John H Mathues

US Patent:

20040035297, Feb 26, 2004

Filed:

Jun 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/608045

Inventors:

John Mathues - Evergreen CO, US

International Classification:

A23L001/00

US Classification:

099/275000

Abstract:

A beverage supply system includes a beverage container having an outlet. A first reservoir is connected to the beverage container outlet to receive beverage from the beverage container under force of gravity. A pump is connected to the first reservoir, and a second reservoir is connected to the pump, the second reservoir defining an expandable beverage chamber. The pump is activated to pump beverage from the first reservoir to the second reservoir only when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The system also includes a beverage dispenser connected to the second reservoir. A method of supplying beverage from a beverage container to a beverage dispenser includes supplying beverage from a beverage container to a first reservoir under force of gravity. The method also includes pumping the beverage from the first reservoir to an expandable pressurized chamber of a second reservoir when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The method additionally includes intermittently connecting the pressurized chamber to an outlet of a beverage dispenser to supply beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser without pumping the beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser.

US Patent:

20040040977, Mar 4, 2004

Filed:

Aug 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/229672

Inventors:

John Mathues - Evergreen CO, US

Assignee:

Hymore, Inc.

International Classification:

G01F011/00

US Classification:

222/001000, 222/064000, 222/386500

Abstract:

A beverage supply system includes a beverage container having an outlet. A first reservoir is connected to the beverage container outlet to receive beverage from the beverage container under force of gravity. A pump is connected to the first reservoir, and a second reservoir is connected to the pump, the second reservoir defining an expandable beverage chamber. The pump is activated to pump beverage from the first reservoir to the second reservoir only when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The system also includes a beverage dispenser connected to the second reservoir. A method of supplying beverage from a beverage container to a beverage dispenser includes supplying beverage from a beverage container to a first reservoir under force of gravity. The method also includes pumping the beverage from the first reservoir to an expandable pressurized chamber of a second reservoir when a first quantity of beverage in the first reservoir is within a first quantity range and a second quantity of beverage in the second reservoir is below a second quantity range. The method additionally includes intermittently connecting the pressurized chamber to an outlet of a beverage dispenser to supply beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser without pumping the beverage from the second reservoir to the beverage dispenser.

US Patent:

20040238562, Dec 2, 2004

Filed:

May 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/856327

Inventors:

John Mathues - Evergreen CO, US

International Classification:

B67D005/08

US Classification:

222/052000

Abstract:

An embodiment of the present invention is a fitting for a mounting adapter of a beverage supply system. The fitting includes a base portion adapted to be secured to a body of the mounting adapter. A drain tube extends from the base portion to penetrate and seal the bottom opening of a beverage container. The drain tube further has a beverage outlet channel and an air inlet channel, each of the channels separately extending through the drain tube and the fitting. A sensor mounted on the beverage outlet channel near a base of the drain tube detects a beverage within the beverage outlet channel. A valve mounted on the beverage outlet channel closes the beverage outlet channel in response to the sensor detecting that no beverage is present in the beverage outlet channel.