Patents by Inventor Dennis K. Jenkins

Dennis K. Jenkins 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: 11304572
    Abstract: Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems include a spout, a container, and a foam generator having a suck-back mechanism located within the spout. The system includes a liquid pump chamber, an air pump chamber, a liquid conduit and an air conduit. The foam generator has a differential bore housing. The differential bore housing has a first portion with a first inside bore and a second portion with a second inside bore, wherein the first inside bore has a smaller diameter than the second inside bore. A piston having a seal extending from the piston that is in contact with the second inside bore is also included. A mixing chamber is located in the large bore. Movement of the seal in an upstream direction provides negative pressure in the second mixing chamber and draws in fluid from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10977886
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20200352398
    Abstract: Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems include a spout, a container, and a foam generator having a suck-back mechanism located within the spout. The system includes a liquid pump chamber, an air pump chamber, a liquid conduit and an air conduit. The foam generator has a differential bore housing. The differential bore housing has a first portion with a first inside bore and a second portion with a second inside bore, wherein the first inside bore has a smaller diameter than the second inside bore. A piston having a seal extending from the piston that is in contact with the second inside bore is also included. A mixing chamber is located in the large bore. Movement of the seal in an upstream direction provides negative pressure in the second mixing chamber and draws in fluid from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10722080
    Abstract: Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems include a spout, a container, and a foam generator having a suck-back mechanism located within the spout. The system includes a liquid pump chamber, an air pump chamber, a liquid conduit and an air conduit. The foam generator has a differential bore housing. The differential bore housing has a first portion with a first inside bore and a second portion with a second inside bore, wherein the first inside bore has a smaller diameter than the second inside bore. A piston having a seal extending from the piston that is in contact with the second inside bore is also included. A mixing chamber is located in the large bore. Movement of the seal in an upstream direction provides negative pressure in the second mixing chamber and draws in fluid from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 10667655
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispenser housing, a container for holding a foamable liquid, a foam pump, an outlet in fluid communication with the foam pump, and a vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism in fluid communication with the foam pump and the outlet. The foam pump has a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion. The vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism includes a chamber and a movable member. The chamber has a vacuum port that is in fluid communication with the air pump portion of the foam pump, and a suck-back port that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The movable member of the vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism moves under vacuum pressure to reduce the volume of the chamber. The volume of the chamber increases upon removal of the vacuum pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Aaron D. Marshall, Donald Russell Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20190328181
    Abstract: Exemplary foam-at-a-distance systems include a spout, a container, and a foam generator having a suck-back mechanism located within the spout. The system includes a liquid pump chamber, an air pump chamber, a liquid conduit and an air conduit. The foam generator has a differential bore housing. The differential bore housing has a first portion with a first inside bore and a second portion with a second inside bore, wherein the first inside bore has a smaller diameter than the second inside bore. A piston having a seal extending from the piston that is in contact with the second inside bore is also included. A mixing chamber is located in the large bore. Movement of the seal in an upstream direction provides negative pressure in the second mixing chamber and draws in fluid from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20190251766
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
  • Patent number: 10143339
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a drive motor and a foam pump operatively coupled to the drive motor. The foam pump is secured to the housing and the foam pump includes a housing and a molded multi-chamber diaphragm. The molded multi-chamber diaphragm includes a liquid pump chamber, two or more air pump chambers; and an outlet valve. A mixing chamber is included and located downstream of the outlet valve for mixing foamable liquid from the liquid pump diaphragm with air from each of the two or more air pump chambers. In addition, a foam cartridge and an outlet for dispensing foam are also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins, Aaron D. Marshall
  • Patent number: 10080468
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a container for holding foamable liquid and a foam pump in fluid communication with the container. The foam pump has a plurality of diaphragm pumping chambers wherein at least one diaphragm pumping chamber pumps liquid, and at least two diaphragm pumping chambers pump air. The foam pump includes a liquid outlet valve having a cracking pressure of at least about 5 pounds per square inch; and two or more air outlet valves having cracking pressure of less than about 5 pounds per square inch. A mixing chamber is located downstream of the plurality of diaphragm pumping chambers for mixing liquid and air to form a foamy mixture. A foam cartridge located downstream of the mixing chamber and an outlet is provided for dispensing foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
  • Patent number: 10080466
    Abstract: Refill units for foam dispensers include a container for holding foamable liquid, a foam pump secured to the container, a foaming cartridge, an outlet and an actuation mechanism. The foam pump includes a housing, a liquid pump diaphragm, a plurality of air pump diaphragms, and a mixing chamber. An actuation mechanism releasably connects to a drive system in the dispenser. The actuation mechanism sequentially activates the liquid pump diaphragm and the air pump diaphragms when the refill unit is connected to the dispenser and the drive system. Sequential activation of the liquid pump diaphragm and air pump diaphragms causes the liquid pump diaphragm to pump at least a partial dose of liquid into the mixing chamber and the air pump diaphragms to pump at least a partial dose of air into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
