Patents by Inventor Chip W. Curtis
Chip W. Curtis 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: 11930970Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 17, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20230081854Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 11596271Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 2, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 11547250Abstract: Exemplary dispensers that receive power from a wireless focused power signal and methods of charging such dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser for dispensing soap or sanitizer includes a housing, a receptacle for retaining a supply of soap or sanitizer, a processor, and a focused energy signal receiver. The focused energy signal receiver includes a reflector for reflecting at least a portion of the focused energy signal back to a transmission source and a converter for converting at least a portion of the focused energy signal into an output voltage. The dispenser further includes charge control circuitry and one or more capacitors. The charge control circuitry monitors the output voltage of the converter. If the output voltage of the converter is above a threshold, the one or more capacitors receive a charging current.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2022Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Mark T. Smith, Alexander Slepoy
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Publication number: 20220211223Abstract: Exemplary dispensers that receive power from a wireless focused power signal and methods of charging such dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser for dispensing soap or sanitizer includes a housing, a receptacle for retaining a supply of soap or sanitizer, a processor, and a focused energy signal receiver. The focused energy signal receiver includes a reflector for reflecting at least a portion of the focused energy signal back to a transmission source and a converter for converting at least a portion of the focused energy signal into an output voltage. The dispenser further includes charge control circuitry and one or more capacitors. The charge control circuitry monitors the output voltage of the converter. If the output voltage of the converter is above a threshold, the one or more capacitors receive a charging current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Mark T. Smith
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Patent number: 11266276Abstract: Exemplary dispensers that receive power from a wireless focused power signal and methods of charging such dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser for dispensing soap or sanitizer includes a housing, a receptacle for retaining a supply of soap or sanitizer, a processor, and a focused energy signal receiver. The focused energy signal receiver includes a reflector for reflecting at least a portion of the focused energy signal back to a transmission source and a converter for converting at least a portion of the focused energy signal into an output voltage. The dispenser further includes charge control circuitry and one or more capacitors. The charge control circuitry monitors the output voltage of the converter. If the output voltage of the converter is above a threshold, the one or more capacitors receive a charging current.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Mark T. Smith
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Patent number: 11259671Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20210378458Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: John J. McNulty, Donald R. Harris, Mark A. Bullock, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 10977886Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
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Publication number: 20210099004Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a material includes a circuit in communication with a battery and a rechargeable energy storage device. The circuit places the battery and the rechargeable energy storage device in series during a dispense event such that an actuator that facilitates dispensing the material during the dispense event receives power from the battery and the rechargeable energy storage device during the dispense event.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20210068594Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 10800646Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 10791881Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20200138246Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of low power devices having an infrared transmitter for detecting an object in a sensing area and for transmitting data signals are disclosed herein. An exemplary low power device may be a soap, sanitizing or lotion dispenser. The soap, sanitizer or lotion dispenser includes a housing, a processor, memory, an infrared transmitter, an infrared receiver, and an actuator. The dispenser further includes logic stored on the memory for causing the infrared transmitter to transmit a signal into a sensing area to detect an object and for causing the infrared transmitter to transmit a modulated infrared signal wherein the modulated infrared signal is a data signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20190359477Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20190251766Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a modular people counter includes a base and a communications module. The base has a people counter processor, memory, a power supply having one or more batteries, a passive sensor that detects whether a badge and/or a person has entered into a selected area and is within the sensing range and a first connector. The first connector is in circuit communication with the people counter processor. The communications module has a second connector for connecting to the first connector and wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications module is configured to receive one or more signals from the people counter processor when the first connector is connected to the second connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis, Dennis K. Jenkins, Mark A. Bullock
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Patent number: 10377624Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20190174969Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
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Patent number: 10213063Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jackson W. Wegelin, Aaron R. Reynolds, Chip W. Curtis
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Publication number: 20180179045Abstract: Among other things, one or more systems and/or techniques for labeling a refill contain and/or for enabling operation of the refill container by a dispensing system based upon one or more indicia of the label satisfying a dispensing key are provided. In an example, a label may be applied to a refill container. The label may comprise a first region having a first indicia that may correspond to a shape, color, and/or texture (e.g., a yellow star indicia). A dispensing system may enable operation of the refill container (e.g., installation and/or dispensing of material from the refill container) based upon the first indicia satisfying a dispensing key (e.g., a yellow key component and/or a star shape component). Otherwise, the dispensing system does not enable operation of the refill container (e.g., the refill container is not genuine or is not an appropriate refill container type).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis