Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Guy
Thomas L. Guy 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: 20140209635Abstract: An improved frozen beverage dispenser including one or more freezing/dispensing units and a refrigeration unit. The freezing/dispensing unit may include a freezing chamber, an integral accumulator, refrigeration valves and one or more dispensing nozzle. The refrigeration unit may include a refrigeration apparatus and a controller that includes integrated microprocessors running custom algorithms controlling the overall operation of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: FBD PARTNERSHIP, LPInventors: Matthew Gates, Thomas L. Guy, Craig Joy
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Patent number: 8701939Abstract: A food dispensing machine includes a product chamber with a dispensing valve connected to the product chamber and having an outlet through which a product contained in the product chamber is dispensed. The product chamber has a cleaning solution inlet connectable to a cleaning solution supply source for receiving cleaning solution into the product chamber. The product chamber further has an ingredient inlet alternatively connectable to either an ingredient supply source or the dispensing valve outlet. When the ingredient inlet is connected to the dispensing valve outlet, a re-circulating flow path is created, allowing for complete cleaning and sanitizing of the product flow path.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: FBD Partnership, LPInventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, Kristan L. Dawson, Raymond A. Glatt, Richard E. Frankenberger, Carl R. Martin, Craig Cloud
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Publication number: 20120055952Abstract: A food dispensing machine includes a product chamber with a dispensing valve connected to the product chamber and having an outlet through which a product contained in the product chamber is dispensed. The product chamber has a cleaning solution inlet connectable to a cleaning solution supply source for receiving cleaning solution into the product chamber. The product chamber further has an ingredient inlet alternatively connectable to either an ingredient supply source or the dispensing valve outlet. When the ingredient inlet is connected to the dispensing valve outlet, a re-circulating flow path is created, allowing for complete cleaning and sanitizing of the product flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: FBD PartnershipInventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, Kristan L. Dawson, Raymond A. Glatt, Richard E. Frankenberger, Carl R. Martin, Craig Cloud
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Patent number: 8079230Abstract: A food dispensing machine includes a product chamber with a dispensing valve connected to the product chamber and having an outlet through which a product contained in the product chamber is dispensed. The product chamber has a cleaning solution inlet connectable to a cleaning solution supply source for receiving cleaning solution into the product chamber. The product chamber further has an ingredient inlet alternatively connectable to either an ingredient supply source or the dispensing valve outlet. When the ingredient inlet is connected to the dispensing valve outlet, a re-circulating flow path is created, allowing for complete cleaning and sanitizing of the product flow path.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: FBD Partnership, LPInventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, Kristan L. Dawson, Raymond A. Glatt, Richard E. Frankenberger, Carl R. Martin, Craig Cloud
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Publication number: 20080041876Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved system and method that includes a food dispensing machine for dispensing a base food product through a dispensing valve and adding ingredients and other additives, such as flavors and the like, to the base food product when the product is dispensed from a product chamber. Multiple conduits coupled between additive sources and the dispensing valve can be selectively used to flow the various additives to the dispensing valve when the product is dispensed. The system and method may assist in reducing the number of product chambers generally required to deliver multiple products, allow various combinations of products, and even more combinations for those units having multiple product chambers with multiple dispensing valves. The disclosure further provides a unique valve that includes a movable nozzle assembly that unseats and seats on a fixed valve stem with attendant advantages in the above described dispensing valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Jimmy I. FRANK, Kris L. DAWSON, Thomas L. GUY
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Patent number: 6625993Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet coupled to a freezing chamber. The freezing chamber has a drain valve and a dispensing valve coupled thereto. Beverage ingredients are pumped into corresponding ingredient inlets of the mixing block such that the ingredients are mixed in the mixing block to form a product mixture, and the product mixture flows from the mixing block outlet into the freezing chamber. The freezing chamber and the mixing block are refrigerated. The product mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber. The cleaning solution is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Lancer FBDInventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, III
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Publication number: 20030126871Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a mixing block having a plurality of inlets and an outlet coupled to a freezing chamber. The freezing chamber has a drain valve and a dispensing valve coupled thereto. Beverage ingredients are pumped into corresponding ingredient inlets of the mixing block such that the ingredients are mixed in the mixing block to form a product mixture, and the product mixture flows from the mixing block outlet into the freezing chamber. The freezing chamber and the mixing block are refrigerated. The product mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber. The cleaning solution is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2003Publication date: July 10, 2003Applicant: Lancer FBDInventors: Jimmy I Frank , Thomas L Guy
