Patents by Inventor Ben Dunlap

Ben Dunlap 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: 8353323
    Abstract: An electric pencil sharpener comprising a motor; a cutter assembly operatively connected to the motor, wherein the cutter assembly further includes: a conical housing defining a conical cavity therein for receiving a pencil; and at least one rotary blade mounted in close proximity to the conical cavity, wherein the at least one rotary blade further includes spiral cutting edges for sharpening the pencil; a switch assembly positioned at the narrow end of the conical housing, wherein the switch assembly further includes: a shutoff switch operative to deactivate the motor; mechanical means for actuating the shutoff switch when a desired degree of sharpening has been achieved by the cutter assembly; and an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the switch assembly and the motor, wherein the electronic control unit is operative to provide a delay of a predetermined period of time between when the shutoff switch is activated and when the motor is deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Elmer's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Schumacher, Ben Dunlap, Theo Muir
  • Patent number: 8225827
    Abstract: An electric pencil sharpener is provided. This pencil sharpener includes a motor, a cutter assembly, mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, and a housing. The cutter assembly includes a rotating carrier with at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier. The mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; a gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly. The housing further includes a canopy and a base positioned underneath the canopy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Elmer's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Dunlap, Michael Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20100326569
    Abstract: An electric pencil sharpener is provided. This pencil sharpener includes a motor, a cutter assembly, mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly, and a housing. The cutter assembly includes a rotating carrier with at least two helical cutters mounted on the carrier. The mechanical means for operatively connecting the motor to the cutter assembly further includes a first gear assembly mechanically coupled to the motor; a second gear assembly mechanically coupled to the first gear assembly and to the cutter assembly; a gearbox for supporting the first and second gear assemblies; and a cover for enclosing the first gear assembly. The housing further includes a canopy and a base positioned underneath the canopy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ELMER'S PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Dunlap, Michael Schumacher
  • Publication number: 20100326568
    Abstract: An electric pencil sharpener comprising a motor; a cutter assembly operatively connected to the motor, wherein the cutter assembly further includes: a conical housing defining a conical cavity therein for receiving a pencil; and at least one rotary blade mounted in close proximity to the conical cavity, wherein the at least one rotary blade further includes spiral cutting edges for sharpening the pencil; a switch assembly positioned at the narrow end of the conical housing, wherein the switch assembly further includes: a shutoff switch operative to deactivate the motor; mechanical means for actuating the shutoff switch when a desired degree of sharpening has been achieved by the cutter assembly; and an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the switch assembly and the motor, wherein the electronic control unit is operative to provide a delay of a predetermined period of time between when the shutoff switch is activated and when the motor is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: ELMER'S PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Schumacher, Ben Dunlap, Theo Muir
  • Patent number: D588033
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Elmer's Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ben Dunlap
  • Patent number: D638273
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Elmer's Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Dunlap, Michael Schumacher, Lisa Singer
  • Patent number: D638474
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Elmer's Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongjie Yang, Ben Dunlap