Patents by Inventor Alan Joseph Johnson

Alan Joseph Johnson 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: 11534037
    Abstract: An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing with a base portion and a loading door. A motor drives a base portion roller or a loading door roller to cause dispensing of the sheet product along a sheet product path and through an outlet. A pump is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir and a spray mechanism, and is configured to cause liquid from the reservoir to spray onto the sheet product through the spray mechanism prior to dispensing. A controller is configured to determine whether to operate in either a dry mode or a wet mode based on user input provided. When in the dry mode, the controller causes the motor to operate to dispense dry sheet product. When in the wet mode, the controller causes the motor to operate and the pump to operate to dispense wetted sheet product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Ted Allen Casper, Matthew Keith Florian Williquette
  • Patent number: 11395566
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, R. Mitchel Edwards, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Tammy Lynn Miller, David Warren Murphy, Mark Edwin Peters, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Robert Paul Stuedemann, Kevin Michael Swanson, Karl Daniel Kissinger
  • Publication number: 20220215339
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing automated tracking and re-order functionality for household consumable products, such as sheet product rolls, napkins, plates, and bulk storage product are provided herein. Various devices (e.g., dispensers, spindles, storage devices, consumable product holders, etc.) include one or more sensors configured to determine the presence and/or usage of a consumable product and transmit that information to a remote device. The remote device keeps track of an inventory of the consumable product and, based on user preferences, initiates re-order functionality in response to a determination of a need to re¬order the consumable product. Such re-order functionality may include notifying the user, offering a pre-configured order, and automatically initiating the re-order. Various devices are also provided herein with sensor configurations that are usable with such systems. Corresponding software application configurations are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Deborah Kimberly Poe, Ilana Jean Katz, Stephen Russel Kobs, David Warren Murphy, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Alan Joseph Johnson, Scott Bradshaw, Bernard Neal Racine
  • Patent number: 10863875
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20200281420
    Abstract: An example sheet product dispenser includes a housing with a base portion and a loading door. A motor drives a base portion roller or a loading door roller to cause dispensing of the sheet product along a sheet product path and through an outlet. A pump is in fluid communication with a liquid reservoir and a spray mechanism, and is configured to cause liquid from the reservoir to spray onto the sheet product through the spray mechanism prior to dispensing. A controller is configured to determine whether to operate in either a dry mode or a wet mode based on user input provided. When in the dry mode, the controller causes the motor to operate to dispense dry sheet product. When in the wet mode, the controller causes the motor to operate and the pump to operate to dispense wetted sheet product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Ted Allen Casper, Matthew Keith Florian Williquette
  • Patent number: 10660485
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20190104895
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses regarding an improved sheet product dispenser are provided herein. Example sheet product dispensers include a rotatable carriage that holds two full size product rolls. Upon substantial depletion of one of the product rolls, the sheet product dispenser is configured to enable the carriage to rotate to present the depleted product roll to the janitor for easy and intuitive replacement. For example, a carriage with a depleted product roll may be configured to automatically rotate upon opening of the cover. Additional features for intuitive and reliable installation of the product roll are also provided herein, such as roll holder slot guides and a retention mechanism that maintains installation of a product roll during rotation of the carriage. Such example sheet product dispensers help to eliminate product waste, reduce confusion while loading, and reduce the time and effort required to load the sheet product dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
  • Publication number: 20190059661
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Patent number: 10149579
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
  • Patent number: 9999326
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Jacob Charles Dahl, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Kevin Michael Swanson
  • Publication number: 20170290472
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, John William Grosz, JR., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, David Warren Murphy, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Kevin Michael Swanson
  • Publication number: 20170290471
    Abstract: Some example product dispensers that accommodate two full paper towel rolls are provided herein. The product dispenser may employ separate dispensing mechanisms for each product roll and may include roll holders that articulate out from the housing to facilitate easy loading and access to replacement and loading of the other product roll. A roll partition may be utilized to separate the web paths of the two product rolls and enable rotation of front roll holders. Example funnel covers and nip covers can aid with intuitive installation. Example roll holders with retention mechanisms help prevent unintentional dropping of the installed product roll. Other beneficial features include utilizing motor operation sensing to dispense a desired sheet length, automatic/assisted loading into the dispensing mechanism, automatic switching between dispensing of product rolls, and always dispensing from the smaller product roll first. Many other features/structures of example product dispensers are also described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Brian Scott Borke, Ted Allen Casper, Jacob Charles Dahl, R. Mitchel Edwards, John William Grosz, Jr., Alan Joseph Johnson, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Tammy Lynn Miller, David Warren Murphy, Mark Edwin Peters, Kyle Andrew Pfeifer, Ryan Joseph Schuh, Aaron Lee Sinclair, Robert Paul Stuedemann, Kevin Michael Swanson
  • Publication number: 20150196174
    Abstract: A sheet product dispenser for dispensing sheet product from a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail is provided. The sheet product dispenser includes a roll interface configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product, the roll interface including a separating member configured to engage and unseal the sealed tail; a feed roller assembly configured to dispense sheet product from the roll of sheet product, the feed roller assembly including a feed roller configured to engage and at least partially support the roll of sheet product; and a controller operable to initiate driving of the feed roller and rotation of the roll of sheet product such that the sealed tail is unsealed by engaging the separating member. A related method of automatically loading a roll of sheet product having a sealed tail in a sheet product dispenser also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven