kumari Lade
  • Patent number: 11892210
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a capillary tube, and an expansion device. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. The capillary tube is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser. The expansion device is configured to receive the refrigerant from the capillary tube and provide the refrigerant to the evaporator. The expansion device is adjustable to control a flow of the refrigerant through the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Publication number: 20210364200
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a capillary tube, and an expansion device. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. The capillary tube is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser. The expansion device is configured to receive the refrigerant from the capillary tube and provide the refrigerant to the evaporator. The expansion device is adjustable to control a flow of the refrigerant through the capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Patent number: 11029066
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a capillary tube, and an expansion device. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. The capillary tube is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser. The expansion device is configured to receive the refrigerant from the capillary tube and provide the refrigerant to the evaporator. The expansion device is adjustable to control a flow of the refrigerant through the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Patent number: 10765231
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case includes a number of shelves, an air-curtain, and a number of air-straighteners. The number of shelves individually support a displayed product. The number of shelves are mounted to the temperature controlled case. The air-curtain originates at an air-curtain discharge and terminates an air-curtain return. The number of air-straighteners is equal to the number of shelves. The number of air straighteners individually include a flow guide and are individually coupled to one of the number of shelves. The flow guides are located at locations within the air-curtain. The flow guides are configured to control the air-curtain. The flow guides individually include a luminaire comprising a number of LEDs coupled to a number of PCBs. The luminaires are configured to illuminate a number of illumination targets. The number of illumination targets correspond to at least one of the displayed products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence William Eget, T. Dean Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Patent number: 10588429
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a temperature-controlled case. The temperature-controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature-controlled space and an opening for providing user access to the temperature-controlled space. The case also includes a cooling element in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled space. The case further includes a modular plenum coupled to the housing and positioned behind the cooling element relative to the opening, wherein the modular plenum includes: at least one fan removably coupled to the modular plenum, wherein the at least one fan induces an air flow through the cooling element, and at least one electrical connector coupled to the modular plenum and positioned proximate each of the at least one fan for providing electrical power to each of the at least one fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Trifon Mirtchev
  • Publication number: 20190142185
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for a temperature controlled case is disclosed herein. A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space. The housing includes a duct that receives circulated air. A heat exchanger is coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct. The heat exchanger includes an intake face at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Lawrence W. Eget, Karuna Kumari Lade
  • Patent number: 10203145
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case includes a frame, a door, and a lateral flow barrier. The frame includes a first mullion and a second mullion. The frame defines a common refrigerated zone. The door is hingedly mounted to the first mullion. The door is configured to selectively interface with the second mullion. The lateral flow barrier is coupled to one of the first mullion and the second mullion. The lateral flow barrier extends into the common refrigerated zone. The lateral flow barrier partially separates the common refrigerated zone into an first sub-compartment proximate the door and bounded by the lateral flow barrier and an second sub-compartment opposite the first sub-compartment. The lateral flow barrier is not thermally insulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Lawrence W. Eget
  • Publication number: 20180106524
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case includes a frame, a door, and a lateral flow barrier. The frame includes a first mullion and a second mullion. The frame defines a common refrigerated zone. The door is hingedly mounted to the first mullion. The door is configured to selectively interface with the second mullion. The lateral flow barrier is coupled to one of the first mullion and the second mullion. The lateral flow barrier extends into the common refrigerated zone. The lateral flow barrier partially separates the common refrigerated zone into an first sub-compartment proximate the door and bounded by the lateral flow barrier and an second sub-compartment opposite the first sub-compartment. The lateral flow barrier is not thermally insulating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Hilll Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Lawrence W. Eget
  • Publication number: 20180103777
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case includes a duct for directing an air stream, an air curtain discharge, an advance discharge opening, and an air curtain return. The air curtain discharge is coupled to the duct to discharge the air stream to produce an air curtain. The advance discharge opening is coupled to the duct upstream of the air curtain discharge to produce an auxiliary air stream directed towards the air curtain, forming a redirected air curtain. The air curtain return receives the redirected air curtain for recirculation to the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Neil J. Rathje, Timothy D. Swofford, Lawrence W. Eget
