Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Hecht

Thomas R. Hecht 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: 20150191341
    Abstract: In many aspects, a system for a beverage dispenser can include a detector, a touch screen, and a control unit electrically coupled to the touch screen and detector. The control unit is configured to implement a method. In the method, a first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display during an operational mode. A sleep mode is entered after detecting no motion events from the detector after a predetermined amount of time. A second graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for display or the touch screen is turned off as a result of entering the sleep mode. A motion event is then detected in proximity to the detector, and as a result, the sleep mode is discontinued, and the operational mode is activated, and the first graphical configuration is sent to the touch screen for redisplay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Richard A. Martindale, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 9038986
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve-seal on a valve member that moves between an open and a closed position within a valve support housing for controlling fluid flow, particularly for use as a shut-off valve. In many embodiments, advancing the valve member sealingly engages the valve-seal with a valve seating area of the housing to close the valve and shut-off fluid flow through the housing, while retracting the valve member moves the valve-seal away from the seating area to allow fluid flow around the valve-seal and through the valve-seating area. In many embodiments, the valve member includes a proximal handle and angled ramp that engage with a helical ramp of the housing to translate rotation of the handle into axial movement of the member between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 9010579
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispensing head for dispensing beverages from at least one pressurized beverage source, and at least one beverage tube, with a first end that is fluidly connected to the beverage dispensing head and a second end. A manifold module for use in this system includes at least one flow control module configured for attachment to and fluid communication with the beverage source, and a beverage redirecting apparatus configured to be attached between the flow control module and the second end of the beverage tube. The beverage redirecting apparatus includes at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the flow control module and at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second end of the beverage tube. The beverage redirecting apparatus is configured such that a direction of fluid flow is altered between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret D. Baker, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20140326754
    Abstract: An ADA accessible beverage dispenser having a touch screen for receiving input for controlling the beverage dispenser and a first ADA access panel located within the reach of a user for receiving input from a an ADA user and a second ADA access panel displayed in a lower portion of the touchscreen and within the reach of the user for receiving input from the user where the first and second ADA access panels are configured to communicate with the beverage dispenser to control the beverage dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Richard A. Martindale, Bret D. Baker
  • Publication number: 20140305967
    Abstract: Devices for dispensing beverages, particularly multiple differing beverages from a dispensing nozzle, are provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a multiple beverage dispensing device includes a dispensing array attached to a dispense point isolation device within a dispensing nozzle, the dispensing array facilitates flow of a beverage base and at least one beverage additive into the dispensing nozzle and the dispense point isolation device isolating discharge of beverage additive to prevent cross-contamination and color-carryover caused by the residual traces of beverage additive often associated with conventional dispensing devices. In many embodiments, the dispense point isolation device further includes one or more isolation features, including any or all of a recess, trough, notch, raised ridge or tubular projection around an exit orifice of the beverage additive flow channel so as to further isolate release of the beverage additive and further inhibit cross-contamination and color-carryover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20140299636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw-on interface for bottle spouts that secures a spout to a bottle in a manner such that wear and/or breakage of the bottle interface from standard usage is minimized. In an embodiment of the invention, the screw-on bottle interface incorporates a stainless steel plate in its threaded collar. This plate prevents damage to both the spout and the screw-on bottle interface when users over-tighten a screw-on bottle interface equipped bottle spout during installation of the spout onto a bottle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Richard A. Martindale, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 8459819
    Abstract: A bar gun having a configurable display is disclosed. The bar gun includes a housing portion having an internal cavity. A mixing mechanism is disposed in the internal cavity and is in fluid communication with a plurality of fluid lines. A spout having an opening is in fluid communication with the mixing mechanism to discharge fluid received from the mixing mechanism. The configurable display is coupled with the housing. The configurable display can include a display window and an illumination source configured to emit illumination to back light the display window. The configurable display can also include an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Martindale, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 8448821
    Abstract: A sanitary collection device for a beverage dispenser that provides an improved and larger collection area as compared to a cylindrical holster; and separation between the dispensing nozzle of the beverage dispenser and collection surfaces of the sanitary collection device such that the dispensing nozzle is prevented from contacting a possibly contaminated surface of the sanitary collection device. The present invention also provides for easy cleaning of the sanitary collection device and its drip cup, since the drip cup can be easily removed without the use of tools to facilitate cleaning and/or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Publication number: 20130048674
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a beverage dispensing head for dispensing beverages from at least one pressurized beverage source, and at least one beverage tube, with a first end that is fluidly connected to the beverage dispensing head and a second end. A manifold module for use in this system includes at least one flow control module configured for attachment to and fluid communication with the beverage source, and a beverage redirecting apparatus configured to be attached between the flow control module and the second end of the beverage tube. The beverage redirecting apparatus includes at least one fluid inlet in fluid communication with the flow control module and at least one fluid outlet in fluid communication with the second end of the beverage tube. The beverage redirecting apparatus is configured such that a direction of fluid flow is altered between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Bret D. Baker, Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 8251087
    Abstract: A modular fitting for use with a commercially-available fluid or pneumatic switch, such as solenoid valves. The modular fittings disclosed can be aggregated to form a resulting modular fitting assembly according to the number of fluid circuits desired. The modular fittings include one or more coupling features that provide the ability to couple adjacent modular fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 8152029
    Abstract: A dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus has a product container for holding the fluid; a chamber including a dispensing cylinder having an inlet and an outlet; an inlet check valve disposed at the inlet of the chamber, the inlet check valve being openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction through the inlet check valve into the chamber; an outlet check valve disposed at the outlet of the chamber, the outlet check valve being openable to permit flow substantially only in a direction from the chamber out through the outlet check valve; an outlet spout connected with the outlet of the outlet check valve for receiving the fluid from the outlet check valve; a spring-biased piston configured for sliding movement in the dispensing cylinder, the piston being smaller than the dispensing cylinder thus providing a clearance; and a bypass backflow opening disposed in the dispensing cylinder above the spring-biased piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Tuyls, Thomas R. Hecht, Juha K. Salmela
  • Patent number: D656001
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: D656387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: D656388
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: D657369
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky
  • Patent number: D657370
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky
  • Patent number: D657371
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Jun Feng, Boris Brodsky
  • Patent number: D658486
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas R. Hecht, Bret D. Baker
  • Patent number: D669308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Automatic Bar Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Hecht
  • Patent number: D682597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Emir Bingul, Indrani Deo, Stephen Lim, Matthew T. Bell, Thomas R. Hecht, Michael E. Laut, Shane M. Roepe, Patrick A. Short