Patents by Inventor Nathan R. Westphal
Nathan R. Westphal 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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Publication number: 20230102436Abstract: A piezoelectric dispenser includes a refill having a container having a neck and defining a fluid reservoir, a wick holder affixed to the neck, and a wick retained by the wick holder that has an upper end that is in communication with a piezoelectric assembly, the wick defining a longitudinal axis. The dispenser further includes a housing having a base and an overhanging cover that defines a fluid outlet and extends inward from the base at a shoulder, toward the longitudinal axis, the overhanging cover being disposed around and above the upper end of the wick and housing the piezoelectric assembly. The piezoelectric assembly includes a coil compression spring and the base is provided on a rear side of the refill with the left, right, and front sides being exposed to a surrounding environment after the refill has been coupled with the overhanging cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Jeff L. Harwig, Nathan R. Westphal, Kylie L. Levake, Jason Stanbro, Daniel S McGrath, Sebastian D Hasik, Scott D. Walter, Jesse Richard
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Patent number: 11517642Abstract: A volatile material atomizing device comprises a housing having a fan, a fluid outlet, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets. The plurality of air outlets are positioned at least partially around the fluid outlet. A fluid reservoir includes a wick and containing a volatile material. The fluid reservoir is disposed within the housing. An atomizing assembly is in fluid communication with the wick and positioned in the housing. The atomizing assembly is configured to dispense the volatile material out of the fluid outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Jeff L Harwig, Nathan R. Westphal, Kylie L. Levake, Jason Stanbro, Daniel S McGrath, Sebastian D Hasik, Scott D. Walter, Jesse Richard
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Patent number: 11077221Abstract: A volatile dispenser for use in a volatile dispensing system is provided. The volatile dispenser includes a blister with a surface having at least one flexible portion, a permeable membrane sealable to the surface and configured to form a sealed reservoir with the blister, and a volatile material contained within the sealed reservoir. Diffusion of the volatile material through the permeable membrane generates a pressure differential between the sealed reservoir and an ambient atmosphere to induce a movement of the at least one flexible portion to perform at least one function for the volatile dispensing system.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 10994042Abstract: A volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, an electrical assembly that is received within the housing and includes a heater, and an adjustment assembly that is coupled to the housing and is configured to support a cartridge. The adjustment assembly is movable between a maximum output position, an intermediate output position, and an off position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Kevin Harrity, Alex Mecker, Chris A. Koontz
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Patent number: 10940226Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing having a cavity. A container is provided within the cavity and includes a volatile material therein. The dispenser further includes a resistive heating wire. The container is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the resistive heating wire.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Chris A. Koontz, Alex Mecker, Jason K. Stanbro, Gregory G. Pieper, Kevin Harrity, Nathan R. Westphal
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Publication number: 20190192717Abstract: A volatile material atomizing device comprises a housing having a fan, a fluid outlet, a plurality of air inlets and a plurality of air outlets. The plurality of air outlets are positioned at least partially around the fluid outlet. A fluid reservoir includes a wick and containing a volatile material. The fluid reservoir is disposed within the housing. An atomizing assembly is in fluid communication with the wick and positioned in the housing. The atomizing assembly is configured to dispense the volatile material out of the fluid outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Jeff L Harwig, Nathan R. Westphal, Kylie L. Levake, Jason Stanbro, Daniel S McGrath, Sebastian D Hasik, Scott D. Walter, Jesse Richard
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Patent number: 10131483Abstract: A refill for holding at least two compositions comprises a container including a body and first and second compositions disposed within the body such that the first and second compositions are substantially separated and the second composition is disposed above the first composition. The refill further includes a tube disposed within the body of the container such that the tube contains the first and second compositions, wherein the tube has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Still further, the refill includes a wick disposed within the tube, wherein the wick contains the first and second compositions and has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 10010642Abstract: A dispenser includes a base holding a cartridge that includes a volatile material reservoir. The base includes a plurality of ribs that support a peripheral flange of the cartridge. The plurality of ribs support a portion of the peripheral flange having a permeable membrane disposed thereon. A first removable cover is attached to the base and has at least one aperture and a first regulating plate. The first cover may be removed and replaced by at least a second cover that has at least one aperture and a second, different regulating plate.