Patents by Inventor William A. Edwards

William A. Edwards 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).

  • Patent number: 8490834
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Patent number: 8365956
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Patent number: 8365957
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Patent number: 8251259
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned externally or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Patent number: 8219609
    Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for maintaining state information between a stateless environment and a stateful environment. Specifically, a front-end process operates a stateless environment, such as providing web services via the HyperText Transfer Protocol. Because HTTP is inherently stateless, a back-end process operates a stateful environment by managing multiple modules. Some of the modules can be login modules that request login information for an authentication process. The authentication process can be the Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS). The back-end process accumulates state information and transmits the state information to the front-end process when modules request further information. By managing the authentication process from the back-end process, the stateful environment is established for the stateless environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ratnadeep Bhattacharjee, William A. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20120048886
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned through external means or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Publication number: 20120048866
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned through external means or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Publication number: 20120048887
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned through external means or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Patent number: 8074842
    Abstract: A dispenser including a plurality of tower sections allows an operator to remove one or more tower sections from the fluid dispenser without removing the fluid dispenser from a dispensing location. A housing of the dispenser includes multiple arrays of outlets from a housing fluid circuit that is connectable to fluid sources. Separate tower sections including complementary arrays are then coupled to arrays of the housing, thereby extending the housing fluid circuits to the dispense points disposed on the tower sections. The tower sections are secured to the fluid dispenser housing. The tower sections may further include mounting members that mate together to provide additional restraint and to ensure that the dispense points of the attached tower sections are aligned, thereby providing a clean, uniform appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignees: Lancer Partnership, Ltd., The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Gary V. Paisley, Douglas J. McDougall, Daniel S. Quartarone, Samuel L. Orr, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7910047
    Abstract: A method for molding through parts employs gas-assist molding techniques. The method includes closing a mold to create a part cavity, injecting resin into the mold, injecting a gas into a resin stream to create hollow sections in the part, opening the mold, and ejecting a part using conventional mold ejection techniques. The final step of the process includes trimming the as-molded part to expose the through section of the fitting. The fitting may be molded with sealing features for use in tubing assemblies. Advantages of this process include higher working pressure ranges, as well as reduced manufacturing costs and assembly time. The molded tubing fitting formed in this process invention is a through fitting which incorporates features representing o-rings installed on a part into the mold and ultimately into the exterior surface of the molded fitting. This process may eliminate injection molded o-ring fittings from the connection entirely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Troy Stuebs, William A. Edwards, Jason K. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7793678
    Abstract: A converter valve allows product dispenser operator to change from a first fluid source to a second fluid source without fluid crossover. The converter valve includes a first port in fluid communication with a dispense point, a second port in fluid communication with a first fluid source having a first fluid, and a third port is in fluid communication with a second fluid source having a second fluid. The converter valve includes a passage between the first and second ports, and a plug in fluid communication with third port. The second and third ports of the converter valve are disposed symmetrically about the first port, and, accordingly, the converter valve is rotatable about the first port. As such, the converter valve delivers the first fluid to the dispense point, and delivers the second fluid through the passage to the dispense point when the converter valve is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Frank CarreƱo, Michael J. Riley
  • Patent number: 7743946
    Abstract: A switch over device provides a product dispenser with the capability to switch from a first diluent flow circuit to a second diluent flow circuit. The switch over device attaches to the dispenser, and includes a manifold having a first diluent inlet and a second diluent inlet in communication with a diluent outlet. The switch over device further includes a first and a second stem assembly, wherein the first and second stem assemblies are biased to a first position that interrupts flow from the first and second diluent inlets to the diluent outlet. In a second position, the stem assemblies permit fluid flow to the diluent outlet. The switch over device further includes actuators that enable an operator to easily switch from the one flow circuit to the other. The product dispenser may switch from virtually any type of diluent, and/or diluent temperatures, including ambient, chilled, and carbonated diluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Mauro C. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 7641074
    Abstract: A flow circuit connector provides the capability to change the flow paths of a product valve in a beverage dispenser. The flow circuit connector includes a first member that connects two unconnected flow paths, and a second member that stops the flow of fluid within the flow paths not being utilized. In a first embodiment, the flow circuit connector allows an operator to select between two diluent flow paths representing either a chilled diluent or a chilled and carbonated diluent. Configuration may be accomplished on location, and is not a permanent rerouting. In a second embodiment, the beverage dispenser further includes an ambient flow circuit and additional flow circuit connector components as required to complete or cap any exposed flow circuits. In a third embodiment, the beverage dispenser includes at least two product flow circuits representing the delivery of ambient product or a conditioned product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Randeep S. Grewal
