Patents by Inventor Dan Allen

Dan Allen 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: 20170198464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes a slanted fill tube with an optical proximity sensor positioned on or within the inner surface of the fill tube. The optical proximity sensor includes an incoherent light source and a photodiode. The optical proximity sensor as disclosed herein detects small changes in volumes added to a toilet bowl. Consequently, small volumes of excrement that are deposited in the toilet bowl by a user may be detected with greater accuracy. In some embodiments, information about the volume of urine or feces deposited into the toilet bowl is recorded and calculated by a processor. Other sensors, including a toilet bowl water level sensor and a gas sensor may collect data in combination with the optical proximity sensor to provide more complete information about the user's health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Travis Niederhauser, Terrece Pearman
  • Publication number: 20170191859
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a toilet that includes one or more water volume and flow rate sensors on the surface of a P-trap. Changes in volume within the toilet's hydraulic circuit indicate volume of excrement added. Changes in rate of flow through the P-trap indicate rate of excretion. The sensors may be electrical capacitors. The capacitance readings may provide data relevant to a user's health status or assist in diagnosis of disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Terrece Pearman
  • Publication number: 20170121955
    Abstract: A modular toilet is disclosed comprising a toilet shell and a hydraulic core. The hydraulic core module is a separate unit from the toilet shell module and may be non-symmetrical with the internal and external form of the shell. The core module comprises a toilet bowl connected to a siphon drain comprising a weir. The drain may be a vertical loop drain. The toilet shell and the hydraulic core may comprise mutual sealing surfaces. The drain may comprise openings for connection to a toilet ventilation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Jared Reynolds, Joshua Larsen, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 9595185
    Abstract: A toilet apparatus for providing automatic user identification is provided. The automatic identification uses a combination of an instrumented toilet seat and an instrumented foot scale to provide user specific identification data. User health trends may be saved and reported based on the automatic user identification. User identification also allows preconfigured toilet control settings to be loaded into memory upon user identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Dan Allen, Ben Swenson, Joshua Larsen, Jared Reynolds
  • Publication number: 20160355204
    Abstract: A wheeled ladder caddy is provided. The caddy can transport one or more long and slender items thereon. The caddy has a base and a mount coupled to the base and extending away therefrom. The mount defines a cavity therein. The caddy may also include a securing mechanism coupled to the base, the securing mechanism including an engagement member and a fastener, wherein the fastener can transition between a first position and a second position to position the engagement member with respect to the base. The item may be placed in the caddy such that the cavity receives a part of the item and the securing mechanism receives a second part. The fastener can transition from the first position to the second position to translate the engagement member toward the base to retain the item between the engagement member and the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Paul Spruth, Dan Allen
  • Publication number: 20160266868
    Abstract: An audio router. The audio router includes a media director and an audio transmission module. The media director configured to receive a signal containing audio information from a source external to the audio router includes a plurality of nodes. Each node includes a network transceiver configured to advertise availability of the node on a data network and an advertisement module configured to advertise availability of the node on the data network. The audio transmission module is configured to transmit the signal containing audio information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: VSSL LLC
    Inventor: Dan Allen
  • Patent number: 9433551
    Abstract: A patient protection device is provided for an operating room table. A rigid support frame extends transversely over a top surface of said table, including a main body with an upper support surface and a pair of support legs that are secured to the table. A receptacle tray to receive medical equipment is securely mounted to the rigid support frame via a removable connection. The receptacle tray includes a first planar surface positioned above a body lying over said top surface of said operating room table. The receptacle tray is slidable, relative to the rigid support frame, along a direction substantially parallel to the upper support surface of the rigid support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Dan Allen, Jimmie Vincent Leanza
  • Publication number: 20160008200
    Abstract: A patient positioning device is provided for restraining movement of a body lying over a top surface of a table. The device includes a cervical-thoracic notch restraint that includes a base with a first side and an opposed second side. The first side defines a substantially flat plane with a repositionable fastener, and the second side defines a substantially flat plane with a raised, curved support extending transversely across the base. In an operational state, the curved support is configured to nest into an anatomical cervical-thoracic notch of the body lying over the table to abut a trapezius muscle of the body. In one example, a rigid support frame extends transversely over the top surface of the table, and the cervical-thoracic notch restraint is securely fixed to the upper support surface of the support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Dan Allen
  • Patent number: 9149406
    Abstract: A patient positioning device is provided for restraining movement of a body lying over a top surface of a table and includes a rigid support frame extending transversely over the top surface of the table. A cervical-thoracic notch restraint is securely fixed to the upper support surface of the support frame, via a repositionable fastener, to thereby inhibit movement of the cervical-thoracic notch restraint along the longitudinal axis of the table. The repositionable fastener comprises a holding strength per unit of surface area that is sufficient to support the weight of the body on the table when in an inclined position relative to a ground surface. In one example, a head stabilizer is used to inhibit lateral movement of the head. In another example, a lateral stabilizing pillow is used to inhibit torsional movement of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Dan Allen
  • Publication number: 20150257958
    Abstract: A patient protection device is provided for an operating room table. A rigid support frame extends transversely over a top surface of said table, including a main body with an upper support surface and a pair of support legs that are secured to the table. A receptacle tray to receive medical equipment is securely mounted to the rigid support frame via a removable connection. The receptacle tray includes a first planar surface positioned above a body lying over said top surface of said operating room table. The receptacle tray is slidable, relative to the rigid support frame, along a direction substantially parallel to the upper support surface of the rigid support frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Dan Allen, Jimmie Vincent Leanza
