Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100297612 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, SCREENING, QUANTITATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AND EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS - Described herein are primers and probes useful for detecting, screening, quantitating, isolating and sequencing CMV and EBV viral strains, and methods of using the described primers and probes. | 11-25-2010 |
20100330573 | OPTIMIZED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, ISOLATION, QUANTIFICATION, MONITORING AND SEQUENCING OF BORDETELLA - Described herein are oligonucleotides useful for detecting, isolating, quantitating, monitoring and sequencing | 12-30-2010 |
20110200995 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, SCREENING, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF VANCOMYCIN RESISTANCE GENES AND VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI - Described herein are primers and probes useful for detecting, screening, isolating, and sequencing of the vancomycin resistance genes and vancomycin resistant Enterococci and methods of using the described primers and probes. | 08-18-2011 |
20110250583 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF INFLUENZA A; INFLUENZA B; NOVEL INFLUENZA A/H1N1; AND A NOVEL INFLUENZA A/H1N1 RNA SEQUENCE MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH OSELTAMIVIR RESISTANCE - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of influenza A, influenza B, 2009 influenza A/H1N1, and a 2009 influenza A/H1N1 RNA sequence mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance. | 10-13-2011 |
20110256535 | OPTIMIZED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, ISOLATION, AMPLIFICATION, QUANTIFICATION, MONITORING, SCREENING AND SEQUENCING OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE GENES ENCODING TOXIN B, AND/OR TOXIN A AND/OR BINARY TOXIN - Described herein are oligonucleotides useful for detecting, isolating, amplifying, quantitating, monitoring, screening and sequencing the | 10-20-2011 |
20110256537 | OPTIMIZED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE SCREENING, DETECTION, ISOLATION, QUANTITATION, MONITORING AND SEQUENCING OF PROSTATE CANCER ASSOCIATED VIRUSES AND HOST BIOMARKERS - Described herein are oligonucleotides useful for screening, detecting, isolating, quantitating, monitoring and sequencing of viruses and host biomarkers associated with prostate cancer and methods and kits of using the described oligonucleotides. | 10-20-2011 |
20110306510 | OPTIMIZED PPROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, SCREENING, ISOLATING AND SEQUENCING OF MRSA, MSSA STAPHYLOCOCCUS MARKERS, AND THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENE MEC A - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the detection, screening, isolation and sequencing of MRSA, MSSA, | 12-15-2011 |
20120165229 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, SCREENING, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF MRSA, MSSA, STAPHYLOCOCCUS MARKERS, AND THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE GENE MEC A - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the detection, screening, isolation and sequencing of MRSA, MSSA, Staphylococci markers, and the antibiotic resistance gene mecA. | 06-28-2012 |
20120252016 | OPTIMIZED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE DETECTION, ISOLATION, AMPLIFICATION, QUANTITATION, MONITORING, SCREENING, AND SEQUENCING OF GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS - Described herein are oligonucleotides useful for detecting, isolating, amplifying, quantitating, monitoring, screening and sequencing GBS genes and methods of using the described oligonucleotides. | 10-04-2012 |
20130059748 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF INFLUENZA A; INFLUENZA B AND RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of influenza A, influenza B and RSV viruses. | 03-07-2013 |
20130302784 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 viruses. | 11-14-2013 |
20140127674 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF INFLUENZA A; INFLUENZA B AND RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of influenza A, influenza B and RSV viruses. | 05-08-2014 |
20140296110 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF INFLUENZA A; INFLUENZA B; 2009 INFLUENZA A/H1N1; AND A 2009 INFLUENZA A/H1N1 RNA SEQUENCE MUTATION ASSOCIATED WITH OSELTAMIVIR RESISTANCE - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of influenza A, influenza B, 2009 influenza A/H1N1, and a 2009 influenza A/H1N1 RNA sequence mutation associated with oseltamivir resistance. | 10-02-2014 |
20150292044 | OPTIMIZED PROBES AND PRIMERS AND METHODS OF USING SAME FOR THE BINDING, DETECTION, DIFFERENTIATION, ISOLATION AND SEQUENCING OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS - Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 viruses. | 10-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080286337 | Method of treating a disease in an eye using a scleral lens - A scleral lens is provided with a drug that is retained in the reservoir of fluid between the scleral lens and the cornea. This system can be used to deliver drugs not currently used because of poor bioavailability, to increase bioavailability of drugs used in patients already wearing a scleral lens, and to improve bioavailability in patients who are not currently wearing the lens. Dosing can be provided less frequently, thus decreasing the risk of non-compliance. | 11-20-2008 |
20080286338 | Drug delivery system with scleral lens - A scleral lens is provided with a drug that is retained in the reservoir of fluid between the scleral lens and the cornea. This system can be used to deliver drugs not currently used because of poor bioavailability, to increase bioavailability of drugs used in patients already wearing a scleral lens, and to improve bioavailability in patients who are not currently wearing the lens. Dosing can be provided less frequently, thus decreasing the risk of non-compliance. | 11-20-2008 |
20080287915 | Tissue engineering system with scleral lens - A scleral lens is provided with a drug that is retained in the reservoir of fluid between the scleral lens and the cornea. This system can be used to deliver drugs not currently used because of poor bioavailability, to increase bioavailability of drugs used in patients already wearing a scleral lens, and to improve bioavailability in patients who are not currently wearing the lens. Dosing can be provided less frequently, thus decreasing the risk of non-compliance. | 11-20-2008 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100158331 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING ABSOLUTE POSITION USING A MULTIPLE WAVELENGTH SIGNAL - Various aspects of the present invention are shown and described, each of which has stand alone utility in a navigated medical environment. A receiver position calibration system and method facilitates calibration of a reference frame prior to each navigated procedure. A concept and application of confidence weights is introduced. Confidence weights can be applied to distance calculations to mitigate the effects of interference and increase the tolerance of the navigated medical system. Multi-path interference is minimized through the transmission of a signal having a pattern of unique frequencies and filtering of the distance calculations for each frequency to identify the ‘best’ distance in the presence of multi-path interference. A position determination method and system that transmits a signal having multiple frequency components permits positions to be identified with high resolution over a large area. | 06-24-2010 |
20100168764 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING DISTANCE WITH PRECISION IN THE PRESCENCE OF MULTIPATH INTERFERENCE - Various aspects of the present invention are shown and described, each of which has stand alone utility in a navigated medical environment. A receiver position calibration system and method facilitates calibration of a reference frame prior to each navigated procedure. A concept and application of confidence weights is introduced. Confidence weights can be applied to distance calculations to mitigate the effects of interference and increase the tolerance of the navigated medical system. Multi-path interference is minimized through the transmission of a signal having a pattern of unique frequencies and filtering of the distance calculations for each frequency to identify the ‘best’ distance in the presence of multi-path interference. A position determination method and system that transmits a signal having multiple frequency components permits positions to be identified with high resolution over a large area. | 07-01-2010 |
20100231449 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRECISE LOCATION OF RECEIVING ANTENNAS - Various aspects of the present invention are shown and described, each of which has stand alone utility in a navigated medical environment. A receiver position calibration system and method facilitates calibration of a reference frame prior to each navigated procedure. A concept and application of confidence weights is introduced. Confidence weights can be applied to distance calculations to mitigate the effects of interference and increase the tolerance of the navigated medical system. Multi-path interference is minimized through the transmission of a signal having a pattern of unique frequencies and filtering of the distance calculations for each frequency to identify the ‘best’ distance in the presence of multi-path interference. A position determination method and system that transmits a signal having multiple frequency components permits positions to be identified with high resolution over a large area. | 09-16-2010 |
20100241392 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING TOLERANCE TO INTERFERENCE AND OBSTRUCTIONS OF LINE OF SIGHT - Various aspects of the present invention are shown and described, each of which has stand alone utility in a navigated medical environment. A receiver position calibration system and method facilitates calibration of a reference frame prior to each navigated procedure. A concept and application of confidence weights is introduced. Confidence weights can be applied to distance calculations to mitigate the effects of interference and increase the tolerance of the navigated medical system. Multi-path interference is minimized through the transmission of a signal having a pattern of unique frequencies and filtering of the distance calculations for each frequency to identify the “best” distance in the presence of multi-path interference. A position determination method and system that transmits a signal having multiple frequency