And Mechanical Timing Element Patents (Class 222/647)
  • Patent number: 10675372
    Abstract: Vapor generation and distribution devices, systems, and methods. An exemplary system of the present disclosure comprises a vapor generation system configured to volatilize or vaporize liquid chemical within a tank as volatilized or vaporized chemical, and a vapor distribution system configured to receive the volatilized or vaporized chemical from the vapor generation system and distribute the volatilized or vaporized chemical through a distribution conduit coupled to the second air flow generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KGM Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc L. Byers
  • Patent number: 9518691
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method including the steps of receiving a canister in a canister connection housing. The canister includes a canister fitment and a canister valve. The housing includes a receiver fitment and a door. The method includes the step of lowering the receiver fitment of the housing over the canister fitment. The lowering of the receiver fitment is caused by a closing of the housing door. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus. An apparatus including a nest configured to receive a canister, a door configured to rotate about an angle so as to open and close, a receiver fitment configured to connect to a canister fitment, and an over-center movement mechanism connected to the door and the receiver fitment. The over-center movement mechanism is configured to move the receiver fitment along an axis as the door is rotated about the angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: The COCA-COLA COMPANY
    Inventors: C. Brad Green, Devon Browne, Joseph Lehman, Brent Burchfield
  • Patent number: 9216887
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a canister connection apparatus designed to efficiently and easily connect a pressurized canister to an external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: C. Brad Green, Devon Browne, Joseph Lehman, Brent Burchfield
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 8496137
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly is adapted to control product flow through a dispensing system. The dispensing system includes a housing. A plunger is disposed within the housing and has a first axial surface. A stopper is also disposed within the housing and has a second axial surface facing the first axial surface. At least one flow pathway is provided on at least one of the first and second axial surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymund J. Alfaro, Dennis J. Beaumont, Thomas P. Gasper, Sebastian D. Hasik
  • Publication number: 20130068787
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein and an actuator arm attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The automatic discharge device also includes a drive unit 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 and the actuator arm is adapted to spray the contents of the two containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    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: 8342363
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a top portion and a base portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess are provided therebetween for securely holding a container. At least one gear is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    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: 8091734
    Abstract: A power source is provided to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having an aerosol container disposed therein. A sleep period interval between spray operations is selected and a motion sensor is activated to detect motion within a sensory path of the sensor after completion of the sleep period interval. If no motion is detected by the motion sensor a fluid is automatically discharged from the aerosol container and the sleep interval is reset and if motion is detected by the motion sensor a delay time interval is initiated and fluid is not discharged from the aerosol container. The dispensing unit alternates between activating the sensor to detect motion and resetting the delay time interval until no motion is detected by the motion sensor at the expiration of the delay time interval, which results in the automatic discharge of fluid and a resetting of the sleep period interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    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
  • Patent number: 7954667
    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 an aerosol container disposed therein and an actuator arm. Other steps include activating the dispensing unit in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor and selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations. Yet another step includes moving the actuator arm after completion of a startup delay period from a pre-actuation position to a discharge position along a path substantially parallel to an axial length of the container to actuate a nozzle of the container to discharge a fluid from the container. The method also includes the step of alternating automatically between the sleep period having a duration commensurate with the selected sleep period interval and a discharge period during which the fluid is dispensed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    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
  • Patent number: 7837065
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device comprises a housing adapted to receive a container therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The actuator arm includes a dispensing bore therein. 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 actuator arm is adapted to engage and actuate a nozzle of the container in the first position and allow a fluid disposed in an interior of the container to be dispensed through the nozzle and the dispensing bore of the actuator arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    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
  • Patent number: 7223166
    Abstract: An automatic scent dispensing system for distributing scents on a user-adjustable schedule without requiring user attention. The system includes a tank system for holding a scent substance that includes a reservoir, and a pump. A dispensing nozzle is mountable on an air duct. A duration timer controls a duration of dispensing of the scent substance, and is adjustable to set the duration of operation of the pump for dispensing the scent substance. An occurrence timer controls a time period between dispensing of scent, and triggers the duration timer after passage of a selected time period. A regular/irregular selector switch controls the actuation of the duration timer, and has an irregular setting for triggering the duration timer at selected events (such as circulating fan operation or an increase in duct air pressure) and a regular setting for triggering the duration timer by the occurrence timer after a selectable time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventors: Larry E. Wiseman, Sr., Rodney D. Goheen
  • Patent number: 6379242
    Abstract: A automatic scent dispensing system for distributing scents throughout a building on a user-adjustable schedule without requiring user attention. The automatic scent dispensing system includes a tank system for holding a scent substance, with the tank system including a tank housing having a plurality of reservoirs for holding a scent substance therein. A selector valve selects flow from one of the reservoirs. A pump pumps the scent substance out of the reservoirs. A dispensing nozzle mounts on the duct of the air circulating system such that an orifice of the nozzle is in communication with the air passage of the duct. The dispensing nozzle is connected to and in fluid communication with the outlet of the pump. A duration timer selectively controls a duration of dispensing of the scent substance. The duration timer controls supply of electrical power to the pump, and is adjustable to set the duration of the supply of electrical power to the pump for dispensing the scent substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Larry E. Wiseman, Sr., Rodney D. Goheen
  • Patent number: 5205067
    Abstract: A device for treating mausoleums against Phorid Fly infestation by discharging a cloud of dry powder insecticide into each sealed, mausoleum cell entombment, from outside the cell; the insecticide powder covers and adheres to all surfaces in the cell; the insecticide used is chosen from those insecticides relatively harmless to human beings, and that will continue to kill Phorid Flies for a period of time greater than the expected dehydration time of the contents of the sealed mausoleum cell, which dehydration time is from five to seven years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Matthew J. Thomas
  • Patent number: 4483466
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically operating the discharge valve of a pressure container includes a drive shaft driven by an electric motor controlled by a timing device, the shaft being drivingly connected by a belt to a speed reduction unit having a plurality of intermeshing toothed wheels, the last of the toothed wheels having an eccentric which co-operates with a roller provided on one arm of a pivoted elbow lever. Such arm is connected to a spring which urges the lever towards a position where the free end of its other arm presses on the nozzle of a container to actuate such nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Inventor: Arturo M. Gutierrez