Patents by Inventor Stephen Potter

Stephen Potter 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: 20230404146
    Abstract: A refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system includes refilling control circuitry. The refilling control circuitry is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material from a reservoir to the article when the article is coupled to the refilling device. The refilling control circuitry causes a value of a counter stored on the reservoir to be updated in response to the transfer of the aerosol-generating material. The value of the counter is indicative of the amount of an aerosol generating material in the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: My-Linh TRAN, Robert KERSEY, Stephen POTTER
  • Publication number: 20230397657
    Abstract: A refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system includes an article interface configured to receive the article and refilling control circuitry. The refilling circuitry is configured to read, from the article in response to the article being received by the article interface, an indication of a number of times the article has been refilled with aerosol generating material, and transmit, to a remote data store using a wireless communications protocol, the indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: My-Linh TRAN, Robert KERSEY, Stephen POTTER
  • Publication number: 20230394949
    Abstract: A computer is configured to receive, from a refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system associated with the computer via a remote data store using a wireless communications protocol, an indication of a number of times the article of the aerosol provision system has been refilled with aerosol generating material. The computer is then configured to provide the indication to a user of the computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: My-Linh TRAN, Robert KERSEY, Stephen POTTER
  • Publication number: 20230380488
    Abstract: A refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system includes refilling control circuitry. The refilling control circuitry is configured to facilitate the transfer of aerosol-generating material from a reservoir coupled to the refilling device to the article and cause a value of a counter to be updated in response to the transfer of the aerosol-generating material. The value of the counter is indicative of a number of times the article has been refilled. The refilling control circuitry determines if the article is expired based on a comparison between the updated value of the counter and a refill limit and writes data to computer-readable memory indicating that the article is expired in response to determining that the article is expired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: My-Linh TRAN, Robert KERSEY, Stephen POTTER
  • Publication number: 20230380489
    Abstract: A refilling device for an article of an aerosol provision system includes comprises refilling control circuitry. The refilling control circuitry is configured to read data from the article in response to the article being received by the refilling device and prevent a transfer of aerosol generating material from a reservoir coupled to the refilling device to the article in response to determining that the data indicates that the article has expired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: My-Linh TRAN, Robert KERSEY, Stephen POTTER
  • Publication number: 20230301466
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Publication number: 20230270290
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: SharkNinja Operating LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 11653793
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Patent number: 11638500
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 11166596
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Publication number: 20210219784
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Publication number: 20210100399
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 10869577
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 10362904
    Abstract: A base for a food processing system is provided including a housing configured to couple with a complementary container. The housing includes a bottom surface. At least one suction device is mounted to the bottom surface and is configured to adhere the base to an adjacent surface. At least one release mechanism is mounted to mounted generally flush with an outer surface of the housing. The at least one release mechanism is operably coupled to at least one suction device and is movable between a first position and a second position to release the at least one suction device from the adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Stephen Potter
  • Publication number: 20180317714
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Patent number: 10064520
    Abstract: A blender system includes a container having a rotatable blade assembly therein, a lid covering an open end of the container, and a base with a motorized unit. When the container is coupled with the base, the motorized unit is adapted to drive rotation of the rotatable blade assembly. The lid includes a hinged actuator lever adapted to actuate the motorized unit. A detent extends from the hinged actuator lever and passes through a series of apertures and presses against a slidable actuator shaft disposed in the container and maintained in its position by a spring force, thereby depressing a switch for the motorized unit. A rotatable blade system includes cutting blade(s) and crushing blade(s). The crushing blade extends longitudinally outwardly from a hub. When the hub rotates in a first direction or second direction opposite the first direction, a face of the crushing blade is leading or trailing, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, David M. Audette
  • Publication number: 20180177341
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 9924838
    Abstract: Food processing apparatuses having a drive unit which has more than one mode of operation, works with more than one food processing container, and/or may be operated in more than orientation are disclosed. The drive unit may be operated in first and second modes of operation. In some embodiments, the drive unit may be actuated in a different manner in the second mode of operation as compared to the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, the orientation of the drive unit in the second mode of operation is vertically flipped upside-down as compared to the orientation of the drive unit in the first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Stephen Potter, Devin Joseph Coakley, Michael Joseph Smith
  • Patent number: 9848738
    Abstract: A food processor is provided which includes a container, a blade assembly, and a base arranged such that the container is coupleable to the base. The base includes a housing and a motor configured to drive the blade assembly. The food processor further includes an actuator included with the container moveable between a first position and a second, extended position. When the container is coupled to the base and the actuator is in the second, extended position, the actuator is configured to actuate a switch to permit activation of the motor, and the base is constructed such that the container can be coupled to the base when the actuator is in the second, extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventors: David M. Audette, Alexander J. Calvino, Waiman Chung, Aric Jennings, Daniel Stephen Potter, Andrea Stavrinou, August Alden Drufke
  • Patent number: 9717370
    Abstract: A base for a food processing system is provided including a housing configured to couple with a complementary container. The housing includes a bottom surface. At least one suction device is mounted to the bottom surface and is configured to adhere the base to an adjacent surface. At least one release mechanism is mounted to mounted generally flush with an outer surface of the housing. The at least one release mechanism is operably coupled to at least one suction device and is movable between a first position and a second position to release the at least one suction device from the adjacent surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Stephen Potter