Patents by Inventor Gene Sipinski

Gene Sipinski 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: 20090309717
    Abstract: A dispensing device includes a dispenser configured to dispense a volatile material, a sensor configured to detect an environmental condition, and a nonlinear circuit element coupled to the sensor to establish a bias point. A voltage level at the bias point varies nonlinearly with respect to a current that flows through the sensor, wherein the current that flows through the sensor represents the environmental condition. The dispensing device further includes a controller coupled to the bias point. The controller controls the dispenser to dispense the volatile material in response to the environmental condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Gene Sipinski, Thomas P. Blandino
  • Publication number: 20090254770
    Abstract: A method of identifying a reset condition includes the steps of determining if a stored value is equal to a specified value, executing a first mode if the stored value is not equal to the specified value, and executing a second mode if the stored value is equal to the specified value. The second mode also includes the step of setting the stored value to a value different than the specified value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Gene Sipinski, Steve Han Cheng, Gang Liu, Yuan Heng Liu
  • Patent number: 7455245
    Abstract: A diffusion device includes a housing having a battery disposed therein and adapted to receive a replaceable fluid reservoir for holding a fluid, wherein the fluid reservoir includes a wick for movement of the fluid to a discharge end thereof. The diffusion device further includes a piezoelectric element energized by a power source for vibrating a perforated orifice plate disposed adjacent the discharge end of the wick, wherein the piezoelectric element develops vibratory movement to pump the fluid from the discharge end through the perforated discharge plate and into the atmosphere. A control circuit and light emitting diode (“LED”) are disposed in the housing, wherein the control circuit energizes the LED at a particular frequency when the dispenser is active and a voltage developed by the battery is above a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Murthy S. Munagavalasa, Gopal P. Ananth
  • Publication number: 20080197213
    Abstract: An active material diffuser includes a container and a device for emitting an active material, wherein the device is adapted to be disposed within the container during use of the device. The diffuser further includes a cover disposed atop the container and enclosing the device within the container when the device is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Stanley J. Flashinski, Ranjit A. De Silva, William G. Parsons, Allen D. Miller, Scott W. Schermer, Gene Sipinski
  • Publication number: 20080011874
    Abstract: A battery powered diffusion device includes a housing having an internal power supply and adapted to receive a replaceable fluid container for holding a fluid, the fluid container including a wick for movement of fluid to a discharge end thereof. The diffusion device further includes a piezoelectric element that is energized by a battery to vibrate a perforated orifice plate disposed adjacent the discharge end of the wick. The piezoelectric element provides sufficient vibratory movement in a dispensing state to pump the fluid from the discharge end through the orifice place and into the atmosphere as aerosolized particles. Diameters of perforations extending through the orifice plate are between about 4.63 microns and about 5.22 microns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Murthy S. Munagavalasa, Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Gopal P. Ananth
  • Publication number: 20080011875
    Abstract: A diffusion device includes a housing having a battery disposed therein and adapted to receive a replaceable fluid reservoir for holding a fluid, wherein the fluid reservoir includes a wick for movement of the fluid to a discharge end thereof. The diffusion device further includes a piezoelectric element energized by a power source for vibrating a perforated orifice plate disposed adjacent the discharge end of the wick, wherein the piezoelectric element develops vibratory movement to pump the fluid from the discharge end through the perforated discharge plate and into the atmosphere. A control circuit and light emitting diode (“LED”) are disposed in the housing, wherein the control circuit energizes the LED at a particular frequency when the dispenser is active and a voltage developed by the battery is above a threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Murthy S. Munagavalasa, Gopal P. Ananth
  • Publication number: 20070199952
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a top portion and a base portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess are provided therebetween for securely holding a container. At least one gear is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that has a directional component parallel to a longitudinal axis of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: M. Carpenter, Paul Furner, Thomas Gasper, Chris Kubicek, Leon Lemon, Brent Madsen, Kenneth Michaels, Cory Nelson, Michael Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan Westphal
  • Publication number: 20060120080
    Abstract: A control for a multisensory apparatus comprises means for detecting a number of lights connected to the control. The control further includes means responsive to the detecting means for operating the light(s) connected to the control in either of first and second different modes of operation in dependence upon the detected number of lights connected thereto. Still further, the control includes means for actuating an active material dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Gene Sipinski, Jeffrey Wolf, Thomas Kueng, Thomas Froehlich, Mark Niederberger