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).
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Patent number: 11534037Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Ted Allen Casper, Matthew Keith Florian Williquette
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Patent number: 11395566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 5, 2017Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLCInventors: 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
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AUTOMATIC HOUSEHOLD CONSUMABLE PRODUCT INVENTORY TRACKING AND RE-ORDER DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
Publication number: 20220215339Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2020Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: 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: 10863875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
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Publication number: 20200281420Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Timothy Andrew Robertson, Ted Allen Casper, Matthew Keith Florian Williquette
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Patent number: 10660485Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
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Publication number: 20190104895Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Alan Joseph Johnson, Brian Scott Borke, John Patrick Laitala, Nickolas Everett Madsen, Paul James Ruthven
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Publication number: 20190059661Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
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Patent number: 10149579Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLCInventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven
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Patent number: 9999326Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLCInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170290472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170290471Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20150196174Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Ryan Anthony Goltz, Mark Edwin Peters, Alan Joseph Johnson, Justin Matthew Oliphant, Paul James Ruthven