Patents by Inventor James R. Crapser
James R. Crapser 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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Publication number: 20120174304Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of an enclosure with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device can include a container for the chemical, a container holder, a sprayer through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally at least halfway around a perimeter of the sprayer, a clip attaching the sprayer near a rim of the toilet bowl, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the container and the sprayer, and a retention mechanism retaining the container in the container holder. One form of the retention mechanism includes a retainer having a plurality of flexing tabs that engage a flange on the holder. In another form, the retention mechanism can include inwardly directed flanges on an inner wall of the holder, a projection spaced apart from each flange, and a retainer with a plurality of fins. A refill for a dispensing system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Inventors: Matthew Abbondanzio, Ronald J. Schmidt, Barry Thrune, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Sandy K. Foley, Jeffrey L. Crull, Jonathon Daniel Toback, Martin Rathgeber, Jon M. Hursey, Evan A. Sparks
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Publication number: 20120083648Abstract: A device for relieving user stress and method of using same are disclosed. The device may be provided in the form of a kit that the user may use to relieve himself or herself of troubling thoughts and use the dissolution features of the kit to visually observe the thought melting away. The kit may include a plurality of dissolvable substrates on which thoughts can be recorded, a writing instrument to record the thoughts on the substrate, a vessel to contain a solvent, and a medical device to monitor one or more physiological parameters of the user. The physiological parameters of the user may include blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, brain function, and combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Catherine D. Dowdell, John R. Weaver, Kristina J. Genslak, James R. Crapser
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Publication number: 20120082968Abstract: A journal system for promoting a person's personal growth and a method for guiding a journal user to use a journal are provided. The journal system includes a plurality of cards, each card having a writable portion configured to receive an entry from a user and a written content portion. The written content portion includes a prompt to the user and an intention relating to the prompt to facilitate the entry from the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Catherine D. Dowdell, Kristina J. Genslak, John R. Weaver, David Ratfelders, Lillard Wells Culver, III, James R. Crapser
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Publication number: 20120084180Abstract: A personal growth system and method for personal growth are provided. The personal growth system may be web-enabled and may include a communication interface operable to communicate with an endpoint user interface. The user interface generally includes a display area. The personal growth program is operable to generate, for a user in the display area, a first information request for the user and to obtain first user input relating to the user's current state of being. The personal growth system also may include a recommendation database defining guided experiences, each of which may include at least one instruction that leads the user through the guided experience. The personal growth system may communicate applicable guided experiences to the endpoint based on the first user input. The instructions of the guided experiences may specify an act intended to generate a result.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: Catherine D. Dowdell, Michael M. Sawalski, John R. Weaver, Thomas A. Helf, Marissa A.K. Schultz, James R. Crapser, Sara Cantor Aye, Mark King, Andrew Michael Brooks, Kristina J. Genslak, Felicia E. Zusman
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Publication number: 20120082947Abstract: A candle assembly comprises a fuel element having a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, and a channel extending through the fuel element from the first surface to the second surface. A support structure is adapted to support the first surface of the fuel element within a central portion of the support structure. A wick retainer has a flat portion with a centralized conduit extending outwardly from a top surface of the flat portion. A wick has a first end disposed within the wick retainer, wherein the wick and wick retainer are embedded in the fuel element prior to use such that a second end of the wick extends outwardly beyond the second surface of the fuel element.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Inventors: James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Tommy Mikic
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Patent number: 8090244Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes an upper housing with an opening extending therethrough and a lower housing with an opening extending therethrough, wherein the upper housing is secured to the lower housing to define a cavity therebetween. Electrical circuitry is disposed within the cavity, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a heater and a USB interface that extends from the upper and lower housings. Further, a volatile material cartridge is disposed within the cavity. The dispenser is adapted to dispense volatile material from the volatile material cartridge through the openings in the upper and lower housings in a passive mode and an active mode, wherein the USB interface is coupled to a power source to energize the heater in the active mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: David C. Belongia, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Scott D. Walter