  • Publication number: 20150257920
    Abstract: An arm restraint system is provided for restraining movement of an arm of a patient's body lying over a top surface of a table. The system includes a rigid support frame located at a lateral edge of said table and a padded restraint configured to at least partially receive the arm of said patient. The padded restraint is securely fixed to the rigid support frame, via a repositionable fastener, to inhibit movement of the patient's arm relative to the rigid support frame and thereby maintain the arm at a position laterally adjacent to the patient's body without the arm being restrained by tucking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Dan Allen
  • Patent number: 8973242
    Abstract: A method of constructing a container, comprising disposing a primary lid over a storage cavity, the primary lid including a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed, pivotally attaching a dispenser lid to the primary lid, the dispenser lid including a first biasing pin anchor and one of the dispenser lid and the primary lid having a second biasing pin anchor, connecting a first longitudinal end portion of a biasing pin to the first biasing pin anchor, and connecting a second longitudinal end portion of the biasing pin to the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the dispenser lid towards an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Patent number: 8893911
    Abstract: A container lid biasing means for urging a lid pivotally attached to a container member towards an open position, including a flexible biasing pin having a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion, a first biasing pin anchor disposed on the container lid, the first end portion being held by the first biasing pin anchor, and a second biasing pin anchor disposed on one of the container member and the container lid, the second end portion of the biasing pin being held by the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the container lid towards the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Publication number: 20140245537
    Abstract: A patient positioning device is provided for restraining movement of a body lying over a top surface of a table and includes a rigid support frame extending transversely over the top surface of the table. A cervical-thoracic notch restraint is securely fixed to the upper support surface of the support frame, via a repositionable fastener, to thereby inhibit movement of the cervical-thoracic notch restraint along the longitudinal axis of the table. The repositionable fastener comprises a holding strength per unit of surface area that is sufficient to support the weight of the body on the table when in an inclined position relative to a ground surface. In one example, a head stabilizer is used to inhibit lateral movement of the head. In another example, a lateral stabilizing pillow is used to inhibit torsional movement of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Dan Allen
  • Publication number: 20130180985
    Abstract: A wipes container with side walls including pleats so that the wipes container is collapsible. A collapse force is required to collapse the container body. A cover is sealed to the container body. The seal has a seal thickness and a seal strength. The wipes container has a combination index of 200,000 or less, where the combination index is calculated based on the following equation: combination index=(collapse index) (recovery index) (moisture loss index), where collapse index=((collapse force)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), recovery index=((1?% recovery of original height)/(side wall thickness))(1,000), and moisture loss index=[((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/(seal strength))+((% moisture loss of wipes container over 20 day period)/seal thickness))](10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NUTEK DISPOSABLES, INC.
    Inventors: Robin DAMAGHI, William CHILD, Dan Allen MURRAY, Robert King AULT, Terrence Mclean BECK
  • Patent number: 8403167
    Abstract: A container including a bottom and a plurality of walls that form a storage cavity. A primary lid is disposed over the storage cavity. The primary lid includes a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed. A dispenser lid is pivotally attached to the primary lid. The dispenser lid has a closed position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted downwards relative to the primary lid to cover the dispenser portion and an open position in which the dispenser lid is pivoted upwards relative to the primary lid to expose the dispenser portion. The dispenser lid includes a pivot end portion and an opposite free end portion, and a biasing pin extending from the pivot end portion. The biasing pin has a longitudinal end portion anchored to the primary lid so that the biasing pin urges the dispenser lid towards the open position. The biasing pin and a main dispenser lid portion are formed as a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Publication number: 20130019435
    Abstract: A container lid biasing means for urging a lid pivotally attached to a container member towards an open position, including a flexible biasing pin having a first longitudinal end portion and a second longitudinal end portion, a first biasing pin anchor disposed on the container lid, the first end portion being held by the first biasing pin anchor, and a second biasing pin anchor disposed on one of the container member and the container lid, the second end portion of the biasing pin being held by the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the container lid towards the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Publication number: 20130014374
    Abstract: A method of constructing a container, comprising disposing a primary lid over a storage cavity, the primary lid including a top surface that defines a dispenser portion through which items within the storage cavity may be dispensed, pivotally attaching a dispenser lid to the primary lid, the dispenser lid including a first biasing pin anchor and one of the dispenser lid and the primary lid having a second biasing pin anchor, connecting a first longitudinal end portion of a biasing pin to the first biasing pin anchor, and connecting a second longitudinal end portion of the biasing pin to the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the dispenser lid towards an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin DAMAGHI, William M. CHILD, Dan Allen MURRAY
  • Publication number: 20130016923
    Abstract: A container including a flexible bag having an upper surface and an openable portion formed in the upper surface and a container lid disposed over the openable portion of the flexible bag. The lid includes a bottom rim member attached to the upper surface of the flexible bag, a main container lid portion pivotally attached to the bottom rim member, and a container lid biasing means. The container lid biasing means includes a biasing pin, a first biasing pin anchor disposed on the main container lid portion, the first end portion of the biasing pin being held by the first biasing pin anchor, and a second biasing pin anchor disposed on the bottom rim member, the second end portion of the biasing pin being held by the second biasing pin anchor, such that the biasing pin urges the main container lid portion towards the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: Nutek Disposables, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Damaghi, William M. Child, Dan Allen Murray
  • Patent number: D700542
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventors: David C. Warren, Dan Allen, Bill Coryell, Laszlo Juhasz, Pal Habuda, Gabor Balogh, Mike Miernik, Janos Toth, Janos Recski, Laszlo Gasztonyi