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: 7650663
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brush head useful for cleaning toilet bowls and for other cleaning applications. The brush head is flushable after use and insertable in a permanent type wand. The brush head may be a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to bind them together into a stack. Surface indentations and piercing of layers at the indentations are used to bind the brush head layers together more securely without the need for binding adhesives, and to facilitate clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Mark J. Skorski
  • Patent number: 7574767
    Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed which is of a multifunctional type. In one form it has a squeegee blade sandwiched by absorbents on both sides. The absorbents can absorb cleaning fluid, and do so when the squeegee is moved in multiple directions. In another form the squeegee blade is sandwiched by the substrates, but has through holes such that used cleaning liquid that is driven off the window by the squeegee is collected in a different substrate from a substrate that delivers fresh cleaning liquid to the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair
  • Patent number: 7470078
    Abstract: A cleaning implement that provides multiple functions useful in cleaning windows and similar surfaces is disclosed. There is a support head mounting a squeegee blade and (optionally) a scrubber and/or touch-up pad. There is also a collector absorbent pad that is mounted to the support head adjacent the squeegee blade, a sprayer linked to the support head, and a container connectable to the sprayer. The implement can spray cleaning fluid on a window to be cleaned. The scrubber can then be applied, followed by the squeegee. Liquid being removed from the window using the squeegee is then collected in the absorbent pad, which is replaceable when saturated. Any remaining streaks on the surface being cleaned can then be removed by the touch-up pad. Replacement pads and replacement containers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Peter M. Neumann, Kenneth W. Michaels, Kevin Harrity
  • Publication number: 20080315005
    Abstract: An active material emitting device includes an ultrasonic atomizer disposed within the device for volatilizing an active material. The device further includes an opening disposed adjacent the ultrasonic atomizer for emitting the volatilized active material therethrough. A vent is disposed in the device, wherein the vent creates an air passageway for air to enter the device and exit the device through the opening to carry the volatilized active material away from the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20080105763
    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: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Cathal L. Fahy, Timothy R. Bartlett, Kenneth W. Michaels, Rene Maurice Beland, Peter M. Neumann
  • Publication number: 20080060156
    Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed which is of a multifunctional type. In one form it has a squeegee blade sandwiched by absorbents on both sides. The absorbents can absorb cleaning fluid, and do so when the squeegee is moved in multiple directions. In another form the squeegee blade is sandwiched by the substrates, but has through holes such that used cleaning liquid that is driven off the window by the squeegee is collected in a different substrate from a substrate that delivers fresh cleaning liquid to the surface being cleaned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Prabodh P. Varanasi, Joel E. Adair
  • Patent number: 7316046
    Abstract: Disclosed are brushes for cleaning toilet bowls and the like. The brushes have a permanent handle and can be used with a replaceable/disposable brush head that is flushable after use. The brush is a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to both bind them together into a stack and create axial/longitudinal undulations. A wand provides a remote system for clamping and unclamping the brush head. The wand has a jaw whose mouth has corresponding undulating configurations. A side opening in the jaw may also be provided to facilitate assembly, as may a rear catch portion on the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Peter M. Neumann
  • Patent number: 7159265
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning brush for cleaning toilet bowls and the like. The brush has a permanent handle and replaceable/disposable brush heads that are flushable after each cleaning. The brush is a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable and/or agitation-dissolvable material. The sheets can be attached together at an end by pressure bonding or by a water-soluble adhesive and formed with bristles at an opposite end. The wand provides a remote system for clamping and unclamping the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Simon M. Conway, Kenneth W. Michaels, Elias H. Shaer, Michael J. Banco, Terra J. Morgan, James S. Marschalek
  • Patent number: 7059008
    Abstract: Disclosed is a brush for cleaning toilet bowls and the like. The brush has a permanent handle and can be used with a replaceable/disposable brush head that is flushable after use. The brush is a stack of sheets of water-dissolvable material. The sheets are compressed to both bind them together into a stack. There is a longitudinal slit in the rear of the brush head to create left and right rear attachment tabs. A wand provides a remote system for clamping and unclamping the brush head. The wand has a jaw whose mouth has two wedge shaped teeth that are offset from each other to clamp the corresponding tabs while driving the tabs in opposite directions in the jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Terra J. Morgan, Douglas A. Soller, Kenneth W. Michaels, Peter M. Neumann
  • Patent number: 6978914
    Abstract: Apparatus for placing contents of a first container in fluid communication with a delivery apparatus includes an actuating element carried by the delivery apparatus and a valve element carried by the first container. At least one of the actuating element and the valve element defines a flow path from the first container to the delivery apparatus when the actuating element and the valve element are engaged with one another. The actuating element is engageable with a circular cylindrical valve of a second container to prevent flow of contents of the second container into the delivery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Kenneth W. Michaels, Thomas J. Szymczak, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, David J. Houser, William E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 6830164
    Abstract: A shave gel is disposed within a container having a container body defining a space for storage of the product and a valve in fluid communication with the space. A hollow stem is disposed in fluid communication with the valve and includes an exterior end that has at least one side opening therethrough. The valve is actuable to dispense product through the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Publication number: 20030070076
    Abstract: A method and system for transferring data between a plurality of law enforcement agencies. The system includes at least a first input terminal of a first law enforcement agency, a second input terminal of a second law enforcement agency, and a computing system. The computing system stores any data sent from either the first or second input terminal in a database. When queried by either input terminal, the computing system searches the database, finds any requested information, and transfers the data to the requesting input terminal. The system may also include an authentication system for authenticating the proper users of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Michael
  • Patent number: 6442338
    Abstract: A fumigation device is provided that is configured to be plugged into an electrical receptacle regardless of its orientation. A housing has an axially extending member with an outer end that is connected to a radially extending member. The radially extending member, in turn, has an outer end defining a delivery port that directs gaseous fumigant away from the wall. A canister is disposed within the housing and defines a cavity having a mouth in communication with the delivery port, the cavity containing a heat-activatable fumigant. A heater supplies heat to the canister when an electrical plug is inserted into the receptacle to activate the active chemical ingredient. A gel trap is disposed downstream of the canister and receives gelled fumigant that might escape from the canister while permitting gaseous fumigant to flow from the canister to the delivery port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Michaels
  • Patent number: D535376
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Edward L. Paas, John A. Miller, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D544084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, John A. Miller, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D547850
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Anne C. Moser, Tianzhu Wang
  • Patent number: D561884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Amelia H. Majerowski, Kenneth W. Michaels, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D561885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Amelia H. Majerowski, Kenneth W. Michaels, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D561886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Amelia H. Majerowski, Kenneth W. Michaels, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D613898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Jonathan N. Mandell, Paul E. Furner, Elie Papiernik