Patents by Inventor Michael M. Sawalski

Michael M. Sawalski 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: 8820664
    Abstract: A multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head is disclosed. The fluid delivery head includes a body that defines a fluid chamber having a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet for connection to a fluid source, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a plurality of outlet ports connected to and extending away from the body. Each outlet port has an interior space in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a nozzle insert removably secured in an outer end of each outlet port. At least one nozzle insert has a fluid delivery aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of its associated outlet port for delivering fluid out of the interior space of its associated outlet port. One or more of the outlet ports is angled away from a plane normal to the axis of the fluid delivery head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Michael J. Skalitzky, Nitin Sharma, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Yong Chen, Allen D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8690008
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a sheet from a stack of sheets is disclosed. The device includes a holder for receiving a refill container including the stack of sheets. The holder includes a holder base wall and opposed holder side walls extending up from the holder base wall. The refill container includes a container base wall and opposed first and second container side walls extending up from the container base wall. A first flap extends inward from an end of the first container side wall, and a second flap extends inward from an end of the second container side wall. The first flap and the second flap are dimensioned to define a longitudinal dispensing slot of the container. At least one of the first flap and the second flap of the container can flex upward when a sheet is dispensed from the device. In one form, the sheets comprise a thin sponge material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon M. Conway, Michael M. Sawalski, Benjamin J. Paprocki, Scott Padiak
  • Publication number: 20130292003
    Abstract: A multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head is disclosed. The fluid delivery head includes a body that defines a fluid chamber having a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet for connection to a fluid source, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a plurality of outlet ports connected to and extending away from the body. Each outlet port has an interior space in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a nozzle insert removably secured in an outer end of each outlet port. At least one nozzle insert has a fluid delivery aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of its associated outlet port for delivering fluid out of the interior space of its associated outlet port. One or more of the outlet ports is angled away from a plane normal to the axis of the fluid delivery head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Michael J. Skalitzki, Nitin Sharma, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Yong Chen, Allen D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8500044
    Abstract: A multiple nozzle differential fluid delivery head is disclosed. The fluid delivery head includes a body that defines a fluid chamber having a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inlet for connection to a fluid source, and the inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a plurality of outlet ports connected to and extending away from the body. Each outlet port has an interior space in fluid communication with the fluid chamber. The fluid delivery head includes a nozzle insert removably secured in an outer end of each outlet port. At least one nozzle insert has a fluid delivery aperture in fluid communication with the interior space of its associated outlet port for delivering fluid out of the interior space of its associated outlet port. One or more of the outlet ports is angled away from a plane normal to the axis of the fluid delivery head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Michael J. Skalitzky, Nitin Sharma, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Yong Chen, Allen D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8322525
    Abstract: Holders for automatically treating cleaning implements (e.g. kitchen sponges) with antibacterial chemicals during storage are disclosed. These holders have a solid compressed chemical surface for contacting the cleaning implement between uses. Moisture from the used cleaning implement dissolves a small amount of the chemical (e.g. sodium chloride), thereby causing the chemical to treat the contact surface of the cleaning implement. Merely by placing a sponge or the like on a coaster, or against another holder surface, bacterial growth on the sponge or the like can be inhibited, thereby extending the useful life of such cleaning implements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Sawalski
  • Patent number: 8291524
    Abstract: A clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a wall of an enclosure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a base, a hook configured to support the base adjacent the wall, means for attaching a fluid delivery device to the base, and means for rotating the base. Additionally, a method for attaching a clip for mounting a fluid delivery device adjacent a toilet bowl is disclosed. The method includes securing a hook to a rim, engaging a tab of a base to an underside of the rim at an interface, and rotating the base in response to the interface to substantially engage the tab of the base with the underside of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: S.C, Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen B. Leonard, Allen D. Miller, Michael M. Sawalski, Timothy R. Ordiway, Linda M. Madore, Jeffrey L. Crull, Steven Merrill Harrington, Wai Yin Shum
  • Patent number: 8220080
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Scott M. Kouri, Stephen J. Gaynes
  • Publication number: 20120103839
    Abstract: Holders for automatically treating cleaning implements (e.g. kitchen sponges) with antibacterial chemicals during storage are disclosed. These holders have a solid compressed chemical surface for contacting the cleaning implement between uses. Moisture from the used cleaning implement dissolves a small amount of the chemical (e.g. sodium chloride), thereby causing the chemical to treat the contact surface of the cleaning implement. Merely by placing a sponge or the like on a coaster, or against another holder surface, bacterial growth on the sponge or the like can be inhibited, thereby extending the useful life of such cleaning implements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Michael M. Sawalski
