James F Shepard

US Patent:

8151694, Apr 10, 2012

Filed:

Aug 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/184442

Inventors:

William T. Jacobs - Lynnfield MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Kevin P. Sullivan - Wakefield MA, US
Ian Tinkler - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig, Incorporated - Reading MA

International Classification:

A47J 31/36

US Classification:

99302R, 99300, 99302 C, 426433

Abstract:

A beverage forming apparatus includes a storage tank, and a centrifugal pump having an inlet connected to the storage tank by a supply conduit. The centrifugal pump may include a priming vent located below a full level of the storage tank and permit air to vent as liquid primes the pump. A metering tank may have an inlet connected to the centrifugal pump by a pump conduit, and an outlet connected to a brew chamber that forms a beverage using liquid received from the metering tank. In one embodiment, a flow control valve, such as a check valve, may be provided in the pump conduit to allow flow from the pump to the metering tank, but resist flow in reverse. In another embodiment, a vent valve in the pump conduit may be arranged to vent at least a portion of the pump conduit, e. g. , to ambient air pressure.

US Patent:

8516948, Aug 27, 2013

Filed:

Sep 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/899956

Inventors:

Jennifer Zimmerman - Woburn MA, US
Constance L. Fortini - Sandown NH, US
Darius Dilmaghani - Chelmsford MA, US
Finn Brudevold - Wellesley MA, US
Francis Nutter - Charlton MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig, Incorporated - Reading MA

International Classification:

A47J 31/32
A47J 31/00

US Classification:

99295, 99302 R, 99280, 426433

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. An access opening for a reservoir of a brewer may be opened (e. g. , to allow a user to provide liquid into the reservoir for forming a beverage), and thereafter, the access opening of the reservoir may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed. The access opening may be closed and the reservoir pneumatically sealed by closing a lid of the reservoir, e. g. , by a user pressing down on the lid. Pneumatic sealing of the reservoir may allow the water in the reservoir to be expelled from the reservoir for flow to the brew chamber by introducing air pressure into the reservoir, e. g. , by an air pump. The reservoir may be vented during heating of the water, and during pressurization of the reservoir for delivery of the brew water.

US Patent:

20130209636, Aug 15, 2013

Filed:

Feb 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/370005

Inventors:

Tom Cominelli - Gloucester MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Thomas Vitella - Sandown NH, US

Assignee:

Keurig, Incorporated - Reading MA

International Classification:

A47J 31/44
A23L 2/52

US Classification:

426431, 99300, 99301, 99295, 426506

Abstract:

A beverage forming method and system employing the introduction of air into the heater tank and/or an expansion chamber after liquid delivery is complete. An expansion chamber may be provided at the top of the heater tank and provide a tortuous flow path from an air inlet to the tank outlet.

US Patent:

20180140129, May 24, 2018

Filed:

Jan 5, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/863063

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
Jonathan Alexander Brodie - North Billerica MA, US
Stuart Jay Foster - Somerville MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Yoav Rabino - Newton MA, US
Ian Tinkler - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A47J 31/36
A47J 31/06
A47J 31/44
A23F 3/18
A47J 31/46
B65D 85/804
A23F 5/26

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.

US Patent:

20170027374, Feb 2, 2017

Filed:

Oct 13, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/293110

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
Jonathan Alexander Brodie - North Billerica MA, US
Stuart Jay Foster - Somerville MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Yoav Rabino - Newton MA, US
Ian Tinkler - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A47J 31/46
B65D 85/804
A47J 31/44

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.

US Patent:

20160174756, Jun 23, 2016

Filed:

Feb 29, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/056316

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Geoffrey Y. Smith - Melrose MA, US
Jonathan Alexander Brodie - North Billerica MA, US
Stuart Jay Foster - Somerville MA, US
Stoyan Plamenov Hristov - Billerica MA, US
Jianming Huang - Andover MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A47J 31/46

Abstract:

Method and apparatus for forming both carafe quantities and smaller (e.g., cup) quantities of a beverage using a cartridge-based beverage machine. A beverage forming machine accommodates cartridges having different sizes and/or shapes, including different rim sizes/shapes. The outlet used for receiving a beverage from a standard cartridge differs from the outlet used for receiving the beverage from a carafe cartridge inserted in a same cartridge holder. Beverage may exit the cartridge in an upward direction in some embodiments.

US Patent:

20150201789, Jul 23, 2015

Filed:

Jan 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/157853

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
Jonathan Alexander Brodie - North Billerica MA, US
Stuart Jay Foster - Somerville MA, US
Stoyan Plamenov Hristov - Billerica MA, US
Jordan Dean Jack Greiner - Winchester MA, US
Peter Nicholas Woskov - Everett MA, US
Yoav Rabino - Newton MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Ian Tinkler - Wakefield MA, US
William T. Jacobs - Lynnfield MA, US
Patrick J. Lazatin - Woburn MA, US
William Philip McHugh - Foxborough MA, US
Kevin Thomas Brandimarte - Boston MA, US
Mario Liuzza - Malden MA, US
Timothy Maclean - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for opening and closing a cartridge holder of a beverage forming machine. The cartridge holder may have an opening arranged to receive and hold a cartridge with the cartridge holder. The opening may be adjustable in size and/or shape to allow the cartridge holder to receive and engage with cartridges of different size and/or shape. The cartridge holder may include one or more movable portions that are adjustable in position to effectively adjust a size and/or shape of the opening.

US Patent:

20150201790, Jul 23, 2015

Filed:

Jan 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/157889

Inventors:

- Waterbury VT, US
Jonathan Alexander Brodie - North Billerica MA, US
Stuart Jay Foster - Somerville MA, US
James E. Shepard - Marblehead MA, US
Yoav Rabino - Newton MA, US
Ian Tinkler - Wakefield MA, US

Assignee:

Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. - Waterbury VT

International Classification:

A47J 31/40
A23F 3/18
A23F 5/26

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of a beverage forming machine arranged for use with cartridges of different types, or receiving an upwardly flowing beverage from a cartridge. A beverage outlet may be movable to receive beverage from a cartridge of a first type, and to not receive beverage from a cartridge of a second type. Different cartridge characteristics may be detected by multiple detectors, e.g., for detecting a presence/absence of a cartridge, a cartridge type and/or an authorization feature.