Patents by Inventor Ruguo Hu
Ruguo Hu 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).
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Patent number: 7486877Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the heating of a liquid in a beverage machine comprising at least one set of at least two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use one resistor of each set individually or in serial with one or more of the resistors of the same set, at least one individual resistor and at least one set of two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use the first resistor of a set individually or in serial with one or more of the following resistors of the same set, said resistors transferring the maximum of energy to the flow of liquid and allowing a finer control of the liquid temperature.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Christophe Boussemart, Ruguo Hu, Jean-Bernard Pulzer
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Patent number: 7412921Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage obtained by supplying hot water within the capsule under pressure and releasing the beverage from the capsule. The capsule includes a food substance therein, a first surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of water entering the capsule, and a second surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of beverage exiting the capsule. The second surface is adapted to deform outwardly upon action of the inside water pressure thereon. Also, that surface includes at least one opening member capable of deforming inwards the capsule upon a mechanical reaction force applied from outside onto the closure member as a result of the deformation of the second surface due to the build-up of the inside pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman
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Patent number: 7401545Abstract: A method, apparatus, and related beverage profiles for on-demand heating of liquid used for beverage dispensing where such heating is dynamically variable according to the applicable profile. The apparatus includes a heating unit, electronic controller, and sensing devices. A water tank supplies the heating unit via a water pump controlled by the controller that also controls the heating unit. Feedback control loops provide control data to the controller to optimize liquid temperatures for a given beverage type in accordance with predetermined profiles.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan E. Walters
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Patent number: 7387239Abstract: A method of and system for providing machine-readable tags, preferably programmable RFID tags are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle having at least one wall member that defines an enclosure and a tag associated with the receptacle, which includes machine-readable information regarding a product occupying the enclosure is provided. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tag includes identification information in electronic form for the product.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignees: Netsec S.A., Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Kevin R. Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
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Publication number: 20080008461Abstract: A method apparatus (100), and related beverage profiles for on-demand heating of liquid used for beverage dispensing where such heating is dynamically variable according to the applicable profile. The apparatus (100) includes a heating unit (160), electronic controller (140), and sensing devices (150, 180). A water tank (110) supplies the heating unit (160) via a water pump (120) controlled by the controller (140) that also controls the heating unit. Feedback control loops provide control data to the controller (140) to optimize liquid temperatures for a given beverage type in accordance with predetermined profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2005Publication date: January 10, 2008Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan Walters
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Publication number: 20070292584Abstract: A device for preparing a whipped food, including a container portion that contains a food component and that is configured for receiving a fluid for mixing with the food component to produce a fluid mixture. A film conditioning conduit is associated with the container portion to receive the fluid mixture with gas bubbles entrained therein as a food product. The conduit includes a restriction channel associated with the container portion downstream thereof to receive the food product. The restriction channel has a cross-section sufficiently small and a length sufficiently large to selectively feed bubbles in the food product that are smaller than a preselected maximum bubble size. The conduit also includes a deceleration channel and fluid communication with the restriction channel downstream thereof to receive the food product. The deceleration channel substantially reduces the flow speed of the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2007Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
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Patent number: 7279188Abstract: A device for preparing a whipped food, including a container portion that contains a food component and that is configured for receiving a fluid for mixing with the food component to produce a fluid mixture. A film conditioning conduit is associated with the container portion to receive the fluid mixture with gas bubbles entrained therein as a food product. The conduit includes a restriction channel associated with the container portion downstream thereof to receive the food product. The restriction channel has a cross-section sufficiently small and a length sufficiently large to selectively feed bubbles in the food product that are smaller than a preselected maximum bubble size. The conduit also includes a deceleration channel and fluid communication with the restriction channel downstream thereof to receive the food product. The deceleration channel substantially reduces the flow speed of the food product.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
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Publication number: 20070183258Abstract: A device for preparing a whipped food, including a container portion that contains a food component and that is configured for receiving a fluid for mixing with the food component to produce a fluid mixture. A film conditioning conduit is associated with the container portion to receive the fluid mixture with gas bubbles entrained therein as a food product. The conduit includes a restriction channel associated with the container portion downstream thereof to receive the food product. The restriction channel has a cross-section sufficiently small and a length sufficiently large to selectively feed bubbles in the food product that are smaller than a preselected maximum bubble size. The conduit also includes a deceleration channel and fluid communication with the restriction channel downstream thereof to receive the food product. The deceleration channel substantially reduces the flow speed of the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
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Patent number: 7243597Abstract: A unit having a collecting device with a seat arranged to receive a disposable capsule containing a soluble product, such as a beverage-forming powder. The capsule contains at least one inlet port for a diluting fluid introduced into the capsule, at least one outlet port for delivery of a beverage provided by thorough mixing of the soluble product and the diluting fluid, and a bottom wall. The unit also includes a throttling arrangement provided by an engaging surface of a plunger that is operatively associated with the outlet port of the capsule. The engaging surface of the plunger is positioned and arranged outside of the capsule before the diluting fluid enters into the capsule, with the throttling arrangement created as diluting fluid is urged to enter the capsule by expansion of the capsule bottom wall and by forcing the engaging surface of the plunger to snugly fit through the outlet port.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2003Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, John R. Bernardi, Corey M. Arrick, Ennio Bardin
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Publication number: 20070144355Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a drink by injection of a liquid thorugh a capsule, containing a food substance which is soluble and/or for extraction, whereby the liquid is injected from at least one injection point, such as to generate a turbulent movement of injected liquid within said capsule, thus causing a brewing of the liquid with said substance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2004Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Jean-Paul Denisart, Patrick Caprotti, Jean-Luc Denisart, Alex Kollep, Ruguo Hu, William Overbaugh
