Patents by Inventor William George Crossland

William George Crossland 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: 11089901
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland
  • Patent number: 11051650
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20200121118
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container manipulation assembly having a support assembly and an elevator. The support assembly can be configured to receive a container. The elevator can be connected with the support assembly and can be configured to translate and/or rotate the support assembly. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation system includes a wand manipulation assembly having a wand unit and a mechanical linkage. The linkage can be configured to move the wand unit into and out of engagement with the container on the support assembly. The wand unit can provide a flow of fluid, such as steam, to liquid in the container to heat and/or froth the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, William George Crossland
  • Patent number: 10531761
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container manipulation assembly having a support assembly and an elevator. The support assembly can be configured to receive a container. The elevator can be connected with the support assembly and can be configured to translate and/or rotate the support assembly. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation system includes a wand manipulation assembly having a wand unit and a mechanical linkage. The linkage can be configured to move the wand unit into and out of engagement with the container on the support assembly. The wand unit can provide a flow of fluid, such as steam, to liquid in the container to heat and/or froth the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20200000274
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Dab Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, William George Crossland
  • Patent number: 10362896
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are shown. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20190223654
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland
  • Patent number: 10258191
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20170079469
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20170079464
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a container manipulation assembly having a support assembly and an elevator. The support assembly can be configured to receive a container. The elevator can be connected with the support assembly and can be configured to translate and/or rotate the support assembly. In some embodiments, the beverage preparation system includes a wand manipulation assembly having a wand unit and a mechanical linkage. The linkage can be configured to move the wand unit into and out of engagement with the container on the support assembly. The wand unit can provide a flow of fluid, such as steam, to liquid in the container to heat and/or froth the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, William George Crossland
  • Publication number: 20170079468
    Abstract: Various beverage preparation systems and methods are disclosed. The beverage preparation system can include a dispensing unit configured to receive beverage, such as a shot of espresso, from a beverage preparation machine. The dispensing unit can include a dispensing unit with a first end and a second end. The dispensing unit can be rotatable between an upright position and an inverted position. The dispensing unit can be configured to receive the beverage through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the upright position, and can be configured to receive cleansing fluid through the second end when the dispensing unit is in the inverted position. In some embodiments, when the dispensing unit is in an intermediate position between the upright and inverted positions, the dispensing unit is configured to dispense the beverage out of the first end and into a cup or other vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Apone, Izaak Koller, Michael Cummer, Richard B. Riday, William George Crossland