Patents by Inventor William J. Black

William J. Black 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: 20240074486
    Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Applicant: Altria Client Services LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Nathan CARROLL, Shannon Maxwell BLACK, Yan Helen SUN, William J. BURKE, Christopher Joseph DINOVI, David PHILLIPS, Jason Andrew MACKO, Robert SMITH
  • Patent number: 10044677
    Abstract: An approach is proposed that contemplates system and method to configure firewall rules of a VPN gateway of a protected network so that users of devices in the protected network can access Internet securely via a captive network. First, the proposed approach enables the VPN gateway to probe the captive network with an HTTP request to discover a captive portal of the captive network. After the captive portal is discovered, one or more firewall rules of the VPN gateway are added so that network traffic from the devices in the protected network are redirected to the captive portal for authentication. Once the users are authenticated and a VPN tunnel is established between the VPN gateway and a remote VPN tunnel terminal, the firewall rules previously added are removed from the VPN gateway and all network traffic from the devices in the protected network are routed over the VPN tunnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Barracuda Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Black, Marco Miska, Gean Han
  • Patent number: 10040043
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Publication number: 20170149736
    Abstract: An approach is proposed that contemplates system and method to configure firewall rules of a VPN gateway of a protected network so that users of devices in the protected network can access Internet securely via a captive network. First, the proposed approach enables the VPN gateway to probe the captive network with an HTTP request to discover a captive portal of the captive network. After the captive portal is discovered, one or more firewall rules of the VPN gateway are added so that network traffic from the devices in the protected network are redirected to the captive portal for authentication. Once the users are authenticated and a VPN tunnel is established between the VPN gateway and a remote VPN tunnel terminal, the firewall rules previously added are removed from the VPN gateway and all network traffic from the devices in the protected network are routed over the VPN tunnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: William J. Black, Marco Miska, Gean Han
  • Publication number: 20170042178
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for making a frozen beverage are disclosed. In the systems, a mixing stage mixes water and syrup to form a mixture. An ingredient flow path upstream the mixing stage feeds the water and syrup to the mixing stage. The ingredient flow path includes at least one ingredient sensor and an adjustable liquid flow control device. A mixture flow path receives the mixture downstream the mixing stage and includes a mixture sensor. An electronic control system is in connected communication with the ingredient sensor, mixture sensor, and adjustable flow control device, stores a target value associated with a brix, and is configured to achieve the target value by adjusting liquid flow through the liquid flow control device based on flow detected by the ingredient and mixture sensors. A freezing stage downstream the mixture flow path at least partially freezes the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: William J. Black
  • Publication number: 20160129410
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system with a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners, wherein beverage forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head are independently accountable to regulate the dispensing of the beverage. In one version of the invention, four liquids are supplied to the dispensing head through the conduits, namely two liquid concentrates; carbonated water; and non-carbonated water. By selective opening of the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more of the liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy W. BETHUY, William J. BLACK, Brian T. CAHILL, Ronald SCHILLING, Paul NOVOTNY, Fabio NEBBIA, Giovanni PERUCCA
  • Patent number: 9271480
    Abstract: A method of substantially permanently providing or enhancing ultra violet reflectance in materials suitable for use in making fishing lures materials and the resulting fishing lures so provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: William J Black
  • Publication number: 20150289490
    Abstract: A method of substantially permanently providing or enhancing ultra violet reflectance in materials suitable for use in making fishing lures materials and the resulting fishing lures so provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventor: William J. Black
  • Patent number: 9150401
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Publication number: 20140076929
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8616412
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8590746
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8356730
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Publication number: 20130008920
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8276786
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Publication number: 20120118912
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Publication number: 20120118394
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8127966
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8123080
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Pepsico, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca
  • Patent number: 8113384
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Bethuy, William J. Black, Brian T. Cahill, Ronald Schilling, Paul Novotny, Fabio Nebbia, Giovanni Perucca