Benjamin K Miller

US Patent:

61005185, Aug 8, 2000

Filed:

Jun 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/103223

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Miller - Des Plaines IL

International Classification:

G01V 820
G01S 17481

US Classification:

2502221

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the size of an object. The method includes the steps of reflecting light from the object, measuring a plurality of adjacent light intensities reflected off an axis of the object, comparing adjacent light intensities, identifying a position where the light intensity markedly changes along the axis by a predetermined amount, and determining the size of the object from the identified position. The method is used to determine the amount of liquid necessary to fill a cup of the height determined. The apparatus for determining the size of an object includes means for reflecting light from the object, means for measuring a plurality of adjacent light intensities reflected off an axis of the object, means for comparing adjacent light intensities, means for identifying a position where the light intensity markedly changes along the axis by a predetermined amount, and means for determining the size of the object from the identified position.

US Patent:

49460730, Aug 7, 1990

Filed:

Apr 1, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/176491

Inventors:

Frank D. Brill - Fox Lake IL
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL
Thaddeus M. Jablonski - Palatine IL
Doulgas F. Marsh - Raymond ME
Richard E. Marsh - West Chicago IL

Assignee:

Restaurant Technology, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

2221294

Abstract:

A beverage and ice bodies dispensing apparatus is described in which vertically-oriented chutes throuch which ice bodies are dispensed are associated with spouts. Gates within the chutes are used to dispense predetermined quantities of ice bodies into the cup to be filled. A storage cabinet for ice is located above and connected to the chute for refilling the chutes with ice bodies. In accordance with one embodiment, the force of the falling ice is utilized to maintain the proper position off, and/or position the cup to be filled.

US Patent:

50587730, Oct 22, 1991

Filed:

May 15, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/523619

Inventors:

Frank D. Brill - Fox Lake IL
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL
Thaddeus M. Jablonski - Palatine IL
Douglas F. Marsh - Raymond ME

Assignee:

Restaurant Technology, Inc. - Oak Brook IL

International Classification:

B65B 304

US Classification:

2271294

Abstract:

A beverage and ice bodies dispensing apparatus is described in which vertically-oriented chutes through which ice bodies are dispensed are associated with spouts. Gates within the chutes are used to dispense predetermined quantities of ice bodies into the cup to be filled. A storage cabinet for ice is located above and connected to the chute for refilling the chutes with ice bodies. In accordance with one embodiment, the force of the falling ice is utilized to maintain the proper position of, and/or position the cup to be filled.

US Patent:

52994279, Apr 5, 1994

Filed:

Mar 8, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/029293

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Miller - Des Plaines IL
Thaddeus M. Jablonski - Palatine IL
Peter S. Tinucci - Elmhurst IL

Assignee:

Remcor Products Company - Glendale Hts IL

International Classification:

F25C 518

US Classification:

62 66

Abstract:

An ice transport and dispensing system includes an ice maker for introducing ice into a remote ice storage bin and a plurality of ice dispensing stations that receive ice from the bin. Each dispensing station has an ice storage hopper, and at least one downwardly sloping ice delivery conduit extends between the bin and the hoppers for a flow of ice through the conduit from the bin to the dispensing stations solely under the influence of gravity. So that a single conduit can deliver ice to at least two dispensing stations, the conduit extends past one of the stations and leads to the other station and an ice diverter assembly is actuable to divert a flow of ice from the conduit to the one station. A control circuit monitors the level of ice in the hoppers of the dispensing stations and operates the system in a manner to maintain a supply of ice in each hopper.