Patents by Inventor Dirk K. Nickel

Dirk K. Nickel 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).

  • Publication number: 20140034748
    Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Imre J. Dancs, Brian T. Davis, Miguel A. Esparza, Kamran Faterioun, Tracy L. Guard, Sebastian D. Hasik, Dirk K. Nickel, Jesse Richard, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8524158
    Abstract: Wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human are disclosed. The devices are of the type that are clipped onto a belt or the like, and use a powered fan to dispense active. Air flow is directed through a substrate and adjacent to a useful life indicator to improve reliability of the useful life indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Deliang Shi, Steven B. Mineau, Sean P. Kingston, Dirk K. Nickel, Neil P. Williams, Kimberly Kristopeit
  • Publication number: 20120288414
    Abstract: Wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human are disclosed. The devices are of the type that are clipped onto a belt or the like, and use a powered fan to dispense active. Air flow is directed through a substrate and adjacent to a useful life indicator to improve reliability of the useful life indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Deliang Shi, Steven B. Mineau, Sean P. Kingston, Dirk K. Nickel, Neil P. Williams, Kimberly Kristopeit
  • Publication number: 20120199612
    Abstract: A container has a body with a product disposed therein. A pedestal with a valving structure extends from the body. A bracket has a sidewall with at least one slot extending therein. The bracket includes a second pedestal provided interiorly of the sidewall, which is shaped to fittingly receive the pedestal of the body. The second pedestal includes at least one extending flange. Each of the at least one extending flanges extends toward the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20120199613
    Abstract: A product dispensing system includes an overcap that has a locking element extending therefrom. A container has a product disposed therein. A bracket is attached to the container. The bracket includes at least one flange and at least one slot. The at least one flange extends toward the at least one slot. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel, Jinsong Yu, Gang Liu, Xiaogang Tan, Yuanheng Liu
  • Patent number: 7921594
    Abstract: Methods determine how effective a product that dispenses an insect repellent or insecticide is in controlling flying insects such as mosquitoes, with no or reduced need for human test subjects. An insect trap or other automated monitoring device is positioned in a test environment and operated in a manner so as to mimic some human attribute (e.g. by dispensing carbon dioxide). Trap/monitoring results in the presence and absence of the operating product are obtained in order to judge relative effectiveness of the active. Further, the real time evaluation of insect populations permits evaluation of time needed to achieve base effectiveness and length of time that effectiveness can be sustained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Ropiak, Gopal P. Ananth, Joel E. Adair, Dirk K. Nickel, Sebastian D. Hasik
  • Patent number: 7917018
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human, to avoid the need to apply such chemicals directly to clothing or to human's skin. The devices have an on/off switch that automatically controls a shutter which enables and restricts air flow, while also controlling fan operation and covering of a use-up cue. The device also is designed to prevent fan operation when an impregnated slab is not present. Also disclosed are preferred refills for use with such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, Raymund J. Alfaro, Dirk K. Nickel, Tyler D. Duston, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Anne T. Maghasi, Kwamena Gyakye deGraft-Johnson
  • Patent number: 7833492
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human, to avoid the need to apply such chemicals directly to clothing or to human's skin. The devices have an on/off switch that automatically controls a shutter which enables and restricts air flow, while also controlling fan operation and covering of a use-up cue. The device also is designed to prevent fan operation when an impregnated slab is not present. Also disclosed are preferred refills for use with such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, Raymund J. Alfaro, Dirk K. Nickel, Tyler D. Duston, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Anne T. Maghasi, Kwamena Gyakye deGraft-Johnson
  • Publication number: 20100270393
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human, to avoid the need to apply such chemicals directly to clothing or to human's skin. The devices have an on/off switch that automatically controls a shutter which enables and restricts air flow, while also controlling fan operation and covering of a use-up cue. The device also is designed to prevent fan operation when an impregnated slab is not present. Also disclosed are preferred refills for use with such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, Raymund J. Alfaro, Dirk K. Nickel, Tyler D. Duston, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Anne T. Maghasi, Kwamena Gyakye deGraft-Johnson
  • Patent number: 7556210
    Abstract: A pressure sprayer includes an accumulator vessel adapted to hold a pressurized fluid therein and a container that is configured to hold a chemical concentrate. A motor in fluid communication with the accumulator vessel and the container is adapted to be driven by the pressurized fluid and to pump the pressurized fluid and the chemical concentrate. A chamber is adapted to receive the chemical concentrate and the pressurized fluid from the motor to form a chemical solution. A nozzle is in fluid communication with the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan N. Mandell, Kenneth R. Waeber, Dirk K. Nickel, Donald J. Schumacher, James W. Yonker, Eric M. Luther, Shannon R. Read, Clinton A. Haynes, Todd J. Bucholz
  • Publication number: 20090008411
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human, to avoid the need to apply such chemicals directly to clothing or to human's skin. The devices have an on/off switch that automatically controls a shutter which enables and restricts air flow, while also controlling fan operation and covering of a use-up cue. The device also is designed to prevent fan operation when an impregnated slab is not present. Also disclosed are preferred refills for use with such devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Donald J. Schumacher, Raymund J. Alfaro, Dirk K. Nickel, Tyler D. Duston, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Anne T. Maghasi, Kwamena Gyakye deGraft-Johnson
  • Patent number: D582535
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Donald J. Schumacher
  • Patent number: D599898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Michael T. Hudak, Sean P. Kingston, Donald J. Schumacher
  • Patent number: D614275
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Dirk K. Nickel, Donald J. Schumacher
  • Patent number: D642931
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald A. Lehman
  • Patent number: D642932
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald A. Lehman
  • Patent number: D660717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald A. Lehman, Justin B. Holmes
  • Patent number: D676744
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald A. Lehman
  • Patent number: D680430
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald A. Lehman
  • Patent number: D682407
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Dirk K. Nickel, Sebastian D. Hasik, Kamran Faterioun