Patents by Inventor Bradley L. Lightner

Bradley L. Lightner 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).

  • Publication number: 20240109764
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Patent number: 11866320
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20220135393
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Patent number: 11299386
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Patent number: 11220420
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20210179418
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20210179416
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Patent number: 10961107
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Patent number: 10934153
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20200140254
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Patent number: 10532920
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20180354777
    Abstract: An exemplary methodology for managing soap, sanitizer and lotion refills includes associating a first refill unit with a first dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the first dispenser, determining an expected depletion date for the first refill unit. The methodology further includes associating a second refill unit with a second dispenser, determining one or more usage rates for the second dispenser, and determining an expected depletion date for the second refill unit. The methodology further includes providing instructions to move the first refill unit to the second dispenser and the second refill unit to the first dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jason M. Slater, Mark A. Bullock, Tamara M. Cross, John Lerner, April Bertram, Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20180265345
    Abstract: Exemplary sanitary soap refilling systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary refill refilling system includes a housing, a pump located within the housing, and a bulk storage tank connector. The bulk storage tank connector having a liquid outlet and an air inlet. A liquid inlet conduit is in fluid communication with the pump the liquid outlet. A refill connector is included. The refill connector has a liquid inlet and an air outlet. The refill connector air outlet and the bulk storage tank connector air inlet are in fluid communication with one another. The refill liquid inlet is in fluid communication with the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Aaron D. Marshall, Nick E. Ciavarella, John J. McNulty, Matthew J. Archer, Emily Barbara Kennedy, Bradley L. Lightner, Richard E. Corney, Jason Fokens, Chet J. Bonner
  • Patent number: 9877617
    Abstract: An energy storage device, like for example a supercapacitor, is used to provide power to activate a motor for dispensing a dosed amount of hand care product. The energy storage device or supercapacitor is recharged from an energy supply source, e.g. batteries, integrated into the replaceable refill reservoir and/or mounted into the dispenser housing. A controller directs energy discharged from the energy supply source(s) at one of a plurality of discharge energy rates for recharging the energy storage device. Depending on the number of dispense events that occur with a given time interval, the controller may vary the rate at which the energy is discharged from the energy supply source(s) to recharge the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventors: Mark A Bullock, Bradley L. Lightner, Panagiotis Zosimadis
  • Publication number: 20170049276
    Abstract: Exemplary power systems for dynamically controlling a dispenser drive motor for dispensing soap, sanitizing or lotion. An exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a receptacle for receiving a container for holding a soap, sanitizing or lotion, a container of soap, sanitizing or lotion and a pump secured to the container. The exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes a power source, a motor and an actuator that couples the motor to the pump. In addition, the exemplary soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser includes pulse width modulation circuitry in circuit communication with the power source and the motor. Movement of the actuator one actuation cycle dispenses a dose of soap, sanitizing or lotion. The pulse width modulation circuitry provides a plurality of voltage pulses to the motor to move the actuator one actuation cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Bradley L. Lightner, Mark A. Bullock
  • Publication number: 20150320265
    Abstract: An energy storage device, like for example a supercapacitor, is used to provide power to activate a motor for dispensing a dosed amount of hand care product. The energy storage device or supercapacitor is recharged from an energy supply source, e.g. batteries, integrated into the replaceable refill reservoir and/or mounted into the dispenser housing. A controller directs energy discharged from the energy supply source(s) at one of a plurality of discharge energy rates for recharging the energy storage device. Depending on the number of dispense events that occur with a given time interval, the controller may vary the rate at which the energy is discharged from the energy supply source(s) to recharge the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: GOJO INDUSTRIES, INC
    Inventors: Mark A. Bullock, Bradley L. Lightner, Panagioti Zosimadis
  • Patent number: 8651337
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Quinlan, Jr., Bradley L. Lightner
  • Publication number: 20120267396
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided including a dispenser housing that receives disposable refill units that are to be replaced when empty. The dispenser housing includes an air compressor and an inflation plug. The inflation plug includes a needle having an outlet and further includes a vent valve in fluid communication with the outlet. The inflation plug is fluidly associated with the air compressor such that the air compressor selectively advances air to the vent valve and to the outlet of the needle. The disposable refill includes a container having an interior with a liquid portion and air portion therein. The container further includes a plug receipt, and the inflation plug of the dispenser housing engages the plug receipt such that the outlet of the needle communicates with the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Robert L. Quinlan, JR., Bradley L. Lightner