Richard R Muir

US Patent:

7021556, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Oct 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/698283

Inventors:

Richard B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
William F. Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu C. Liang - Taoyuan, TW

Assignee:

Sephra Fountains, LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

E03B 9/20

US Classification:

239 16, 239 20, 239722, 239 28, 99483, 99452

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean.

US Patent:

7118045, Oct 10, 2006

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/342073

Inventors:

Richard B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
William F. Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu C. Liang - Taoyuan, TW

Assignee:

Sephra LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

E03B 9/20
A23C 3/02
A23C 15/04
A01J 11/00

US Classification:

239 16, 239 17, 239 18, 239 19, 239 21, 239 22, 239 23, 239 24, 239 20, 239722, 239 28, 99483, 99452

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean.

US Patent:

7182269, Feb 27, 2007

Filed:

Oct 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/253399

Inventors:

Richard B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
William F. Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu C. Liang - Taoyuan, TW

Assignee:

Sephra LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

E03B 9/20
A23C 3/02
A23C 15/04

US Classification:

239 16, 239 20, 239722, 239 28, 99483, 99452

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean.

US Patent:

7383764, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

Aug 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/924233

Inventors:

Richard B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
William F. Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu C. Liang - Taoyuan, TW

Assignee:

Sephra LLC - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A62C 3/02
A62C 15/04
A01J 11/00
A23C 1/00

US Classification:

99483, 239 20, 239 24, 239 28, 239 293, 99452, 222413, 222412, 222411

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials. In one embodiment, the fountain includes a heating element encased in an enclosure. A basin containing a medium, such as chocolate, is removably mounted to the enclosure so that the basin is heated by contact with the enclosure. Additionally, an auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of a cylinder that houses the auger. One or more tiers may be mounted, using various locking mechanisms, onto the cylinder to divert flow of the medium. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

US Patent:

7743698, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/418825

Inventors:

Richard B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
William F. Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan B. Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu C. Liang - Taoyuan, TW

Assignee:

Sephra L.P. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

A23C 3/02
A23C 15/04
A01J 11/00
A23C 1/00

US Classification:

99483, 99452, 239 16, 239 20, 239 28, 239722

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and/or cooling a beverage comprises one or more heating and/or cooling elements that are configured to adjust a temperature of a beverage that circulates through the fountain. In one embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more heating elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a top reservoir of the fountain. In another embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a reservoir of the fountain. Alternatively, the beverage fountain may include both heating and cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, a reservoir, and/or other locations of the fountain, wherein a selection device, such as an electrical switch or control module, may be adjusted by a user in order to select heating or cooling of the beverage.

US Patent:

20060118595, Jun 8, 2006

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/340877

Inventors:

Richard Muir - San Diego CA, US
William Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu Liang - Taoyuan City, TW

International Classification:

B25C 5/02
B25C 5/06
B27F 7/00

US Classification:

227124000, 227125000, 227126000

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

US Patent:

20060144255, Jul 6, 2006

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/341772

Inventors:

Richard Muir - San Diego CA, US
William Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu Liang - Taoyuan City, TW

International Classification:

A23C 15/04

US Classification:

099483000

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. Because the aluminum enclosure has a relatively high thermal conductivity, the basin is heating substantially uniformly, thus reducing the occurrence of hot spots. Additionally, a plastic auger having a spiral flight rotates and lifts the melted chocolate upward to a top end of cylinder that houses the auger. The use of a plastic auger, advantageously eliminates welding artifacts on the auger, such as burrs and pits, on which melted chocolate may accumulate. Accordingly, the plastic auger is easy to clean. A smaller chocolate fountain that may advantageously be more suitable for home use is also described herein.

US Patent:

20060283975, Dec 21, 2006

Filed:

May 5, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/429399

Inventors:

Richard Muir - San Diego CA, US
William Polley - Marco Island FL, US
Devan Muir - San Diego CA, US
Wu Liang - Taoyuan City, TW

International Classification:

A01G 25/09
B05B 9/00
A62C 13/62
B05B 9/03

US Classification:

239146000, 239147000, 239302000

Abstract:

A fountain for heating and distributing fluidic material is manufactured using various processes and materials so that the fountain is more easily cleaned and sanitized, has improved performance, and is easier to assemble. In one embodiment, the chocolate fountain includes a heating element encased in an aluminum enclosure. A basin containing chocolate is heated by contact with the aluminum enclosure. In one embodiment, an outer wall of the basin extends outward at an increased angle from the bottom surface of the basin, as compared to currently available fountains. Accordingly, the basin is configured to reduce an amount of chocolate that is necessary for proper operation of the fountain. In addition, the basin may be more easily cleaned and sanitized than other basins that include recesses in which chocolate, or other material, may pool.