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).

  • Patent number: 7486877
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Christophe Boussemart, Ruguo Hu, Jean-Bernard Pulzer
  • Patent number: 7412921
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman
  • Patent number: 7401545
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan E. Walters
  • Patent number: 7387239
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignees: Netsec S.A., Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
  • Publication number: 20080008461
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan Walters
  • Publication number: 20070292584
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: NESTEC S.A.
    Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
  • Patent number: 7279188
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
  • Publication number: 20070183258
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
  • Patent number: 7243597
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, John R. Bernardi, Corey M. Arrick, Ennio Bardin
  • Publication number: 20070144355
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Denisart, Patrick Caprotti, Jean-Luc Denisart, Alex Kollep, Ruguo Hu, William Overbaugh
  • Publication number: 20060108415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Publication date: May 25, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
  • Publication number: 20060096465
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Megan Walters
  • Patent number: 7032818
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignees: Nestec S.A., Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Thomas, Donald Cardwell, Ruguo Hu
  • Publication number: 20060027103
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Christophe Boussemart, Ruguo Hu, Jean-Bernard Pulzer
  • Publication number: 20050158426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Lilian Magel, Amanda Scoville
  • Publication number: 20050115415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Corey Arrick, Ruguo Hu, Eugene Scoville
  • Publication number: 20050084569
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Sheehan, William Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall Chrisman
  • Patent number: 6832542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman
  • Publication number: 20040163543
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, John R. Bernardi, Corey M. Arrick, Ennio Bardin
  • Publication number: 20030056661
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Ruguo Hu, Corey Arrick, Eugene Scoville, John Bernardi, Brita Frangsmyr Sheehan, William F. Overbaugh, Ennio Bardin, Randall C. Chrisman