Patents by Inventor Brian Retzke

Brian Retzke 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: 20230228074
    Abstract: Baffles for food waste disposers, systems employing such baffles, and methods of assembling, manufacturing, fabricating, or operating such baffles or baffle systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a baffle for implementation in connection with a food waste disposer includes a rim portion, a plurality of flaps, and a plurality of living hinges, wherein the rim portion, living hinges, and flaps constitute a single integrally-formed structure. The respective living hinges permit the respective flaps to be rotatable about respective axes that respectively are substantially tangent to respective locations along or proximate to the rim portion, so that the respective flaps can be rotated to respective closed positions. Either the living hinges or at least one additional component tend to cause the respective flaps to remain at the respective closed positions or to return to the respective closed positions when not at the respective closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berger, Brian Retzke, Mile Nikolic
  • Patent number: 11549248
    Abstract: Baffles for food waste disposers, systems employing such baffles, and methods of assembling, manufacturing, fabricating, or operating such baffles or baffle systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a baffle for implementation in connection with a waste disposer includes a rim portion, a plurality of flaps, and a plurality of living hinges, where the rim portion, living hinges, and flaps constitute a single integrally-formed structure. The respective living hinges permit the respective flaps to be rotatable about respective axes that respectively are substantially tangent to respective locations along or proximate to the rim portion, so that the respective flaps can be rotated to respective closed positions. Either the living hinges or at least one additional component tend to cause the respective flaps to remain at the respective closed positions when already at those respective positions, or to return to those respective positions when not at those respective positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: InSinkErator LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berger, Brian Retzke, Mile Nikolic
  • Publication number: 20200347584
    Abstract: Baffles for food waste disposers, systems employing such baffles, and methods of assembling, manufacturing, fabricating, or operating such baffles or baffle systems are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, a baffle for implementation in connection with a waste disposer includes a rim portion, a plurality of flaps, and a plurality of living hinges, where the rim portion, living hinges, and flaps constitute a single integrally-formed structure. The respective living hinges permit the respective flaps to be rotatable about respective axes that respectively are substantially tangent to respective locations along or proximate to the rim portion, so that the respective flaps can be rotated to respective closed positions. Either the living hinges or at least one additional component tend to cause the respective flaps to remain at the respective closed positions when already at those respective positions, or to return to those respective positions when not at those respective positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas R. Berger, Brian Retzke, Mile Nikolic
  • Patent number: 8845174
    Abstract: A light-weight and energy-efficient lighting panel is constructed from a light-transmissive and light diffusive extrusion formed to have elongated hollows, which are hollow structures or volumes between two surfaces, at least one of which is transmissive and diffusive. Light projected into the hollow flows through the hollow and part of the light is emitted through the light transmissive and diffusive surfaces. Even though the light sources are located at the edges of a panel, the surface of the panel appears to be uniformly light by light sources distribute directly behind the panels rather than along the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Brian Retzke
  • Publication number: 20130186024
    Abstract: A preformed corner bead for use in wallboard construction is provided and includes an elongate strip formed of a web of at least one layer of non-woven fabric, a resin impregnating the strip. The impregnated strip is formed into a desired angle defined by a pair of flanges prior to a curing of the resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Terry L. Rosentiel, Salvatore C. Immordino, JR., Guy L. Rosenthal, Daniel Eugene Boss, Joseph Z. Wascow, Brian Retzke, Steve Oshgan, Nick Jackson, Mark Miklosz
  • Publication number: 20130051068
    Abstract: A light-weight and energy-efficient lighting panel is constructed from a light-transmissive and light diffusive extrusion formed to have elongated hollows, which are hollow structures or volumes between two surfaces, at least one of which is transmissive and diffusive. Light projected into the hollow flows through the hollow and part of the light is emitted through the light transmissive and diffusive surfaces. Even though the light sources are located at the edges of a panel, the surface of the panel appears to be uniformly light by light sources distribute directly behind the panels rather than along the edges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas Jackson, Brian Retzke
  • Patent number: 8109313
    Abstract: A wallboard finishing roller having an elongated bracket with two ends is provided. Two roller assemblies are attached to the bracket such that the first roller assembly includes a center axis that is perpendicular to a center axis of the second roller assembly. Each roller assembly includes a wheel, a bushing and a shaft such that the wheel is rotatable around the axis of the shaft. The roller assembly is affixed to the bracket by a bracket nut, which is held in place by a bumper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Scott Fong, Joseph Z. Wascow, Daniel J. Williams, Brian A. Retzke
  • Patent number: 8042591
    Abstract: A paper beading apparatus, includes a hopper having a body defining a chamber for holding a quantity of joint compound, and having an open upper end, an upper rim, and a lower end; a lid pivotally secured to the body for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the lid engages the open upper rim, the lid having a releasably sealable air port; and a base configured for and accommodating the hopper lower end, for receiving joint compound, and for applying the joint compound to a corner paper bead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: 7887230
    Abstract: A mixer is provided that is configured for attachment to a power tool for mixing a viscous material, and includes a shaft defining a shaft axis, and a plurality of paddles attached to the shaft and extending radially from the shaft. All of the paddles have generally the same axial distance to the first end of the shaft, and the paddles are configured for rotation about the shaft axis in a direction of rotation. Each of the paddles has a general ā€œSā€-shape defined between a top end and a bottom end of the paddle, and between a leading surface and a trailing surface of the paddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Joseph Z. Wascow, Brian A. Retzke, Salvatore C. Immordino, Jr., Terry L. Rosenstiel
  • Publication number: 20090211185
    Abstract: A paper beading apparatus, includes a hopper having a body defining a chamber for holding a quantity of joint compound, and having an open upper end, an upper rim, and a lower end; a lid pivotally secured to the body for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the lid engages the open upper rim, the lid having a releasably sealable air port; and a base configured for and accommodating the hopper lower end, for receiving joint compound, and for applying the joint compound to a corner paper bead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke, Scott Fong
  • Publication number: 20090090471
    Abstract: A wallboard finishing roller having an elongated bracket with two ends is provided. Two roller assemblies are attached to the bracket such that the first roller assembly includes a center axis that is perpendicular to a center axis of the second roller assembly. Each roller assembly includes a wheel, a bushing and a shaft such that the wheel is rotatable around the axis of the shaft. The roller assembly is affixed to the bracket by a bracket nut, which is held in place by a bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Scott Fong, Joseph Z. Wascow, Daniel J. Williams, Brian A. Retzke
  • Publication number: 20080130406
    Abstract: A mixer is provided that is configured for attachment to a power tool for mixing a viscous material, and includes a shaft defining a shaft axis, and a plurality of paddles attached to the shaft and extending radially from the shaft. All of the paddles have generally the same axial distance to the first end of the shaft, and the paddles are configured for rotation about the shaft axis in a direction of rotation. Each of the paddles has a general ā€œSā€-shape defined between a top end and a bottom end of the paddle, and between a leading surface and a trailing surface of the paddle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Joseph Z. Wascow, Brian A. Retzke, Salvatore C. Immordino, Terry L. Rosenstiel
  • Patent number: D576186
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Joseph Z. Wascow, Brian A. Retzke, Salvatore C. Immordino, Jr., Terry L. Rosenstiel, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: D583839
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke
  • Patent number: D583840
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: D598477
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Scott Fong, Joseph Z. Wascow, Daniel J. Williams, Brian A. Retzke
  • Patent number: D599831
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Scott Fong, Joseph Z. Wascow, Daniel J. Williams, Brian A. Retzke
  • Patent number: D601177
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: D608377
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: United States Gypsum Company
    Inventors: Aaron Charles Rosso, Matthew Earle Myers, Amar Arvind Patel, Joseph Z. Wascow, Stephen M. Oshgan, Brian A. Retzke, Scott Fong
  • Patent number: D668151
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Abbondanzio, Ronald J. Schmidt, Steven V. Bisbikis, Paresh Shroff, Brian Retzke