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Patent number: 6536224Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets. A mixing block has a plurality of inlets connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together therein. At least one freezing chamber is connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom, and a refrigeration system is arranged to refrigerate the freezing chamber. A dispensing valve and a drain valve are connected to the freezing chamber. A controller is connected to the process control block to control operation of the frozen beverage machine. The beverage machine includes an automated sanitizing system operated by the controller, in which the beverage mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber to sanitize the machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Lancer FBDInventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy, III
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Publication number: 20020043071Abstract: A frozen beverage machine includes a process control block having a plurality of inlets for receiving ingredients and a plurality of outlets. A mixing block has a plurality of inlets connected to the process control block outlets such that ingredients flowing through the mixing block are mixed together therein. At least one freezing chamber is connected to the mixing block outlet to receive the mixed ingredients therefrom, and a refrigeration system is arranged to refrigerate the freezing chamber. A dispensing valve and a drain valve are connected to the freezing chamber. A controller is connected to the process control block to control operation of the frozen beverage machine. The beverage machine includes an automated sanitizing system operated by the controller, in which the beverage mixture is drained from the freezing chamber via the drain valve, and a cleaning solution is pumped into a cleaning solution inlet of the mixing block and into the freezing chamber to sanitize the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2001Publication date: April 18, 2002Inventors: Jimmy I. Frank, Thomas L. Guy
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Patent number: 5743433Abstract: A carbonator and plain water booster includes a tank and a bladder mounted within the tank that separates the tank into a carbonated water chamber and a plain water chamber. The carbonated water chamber connects to a water source and a CO.sub.2 source to facilitate the forming of carbonated water, while the plain water chamber connects only to the water source. The pressure of the carbonated water and CO.sub.2 gas within the carbonated water chamber expands the bladder into the plain water chamber, resulting in the pressurizing of the water within the plain water chamber. That pressurization allows the dispensing of plain water with a beverage syrup at a pressure sufficient to maintain a proper mix ratio between the plain water and the beverage syrup.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1995Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: The Coca-Cola CompanyInventors: John T. Hawkins, W. David Vinson, Thomas L. Guy, III, Samuel Durham
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Patent number: 5492455Abstract: A pump includes a quick connect interface that attaches to any drink dispensing to allow the mounting of the pump without the necessity of connection devices such as threaded fittings and/or clamps. The quick connect interface includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port connects to a product source to deliver product into the pump, while the outlet port connects the pump to a product dispensing apparatus. Both the inlet and outlet ports include a flow regulator that prevents the flow of product from the quick connect interface when the pump is removed. The housing also has a gas port that connects to a gas source to deliver gas into the pump. The gas port includes a flow regulator that prevents the escape of gas from the gas source when the pump is removed. Additionally, the pump includes a counter that measures the volume of fluid pumped by the pump.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Lancer CorporationInventors: Samuel Durham, Thomas L. Guy, III
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Patent number: 5419393Abstract: A cold plate includes a recessed area in its underside so that its inner tubes will not migrate away from its top surface during its casting process. By restricting the movement of the tubes during the casting process, the cold plate has tubes located close to its top surface, thereby improving the heat transfer between fluids flowing through the tubes and ice placed over the cold plate to act as a heat sink. As a result, the cold plate allows drinks to be dispensed that are colder and retain more carbonation.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: Lancer CorporationInventor: Thomas L. Guy, III
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Patent number: 4222564Abstract: A computer controlled automatic target system is disclosed which may be implemented on a fixed range or selectively deployed in the field. The fixed range system utilizes land line connections to the target and hit sensor assemblies. The portable field control embodiment incorporates a radio adapter unit which provides a two-way telemetry link between the control console and the target and hit sensor assemblies. The targets are provided with a fixed base or a disk-shaped sled. The targets utilizing the sled are adapted to be pulled across the terrain by a winch system. Both target mounting systems incorporate a base shield adapted to protect the target control and hit sensor assemblies. The hit sensor subsystem registers hits by ammunition or laser beam. Data from the hit sensor and control of the target silhouette between an up or down position is accomplished via communication links between the targets and the control console.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1977Date of Patent: September 16, 1980Assignee: ABA Electromechanical Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donnie E. Allen, Robert Kilmer, Thomas L. Guy, Wesley C. Fosnow