  • Publication number: 20180010831
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, a capillary tube, and an expansion device. The compressor is configured to circulate a refrigerant between the evaporator and the condenser. The capillary tube is configured to receive the refrigerant from the condenser. The expansion device is configured to receive the refrigerant from the capillary tube and provide the refrigerant to the evaporator. The expansion device is adjustable to control a flow of the refrigerant through the capillary tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Publication number: 20170231403
    Abstract: A temperature controlled case includes a number of shelves, an air-curtain, and a number of air-straighteners. The number of shelves individually support a displayed product. The number of shelves are mounted to the temperature controlled case. The air-curtain originates at an air-curtain discharge and terminates an air-curtain return. The number of air-straighteners is equal to the number of shelves. The number of air straighteners individually include a flow guide and are individually coupled to one of the number of shelves. The flow guides are located at locations within the air-curtain. The flow guides are configured to control the air-curtain. The flow guides individually include a luminaire comprising a number of LEDs coupled to a number of PCBs. The luminaires are configured to illuminate a number of illumination targets. The number of illumination targets correspond to at least one of the displayed products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence William Eget, T. Dean Swofford, Roy Bates
  • Publication number: 20170150829
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to a temperature-controlled case. The temperature-controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature-controlled space and an opening for providing user access to the temperature-controlled space. The case also includes a cooling element in thermal communication with the temperature-controlled space. The case further includes a modular plenum coupled to the housing and positioned behind the cooling element relative to the opening, wherein the modular plenum includes: at least one fan removably coupled to the modular plenum, wherein the at least one fan induces an air flow through the cooling element, and at least one electrical connector coupled to the modular plenum and positioned proximate each of the at least one fan for providing electrical power to each of the at least one fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Trifon Mirtchev
  • Patent number: 7644653
    Abstract: A brew basket for an automatic drip coffee maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A coffee filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Bates
  • Patent number: 7540232
    Abstract: A brew basket for a hot beverage maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing. An adaptor can be integrally attached to the brew basket to give a user an option to place a second filter pod in the brew basket to yield more or stronger brewed beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Steve Williamson, William D. Starr
  • Publication number: 20080310179
    Abstract: A hinged light bar comprising a hinged bar having a top, bottom, side and rear, and adapted to receive one or more mud flaps; and said bar being removably securable to a vehicle. The hinged light bar: further adapted to receive one or more lights operatively engaging said vehicle; further comprising one or more lock members on a top, bottom, side, or rear of said bar for securing the hinged bar in either an extended or folded position; further comprising one or more flanges extending from the hinged bar and adapted to receive one or more mud flaps; further comprising a first and a second hinged side of said hinged bar wherein said first hinged side is adapted to receive a first lock member on said second hinged side of said hinged bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventor: Roy Bates
  • Publication number: 20060180029
    Abstract: A brew basket for an automatic drip coffee maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A coffee filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventor: Roy Bates
  • Publication number: 20060180030
    Abstract: A brew basket for a hot beverage maker has a funnel-shape with a relatively wide top end and relatively narrow bottom end. A stepped support ring is integral in and defines a ledge around a circumference of the brew basket. A filter pod is supported on its periphery by the support ring during brewing. An adaptor can be integrally attached to the brew basket to give a user an option to place a second filter pod in the brew basket to yield more or stronger brewed beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Roy Bates, Steve Williamson, William Starr
  • Publication number: 20050091864
    Abstract: A combination hair dryer and mounting assembly includes a hair dryer having a switch movable between an OFF position in which the hair dryer is not energized and an ON position in which the hair dryer is energized. A receptacle is configured for receiving the hair dryer therein when the switch is in the OFF position. The receptacle prevents insertion of the hair dryer therein when the switch is in the ON position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 5, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Sullivan, Roy Bates
  • Patent number: 6680551
    Abstract: A muffler is incorporated into an electric motor housing to increase air flow across the motor and to reduce noise escaping from the housing. The muffler includes a cone adapted to be mounted adjacent the exhaust side of the motor fan. The muffler further includes an exhaust passageway comprising at least 270° in turns before final exhaustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex
    Inventors: Roy Bates, John Robert Bohannon, Brian Williamson