  • Publication number: 20090294475
    Abstract: A product dispenser reconfigurable in the field includes a housing, at least one tower unit, and a removable ambient box. The at least one tower unit includes at least one dispense point, whereby a product or diluent is delivered from a diluent or product source to the dispense point. The ambient box is an insulated product path that is adaptable to at least one external source and the tower units or the dispense points. The external source may be conditioned through external means or may deliver an ambient temperature product, wherein the product circuits passing through the ambient box may deliver product to any tower unit, thereby providing increased product variability within a same product dispenser. The product dispenser still further includes a tower structure that is removable without disabling the product circuits, and a method of merchandising on the tower structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Roger Anthony Kolodziejcyk
  • Publication number: 20090107559
    Abstract: A converter valve allows product dispenser operator to change from a first fluid source to a second fluid source without fluid crossover. The converter valve includes a first port in fluid communication with a dispense point, a second port in fluid communication with a first fluid source having a first fluid, and a third port is in fluid communication with a second fluid source having a second fluid. The converter valve includes a passage between the first and second ports, and a plug in fluid communication with third port. The second and third ports of the converter valve are disposed symmetrically about the first port, and, accordingly, the converter valve is rotatable about the first port. As such, the converter valve delivers the first fluid to the dispense point, and delivers the second fluid through the passage to the dispense point when the converter valve is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Frank Carreno, Michael J. Riley
  • Publication number: 20080277420
    Abstract: A dispenser including a plurality of tower sections allows an operator to remove one or more tower sections from the fluid dispenser without removing the fluid dispenser from a dispensing location. A housing of the dispenser includes multiple arrays of outlets from a housing fluid circuit that is connectable to fluid sources. Separate tower sections including complementary arrays are then coupled to arrays of the housing, thereby extending the housing fluid circuits to the dispense points disposed on the tower sections. The tower sections are secured to the fluid dispenser housing. The tower sections may further include mounting members that mate together to provide additional restraint and to ensure that the dispense points of the attached tower sections are aligned, thereby providing a clean, uniform appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: William A. Edwards, Gary V. Paisley, Douglas J. McDougall, Daniel S. Quartarone, Samuel L. Orr, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080098766
    Abstract: A product dispenser including a divider having at least one inlet zone recharge aperture disposed above an inlet zone of a cold plate, and at least one outlet zone recharge aperture disposed above an outlet zone of the cold plate, allows increased amounts of ice stored above the divider to be directed onto the inlet zone to compensate for an increased temperature of the inlet zone. The inlet zone recharge aperture is of a greater area than the outlet zone recharge aperture, or in the case of multiple apertures, the areas of like zone recharge apertures are combined to ensure that increased ice flow is delivered to the inlet zone. A method for distributing increased ice flow to the inlet zone to deliver chilled fluids within consumption specifications is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventor: William A. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20040062881
    Abstract: A method for molding through parts employs gas-assist molding techniques. The method includes closing a mold to create a part cavity, injecting resin into the mold, injecting a gas into a resin stream to create hollow sections in the part, opening the mold, and ejecting a part using conventional mold ejection techniques. The final step of the process includes trimming the as-molded part to expose the through section of the fitting. The fitting may be molded with sealing features for use in tubing assemblies. Advantages of this process include higher working pressure ranges, as well as reduced manufacturing costs and assembly time. The molded tubing fitting formed in this process invention is a through fitting which incorporates features representing o-rings installed on a part into the mold and ultimately into the exterior surface of the molded fitting. This process may eliminate injection molded o-ring fittings from the connection entirely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Troy Stuebs, William A. Edwards, Jason K. Weiss
  • Patent number: 6547100
    Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Phillips, William A. Edwards, Daniel S. Quartarone, David Pham, Samuel Durham, Franchot Chang, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Ryan D. Schuchart, Michael S. Meyer, Alfred A. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20020056721
    Abstract: A machine for dispensing beverages may include a support structure and a plurality of valve trays mounted on the support structure in side-by-side relation. The machine may also include a connection block disposed on each of the plurality of valve trays, where each connection block may be configured to receive a first supply of a diluent and a second supply of a diluent. A valve may be disposed on each connection block, and each valve may be configured to be selectively movable between the first supply, the second supply, and a closed position. A nozzle may be mounted to each of the valve trays at a predefined dispensing location, and each nozzle may be configured to selectively receive diluent from the first supply and the second supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Paul A. Phillips, William A. Edwards, Daniel S. Quartarone, David Pham, Samuel Durham, Franchot Chang, Thaddeus M. Jablonski, Ryan D. Schuchart, Michael S. Meyer, Alfred A. Schroeder