Patents by Inventor James F. Pitzen

James F. Pitzen 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: 20170071157
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 9504232
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Publication number: 20140174380
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 8695538
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device to deter animals from biting or chewing. The deterrent device has a flexible substrate physically conformable in three directions with conductive traces thereon. The lick deterrent device is configured for electrical connection to a removable power source. The traces are configured so that they may be contacted by an animal's tongue or saliva, so that upon contact, an electrical circuit is completed thereby delivering a mild electric shock to the animal. The lick deterrent device may be stretchable in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 8061307
    Abstract: A deterrent apparatus having a non-conductive tubing having a length, an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen, and at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor present on the outer surface of the non-conductive tubing. A power source comprising a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal is connected to the conductors so that the first terminal is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second terminal is electrically connected to the second conductor. The deterrent apparatus is suitable for use on medical tubing or veterinary tubing, for example, to deter animals from chewing or biting at the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Chris A. Minick, Brian Dingman, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 8011328
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device having a surface mounted battery pack that is in electrical contact with two sets of traces on the lick deterrent device. The surface mounted battery pack is readily attachable to the lick deterrent device, and in some embodiments, may be readily removable and replaceable. At least one of the battery terminals is in direct electrical contact with a trace on the substrate. The second terminal may have electrical contact with a different trace via a terminal extension element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7980286
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a device and method for attaching a tab to an elongate length of double-sided adhesive tape, the tab protruding beyond a terminal end of the elongate length of tape and being attached to both surfaces of the adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph T. Bartusiak, James F. Pitzen
  • Publication number: 20100147455
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a device and method for attaching a tab to an elongate length of double-sided adhesive tape, the tab protruding beyond a terminal end of the elongate length of tape and being attached to both surfaces of the adhesive tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph T. Bartusiak, James F. Pitzen
  • Publication number: 20100122666
    Abstract: A lick deterrent device having a surface mounted battery pack that is in electrical contact with two sets of traces on the lick deterrent device. The surface mounted battery pack is readily attachable to the lick deterrent device, and in some embodiments, may be readily removable and replaceable. At least one of the battery terminals is in direct electrical contact with a trace on the substrate. The second terminal may have electrical contact with a different trace via a terminal extension element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Publication number: 20090188440
    Abstract: A deterrent apparatus having a non-conductive tubing having a length, an outer surface and an inner surface defining a lumen, and at least a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor present on the outer surface of the non-conductive tubing. A power source comprising a battery having a first terminal and a second terminal is connected to the conductors so that the first terminal is electrically connected to the first conductor and the second terminal is electrically connected to the second conductor. The deterrent apparatus is suitable for use on medical tubing or veterinary tubing, for example, to deter animals from chewing or biting at the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Chris A. Minick, Brian Dingman, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7503953
    Abstract: A self-supporting, pleated filter including a plurality of pleats in a filter media that extend along a front face and a rear face. The pleats include a plurality of pleat tips and sloping side surfaces generally perpendicular to the direction of pleating. At least one planar reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of pleating is bonded to the pleat tips on the front face. At least one reinforcing member is positioned along the rear face of the filter media. The reinforcing member may be a reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of pleating and bonded to the rear face of the filter media. A second planar reinforcing strip may optionally be bonded to the reinforcing strip pleat tips. The reinforcing member, the first reinforcing strip and the second reinforcing strip can be aligned to form a truss structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Sundet, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7441581
    Abstract: A tape application apparatus is adapted for both left-handed and right-handed use when applying tape from a roll to a first surface. An edge of the first surface is common to an edge of an adjacent second surface. The tape application apparatus includes a housing and a tape hub attached to the housing that is capable of slidably receiving the roll. The housing has first and second exterior surfaces and first and second interior surfaces and is capable of receiving the roll. When the tape application apparatus is guided in a first direction, the roll is moveable to a first dispensing position against the first interior side surface, and when the tape application apparatus is guided in a second direction opposite the first direction, the roll is moveable to a second dispensing position against the second interior side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Publication number: 20080156444
    Abstract: A tape and masking material composite including a sheet of masking material, and a length of pressure sensitive adhesive coated tape adhered to a first surface along a first edge of the sheet of masking material with the tape having a longitudinal pressure sensitive adhesive covered portion extending past the first edge of the sheet of masking material. The masking material has removable pressure sensitive adhesive on a second major surface opposite its first major surface at least including on and along a portion of that second surface along a second edge opposite its first edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: James F. Pitzen, Joseph T. Bartusiak
  • Patent number: 7311793
    Abstract: A laminate from which decorative films can be precisely applied to a substrate. The laminate includes a polymeric cover sheet having opposite outer and inner major surfaces. A layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the inner major surface of the cover sheet. The structured pressure sensitive adhesive has a plurality of spaced passageways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A decorative film is adhered to the structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the major surfaces of the decorative film opposite the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A release liner extends substantially across the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and a portion of the structured pressure sensitive adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kristin L. Thunhorst, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7311956
    Abstract: A laminate for use in decorating a receptor surface (e.g., a window) comprising a piece of decorative sheet material with a layer of aggressive pressure sensitive adhesive on its rear surface and a release liner over that layer of adhesive; and a flexible, temporary support tape comprising a backing and a layer of repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive on a second surface of the backing. A longitudinally extending part of the layer of repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive of the support tape is adhered to a front surface of the decorative strip, and an elongate portion of the support tape projects transversely away from a first edge surface of the decorative sheet material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: 7217333
    Abstract: A self-supporting, pleated filter, and method of making the same. The method includes forming a plurality of pleats in a filter media that extend along a front face and a rear face. The pleats include a plurality of pleat tips and sloping side surfaces generally perpendicular to the direction of pleating. At least one planar reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of pleating is bonded to the pleat tips on the front face. At least one reinforcing member is positioned along the rear face of the filter media. The filter media is then cut to size. Frame members are applied for some applications. The reinforcing member may be a reinforcing strip oriented in the direction of pleating and bonded to the rear face of the filter media prior to the step of forming the plurality of pleats. A second planar reinforcing strip may optionally be bonded to the reinforcing strip pleat tips. The reinforcing member, the first reinforcing strip and the second reinforcing strip can be aligned to form a truss structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas C. Sundet, James F. Pitzen
  • Patent number: D547378
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James F. Pitzen, Nathaniel R. Hallee, Micah T. Somers
  • Patent number: D549287
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James F. Pitzen, Nathaniel R. Hallee, Paul A. Pilosi
  • Patent number: RE40681
    Abstract: A cordless drive assembly for driving various orthopedic surgical instruments is described. The drive assembly is battery powered and includes tracks in the handle portion of its housing for receiving the battery. A latch locks the battery to the housing. A combination of a rechargeable, detachable battery system and a power tool. The battery slides onto the power tool through a complementary groove and flange structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Linvatec Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Pitzen, Jeffrey D. Smith, Charles E. Alexson
  • Patent number: RE40848
    Abstract: A cordless drive assembly for driving various orthopedic surgical instruments is described. The drive assembly is battery powered and includes tracks in the handle portion of its housing for receiving the battery. A latch locks the battery to the housing. A combination of a rechargeable, detachable battery system and a power tool. The battery slides onto the power tool through a complementary groove and flange structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventors: James F. Pitzen, Jeffrey D. Smith, Charles E. Alexson