Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Michaels

Kenneth W. Michaels 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).

  • Patent number: 10764963
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a refill containing a volatile material and a wick, the housing including a first cavity supporting a heater arrangement and a second, separate cavity supporting a fan arrangement for dispersing a vapor plume of the volatile material. The first cavity is substantially unobstructed between an upper, interior surface of the housing and an upper surface of the heater arrangement. The housing also includes an aperture through which the vapor plume exits the housing and a plurality of openings through which air from the fan arrangement directs the vapor plume away from the aperture. When a refill is received within the hosing, the upper surface of the heater arrangement is disposed nearer the aperture than a distal end of the wick, and a radial gap is formed between the heater arrangement and the wick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels, Stefano Baldessari, Alessio Dalser, Andrea Pedrotti
  • Patent number: 10011419
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of the body of a container and a groove configured to receive a portion of a valve stem of the container. The recess includes a tapered upper end configured to fit a neck of the container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed proximate the groove, which defines lateral sidewalls and a rear sidewall and has an open forward end to receive the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20180103507
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a refill containing a volatile material and a wick, the housing including a first cavity supporting a heater arrangement and a second, separate cavity supporting a fan arrangement for dispersing a vapor plume of the volatile material. The first cavity is substantially unobstructed between an upper, interior surface of the housing and an upper surface of the heater arrangement. The housing also includes an aperture through which the vapor plume exits the housing and a plurality of openings through which air from the fan arrangement directs the vapor plume away from the aperture. When a refill is received within the hosing, the upper surface of the heater arrangement is disposed nearer the aperture than a distal end of the wick, and a radial gap is formed between the heater arrangement and the wick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels, Stefano Baldessari, Alessio Dalser, Andrea Pedrotti
  • Patent number: 9833530
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for emitting a volatile material. A faceplate is attached to the housing and provides an aesthetically pleasing look to the volatile material dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Gordon, Thomas Jaworski, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels, Nathan P. Hendon, Sandrine Lebas, Grace Kim, Jonathan Rathbone, Krista Bangsund, Lea Kobeli, Sydney Minnis, In Shr Tseng
  • Publication number: 20160340108
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of the body of a container and a groove configured to receive a portion of a valve stem of the container. The recess includes a tapered upper end configured to fit a neck of the container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed proximate the groove, which defines lateral sidewalls and a rear sidewall and has an open forward end to receive the valve stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 9474819
    Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
  • Patent number: 9457951
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of a container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed above the recess and the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed on opposing sides of the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20150028062
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of a container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed above the recess and the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed on opposing sides of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8887954
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The movement of the actuator arm actuates a valve stem of one of the two containers in one of the first and second positions. The actuator arm is adapted to spray fluid disposed in an interior of the two containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8868245
    Abstract: A dispensing device includes an actuating device that actuates first and second containers, respectively, and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the actuating device is inactive, in a second period the actuating device actuates the first container at a first frequency, and in a third period the actuating device actuates the second container at a second frequency. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the actuating device actuates the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
  • Publication number: 20140124597
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for emitting a volatile material. A faceplate is attached to the housing and provides an aesthetically pleasing look to the volatile material dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: William F. Gordon, Thomas Jaworski, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels, Nathan P. Hendon, Sandrine Lebas, Grace Kim, Jonathan Rathbone, Krista Bangsund, Lea Kobeli, Sydney Minnis, In Shr Tseng
  • Patent number: 8678233
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of providing a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having at least two aerosol containers disposed therein and an actuator arm. The dispensing unit activates in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor. The method also includes the step of selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Nathan R. Westphal, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, M. Scott Carpenter, Michael E. Short
  • Publication number: 20140064713
    Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
  • Publication number: 20140014685
    Abstract: A dispensing device includes an actuating device that actuates first and second containers, respectively, and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the actuating device is inactive, in a second period the actuating device actuates the first container at a first frequency, and in a third period the actuating device actuates the second container at a second frequency. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the actuating device actuates the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
  • Patent number: 8565926
    Abstract: A dispensing device includes first and second actuators that actuate first and second containers, respectively, to dispense volatile material therefrom and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the first and second actuators are inactive, in a second period the first actuator actuates the first container at a first frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom, and in a third period the second actuator actuates the second container at a second frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the first and/or second actuators actuate the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
  • Patent number: 8403183
    Abstract: A device for that places a fluid container in fluid communication with a sprayer is disclosed. The device includes a container adapter that allows a dip tube to be attached to the fluid container rather than the sprayer. When the sprayer is removed from the fluid container, the dip tube stays in the fluid container. Refill fluid containers may come with the container adapter and dip tube installed. When the sprayer is attached to the fluid container, the adapter seals against the sprayer allowing fluid to be pumped from the fluid container by the sprayer. A sprayer connector with geometry that matches an inner or outer shape of the adapter is attached to and/or built into the sprayer. The sprayer connector is constructed to allow easy alignment of the sprayer to the fluid container. The sprayer connector and the container adapter also provide a unique attachment geometry to insure only containers with formulae compatible to the sprayer are pumped through the sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Cathal L. Fahy, Timothy R. Bartlett, Kenneth W. Michaels, René Maurice Béland, Peter M. Neumann, David H. Leifheit, Thomas Jaworski
  • Patent number: D687940
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc
    Inventors: William F. Gordon, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels
  • Patent number: D831813
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Sons, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels
  • Patent number: D834167
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels
  • Patent number: D834168
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels