Patents Assigned to Simplehuman LLC
  • Trash can with power operated lid
    Patent number: 8716969
    Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a sensor assembly and a lifting mechanism. The sensor assembly can include at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver, the viewing area of the at least one light receiver being limited in size. The lifting mechanism can include a controller, a drive motor, and a lifting member. The trash can with power operated lid can further include at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Trash can with power operated lid
    Patent number: 8686676
    Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a sensor assembly and a lifting mechanism. The sensor assembly can include at least one light emitter and at least one light receiver, the viewing area of the at least one light receiver being limited in size. The lifting mechanism can include a controller, a drive motor, and a lifting member. The trash can with power operated lid can further include at least one position sensor for detecting the position of the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Soap dispensing units with anti-drip valve
    Patent number: 8678244
    Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, and nozzle. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a bypass passage, which can facilitate priming of the pump. In certain embodiments, the dispenser is configured to inhibit or avoid the formation of an air bubble that could obstruct the liquid soap from entering the pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes engaging gears, which can include a plurality of teeth with substantially pointed tips. In certain embodiments, the nozzle comprises a one-way valve, such as a duckbill valve. Some embodiments of the one-way valve are shaped or otherwise configured to provide certain biases to the valve, which can, for example, facilitate rapid opening and closing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas
  • Dish rack with adjustable spout and removable drip tray
    Patent number: 8631948
    Abstract: A dish rack has a wireframe, a drip tray having a base and a dish-receiving region provided on the base, and a drain channel that is removably coupled to the bottom of the base at the location of the dish-receiving region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor, Chih-Hong Hsieh
  • Canister with lever actuated latch
    Patent number: 8631959
    Abstract: A canister includes a body having a shell, a lid, and a handle mechanism. The handle mechanism includes a lever that actuates to engage and disengage a latch pivoted on the lever for locking and unlocking the lid to the body. The lever mates to a fixed handle portion to complete a handle for facilitating handling of the canister. The canister can further include wheels for transporting the canister. The lid can include an elastic portion to press against the body to create a seal. The canister can further include a utensil attached to the underside of the lid, for use to scoop the content from the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • Trash can with power operated lid
    Patent number: 8569980
    Abstract: A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Yoon J. Kim
  • Receptacle with motion dampers for lid and air filtration device
    Patent number: 8567630
    Abstract: A receptacle having a lid which has a pair of dampers configured to slow the movement of the lid from an open position toward a closed position. The dampers are provided at opposite ends of a pedal connected to the receptacle body at opposite lateral positions relative to a side of the receptacle body. The receptacle includes an air filtration device mounted in its lid which guides air through the filter device during the downward motion of the lid. The receptacle also includes at least one damper which provides dampening forces against the motion of the lid in both opening and closing directions. The receptacle also includes an anti-sliding device which increases the receptacle's resistance to sliding across a floor when a user steps on a pedal to actuate the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • TRASH CANS WITH FEATURES TO AID IN ACTUATION
    Publication number: 20130248532
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of a trash can include a cap with a lid and an actuator. The actuator can extend outwardly from the cap at a downward angle. The actuator can be configured to maintain the lid in a closed position when a locking portion of the actuator is engaged with a securement portion of the lid. The lid can be rotationally biased toward an open position and the actuator can be configured to release the lid from the closed position upon an input of force on the actuator. The range of effective angles for the input force can enable a user of the trash can to easily open the lid by contacting the actuator with from a wide variety of angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Joseph Sandor
  • VANITY MIRROR
    Publication number: 20130235607
    Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the mirror include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas, Frederick N. Bushroe
  • TRASH CANS WITH VARIABLE GEARING ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20130233853
    Abstract: A trash can with a power operated lid can include a lifting mechanism with a motor, a lifting member, and a variable gear. In some embodiments, the motor is operably connected with the variable gear such that the motor can drive the variable gear and/or the lifting member. In certain implementations, the variable gear includes one or more teeth with varying tooth radii. In some variants, the variable gear and a clutch member are engageable and are configured to allow manual operation of the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Christopher Fruhauf, Michael Basha, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen
  • VANITY MIRROR
    Publication number: 20130235610
    Abstract: A minor assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light pipe configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of the mirror. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured to adjust the amount of emitted light based on the position of a user in relation to the mirror. Certain embodiments of the minor include an algorithm to adjust light based on the position of a user relative to the mirror, the level of ambient light, and/or the activation of different light modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas, Frederick N. Bushroe
  • TRASH CAN WITH CLUTCHING AND LINER RETENTION FEATURES
    Publication number: 20130233857
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recycleable materials, or otherwise), and related methods, are provided. Some embodiments of the trash can assembly include a body component and a lid configured to move between an open position and a closed position. In some variants, the lid can be moved between the open and closed positions by a power operated driving mechanism, such as a motor and/or other drivetrain components. In certain embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a clutch mechanism to facilitate manual operation of the lid while inhibiting or preventing damage to the motor and/or other drivetrain components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael Basha, Christopher Fruhauf
  • LIQUID DISPENSING UNITS
    Publication number: 20130200097
    Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In certain embodiments, the sensor can be configured to generate a signal based on a distance between an object and the sensor. In certain embodiments, the electronic processor can be configured to receive the signal from the sensor and to determine a dispensation volume of the liquid. The dispensation volume can vary as a function of the distance between the object and the sensor. The processor can be configured to control the motor to dispense approximately the dispensation volume of the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventor: simplehuman, LLC
  • Plunger and housing assembly
    Patent number: D690959
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Dish rack
    Patent number: D693081
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei
  • Soap pump
    Patent number: D693597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Vanity mirror
    Patent number: D699448
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Daniel Ballou
  • Soap pump
    Patent number: D699475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Kenneth Yen, Myk Lum, Adam Wade, Kasin Chan
  • Vanity mirror
    Patent number: D699952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Daniel Ballou
  • Vanity mirror
    Patent number: D701050
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Daniel Ballou