Patents by Inventor Andrew N. Niemiec

Andrew N. Niemiec has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9474819
    Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
  • Patent number: 9370594
    Abstract: A method of retaining only compatible refills by a volatile material dispenser includes the step of providing a dispenser having a housing and at least one movable latch disposed within the housing. The method further includes the steps of providing a compatible refill that includes a container for holding a volatile material and a wick extending from the container and inserting the refill into the housing so that the refill actuates the movable latch into engagement with a structure disposed on a neck of the refill to retain the refill within the housing. The incompatible refills are incapable of actuating the movable latch, and thus, the movable latch does not retain the incompatible refills within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Andrew N. Niemiec, Robert C. Coon, Bjorn Gunderson, Erik J. Moses, Mike O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20140064713
    Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
  • Publication number: 20120012667
    Abstract: A method of retaining only compatible refills by a volatile material dispenser includes the step of providing a dispenser having a housing and at least one movable latch disposed within the housing. The method further includes the steps of providing a compatible refill that includes a container for holding a volatile material and a wick extending from the container and inserting the refill into the housing so that the refill actuates the movable latch into engagement with a structure disposed on a neck of the refill to retain the refill within the housing. The incompatible refills are incapable of actuating the movable latch, and thus, the movable latch does not retain the incompatible refills within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Andrew N. Niemiec, Robert C. Coon, Bjorn Gunderson, Erik J. Moses, Mike O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20110139883
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing, a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, a first refill having a wick extending therefrom, and a first adapter removably attached to a portion of the first refill. The retention mechanism non-removably retains the first adapter to the housing when the first refill and the first adapter combination are inserted therein. When the first refill is removed from the dispenser, the first adapter remains in the dispenser such that a second refill with a second adapter removably attached thereto can be inserted into and retained by the first adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Andrew N. Niemiec, Robert C. Coon, Bjorn Gunderson, Erik Joseph Moses, Mike O'Connor
  • Publication number: 20110139885
    Abstract: A volatile material refill includes a container with a volatile material disposed therein, a plug assembly disposed within an opening of the container and adapted to retain a wick extending out of the opening, a sheath covering a portion the wick, and at least one rib extending outwardly from the sheath and adapted to assist in retaining the refill in at least one volatile material dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: THOMAS P. GASPER, Chris A. Kubicek, Andrew N. Niemiec, Steven V. Bisbikis, Jason R. Gebhardt