Patents by Inventor Takeshi Masu
Takeshi Masu 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: 8263155Abstract: A beverage dispenser, including a whipper disk and a dispensing spout connected downstream to the housing for dispensing the whipped beverage mixture. A sieve is disposed within the dispensing spout and is configured for reducing the number of large bubbles present within the fluid over a predetermined size. An output plate covers a downstream end of the dispensing spout and has a plurality of holes formed therein for reducing the velocity of the whipped beverage mixture through the dispensing spout.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Darren William Crow, Takeshi Masu, Jurgen Leenders, Richard Patrick Egnor, Travis D. Hall, J. Antonio Gutierrez, Amol Bhalerao
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Publication number: 20120003373Abstract: A beverage whipper, including a whipper disk configured for spinning within the whipper and having a radius is disclosed. The whipper disk further includes a front surface and a plurality of forward-facing concave surfaces that divide the front surface into a plurality of front surface sections. The concave surfaces extend generally radially over more than half the radius and have a circumferential width and a depth, wherein the width is larger than the depth. The front surface sections have a total area that is at least 4-times the total area of the concave surfaces. Also, a beverage dispenser that includes the whipper for forming beverages having crema such as espresso or cappuccino.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Darren William Crow, Takeshi Masu, Jurgen Leenders, Richard Patrick Egnor, Travis D. Hall
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Patent number: 8038033Abstract: A beverage whipper, including a whipper disk configured for spinning within the whipper and having a radius is disclosed. The whipper disk further includes a front surface and a plurality of forward-facing concave surfaces that divide the front surface into a plurality of front surface sections. The concave surfaces extend generally radially over more than half the radius and have a circumferential width and a depth, wherein the width is larger than the depth. The front surface sections have a total area that is at least 4-times the total area of the concave surfaces. Also, a beverage dispenser that includes the whipper for forming beverages having crema such as espresso or cappuccino.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2008Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Darren William Crow, Takeshi Masu, Jurgen Leenders, Richard Patrick Egnor, Travis D. Hall
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Patent number: 7857910Abstract: The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Patent number: 7708838Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention hygienically supplies microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The unit includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. Thus, during cleaning or rinsing, the cleaning or rinsing fluid can be discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to a closing point of the container assembly, thus demarcating a closing point, downstream of which is a part that is maintained clean, and upstream of which is a part of the container that is maintained sterile.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Takeshi Masu
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Publication number: 20090285955Abstract: A beverage dispenser, including a whipper disk and a dispensing spout connected downstream to the housing for dispensing the whipped beverage mixture. A sieve is disposed within the dispensing spout and is configured for reducing the number of large bubbles present within the fluid over a predetermined size. An output plate covers a downstream end of the dispensing spout and has a plurality of holes formed therein for reducing the velocity of the whipped beverage mixture through the dispensing spout.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2009Publication date: November 19, 2009Inventors: Darren William Crow, Takeshi Masu, Jurgen Leenders, Richard Patrick Egnor, Travis D. Hall, J. Antonio Gutierrez, Amol Bhalerao
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Publication number: 20090130280Abstract: A beverage whipper, including a whipper disk configured for spinning within the whipper and having a radius is disclosed. The whipper disk further includes a front surface and a plurality of forward-facing concave surfaces that divide the front surface into a plurality of front surface sections. The concave surfaces extend generally radially over more than half the radius and have a circumferential width and a depth, wherein the width is larger than the depth. The front surface sections have a total area that is at least 4-times the total area of the concave surfaces. Also, a beverage dispenser that includes the whipper for forming beverages having crema such as espresso or cappuccino.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventors: Darren William CROW, Takeshi Masu, Jurgen Leenders, Richard Patrick Egnor, Travis D. Hall
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Patent number: 7401613Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Patent number: 7325485Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20060254621Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention hygienically supplies microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The unit includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion. Thus, during cleaning or rinsing, the cleaning or rinsing fluid can be discharged within the terminal connecting portion up to a closing point of the container assembly, thus demarcating a closing point, downstream of which is a part that is maintained clean, and upstream of which is a part of the container that is maintained sterile.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2006Publication date: November 16, 2006Applicant: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter Carhuff, Edward Dickinson, Andrew Harvey, Edward Kolvek, Takeshi Masu
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Patent number: 7121287Abstract: The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The device includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Takeshi Masu
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Patent number: 6977091Abstract: The invention relates to a method to improve the appearance and texture of froth on a liquid food product. The liquid food product is prepared in a receptacle with a froth layer above a liquid layer. Droplets of a liquid are sprayed on the froth layer to increase the homogeneity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20050115597Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2005Publication date: June 2, 2005Applicant: NESTEC S.A.Inventors: Peter Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward Dickinson, Andrew Harvey, Edward Kolvek, Michael Lago
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Publication number: 20050098575Abstract: The invention relates to a food product dispenser that includes a food delivery mechanism and a cleansing mechanism. The food delivery mechanism includes a food source, a food conduit associated with the food source for receiving a food component therefrom, and a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense servings of the food component from the conduit. The cleansing mechanism includes a cleansing conduit associated with the food delivery mechanism to direct a cleansing fluid along a fluid path in cleansing association with the food delivery mechanism under conditions for performing a cleansing operation on the food delivery mechanism. A controller can be provided for automatically conducting cleansing operations based on predetermined conditions. The controller, delivery mechanism and cleansing mechanism can be configured to switch between the dispensing of the servings and the cleansing operation at a plurality of intervals during a day without substantial intervention from an operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2003Publication date: May 12, 2005Inventors: Peter Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward Dickinson, Anderw Harvey, Edward Kolvek, Michael Lago
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Patent number: 6889603Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Nestec S.A.Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20040194811Abstract: The invention relates to a method of in place cleaning of an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention and for cleaning the same in place.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: NESTEC SAInventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20040118291Abstract: The invention relates to an automated food product dispenser comprising an interface connection configured to establish a supply of a milk-based fluid from a reservoir (for example, a container or a bag), a mixing device configured to receive the milk-based fluid and prepare a milk based product, a nozzle in fluid association with the mixing device for dispensing the milk based product, a product flowpath configured for directing the milk based product to flow from the interface connection through the mixing device to the nozzle, and a clean-in-place flowpath assembly located in the dispenser and comprising a supply of cleaning or sanitizing fluid and a flowpath which is configured to deliver the cleaning or sanitizing fluid to or through the product flowpath. The invention also relates to a method of using and machine readable program for controlling the automated food product dispenser of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2002Publication date: June 24, 2004Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Gene Clyde, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20040071841Abstract: The invention relates to a method to improve the appearance and texture of froth on a liquid food product. The liquid food product is prepared in a receptacle with a froth layer above a liquid layer. Droplets of a liquid are sprayed on the froth layer to increase the homogeneity thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2002Publication date: April 15, 2004Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Takeshi Masu, Michael H. Lago
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Publication number: 20040001906Abstract: The present invention relates to the dispensing of a microbiologically sensitive fluid, in particular low acid food fluid, in a hygienic manner so as to avoid micro-organism growth in the line dispensing the fluid as well as in any mechanical components of a dispensing unit that may enter into contact with the fluid. The invention relates to a device for hygienically supplying microbiologically sensitive fluid from a removable container that has a terminal connecting portion to a dispensing unit. The device includes a coupling mechanism adapted to connect the terminal connecting portion and a component for delivering a cleaning or rinsing fluid within the terminal connecting portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: January 1, 2004Inventors: Peter W. Carhuff, Edward L. Dickinson, Andrew C. Harvey, Edward M. Kolvek, Takeshi Masu