Patents by Inventor Deborah J. Cowan

Deborah J. Cowan 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: 8141793
    Abstract: The present invention is a gel air freshener article of manufacture comprising a gel air freshener composition and a container that provides a method for unsealing and opening without undue exertion by the consumer. The article of manufacture according to the present invention includes the gel air freshener composition and a container comprising a base portion and axially displaceable cover in telescopic registry, wherein the cover is axially displaced away from the base portion by rotation. The unsealing of the container is achieved through the coordination of camming locks, which comprise an upper ramped surface, with spike-shaped locking wedges that comprise a beveled toe portion, elongated shaft portion and camming head portion. Rotation of the cover in a first direction relative to the base portion locks the toe end and shaft portions of the spike-shaped locking wedges beneath the camming locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Judith A. Wallis, Elizabeth Polaski, Steven Carter, Deborah J. Cowan, Gary L. Berge, Ronald Hedman
  • Publication number: 20110011947
    Abstract: The present invention is a gel air freshener article of manufacture comprising a gel air freshener composition and a container that provides a method for unsealing and opening without undue exertion by the consumer. The article of manufacture according to the present invention includes the gel air freshener composition and a container comprising a base portion and axially displaceable cover in telescopic registry, wherein the cover is axially displaced away from the base portion by rotation. The unsealing of the container is achieved through the coordination of camming locks, which comprise an upper ramped surface, with spike-shaped locking wedges that comprise a beveled toe portion, elongated shaft portion and camming head portion. Rotation of the cover in a first direction relative to the base portion locks the toe end and shaft portions of the spike-shaped locking wedges beneath the camming locks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Judith A. Wallis, Elizabeth Polaski, Steven Carter, Deborah J. Cowan, Gary L. Berge, Ronald Hedman
  • Publication number: 20100221144
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a kit for assembling a passive air freshener comprising fragranced sail crystals. In the preferred form, the kit minimally comprises: 1) a package containing a plurality of fragranced salt crystals; 2) a container with an opening for placing said crystals therein, said container defining an enclosed space having a height/width ratio of from about 0.5 to about 3; and, 3) a carton for containing both the package of crystals and the container, where the carton preferably has a viewing window that displays at least the decorative aspects of the container design to potential purchasers. The kit may also include instructional literature and optional lighting source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory W. Bedson, Deborah J. Cowan, Geoffrey Faires, Jeff Gaunt, Eric J. Horsman, Nancy Miiller, Elizabeth Polaski, Keith Queen, Judith A. Wallis, Cheryl Watkins