Benjamin J Miller

US Patent:

50728598, Dec 17, 1991

Filed:

May 18, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/525518

Inventors:

Ronald L. Wiley - Marietta GA
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL
Phillip B. Groover - Woodstock GA

Assignee:

The Coca-Cola Company - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

B67D 108

US Classification:

222148

Abstract:

An automatic beverage dispenser having a multiflavor automatic beverage dispensing valve (faucet) and including means for preventing color and flavor carryover from one drink to the next. The automatic dispenser includes an electronic control system with an on-board computer with a microprocessor which, when a drink vend signal is received by the electronic control system, first checks to determine whether a dark or light colored drink was requested, then checks the last vend to determine if it was a light or dark drink. If the drink ordered was a light drink and the previous drink was a dark drink, then the controller looks to see if the cup dispenser position is occupied. If it is occupied, the flush is delayed until it is free when the soda water will flush to cleanse the nozzle. After flushing, the vend is processed.

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:

51411300, Aug 25, 1992

Filed:

Sep 14, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/583254

Inventors:

Ronald L. Wiley - Marietta GA
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL

Assignee:

The Coca-Cola Company - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

B67B 700

US Classification:

222 1

Abstract:

An automatic beverage dispenser having a single flavor or a multiflavor automatic beverage dispensing valve (faucet) and including a system for preventing the dispensing of a warm casual drink. The automatic dispenser includes an on-board computer having a timer circuit to purge the warm water in the uncooled portion of the water line between the cooling apparatus and the dispensing valve whenever a drink is requested and no drink has been dispensed for a particular period of time. The warm water is purged or drained out for a period of time needed to purge the warm water from the uncooled portion of the water line. In another embodiment, a temperature sensor is included in the water line and the warm water purging terminates when the temperature falls to a predetermined value.

US Patent:

49090470, Mar 20, 1990

Filed:

Feb 16, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/156346

Inventors:

Robert M. Koeneman - Oak Brook IL
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL
Thaddeus M. Jablonski - Palatine IL

Assignee:

Remcor Products Company - Franklin Park IL

International Classification:

B67D 562

US Classification:

62389

Abstract:

A beverage dispensing system has a plurality of dispensing faucets, each of which is supplied with carbonated water (soda) and a selected flavor of syrup. The syrups and soda are chilled upstream of the faucets, and after chilling the soda is introduced into a manifold from which it is distributed to each faucet. In order that a warm beverage will not be dispensed from a faucet as a result of the soda becoming warm downstream from the point of chilling upon the system standing idle for a period of time, soda is withdrawn from the manifold either continuously or periodically to maintain the soda downstream from the chilling point in a cold state.

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:

42273773, Oct 14, 1980

Filed:

Jul 26, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/928242

Inventors:

Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Remcor Products Company - Franklin Park IL

International Classification:

F25C 100

US Classification:

62 66

Abstract:

A control system for an ice dispenser maintains an icemaker thereof continuously operative whenever an ice storage hopper is less than completely full. This is accomplished by continuing to operate the icemaker while momentarily agitating and leveling the mass of ice in the hopper whenever ice builds up around a thermostat therein, and thereafter sensing whether the ice has dropped away from the thermostat. If it has, the icemaker is maintained in operation and the cycle is repeated. If, however, it has not, then the icemaker is turned off until sufficient ice is dispensed from the hopper to again drop the ice level to below the thermostat. In this manner, the number of on-off cycles of the compressor and other components of the icemaker are minimized in maintaining the hopper completely full, which greatly increases their operating life and reliability.

US Patent:

49679325, Nov 6, 1990

Filed:

Feb 27, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/316364

Inventors:

Ronald L. Wiley - Marietta GA
Benjamin D. Miller - Chicago IL

Assignee:

The Coca-Cola Company - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

B67D 562
B67D 508

US Classification:

222 1

Abstract:

An automatic postmix beverage dispenser having a single or multiflavor automatic beverage dispensing valve (faucet) and including means for preventing the dispensing of a warm casual drink. The automatic dispenser includes an on-board computer having a timer circuit to purge the warm water in the uncooled portion of the water line between the cooling means and the automatic beverage dispensing valve whenever a drink is requested and no drink has been dispensed for a particular period of time. The warm water is drained out for a period of time needed to drain the warm water in the uncooled portion of the water line. In another embodiment, a thermometer is used and the water is purged when a drink is requested and the water temperature is above a certain value, and until it is reduced to a desired temperature.