Patents by Inventor Dennis H. Smith

Dennis H. Smith 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: 12251342
    Abstract: An embodiment of a storage device for medical products includes a cabinet defining an enclosure having a plurality of compartments. In addition, the storage device includes a plurality of storage containers, each storage container configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of compartments. Further, the storage device includes an actuation assembly including a plurality of arms that are configured to engage the plurality of storage containers so as to secure the plurality of storage containers in the plurality of compartments. Still further, the storage device includes a release mechanism that is configured to simultaneously actuate each of the plurality of arms to release the plurality of storage containers from the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: HELMER SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20240115449
    Abstract: An embodiment of a storage device for medical products includes a cabinet defining an enclosure having a plurality of compartments. In addition, the storage device includes a plurality of storage containers, each storage container configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of compartments. Further, the storage device includes an actuation assembly including a plurality of arms that are configured to engage the plurality of storage containers so as to secure the plurality of storage containers in the plurality of compartments. Still further, the storage device includes a release mechanism that is configured to simultaneously actuate each of the plurality of arms to release the plurality of storage containers from the plurality of compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11883335
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HELMER SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20240000226
    Abstract: An embodiment of a medical product storage device including an enclosure at least partially defined by a door and a plurality of drawer assemblies positioned in the enclosure. Each of the plurality of drawer assemblies defining a respective compartment within the enclosure. In addition, each of the plurality of drawer assemblies includes a plurality of storage containers positioned within the compartment; and a plurality of actuators that are coupled to a back end of the drawer assembly that is spaced from the door such that each of the plurality of actuators is configured to selectively secure or release a respective storage container of the plurality of storage containers relative to the compartment, and such that the drawer assembly is configured to be removed from the enclosure as a unit with the plurality of actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, Adam A. Cloud, Jason L. Hessler, Dennis H. Smith, Kyle T. Stout, Doug R. Sanqunetti, Bryan T. Shannon
  • Patent number: 11805898
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HELMER SCIENTIFIC, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, Adam A. Cloud, Jason L. Hessler, Dennis H. Smith, Kyle T. Stout, Doug R. Sanqunetti, Bryan T. Shannon
  • Publication number: 20230087186
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas J. LARKNER, David A. FERRER, Jesse M. SMITH, Dennis H. SMITH, Adam A. CLOUD, Mark D. LOCKWOOD, Mark G. LOEFFELHOLZ, James R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 11534356
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: HELMER, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20210106481
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. LARKNER, David A. FERRER, Jesse M. SMITH, Dennis H. SMITH, Adam A. CLOUD, Mark D. LOCKWOOD, Mark G. LOEFFELHOLZ, James R. EDWARDS
  • Patent number: 10821044
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HELMER, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20200268149
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas J. LARKNER, Adam A. CLOUD, Jason L. HESSLER, Dennis H. SMITH, Kyle T. STOUT, Doug R. SANQUNETTI, Bryan T. SHANNON
  • Publication number: 20170258658
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas J. LARKNER, David A. FERRER, Jesse M. SMITH, Dennis H. SMITH, Adam A. CLOUD, Mark D. LOCKWOOD, Mark G. LOEFFELHOLZ, James R. EDWARDS
  • Patent number: 9579245
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Helmer, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, James R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9488404
    Abstract: An ultra low temperature refrigeration system and technique, includes a cabinet with a storage chamber maintained at a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, and a dehumidifying unit connected to the cabinet for dehumidifying the storage chamber within the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis H. Smith, Todd Swift, Kevin D. Bramlett, Santosh Nerur, Walter Jeff Tipton, Wendell Morris
  • Publication number: 20150196445
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for storing medical products such as pharmaceutical and medical products in climate controlled storage devices includes climate control systems in communication with inventory access and tracking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas J. Larkner, David A. Ferrer, Jesse M. Smith, Dennis H. Smith, Adam A. Cloud, Mark D. Lockwood, Mark G. Loeffelholz, Jim R. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8931300
    Abstract: A storage cabinet (16) is provided for an ultra-low temperature freezer (10). The cabinet (16) includes a base platform (62a), a plurality of side structural insulated panels (45, 50, 55) each defining a side wall of the storage cabinet (16), and a plurality of generally vertically oriented posts (40) extending from the base platform (62a). Each of the plurality of vertically oriented posts (40) has a slot (40a) for receiving an edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55) therealong. The slot (40a) may have a generally U-shaped profile that surrounds the edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55). At least one of the generally vertically oriented posts (40) has a channel (40c) that extends along a longitudinal dimension thereof, the channel (40c) being configured to receive one of insulation, tubing, or wiring of the freezer therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Asheville) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis H. Smith, Todd Swift, Kevin D. Bramlett, Santosh Nerur, Walter Jeff Tipton, Wendell Morris
  • Publication number: 20110259038
    Abstract: A storage cabinet (16) is provided for an ultra-low temperature freezer (10). The cabinet (16) includes a base platform (62a), a plurality of side structural insulated panels (45, 50, 55) each defining a side wall of the storage cabinet (16), and a plurality of generally vertically oriented posts (40) extending from the base platform (62a). Each of the plurality of vertically oriented posts (40) has a slot (40a) for receiving an edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55) therealong. The slot (40a) may have a generally U-shaped profile that surrounds the edge portion (45a, 50a, 55a) of one of the insulated panels (45, 50, 55). At least one of the generally vertically oriented posts (40) has a channel (40c) that extends along a longitudinal dimension thereof, the channel (40c) being configured to receive one of insulation, tubing, or wiring of the freezer therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis H. Smith, Todd Swift, Kevin D. Bramlett, Santosh Nerur, Walter Jeff Tipton, Wendell Morris
  • Publication number: 20100120351
    Abstract: An ultra-low temperature freezer, including a cabinet with a freezer compartment maintained within a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, a catch basin at the bottom of the cabinet for collecting air, and a distribution channel fluidly connected to the catch basin, for recirculating the air collected from the catch basin to the top of the cabinet, the distribution channel at the top of the cabinet pushing compressed air across the front of the cabinet and forming an air curtain and thermal barrier to incoming warmer air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Wendell Morris, Dennis H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100077775
    Abstract: An ultra low temperature refrigeration system and technique, includes a cabinet with a storage chamber maintained at a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, and a dehumidifying unit connected to the cabinet for dehumidifying the storage chamber within the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Dennis H. Smith, Todd Swift, Kevin D. Bramlett, Santosh Nerur, Walter Jeff Tipton, Wendell Morris
  • Publication number: 20080218970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid cooling assembly for cooling electronic components. The liquid cooling assembly contains a heat spreader plate for providing mechanical support and thermal dissipation; a fluid channel for directing a cooling fluid in the plane of the heat spreader; and a bottom plate for protecting against destructive shock events and for providing thermal dissipation. The present invention also provides a maze structure in the liquid cooling assembly to increase structural stability against destructive shock events. The present invention also relates to a ruggedized electronics enclosure for housing electronic components. A top compartment contains a first electronics layer and a second electronics layer adjacent to said first electronics layer and a cooling assembly. A thermal shunt is configured to channel heat from the first and second electronics layers to the cooling assembly and to provide additional mechanical support to protect against potentially destructive shock events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Themis Computer
    Inventors: William E. Kehret, Dennis H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080174960
    Abstract: A clamshell enclosure is disclosed for providing thermal and kinetic management for an enclosed electronic circuit. The clamshell enclosure comprises a sealed clamshell casing containing the circuit, and a cover that in combination with a wall of the clamshell casing forms a duct. A heat exchanger conducts heat from the electronic circuit inside the clamshell casing to a thermal interface element located within the duct, and a thermally conductive gas moving through the duct comes into contact with the interface element, dispelling the heat and thereby cooling the enclosed electronic circuit. A cellular topology of the clamshell casing and of the cover provides stiffness to the enclosure and reduces the effects of shock and vibration on the enclosed electronic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: Themis Computer
    Inventors: William E. Kehret, Dennis H. Smith