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 10011419Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20170362011Abstract: A refill for holding at least two compositions comprises a container including a body and first and second compositions disposed within the body such that the first and second compositions are substantially separated and the second composition is disposed above the first composition. The refill further includes a tube disposed within the body of the container such that the tube contains the first and second compositions, wherein the tube has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Still further, the refill includes a wick disposed within the tube, wherein the wick contains the first and second compositions and has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 9783357Abstract: A refill for holding at least two compositions comprises a container including a body and first and second compositions disposed within the body such that the first and second compositions are substantially separated and the second composition is disposed above the first composition. The refill further includes a tube disposed within the body of the container such that the tube contains the first and second compositions, wherein the tube has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Still further, the refill includes a wick disposed within the tube, wherein the wick contains the first and second compositions and has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Nathan R. Westphal
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Publication number: 20170252476Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing having a cavity. A container is provided within the cavity and includes a volatile material therein. The dispenser further includes a resistive heating wire. The container is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the resistive heating wire.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Chris A. Koontz, Alex Mecker, Jason K. Stanbro, Gregory G. Pieper, Kevin Harrity, Nathan R. Westphal
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Publication number: 20170209612Abstract: A volatile material dispenser that includes a housing, an electrical assembly that is received within the housing and includes a heater, and an adjustment assembly that is coupled to the housing and is configured to support a cartridge. The adjustment assembly is movable between a maximum output position, an intermediate output position, and an off position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Kevin Harrity, Alex Mecker, Chris A. Koontz
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Publication number: 20170209613Abstract: A volatile dispenser for use in a volatile dispensing system is provided. The volatile dispenser includes a blister with a surface having at least one flexible portion, a permeable membrane sealable to the surface and configured to form a sealed reservoir with the blister, and a volatile material contained within the sealed reservoir. Diffusion of the volatile material through the permeable membrane generates a pressure differential between the sealed reservoir and an ambient atmosphere to induce a movement of the at least one flexible portion to perform at least one function for the volatile dispensing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2016Publication date: July 27, 2017Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventor: NATHAN R. WESTPHAL
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Publication number: 20160340108Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20160288979Abstract: A refill for holding at least two compositions comprises a container including a body and first and second compositions disposed within the body such that the first and second compositions are substantially separated and the second composition is disposed above the first composition. The refill further includes a tube disposed within the body of the container such that the tube contains the first and second compositions, wherein the tube has an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Still further, the refill includes a wick disposed within the tube, wherein the wick contains the first and second compositions and has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube to create a gap between the wick and the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 9457951Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20160136319Abstract: A dispenser includes a base holding a cartridge that includes a volatile material reservoir. The base includes a plurality of ribs that support a peripheral flange of the cartridge. The plurality of ribs support a portion of the peripheral flange having a permeable membrane disposed thereon. A first removable cover is attached to the base and has at least one aperture and a first regulating plate. The first cover may be removed and replaced by at least a second cover that has at least one aperture and a second, different regulating plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2016Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 9278151Abstract: A dispenser includes a base with a plurality of ribs for supporting a peripheral flange of a cartridge having a volatile material containing reservoir. A first removable cover is attached to the base and has at least one aperture and a first regulating plate. The first cover may be removed and replaced by at least a second cover that has at least one aperture and a second, different regulating plate.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 9205163Abstract: A dispenser includes a base for receiving a volatile material containing reservoir. A cover is attached to the base having at least one aperture and at least one series of ports. A regulating plate is operatively attached to the cover and has at least one window and at least one series of bores. Manipulation of the regulating plate allows for the registration of the bores and the ports to release a volatile material therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal