Patents by Inventor Stephen Hendron

Stephen Hendron 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: 20250002325
    Abstract: A beverage dispense apparatus and associated method, comprises a frame (11) for removably locating and holding a sealed beverage unit package (C) in a vertical orientation. A first piercing element (14) punctures a vent opening into a headspace of the beverage package (C) and, subsequently as the first piercing element is driven downward, a second piercing element (15) punctures an outlet opening into the beverage package so that beverage can flow through a nozzle (17) under gravity. An ultrasonic transducer (16) against the nozzle (17) may supply excitation energy that breaks gas out of solution so that a creamy head is formed on the beverage in a delivery vessel underneath the frame. Control of the vent opening/vale (13) enables flow to be slowed or stopped through the nozzle (17) enabling a settle time and “two-part” pour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Christopher Murphy, Gerald Gillen, James Ryan, Haris Velagic, Paul Smith, Stephen Hendron, Steve Gilsenan, Alan Johnston
  • Publication number: 20240034547
    Abstract: A pouring attachment device for a disposable package of nitrogenated beverage, e.g. an aluminium can P, that achieves a desirable foam head when the beverage is poured into a glass. The attachment comprises a main body or housing (11), an ultrasonic wave generator (27) and a means to couple the device to the package, such as a rim seal (2)0. A flow channel has a contoured inlet (26) configured for communicating beverage from the package to an outlet (21), via a resonance chamber (28), and is particularly configured for minimising turbulence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Haris Velagic, Gerald Gillen, James Ryan, Christopher Murphy, Paul Smith, Stephen Hendron, Steve Gilsenan
  • Publication number: 20220289550
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method for dispensing beverage from a single serve beverage package (b), e.g. an aluminium can B. In operation the sealed package (B) is located and held in a receiving enclosure (11) where, firstly, a dispense end of the package is opened by a piercing element (24) and, secondly, a gas is introduced under pressure at a second end through a hollow needle (19). Gas from a pump, into the internal volume of package (B), is then used to drive beverage from the beverage package, e.g. through a restrictor structure (27), at the dispense end and into a drinking vessel (G). The pump mode may then apply negative pressure to prevent flow and enable a pause in flow or at completion of delivery to a vessel (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher Murphy, Stephen Hendron, Stephen Kilcullen, James Ryan
  • Patent number: D989540
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DIAGEO IRELAND
    Inventors: Stephen Hendron, Stephen Kilcullen, James Ryan, Christopher Murphy
  • Patent number: D1062457
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: DIAGEO IRELAND
    Inventors: Christopher Murphy, Gerald Gillen, James Ryan, Haris Velagic, Alan Johnston, Steve Gilsenan, Paul Smith, Stephen Hendron