  • Publication number: 20120084180
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 8099800
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device can include a container for the chemical, a sprayer through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally at least halfway around a perimeter of the sprayer, means for attaching the sprayer near a rim of the toilet bowl, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the container and the sprayer, and a manually operated pump for delivering chemical from the container through the fluid conduit and to the sprayer when the pump is operated. In one version, the pump includes a pump chamber in fluid communication with the container, a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the pump chamber and in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, and a piston that reciprocates in the pump chamber for drawing fluid from the container into the pump chamber and moving fluid from the pump chamber through the discharge conduit and into the fluid conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Linda M. Madore, Timothy R. Ordiway, Thomas D. Gueldenzopf, Jeffrey L. Crull
  • Publication number: 20110297692
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a sheet from a stack of sheets is disclosed. The device includes a holder for receiving a refill container including the stack of sheets. The holder includes a holder base wall and opposed holder side walls extending up from the holder base wall. The refill container includes a container base wall and opposed first and second container side walls extending up from the container base wall. A first flap extends inward from an end of the first container side wall, and a second flap extends inward from an end of the second container side wall. The first flap and the second flap are dimensioned to define a longitudinal dispensing slot of the container. At least one of the first flap and the second flap of the container can flex upward when a sheet is dispensed from the device. In one form, the sheets comprise a thin sponge material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Simon M. Conway, Michael M. Sawalski, Benjamin J. Paprocki, Scott Padiak
  • Publication number: 20110119817
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Scott M. Kouri, Stephen J. Gaynes
  • Patent number: 7895683
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Scott M. Kouri, Stephen J. Gaynes
  • Patent number: 7877166
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are navigational systems for automated robotic floor cleaners. RFID passive tags are positioned at specified areas of a floor to be treated so as to increase or decrease dwell time of the cleaning device adjacent the tags. An RFID interrogator on the robot learns from each tag its nature, and based thereon instructs the device to change the dwell time over specified areas. This permits areas of a carpet or other surface requiring extra or less treatment to be cleaned in an optimal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Harwig, Thomas Jaworski, Michael M. Sawalski, Dik Man Yeung, Dragon Su
  • Patent number: 7784139
    Abstract: A cartridge is disclosed comprising a reel-to-reel roll of cleaning material, for use in a hand-held or robotic cleaning device. The cartridge provides either an electrostatic dust cloth or wet mop, and includes a fluid reservoir for maintaining the wet mop cloth during use. A dust bin is also provided on the cartridge, and includes a hinged lid for providing selective access to the dust inside of the bin. A motor, optical sensor, and fluid pump inside of a cleaning apparatus control the operation of the reel-to-reel cloth, and control fluid delivery to the wet cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Jeffrey L. Harwig, Stephen B. Leonard, Kathleen M. Laru, Mark M. Gipp, Thomas Jaworski
  • Patent number: 7757340
    Abstract: A soft-surface remediation (SSR) device and method of remediating soft surfaces using preferably forced air is disclosed. The device is lightweight, and easy-to-use and preferably includes an outer housing with an optional corner pickup region and a removable cover, an inner housing, a motor housing for housing a fan assembly, an optional disposal catch mechanism, an optional mounted delivery device, a first air channel with an air outlet, a second air channel with an air inlet, and a return air channel in close proximity to the disposal mechanism. The method of performing soft-surface remediation preferably includes use of this SSR device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Sawalski
  • Publication number: 20100071121
    Abstract: A device for spraying a fluid onto a wall of an enclosure (e.g. a toilet bowl) is disclosed. The device includes a fluid container, a fluid sprayer through which the fluid can be sprayed onto the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit, a pumping apparatus for delivering fluid from the container through the fluid conduit and to the fluid sprayer, a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near an opening of the enclosure, and a controller in electrical communication with the pumping apparatus and the sensor. The controller activates the pumping apparatus for delivering fluid from the container to the fluid sprayer if the controller determines that an object is not near the sensor. The sensor can include a pyroelectric sensing element and a lens positioned such that a sensor footprint image is focused onto the pyroelectric sensing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: William R. Kissner, Michael M. Sawalski, Paul M. Everett
  • Publication number: 20100011492
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Scott M. Kouri, Stephen J. Gaynes
  • Patent number: 7603726
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Scott M. Kouri, Stephen J. Gaynes
  • Publication number: 20090249533
    Abstract: A device for spraying an inner surface of a toilet bowl with a cleaning and/or deodorizing chemical is disclosed. The device includes a container for the chemical, a spray nozzle through which the chemical can be sprayed laterally around a perimeter of the nozzle, a conduit in fluid communication with the container and the spray nozzle, fluid delivery means for delivering chemical from the container through the conduit and to the spray nozzle, and means for attaching the spray nozzle near a rim of the toilet bowl. The spray nozzle of the automatic or manual toilet bowl cleaning device can operate such that the chemical is applied to the entire circumference of the inner surface of the toilet bowl whereby the entire toilet bowl is cleaned around the inner circumference of the toilet bowl.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Michael M. Sawalski, Joel E. Adair, Ronald J. Schmidt, William R. Kissner, Jeffrey L. Harwig