Abstract: Various soap dispensers are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a housing, reservoir, pump, motor, sensor, electronic processor, and nozzle. In some embodiments, the pump comprises a peristaltic pump. 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, such as based on 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:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2018
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, Guy Cohen, Zachary Rapoport, Hon-Lun Chen, Eric Beaupre, Sachin Kumar, Chetan Machakanoor, Varun Sundar
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:
Grant
Filed:
January 5, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 18, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Orlando Cardenas, Frederick N. Bushroe
Abstract: Various trash can assemblies are disclosed. The trash can assembly can include a body and a lid that is movable between open and closed positions. The trash can assembly can be provided with a resistive load control system that controls the rate of movement of the lid from the open position toward the closed position and/or from the closed position toward the open position. The trash can assembly can be provided with an energy recapture system that translates mechanical energy into electrical energy through an electric generator. The electrical energy can be provided to other components of the trash can assembly, such as an ion generator that discharges ions into an interior of the trash can assembly to provide odor control.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 2017
Date of Patent:
July 28, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Guy Cohen, Phillip Yee, Teddy Bryant
Abstract: A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 14, 2018
Date of Patent:
July 7, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Guy Cohen, Joseph Sandor
Abstract: Various embodiments of a trash can assembly (e.g., a receptacle configured to receive refuse, recyclable 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:
Grant
Filed:
October 13, 2017
Date of Patent:
June 16, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Joseph Sandor, Kenneth Yen, Orlando Cardenas, Michael James Basha, Christopher B. Fruhauf
Abstract: Various dispensing devices, such as foaming soap pumps, are disclosed. The soap pump can include a fluid storage unit and a fluid handling unit. The fluid storage unit can include a reservoir that is configured to hold a quantity of product, such as liquid soap. The fluid handling unit can include a pumping assembly and dispensing assembly. The soap pump can be configured to withdraw liquid soap from the reservoir, convert the liquid soap to foamed soap, and dispense the foamed soap from the discharge assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 23, 2018
Date of Patent:
March 17, 2020
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Kenneth Yen, Guy Cohen, Hon-Lun Chen, Nasser Pirshafiey, Joseph Sandor
Abstract: Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 2, 2017
Date of Patent:
December 3, 2019
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, Joseph Sandor
Abstract: A trashcan assembly can include a body portion, a lid portion pivotably coupled with the body portion, and a sensor assembly configured to generate a signal when an object is detected within a sensing region. The sensor assembly can include a plurality of transmitters having a first subset of transmitters and a second subset of transmitters. A transmission axis of at least one transmitter in the first subset of transmitters can be different from a transmission axis of at least one of the transmitters in the second subset of transmitters. An electronic processor can generate an electronic signal to a power-operated drive mechanism for moving the lid portion from a closed position to an open position, such as in response to the sensor assembly detecting the object.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2017
Date of Patent:
November 12, 2019
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, David Wolbert, Guy Cohen, Bryce Wilkins
Abstract: A receptacle having a lid can be provided with a pair of dampers configured to slow the movement of the lid from its open position toward its closed position. The dampers can be provided at opposite ends of a pedal connected to the receptacle body at opposite lateral positions relative to a side of the receptacle body. In some embodiments, the damper is configured to be high endurance and low noise. For example, the damper may comprise lubricants, such as a graphite powder. The damper may also comprise a mechanism, such as foam infused with graphite powder, to disperse the lubricant over time. The damper may also employ surface features or noise dampening features in its housings to prevent or reduce noise.
Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 3, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 7, 2019
Assignee:
simplehuman, LLC
Inventors:
Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Joseph Sandor