Patents by Inventor John J. Knittle
John J. Knittle 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: 7832679Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 7570067Abstract: A paper dispenser having a proximity detector for dispensation of paper therefrom. The dispenser includes a housing having an inner chamber adapted to support a roll of paper. The housing also has a dispensing aperture. A motor is adapted to dispense paper from the roll through the dispensing aperture. The dispenser also includes a proximity detection circuit, which comprises an antenna, an oscillator circuit to charge the antenna, an operational amplifier operated as a unity gain follower which receives an antenna signal from the antenna, a detector circuit which detects changes in the antenna signal, and a comparator which actuates the motor in response to changes in the antenna signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LPInventors: Dennis J. Denen, Gary E. Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 7191977Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 7161359Abstract: A paper dispenser having a proximity detector for dispensation of paper therefrom. The dispenser includes a housing having an inner chamber adapted to support a roll of paper. The housing also has a dispensing aperture. A motor is adapted to dispense paper from the roll through the dispensing aperture. The dispenser also includes a proximity detection circuit, which comprises an antenna, an oscillator circuit to charge the antenna, an operational amplifier operated as a unity gain follower which receives an antenna signal from the antenna, a detector circuit which detects changes in the antenna signal, and a comparator which actuates the motor in response to changes in the antenna signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 9, 2007Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Gary Edwin Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 7102366Abstract: A proximity detection circuit. An oscillator circuit is adapted to provide charge to an antenna. An operational amplifier, operated as a unity gain follower, receives an antenna signal which is representative of an external capacitive load on the antenna. A detector circuit receives the antenna signal via the operational amplifier and outputs a detection signal in response to changes in the antenna signal. A comparator receives the detection signal and is adapted to generate an output signal in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: September 5, 2006Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Gary Edwin Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 6857580Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated liquid atomizer device which applies alternating voltages from an ordinary wall outlet to a piezoelectric actuator intermittently and at a high rate sufficient to cause an atomization plate which is vibrated by the actuator to form small droplets from liquid which is supplied to the plate. The intermittent application of voltages to the piezoelectric actuator is carried out according to a duty cycle in which the off times are adjustable. An override of the duty cycle is provided so that the piezoelectric actuator operates continuously for intervals which are manually or automatically controlled.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Scott D. Walter, Thomas A. Helf, Edward J. Martens, III, Luke Stonis, John J. Knittle, Chris von Dohlen, Dennis J. Denen
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Patent number: 6838887Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus holds and positions at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; dispenses paper from the first roll; dispenses paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, positions the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and dispenses from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Gary Edwin Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
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Publication number: 20040251375Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
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Publication number: 20040160234Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2004Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATIONInventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Gary Edwin Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J, Knittle
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Patent number: 6766977Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2001Date of Patent: July 27, 2004Assignee: Georgia-Pacific CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
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Publication number: 20030102384Abstract: A piezoelectrically actuated liquid atomizer device which applies alternating voltages from an ordinary wall outlet to a piezoelectric actuator intermittently and at a high rate sufficient to cause an atomization plate which is vibrated by the actuator to form small droplets from liquid which is supplied to the plate. The intermittent application of voltages to the piezoelectric actuator is carried out according to a duty cycle in which the off times are adjustable. An override of the duty cycle is provided so that the piezoelectric actuator operates continuously for intervals which are manually or automatically controlled.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: June 5, 2003Inventors: Scott D. Walter, Thomas A. Helf, Edward J. Martens, Luke Stonis, John J. Knittle, Chris von Dohlen, Dennis J. Denen
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Publication number: 20020117578Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing sheet material including a plurality of spaced perforations may include a housing defining an interior for accommodating a source of the sheet material, and an outlet through which the sheet material may be dispensed. The device may also include a perforation sensor configured to sense perforations in the sheet material, disposed in the interior of the housing. The perforation sensor may include at least one light receptor, and at least a portion of the perforation sensor may be positioned in the housing to contact sheet material traveling from the source to the outlet, thereby spreading perforations in the sheet material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2001Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Dennis J. Denen, Joshua M. Broehl, John J. Knittle
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Publication number: 20020109035Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing paper from rolls which feeds continuously, roll to roll, and does not require extra procedure to bring stub roll into position. The apparatus has means for holding and positioning at least first and second rolls of paper with respect to each other; means for dispensing paper from the first roll; means for dispensing paper from the first and second rolls simultaneously when the first roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper, means for positioning the depleted first roll for replacement without the necessity of removing the second roll; and means for dispensing from the second and replacement rolls simultaneously when the second roll reduces to a predetermined diameter of paper. The apparatus also has a proximity sensor, which senses when a hand is placed near the dispenser, and thereupon dispenses a set amount of towel. The proximity sensor incorporates “static” and noise immunity circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Dennis Joseph Denen, Gary Edwin Myers, Charles W. Groezinger, John J. Knittle
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Patent number: 5472443Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for use in performing electrosurgery, wherein a power supply supplies an electrosurgical instrument with a low voltage power signal having a substantially constant peak-to-peak voltage that is independent of the load impedance and which has a crest factor near unity. A power supply is provided to supply a voltage waveform in accordance with the methods of the invention. A clipping circuit is also provided to permit practice of the methods using conventional electrosurgcial generators and previously known electrosurgical instruments, wherein the voltage amplitude and waveform is modified to the desired regime.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Hemostatic Surgery CorporationInventors: Jack C. Cordis, Dennis J. Denen, Philip E. Eggers, John J. Knittle, Raymond C. Ramsey, Robert F. Shaw
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Patent number: 5352868Abstract: A power supply for use with resistively-heated surgical instruments is provided, wherein accurate temperature regulation is achieved employing a resistance feedback circuit. The power supply powers the surgical instrument with an AC voltage waveform, and applies a fixed, low level DC signal to the heating element to produce a DC signal proportional to the instantaneous resistance of the heating element. The DC signal is compared to a setpoint value to obtain a control signal for adjusting the power delivered to the instrument to maintain a substantially constant heating element temperature, even under varying thermal loads.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1992Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Hemostatic Surgery CorporationInventors: Dennis J. Denen, John J. Knittle, Albert E. Weller, III