Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Novak
Thomas J. Novak 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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Publication number: 20240067381Abstract: A machine and method are provided for accommodating use of different size wicketed bags in the machine through adjustments of various machine systems. The adjustments may be primarily toolless, without requiring disassembly, reconfiguration, and/or reassembly of the machine's subsystems. An intake system may include an adjustable chute with an upper chute segment and a lower chute segment, which may be adjusted independently of each other. An adjustable funnel may define the upper chute segment and provide funnel walls with variable angles of inclination to direct items toward the lower chute segment. An adjustable chute may define the lower chute segment and provide chute walls that are separated with a variable spacing. An adjustable bag opening system may include retainer assemblies and opener assemblies that are adjustably positioned with respect to each other to change their bag-engagement positions to correspond to different sized bags and their respective opening configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Rene T. Ramirez, Thomas J. Novak
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Patent number: 11503945Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Patent number: 10842313Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
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Publication number: 20200146501Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20200146500Abstract: Described herein is a beverage system that is configured to produce beverages having different characteristics, such as different levels of carbonation including producing substantially non-carbonated beverages and carbonated beverages with a single machine. The beverage system includes a beverage appliance and a beverage container. The beverage container includes a beverage material, which can include a flavoring ingredient for a target beverage. The beverage appliance is used to access the beverage material from the beverage container and produce the target beverage. The beverage appliance and beverage container are adaptable to produce the target beverage having any of a range of carbonation levels or other characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Enrico Cafaro, Nathaniel Davis, Linda Marie Donoghue, Thomas Fedorka, Catherine Fox, Patrick Lazatin, William Roger Mainwaring-Burton, Michael M. Martin, Bob McCall, Thomas J. Novak, Ian Scott Rice, Thomas Adam Sullivan, Bryan Ellis Wagenknecht, Barry Wood
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Patent number: 10531762Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20190249125Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a concentrate from an alcoholic beverage, such as a beverage made by fermentation processes. A membrane process may be used to reduce water and alcohol content, followed by freeze concentration to further reduce water content.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak
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Patent number: 10343885Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
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Publication number: 20190166886Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2019Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Patent number: 10273439Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a concentrate from an alcoholic beverage, such as a beverage made by fermentation processes. A membrane process may be used to reduce water and alcohol content, followed by freeze concentration to further reduce water content.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak
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Patent number: 10201171Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. Carbonating gas can be provided to a tank via the tank outlet, thereby purging at least a portion of a dispense line leading from the tank to a dispensing station. A single pump may be used to deliver liquid to the tank, e.g., for carbonation, and to pump pressurized air to dispense liquid from the tank. A water trap may help remove moisture from carbonating gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Jeremy B. Gordon, Brian B. Johnson, Steven Raphaelson, Mario Liuzza, Scott Grubb, Trevor Beckett, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Thomas J. Novak, Peter Rae Peterson, Miles Hember, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro
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Publication number: 20180289205Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Applicant: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Milles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter Cauwood, Keith Thompson
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Publication number: 20180153331Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
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Patent number: 9936834Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: BEDFORD SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter Cauwood, Keith Thompson
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Patent number: 9867493Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla, Jennifer Caitlin Huot Carlson, Camilla Schmitt, Mark Joseph Cohen, Ross Peter Jones, Nicolas Alejandro Martinez, Miles William Noel Hember, Fabien Yannick Schmitt, Gary Stacey, Niall Allan Mottram, Neil Lester Campbell, Cormac O'Prey, Wai Ting Chan, Nicholas David Rollings, Charles Frazer Kilby, Christopher Paul Richardson, Thomas Bates Jackson, Scott Grubb, Chris Covey, Barry Dobson, Paul Wilkins, Chris Roach, Peter David Cauwood, Keith Paul Thompson, James Hewitt, Marc Angotti, Ray Carroll, Richard Estabrook, Kevin Hartley, Frank Consoli
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Patent number: 9821951Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Richard Estabrook, Marc Angotti, Thomas J. Novak
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Patent number: 9790076Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A carbon dioxide source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate carbon dioxide gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the carbon dioxide source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the carbon dioxide source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making carbonated beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Bedford Systems LLCInventors: Thomas J. Novak, Ross Packard, Peter Peterson, Shawn Gulla
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Publication number: 20170120203Abstract: Molecular sieve beads, such as zeolite, used to adsorb and release gas for carbonating a beverage are coated with fumed and/or precipitated silica. Such coating may reduce dust otherwise produced by the beads without inhibiting the beads' ability to adsorb and release gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Novak, Jennifer Caitlin Carlson, Matthew Elmer, Peter S. Given, JR., Peter Gosselin, Andrew Chamberlin, Caitlin Elizabeth LaClair
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Publication number: 20160235242Abstract: A beverage making machine having a cartridge holder with an upper portion movable in pivotal and/or linear ways relative to a lower portion. An actuator for the cartridge portion may include a handle-actuated spur gear and link to move the upper portion, which may be guided in movement via a cam and cam follower engagement. Information from a cartridge detector may be used based on movement of cartridge holder portions, e.g., as an upper portion moves from an open position to a closed position. A mixing chamber may be held by a drawer so as to be removable, and movement of the drawer may engage/disengage the mixing chamber from a fluid supply.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: William Philip McHugh, Jeremy B. Gordon, Scott Grubb, Steven Mackey, Thomas Fedorka, Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak, Thomas Paul Dutremble, Gwynn Masada, Bradford Range, Enrico Raffaele Cafaro, Steven Raphaelson, Michael Sack, Brian B. Johnson
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Publication number: 20160230133Abstract: Methods and systems for forming a concentrate from an alcoholic beverage, such as a beverage made by fermentation processes. A membrane process may be used to reduce water and alcohol content, followed by freeze concentration to further reduce water content.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Keurig Green Mountain, Inc.Inventors: Peter Rae Peterson, Thomas J. Novak