  • Patent number: 10080467
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser system includes a housing, a container, a motor, an air pump, a foam pump, a first mixing chamber, a second mixing chamber, a foam cartridge, and an outlet for dispensing foam. The container holds a foamable liquid. The foam pump has a liquid pump portion that pumps liquid, and an air pump portion that pumps air. The first mixing chamber is located downstream of the liquid pump portion and the air pump portion, and the liquid and the air mix in the first mixing chamber to create a first foam mixture. The second mixing chamber is located downstream of the first mixing chamber and the air pump, and the first mixture and air from the air pump mix in the second mixing chamber to create a second foam mixture. The second foam mixture travels through the foam cartridge and exits the outlet as rich foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Jacob Twaroski, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20180235410
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispenser housing, a container for holding a foamable liquid, a foam pump, an outlet in fluid communication with the foam pump, and a vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism in fluid communication with the foam pump and the outlet. The foam pump has a liquid pump portion and an air pump portion. The vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism includes a chamber and a movable member. The chamber has a vacuum port that is in fluid communication with the air pump portion of the foam pump, and a suck-back port that is in fluid communication with the outlet. The movable member of the vacuum actuated suck-back mechanism moves under vacuum pressure to reduce the volume of the chamber. The volume of the chamber increases upon removal of the vacuum pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Aaron D. Marshall, Donald Russell Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20170290470
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a drive motor and a foam pump operatively coupled to the drive motor. The foam pump is secured to the housing and the foam pump includes a housing and a molded multi-chamber diaphragm. The molded multi-chamber diaphragm includes a liquid pump chamber, two or more air pump chambers; and an outlet valve. A mixing chamber is included and located downstream of the outlet valve for mixing foamable liquid from the liquid pump diaphragm with air from each of the two or more air pump chambers. In addition, a foam cartridge and an outlet for dispensing foam are also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins, Aaron D. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20170156550
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a container for holding foamable liquid and a foam pump in fluid communication with the container. The foam pump has a plurality of diaphragm pumping chambers wherein at least one diaphragm pumping chamber pumps liquid, and at least two diaphragm pumping chambers pump air. The foam pump includes a liquid outlet valve having a cracking pressure of at least about 5 pounds per square inch; and two or more air outlet valves having cracking pressure of less than about 5 pounds per square inch. A mixing chamber is located downstream of the plurality of diaphragm pumping chambers for mixing liquid and air to form a foamy mixture. A foam cartridge located downstream of the mixing chamber and an outlet is provided for dispensing foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
  • Publication number: 20170143172
    Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser system includes a housing, a container, a motor, an air pump, a foam pump, a first mixing chamber, a second mixing chamber, a foam cartridge, and an outlet for dispensing foam. The container holds a foamable liquid. The foam pump has a liquid pump portion that pumps liquid, and an air pump portion that pumps air. The first mixing chamber is located downstream of the liquid pump portion and the air pump portion, and the liquid and the air mix in the first mixing chamber to create a first foam mixture. The second mixing chamber is located downstream of the first mixing chamber and the air pump, and the first mixture and air from the air pump mix in the second mixing chamber to create a second foam mixture. The second foam mixture travels through the foam cartridge and exits the outlet as rich foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Jacob Twaroski, Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20170135532
    Abstract: Refill units for foam dispensers include a container for holding foamable liquid, a foam pump secured to the container, a foaming cartridge, an outlet and an actuation mechanism. The foam pump includes a housing, a liquid pump diaphragm, a plurality of air pump diaphragms, and a mixing chamber. An actuation mechanism releasably connects to a drive system in the dispenser. The actuation mechanism sequentially activates the liquid pump diaphragm and the air pump diaphragms when the refill unit is connected to the dispenser and the drive system. Sequential activation of the liquid pump diaphragm and air pump diaphragms causes the liquid pump diaphragm to pump at least a partial dose of liquid into the mixing chamber and the air pump diaphragms to pump at least a partial dose of air into the mixing chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
  • Patent number: 5624051
    Abstract: A container (10) includes a base portion (11) and a cover (12). The base portion (11) has a bottom surface (22) with opposed walls (23, 24, 25, 26) extending upwardly therefrom to form an open top to be closed by the cover (12). A handle (30) is formed on opposed corners (27). A flap (18) is positioned on one of the corners (17) of the cover (12), the corner (17) being selected such that the flap (17) will not be positioned over a corner (27) of the base portion (11) carrying a handle (30). The base portion (11) is also divided by a wall (31) of the shape of an inverted U so that the base portion (11) of one container (10) can be stacked on the base portion of a like container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard B. Ahern, Jr., Dennis K. Jenkins
  • Patent number: D366391
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: Vincent L. Haley, Dennis K. Jenkins, Rodney A. Nester