components permits positions to be identified with high resolution over a large area. | 09-23-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090007574 | Integration of Automated Cryopump Safety Purge - A system and method is provided to control a purge valve during an unsafe condition associated with a cryopump. An electronic controller may be used to control the opening and closing of one or more purge valves during the unsafe condition. The purge valve can be a cryo-purge valve or exhaust purge valve. The purge valve can be a normally open valve. The electronic controller can release the normally open valve in response to the unsafe condition. The electronic controller can delay its response to the unsafe condition for a safe period of time. Attempts from other systems to control these valves during unsafe conditions can be preempted during unsafe conditions. A user can be inhibited from manually controlling the purge valve during unsafe conditions. A power failure recovery routine may be initiated in response to a restoration of power. The power failure recovery routine can respond to an unsafe condition even if the power failure recovery routine has been manually turned off by a user. | 01-08-2009 |
20120041258 | IMPLANTABLE ACCESS PORT SYSTEM - An implantable injection port for use with a gastric band for treating obesity and for attaching to a tissue of a patient is disclosed. The implantable injection port includes a base having an anchor opening, a gear coupled to the base and rotatable about a central axis, the gear having a plurality of gear teeth, an anchor coupled to the gear, and a top portion spaced apart from the base and having a plurality of top teeth that engage with the plurality of gear teeth. The top portion is rotatable causing rotation of the gear such that the rotation of the gear causes movement of the anchor through the anchor opening of the base and into the tissue of the patient. | 02-16-2012 |
20130245701 | ANCHORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SURGERY - A surgical ring and related methods for plantar plate reconstruction and other surgical procedures are described. In particular, the described anchoring systems and surgical methods may include an anchor configured to wrap at least partially around a first bone associated with an affected joint, and wrap at least partially around a tissue alongside the first bone. The anchor may be compressed in a number of ways so as to compress the tissue alongside the first bone against the first bone. The anchor may be formed from a compressible material, configured with an open shape, and/or or include mechanically closeable or compressible features, and the like. The anchor may be formed from various materials including non-bioabsorbable, bioabsorbable, and/or superelastic materials. The first bone may be a metatarsal or phalanx and the tissue alongside the first bone may be a ligament, a plantar plate, or similar tissue. | 09-19-2013 |
20130281769 | IMPLANTABLE ACCESS PORT SYSTEM - An implantable injection port for use with a gastric band for treating obesity and for attaching to a tissue of a patient is disclosed. The implantable injection port includes a base having an anchor opening, a gear coupled to the base and rotatable about a central axis, the gear having a plurality of gear teeth, an anchor coupled to the gear, and a top portion spaced apart from the base and having a plurality of top teeth that engage with the plurality of gear teeth. The top portion is rotatable causing rotation of the gear such that the rotation of the gear causes movement of the anchor through the anchor opening of the base and into the tissue of the patient. | 10-24-2013 |
20150305746 | MAGNETICALLY ACTIVATED ARTERIOVENOUS ACCESS VALVE SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly. | 10-29-2015 |
20160000490 | ANCHORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SURGERY - A surgical ring and related methods for plantar plate reconstruction and other surgical procedures are described. In particular, the described anchoring systems and surgical methods may include an anchor configured to wrap at least partially around a first bone associated with an affected joint, and wrap at least partially around a tissue alongside the first bone. The anchor may be compressed in a number of ways so as to compress the tissue alongside the first bone against the first bone. The anchor may be formed from a compressible material, configured with an open shape, and/or or include mechanically closeable or compressible features, and the like. The anchor may be formed from various materials including non-bioabsorbable, bioabsorbable, and/or superelastic materials. The first bone may be a metatarsal or phalanx and the tissue alongside the first bone may be a ligament, a plantar plate, or similar tissue. | 01-07-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090075884 | HUMAN IL-17F AND OTHER IL-17F-RELATED PROTEINS AND METHODS RELATED THERETO - Polynucleotides encoding human CTLA-8 and related proteins are disclosed. Human CTLA-8 proteins and methods for their production are also disclosed. Methods of treatment using human CTLA-8 proteins, rat CTLA-8 proteins and herpesvirus herpes CTLA-8 proteins are also provided. | 03-19-2009 |