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Publication number: 20110283447Abstract: Disclosed are automated aerosol dispensers for delivering chemicals (e.g. cleaners, fragrances, insect control agents) from the dispenser to selected locations (e.g. the air; a toilet bowl; a shower enclosure). There is an actuator (e.g. a push button or a foot pedal) for initiating dispensing, and a holder for an aerosol container. The aerosol container stores the chemical before use. There is a switch associated with the holder that recognizes when the aerosol container has been mounted to the holder, and when thereafter that aerosol container has been dismounted from the holder. A controller controls dispensing of the chemical from the aerosol container in response to actuation. The controller has a timer that determines the amount of time that chemical is to be delivered from the aerosol container upon the dispenser being actuated by the actuator. A database is provided for assisting the controller in varying the time that the timer permits dispensing in response to activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, James R. Crapser
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Patent number: 7837958Abstract: The present invention is a system for and method of providing an autonomously mobile air purifier and surface cleaner in combination with a source of air fragrance in a single device for home or office use. The autonomously mobile air and surface cleaner and fragrancing system includes an air purifier, a fragrancer, a floor cleaner, an input means, a power system, operational and auxiliary sensors, robotics that drive and steer the device, and a central controller operatively connected to each of the aforementioned items to control the operation of the device. The present invention also provides a method for the operation of the device using the air purifier, fragrancer, floor cleaner and robotics to clean a room, and for modifying the operation of the device in response to signals sent from the sensors or from the input means.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2005Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: James R. Crapser, Thomas P. Gasper
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Publication number: 20100176213Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes an upper housing with an opening extending therethrough and a lower housing with an opening extending therethrough, wherein the upper housing is secured to the lower housing to define a cavity therebetween. Electrical circuitry is disposed within the cavity, wherein the electrical circuitry includes a heater and a USB interface that extends from the upper and lower housings. Further, a volatile material cartridge is disposed within the cavity. The dispenser is adapted to dispense volatile material from the volatile material cartridge through the openings in the upper and lower housings in a passive mode and an active mode, wherein the USB interface is coupled to a power source to energize the heater in the active mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2009Publication date: July 15, 2010Inventors: David C. Belongia, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Scott D. Walter
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Patent number: 7687744Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing combined presentation of light and aroma to produce a desired overall sensory effect. The includes a fragrance dispenser (31), a light source (42), an audio system (52), and a microprocessor (99). The fragrance dispenser (31) is refillable and controllable, so as to adjust the rate at which the fragrance dispenser dispenses a fragrance. The light source (42) comprises a plurality of LEDs (40a-40c) of at least two different colors and is controllable so as to adjust the operation of the plurality of LEDs (40a-40c). The audio system (52) controls sounds to be emitted from the apparatus. The microprocessor (99) controls the rate at which the fragrance dispenser (31) dispenses fragrance and the operation of the light source (42) and audio system (52).Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Scott D. Walter, Jeffrey J. Wolf, Jose Porchia, David A. Tomkins, Thomas A. Helf, James R. Crapser, Kelley H. Rich, Barry T. Calpino
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Patent number: 7537647Abstract: The present invention is an air purifier including an ionizing assembly that operates to charge particulate material in an air flow passing through the purifier. The charged particulate material is attracted to and retained by a filter element disposed downstream of the ionization assembly and having an electrical charge opposite to the charged particulate material. The purified air passing through the filter is directed out of the device, optionally in conjunction with a fragrance that is added to the purified air flow. The ionizing assembly is formed with a ground member disposed adjacent the ionizing member to keep the electrons generated by the ionizing assembly within the purifier, and thus prevent static discharges from occurring outside of the purifier. The air flow is directed by a fan through the purifier in an angular and substantially laminar manner, such that the efficiency of the purifier is increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Rene Maurice Beland, James R. Crapser, C. Scott Eagleton, Thomas P. Gasper, Dennis W. Gruber, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Padma Prabodh Varanasi
