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).
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Patent number: 11304572Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Patent number: 10977886Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
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Publication number: 20200352398Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: November 12, 2020Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Patent number: 10722080Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: GOJO Industries, IncInventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Patent number: 10667655Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Aaron D. Marshall, Donald Russell Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20190328181Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2019Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20190251766Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
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Patent number: 10143339Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins, Aaron D. Marshall
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Patent number: 10080468Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
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Patent number: 10080466Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
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Patent number: 10080467Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Jacob Twaroski, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20180235410Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Aaron D. Marshall, Donald Russell Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20170290470Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Dennis K. Jenkins, Aaron D. Marshall
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Publication number: 20170156550Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
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Publication number: 20170143172Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Jacob Twaroski, Dennis K. Jenkins
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Publication number: 20170135532Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Nick E. Ciavarella, Donald R. Harris, Dennis K. Jenkins, John J. McNulty
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Patent number: 5624051Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 1996Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Rubbermaid IncorporatedInventors: Richard B. Ahern, Jr., Dennis K. Jenkins
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Patent number: D366391Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1994Date of Patent: January 23, 1996Assignee: Rubbermaid IncorporatedInventors: Vincent L. Haley, Dennis K. Jenkins, Rodney A. Nester