Patents by Inventor Mark A. Hatherill
Mark A. Hatherill 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: 8863811Abstract: A gate has an expandable barrier and a horizontal rail located at a top of the barrier. A post may be coupled to the barrier and may have a portion extending above the horizontal rail. A lock is movably coupled to the post above the rail to provide for the locking and unlocking of the gate.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Adam John Yates, Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Thomas Birkert
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Patent number: 8833592Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20140251941Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: Steven Bryan DUNN, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Publication number: 20140150349Abstract: A barrier has an expandable width barrier having opposing first and second ends. A locking arm is pivotably coupled to the expandable width barrier at the first end and slidably coupled to the expandable width barrier at the second end. The locking arm may be an adjustable-length construction. The pivoting of the locking arm causes the barrier to move between locked and unlocked states. When the locking arm is pivoted to lock the barrier, it causes the barrier to linearly expand a supplemental amount and fits the barrier to opposing sides of a passageway opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: Adam John Yates, Steven Bryan Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Thomas Birkert
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Patent number: 8739501Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Patent number: 8739993Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: 8733568Abstract: A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: 8695179Abstract: A hook article that is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment between two or more objects includes a fixed frame member and gate member. The gate member includes a first end that is pivotally hinged to the frame member, a second end movable with respect to the frame member to allow access into an interior space and a handle that is integral with the gate member. The position of the handle facilitates the process of and enables a user to easily open and close the gate member with a single hand, while protecting the fingers of the user against jamming. Upon applying pressure to the handle, the gate member pivotally retracts towards an interior space of the hook article.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Mark G. Tebbe, Eugene Bae
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Patent number: 8690017Abstract: A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Publication number: 20140042168Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: MUNCHKIN, INC.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, MARK A. HATHERILL, KEVIN D. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 8647587Abstract: A powder dispenser for a waste disposal system includes a mounting portion that is adapted to be secured to a waste disposal unit, and a container defining an interior space in which a powder such as sodium bicarbonate may be stored. The container is releasably mounted to the underside of a hinged lid member of the waste disposal unit. A directional dispensing system is provided for dispensing powder from the container into a targeted portion of the waste disposal system. The directional dispensing system is constructed and arranged to concentrate initial dispersal of the powder to a single side of the container and includes a dispensing orifice. The dispensing orifice is preferably oriented to limit initial dispersal of the powder within a defined angular range with respect to the longitudinal axis of the lid member, and is spaced axially and laterally with respect to the waste disposal unit at distances that facilitate distribution of the powder to desired targeted portions of the waste disposal unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, IncInventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Patent number: 8635838Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Patent number: 8578656Abstract: A barrier has an expandable width barrier having opposing first and second ends. A locking arm is pivotably coupled to the expandable width barrier at the first end and slidably coupled to the expandable width barrier at the second end. The locking arm may be an adjustable-length construction. The pivoting of the locking arm causes the barrier to move between locked and unlocked states. When the locking arm is pivoted to lock the barrier, it causes the barrier to linearly expand a supplemental amount and fits the barrier to opposing sides of a passageway opening.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Adam John Yates, Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Thomas Birkert
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Patent number: 8567157Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating hygienic storage and disposal of waste packages such as used disposable diapers include a housing, a lid, and a bag unit having a bag frame and an attached single use flexible bag. The flexible bag is pleated and larger in cross-section at a lower portion than it is at the connection to the bag frame. The bag frame is releasably mounted to the housing so that it will not rotate. The lower portion of the flexible bag is positioned in a storage chamber of the housing that is shaped so as to align and center the bag. A rotatable member having radially extending flexible fingers is engaged with an intermediate portion of the bag. When the lid is closed, the rotatable member will twist the intermediate portion of the bag, sealing odors in the lower portion of the bag. A parent or caregiver will push the waste package through the resistance of the twisted intermediate portion into the lower portion of the bag, and close the lid to re-seal the twisted portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Kevin D. Johnson
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Patent number: D685609Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: D682033Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: D683183Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: D683588Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: D695061Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song
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Patent number: D699068Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Munchkin, Inc.Inventors: Steven B. Dunn, Mark A. Hatherill, Rodolfo Gastelum, Won Song