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Publication number: 20080206092Abstract: The present invention is a system for and method of providing an autonomously mobile air purifier and surface cleaner in combination with a source of air fragrance in a single device for home or office use. The autonomously mobile air and surface cleaner and fragrancing system includes an air purifier, a fragrancer, a floor cleaner, an input means, a power system, operational and auxiliary sensors, robotics that drive and steer the device, and a central controller operatively connected to each of the aforementioned items to control the operation of the device. The present invention also provides a method for the operation of the device using the air purifier, fragrancer, floor cleaner and robotics to clean a room, and for modifying the operation of the device in response to signals sent from the sensors or from the input means.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: James R. Crapser, Thomas P. Gasper
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Publication number: 20080193328Abstract: The present invention is a system or device and method of providing air purification in combination with fragrancing in a single unit, such as a tabletop unit for home or office use in conjunction with a method of optimizing the air delivery rate versus noise specification of an air freshening device. The air freshening unit includes a housing, an air movement mechanism, a pre-ionizer, a filter, a post-ionizer, a diverter for directing airflow to a non-fragranced air exhaust port and to a multiple fragrance delivery system, which supplies a fragranced air exhaust port. Additionally, the multiple fragrance delivery system can be formed of a wick-based delivery system incorporating a capillary member, or a fragrance bead delivery system. The air freshening unit of the present invention can also include a fragrance mechanism integrated directly into the filter mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2005Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: James R. Crapser, Thomas P. Gasper
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Patent number: 7368003Abstract: Systems for and methods of providing air purification and cleaning in combination with odor elimination in a single unit, such as a tabletop unit for home or office use, are disclosed. The air cleaning device includes a housing, an air intake port, an air movement mechanism, a pre-ionizer, a filter, a post-ionizer, an air exhaust port, and a flow chamber for holding a compound such as an odor elimination supply. An air movement mechanism, ozone removal mechanism, and/or filter/odor elimination assembly may also be present.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: James R. Crapser, Milan L. Zdrubecky, René Maurice Béland
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Patent number: 5988459Abstract: A child-resistant package includes a multilayered polymeric tray having a basin and a brim. The tray has a plastic structural layer and a bonding layer. A multilayered polymeric cover has a cross-oriented, tear-resistant layer, a bonding layer, and a moisture-barrier layer between the tear-resistant layer and the bonding layer of the cover. The bonding layer of the cover is sealed to the bonding layer of the brim of the tray to form a closed cavity between the tray and the cover.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Dave E. Nelson, James R. Crapser
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Patent number: 5964377Abstract: A manually operable dispensing pump for use with a primary container containing a primary fluid, the pump having a body containing a sprayer mechanism and having a primary attachment means for attaching to the primary container and secondary attachment means for attaching to a secondary container having contents to be co-dispensed with the primary fluid. The secondary container is attachable by the secondary attachment means directly to the body at a location remote from the primary container. The secondary container has a holding chamber for holding selected contents and an outlet that provides immediate communication between the holding chamber and the sprayer mechanism when the secondary container is attached to the body so that contents of the secondary container can pass immediately into a mixing chamber in the body to be mixed with primary fluid pumped from the primary container. The mixing chamber contents are then discharged from the pump. Preferably, the secondary container is detachable.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, James R. Crapser, Allen D. Miller, Robert E. Corba, Imre J. Dancs, David J. Houser
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Patent number: D556310Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Gasper, Milan L. Zdrubecky, James R. Crapser, Daniel Perez, Ki Bok Song
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Patent number: D569959Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.Inventors: Thomas P. Gasper, Milan L. Zdrubecky, James R. Crapser, Daniel Perez, Ki Bok Song
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Patent number: D649235Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2010Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Evan A. Sparks
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Patent number: D657252Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: James R. Crapser, Kristina J. Genslak