20090142806 | INTERLEUKIN-17F ANTIBODIES AND OTHER IL-17F SIGNALING ANTAGONISTS AND USES THEREFOR - The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides and polypeptides related to the IL-17F signaling pathway. The invention also provides antibodies to IL-17F homodimers and IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers, and methods of isolating and purifying members of the IL-17 family, including IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers, from a natural source. The present invention also is directed to novel methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring the progress of, and treating and/or preventing disorders related to IL-17F signaling, i.e., IL-17F-associated disorders, including, but not limited to, inflammatory disorders, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis), respiratory diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, allergy), transplant rejection (including solid organ transplant rejection), and inflammatory bowel diseases or disorders (IBDs, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets, and to methods of screening and assessing test compounds for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of disorders related to IL-17F signaling. | 06-04-2009 |
20100260767 | Composition and Method for Treating Inflammatory Disorders - Inhibitors of IL-22 are disclosed as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using same. The inhibitors include IL-22 antibodies and are useful for treating inflammatory disorders. | 10-14-2010 |
20110033451 | INTERLEUKIN-17F ANTIBODIES AND OTHER IL-17F SIGNALING ANTAGONISTS AND USES THEREFOR - The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides and polypeptides related to the IL-17F signaling pathway. The invention also provides antibodies to IL-17F homodimers and IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers, and methods of isolating and purifying members of the IL-17 family, including IL-17A/IL-17F heterodimers, from a natural source. The present invention also is directed to novel methods for diagnosing, prognosing, monitoring the progress of, and treating and/or preventing disorders related to IL-17F signaling, i.e., IL-17F-associated disorders, including, but not limited to, inflammatory disorders, such as autoimmune diseases (e.g., arthritis (including rheumatoid arthritis), psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis), respiratory diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis, asthma, allergy), transplant rejection (including solid organ transplant rejection), and inflammatory bowel diseases or disorders (IBDs, e.g., ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease). The present invention is further directed to novel therapeutics and therapeutic targets, and to methods of screening and assessing test compounds for the intervention (treatment) and prevention of disorders related to IL-17F signaling. | 02-10-2011 |
20110262390 | COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR TREATING INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS - Inhibitors of IL-22 are disclosed as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using same. The inhibitors include IL-22 antibodies and are useful for treating inflammatory disorders. | 10-27-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090036654 | Crystal structure of Rho-kinase I kinase domain complexes and binding pockets thereof - The present invention relates to human Rho-kinase I (ROCK I), ROCK I binding pockets, ROCK I-like binding pockets. More particularly, the present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to ROCK I protein or ROCK I protein homologues, or complexes thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising ROCK I kinase domain and ROCK I kinase domain complexed with an inhibitor of that domain. The invention also relates to methods of identifying inhibitors of the ROCK I kinase domain. | 02-05-2009 |
20110014680 | CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF HUMAN JAK3 KINASE DOMAIN COMPLEX AND BINDING POCKETS THEREOF - The present invention relates to human Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) and JAK3-like binding pockets. The present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to JAK3 protein or JAK3 protein homologues, or complexes thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising JAK3 kinase domain and JAK3 kinase domain complexed with AMP-PNP. | 01-20-2011 |
20130137125 | CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF HUMAN JAK3 KINASE DOMAIN COMPLEX AND BINDING POCKETS THEREOF - The present invention relates to human Janus Kinase 3 (JAK3) and JAK3-like binding pockets. The present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to JAK3 protein or JAK3 protein homologues, or complexes thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising JAK3 kinase domain and JAK3 kinase domain complexes with AMP-PNP. | 05-30-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130205192 | TEXT IMPORT TOOL FOR A TECHNICAL COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - A device receives text that includes data values, and parses the text to identify data types associated with the data values. The device generates, based on the data values and the data types, a graphical representation of the text that includes data cells corresponding to the data values, and provides the graphical representation for display. The device receives one or more selections of one or more data cells in the graphical representation, stores the one or more selections as a selection history, and provides the selection history for display. | 08-08-2013 |
20140122986 | TEXT IMPORT TOOL FOR A TECHNICAL COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT - A device receives text that includes data values, and parses the text to identify data types associated with the data values. The device generates, based on the data values and the data types, a graphical representation of the text that includes data cells corresponding to the data values, and provides the graphical representation for display. The device receives one or more selections of one or more data cells in the graphical representation, stores the one or more selections as a selection history, and provides the selection history for display. | 05-01-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090034927 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS AND MEDICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS - In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to, guide radiation from the CO | 02-05-2009 |
20110251603 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS AND MEDICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS - In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO | 10-13-2011 |
20120321262 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS HAVING A PREFERRED BENDING PLANE AND SYSTEMS THAT USE SUCH FIBERS - In general, in a first aspect the invention features photonic crystal fibers that include a core extending along a waveguide axis, a confinement region extending along the waveguide axis surrounding the core, and a cladding extending along the waveguide axis surrounding the confinement region, wherein the cladding has an asymmetric cross-section. | 12-20-2012 |
20130123766 | PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS AND MEDICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBERS - In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO | 05-16-2013 |
20130237976 | MEDICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE WAVEGUIDE MECHANICALLY COUPLED TO AN ACTUATOR - In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO | 09-12-2013 |
20140005646 | MEDICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE WAVEGUIDE MECHANICALLY COUPLED TO AN ACTUATOR | 01-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100024658 | BEVERAGE FORMING APPARATUS WITH CENTRIFUGAL PUMP - 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. | 02-04-2010 |
20140261853 | BEVERAGE CARAFE LID OPEN/CLOSED DETECTION AND SYSTEM CONTROL - A beverage forming method and system in which a carafe is positionable at a carafe receiving area of a beverage forming machine with a lid of the carafe in an open position or a closed position. The carafe may be positioned at the carafe receiving area in any one of multiple rotational positions within a range of 45 to 180 degrees, and the machine may detect whether the lid is open or not for any of the rotational positions. Beverage forming is prevented if the lid is detected to be closed, allowing the carafe to be safely stored on the machine regardless of lid position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263397 | MULTI-VALVE LIQUID FLOW CONTROL FOR LIQUID SUPPLY - Systems and methods for controlling liquid flow to the liquid supply of a beverage forming apparatus. The liquid supply may include two valves positioned in series for controlling a flow of a liquid into the liquid supply. Pressures upstream, between and/or downstream of the valves may be detected and used to determine if one or both of the valves leak when closed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140263432 | BEVERAGE APPARATUS WASTE BIN LEVEL DETECTION - A beverage forming method and system in which a waste bin arranged to collect leaked or spilled liquid has a liquid level sensor and can be removed from the beverage forming machine, e.g., to allow disposal of the waste bin contents. One or more electrical contacts on the waste bin can be connected to the level sensor and electrically connect to control circuitry of the beverage forming machine when the waste bin is received by the machine. A liquid level detected by the level sensor may correspond to a fill level that is far less than the maximum volume of the waste bin, allowing beverage production to be prevented unless the waste bin can collect the full volume of a beverage dispensed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140272023 | DELAYED FILL OF BEVERAGE MACHINE HEATER TANK - A beverage forming method and system in which a heater tank can be filled with liquid to an expansion level after a beverage is formed. The liquid in the heater tank may be heated, causing expansion of the liquid in the tank. Thereafter, a volume of liquid may be delivered to the tank to fill the tank to a liquid delivery level at which the tank is filled to deliver a controlled volume of liquid to form a beverage. No further heating of liquid in the tank may be performed or required after filling to the delivery level since the volume of liquid delivered to fill the tank to the liquid delivery level may be relatively small. Accurate volumes of liquid may be delivered in a way that compensates for any expansion that may occur due to heating. | 09-18-2014 |
20150201789 | BEVERAGE MACHINE CARTRIDGE HOLDER - 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. | 07-23-2015 |