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Publication number: 20060108415Abstract: A method of and system for providing machine-readable tags, preferably programmable RFID tags are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle having at least one wall member that defines an enclosure and a tag associated with the receptacle, which includes machine-readable information regarding a product occupying the enclosure is provided. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tag includes identification information in electronic form for the product.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2006Publication date: May 25, 2006Inventors: Kevin Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
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Publication number: 20060096465Abstract: A method, apparatus, and related beverage profiles for on-demand heating of liquid used for beverage dispensing where such heating is dynamically variable according to the applicable profile. The apparatus includes a heating unit, electronic controller, and sensing devices. A water tank supplies the heating unit via a water pump controlled by the controller that also controls the heating unit. Feedback control loops provide control data to the controller to optimize liquid temperatures for a given beverage type in accordance with predetermined profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2004Publication date: May 11, 2006Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan Walters
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Patent number: 7032818Abstract: A method of and system for providing machine-readable tags, preferably programmable RFID tags are provided. In one embodiment of the present invention, a receptacle having at least one wall member that defines an enclosure and a tag associated with the receptacle, which includes machine-readable information regarding a product occupying the enclosure is provided. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the tag includes identification information in electronic form for the product.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignees: Nestec S.A., Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.Inventors: Kevin R. Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
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Publication number: 20060027103Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the heating of a liquid in a beverage machine comprising at least one set of at least two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use one resistor of each set individually or in serial with one or more of the resistors of the same set, at least one individual resistor and at least one set of two resistors, wherein said resistors are electrically linked together so as to use the first resistor of a set individually or in serial with one or more of the following resistors of the same set, said resistors transferring the maximum of energy to the flow of liquid and allowing a finer control of the liquid temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2003Publication date: February 9, 2006Inventors: Christophe Boussemart, Ruguo Hu, Jean-Bernard Pulzer
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Publication number: 20050158426Abstract: A beverage portioned package for preparing a beverage in an extraction device of which the package is held or clamped between a water supplying part and a receiver of the device. The package has a first surface for the water to be forced to flow there through under pressure when the package is held or clamped in the device; a second surface for the flow of beverage to be forced to flow there through so to be collected in the receiver, wherein the package contains a portion of water-soluble beverage material and a portion of a filler. The filler comprising water insoluble material adapted to maintain the extraction pressure above the pressure created by the sole resistance of the first and second surfaces when the package is emptied of said soluble material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2004Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Lilian Magel, Amanda Scoville
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Publication number: 20050115415Abstract: A device for preparing a whipped food, including a container portion that contains a food component and that is configured for receiving a fluid for mixing with the food component to produce a fluid mixture. A film conditioning conduit is associated with the container portion to receive the fluid mixture with gas bubbles entrained therein as a food product. The conduit includes a restriction channel associated with the container portion downstream thereof to receive the food product. The restriction channel has a cross-section sufficiently small and a length sufficiently large to selectively feed bubbles in the food product that are smaller than a preselected maximum bubble size. The conduit also includes a deceleration channel and fluid communication with the restriction channel downstream thereof to receive the food product. The deceleration channel substantially reduces the flow speed of the food product.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2003Publication date: June 2, 2005Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
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Publication number: 20050084569Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage obtained by supplying hot water within the capsule under pressure and releasing the beverage from the capsule. The capsule includes a food substance therein, a first surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of water entering the capsule, and a second surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of beverage exiting the capsule. The second surface is adapted to deform outwardly upon action of the inside water pressure thereon. Also, that surface includes at least one opening member capable of deforming inwards the capsule upon a mechanical reaction force applied from outside onto the closure member as a result of the deformation of the second surface due to the build-up of the inside pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Sheehan, William Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall Chrisman
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Patent number: 6832542Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage obtained by supplying hot water within the capsule under pressure and releasing the beverage from the capsule; said capsule comprising a food substance therein, a first surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of water entering the capsule, a second surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of beverage exiting the capsule, wherein the second surface is adapted to deform outwardly upon action of the inside water pressure thereon and wherein said surface comprises at least one opening member capable of deforming inwards the capsule upon a mechanical reaction force applied from outside onto the closure member as a result of the deformation of said second surface due to the build-up of the inside pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman
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Publication number: 20040163543Abstract: A unit having a collecting device with a seat arranged to receive a disposable capsule containing a soluble product, such as a beverage-forming powder. The capsule contains at least one inlet port for a diluting fluid introduced into the capsule, at least one outlet port for delivery of a beverage provided by thorough mixing of the soluble product and the diluting fluid, and a bottom wall. The unit also includes a throttling arrangement provided by an engaging surface of a plunger that is operatively associated with the outlet port of the capsule. The engaging surface of the plunger is positioned and arranged outside of the capsule before the diluting fluid enters into the capsule, with the throttling arrangement created as diluting fluid is urged to enter the capsule by expansion of the capsule bottom wall and by forcing the engaging surface of the plunger to snugly fit through the outlet port.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Ruguo Hu, John R. Bernardi, Corey M. Arrick, Ennio Bardin
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Publication number: 20030056661Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule for the preparation of a beverage obtained by supplying hot water within the capsule under pressure and releasing the beverage from the capsule; said capsule comprising a food substance therein, a first surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of water entering the capsule, a second surface adapted to be traversed by a flow of beverage exiting the capsule, wherein the second surface is adapted to deform outwardly upon action of the inside water pressure thereon and wherein said surface comprises at least one opening member capable of deforming inwards the capsule upon a mechanical reaction force applied from outside onto the closure member as a result of the deformation of said second surface due to the build-up of the inside pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman