Patents by Inventor Charles W. Sears

Charles W. Sears 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: 8573398
    Abstract: A flexible sheet container is provided that permits a user to quickly and easily feed a leading sheet. The container has a base portion that defines a storage area and a top covering the base portion. The top includes an opening into the storage area through which individual flexible sheets are dispensed. A pair of opposing flaps is pivotally attached to the top at their first ends and each extends toward the dispensing opening with its second end. The complementary second ends of the flaps together further define the dispensing opening while in a dispensing position. The flaps pivot inward toward the storage area to provide access through the opening into the storage area. As such, to feed a leading flexible sheet, a user may rotate the flaps inward, grab a leading flexible sheet, and pull it through the opening. During dispensing, the flaps rotate outward and retain subsequent sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products LP
    Inventors: Christopher Reinke, Charles W. Sears, Michael A. Susi, David H. Pitcher
  • Patent number: 7845524
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a flowable substance (e.g., a fluid) has a first housing with an indicating apparatus and a pour chamber. The indicating apparatus may have an indicating chamber with an indicating inlet for receiving fluid. The indicating apparatus also has indicia identifying amounts of fluid flowing through the pour chamber. The pour chamber has a pour inlet for receiving fluid, and an outlet in fluid communication with the pour inlet. To provide a definite separation, the first housing additionally has a wall between the indicating chamber and the pour chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Union Street Brand Packaging LLC
    Inventors: Christopher T. Evans, Christopher Gieda, Benjamin Mizrahi, Charles W. Sears, Paul Bertram, David J. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20080153043
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a candle flame. A candle flame may be provided in a controllable environment, e.g., an enclosed area formed at least in part by an air-tight cover. Air may be forced into the enclosed area by an air movement device (e.g., a fan) to keep the flame burning. The flame may be extinguished by reducing (e.g., stopping) air flow into the enclosed area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Victor Avelar, Charles W. Sears, Michael A. Susi
  • Patent number: 6964349
    Abstract: An auto-start dispensing container for sheet products includes a sealing member secured to a first sheet to be dispensed from the container. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an auto-start dispenser for dispensing moistened inter-folded wipes which includes: (a) a container provided with a dispensing aperture for receiving a plurality of moist wipes; (b) a removable sealing member affixed to said container to seal the aperture wherein the sealing member and the container form an enclosure adapted to retain moisture; and (c) a lead sheet engaged with the plurality of moist wipes and secured to said removable sealing member, the removable sealing member and the lead sheet being adapted to draw a moist wipe partially through the aperture upon removal of the sealing member from the container. Preferably, the lead sheet is affixed to the removable sealing member by way of a hot-melt adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, Elizabeth J. Larson, Bradley G. Schmidt, Edward J. Yock
  • Patent number: 6910579
    Abstract: A flexible sheet container is provided that permits a user to quickly and easily feed a leading sheet. The container has a base portion that defines a storage area and a top covering the base portion. The top includes an opening into the storage area through which individual flexible sheets are dispensed. A pair of opposing flaps is pivotally attached to the top at their first ends and each extends toward the dispensing opening with its second end. The complementary second ends of the flaps together further define the dispensing opening while in a dispensing position. The flaps pivot inward toward the storage area to provide access through the opening into the storage area. As such, to feed a leading flexible sheet, a user may rotate the flaps inward, grab a leading flexible sheet, and pull it through the opening. During dispensing, the flaps rotate outward and retain subsequent sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Georgia-Pacific Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Reinke, Charles W. Sears, Michael A. Susi, David H. Pitcher
  • Patent number: 6889949
    Abstract: A countertop mounting base and bracket for a napkin dispenser includes a base with a generally planar upper surface provided with a sidewall having a stepped locking recess adapted to cooperate with a stepped tongue of a mounting bracket which is secured directly to the counter. The base and bracket allow for the quick release of a gravity feed napkin dispenser, for example, mounted on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, William T. Fitzsimmons, William J. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20040149879
    Abstract: A countertop mounting base and bracket for a napkin dispenser includes a base with a generally planar upper surface provided with a sidewall having a stepped locking recess adapted to cooperate with a stepped tongue of a mounting bracket which is secured directly to the counter. The base and bracket allow for the quick release of a gravity feed napkin dispenser, for example, mounted on the countertop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, William T. Fitzsimmons, William J. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 6669162
    Abstract: A countertop mounting base and bracket for a napkin dispenser includes a base with a generally planar upper surface provided with a sidewall having a stepped locking recess adapted to cooperate with a stepped tongue of a mounting bracket which is secured directly to the counter. The base and bracket allow for the quick release of a gravity feed napkin dispenser, for example, mounted on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, William T. Fitzsimmons, William J. Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20030221986
    Abstract: A flexible sheet container is provided that permits a user to quickly and easily feed a leading sheet. The container has a base portion that defines a storage area and a top covering the base portion. The top includes an opening into the storage area through which individual flexible sheets are dispensed. A pair of opposing flaps is pivotally attached to the top at their first ends and each extends toward the dispensing opening with its second end. The complementary second ends of the flaps together further define the dispensing opening while in a dispensing position. The flaps pivot inward toward the storage area to provide access through the opening into the storage area. As such, to feed a leading flexible sheet, a user may rotate the flaps inward, grab a leading flexible sheet, and pull it through the opening. During dispensing, the flaps rotate outward and retain subsequent sheets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: GEORGIA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Reinke, Charles W. Sears, Michael A. Susi, David H. Pitcher
  • Publication number: 20030062376
    Abstract: An auto-start dispensing container for sheet products includes a sealing member secured to a first sheet to be dispensed from the container. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided an auto-start dispenser for dispensing moistened inter-folded wipes which includes: (a) a container provided with a dispensing aperture for receiving a plurality of moist wipes; (b) a removable sealing member affixed to said container to seal the aperture wherein the sealing member and the container form an enclosure adapted to retain moisture; and (c) a lead sheet engaged with the plurality of moist wipes and secured to said removable sealing member, the removable sealing member and the lead sheet being adapted to draw a moist wipe partially through the aperture upon removal of the sealing member from the container. Preferably, the lead sheet is affixed to the removable sealing member by way of a hot-melt adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Charles W. Sears, Elizabeth J. Larson, Bradley G. Schmidt, Edward J. Yock
  • Patent number: D444459
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Matt, Daniel F. Cuffaro, Charles W. Sears, Jonathan A. Marks, Donald W. Zurwelle, Martin P. Gierke, Roger Q. Smith, Lowell D. Lueking
  • Patent number: D479419
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Carly White, Christopher Reinke, Charles W. Sears
  • Patent number: D479420
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Fort James Corporation
    Inventors: Carly White, Christopher Reinke, Charles W. Sears
  • Patent number: D480127
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Kaz, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Cox, Bill Kane, Charles W. Sears, Trent Kahute, David Pitcher
  • Patent number: D663830
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: IVAX International BV
    Inventor: Charles W. Sears
  • Patent number: D418714
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Jennifer A. Fox, Lauren Bliss-Kawasaki, Alan D. Ball, Charles W. Sears
  • Patent number: D418836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Matt, Daniel F. Cuffaro, Charles W. Sears, Jonathan A. Marks, Donald W. Zurwelle, Martin P. Gierke, Roger Q. Smith, Lowell D. Lueking
  • Patent number: D419027
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Deborah E. Haslem, Alan D. Ball, Charles W. Sears