Patents by Inventor Di-Fong Chang

Di-Fong Chang 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: 20230382638
    Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Hon-Lun Chen
  • Patent number: 11801996
    Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 11535449
    Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. The trash can assembly can include a body, a lid, an actuation system, and an active dislodgement or return system. The active dislodgement or return system can be configured to facilitate dislodging the trash can assembly from a surrounding environment, such as a wall. The active dislodgement or return system can include a dynamic member having a frame, a foot movably coupled to the frame, and a spring applying a force on the foot. When an actuation force is removed from the actuation system, the dynamic member can apply a force against the surrounding environment, such as a floor, to move the body relative to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, William Patrick Conley
  • Publication number: 20220204258
    Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Hon-Lun Chen
  • Publication number: 20220112029
    Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Hon-Lun Chen
  • Patent number: 11279555
    Abstract: Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 11242198
    Abstract: Various trashcans, their coatings, and coatings for other household goods are disclosed. In certain implementations, the disclosed coatings are antimicrobial. Various methods for forming antimicrobial coatings for household goods are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial coating comprises a substrate and an antimicrobial agent. In certain implementations the coating can be applied to a household good where the coating leaves a substantially streak-free finish. Some embodiments pertain to protective films that can be removed from a coated household good without leaving residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Hon-Lun Chen
  • Patent number: 11026497
    Abstract: A mirror system can include a mirror assembly and a protective portion, such as a holder or cover. A mirror assembly can include a housing portion, a mirror, a light source, a light conveying channel, and an orienting structure. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a component interaction actuator, such as a switch, configured to automatically activate or deactivate when two components in the mirror system interact or cease interacting. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to turn on upon removal of at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the protective portion and to turn off upon at least a portion of the mirror assembly being received by at least a portion of the protective portion. In some embodiments, a user can hold the mirror assembly and use the orienting structure as a finger-retaining portion. In some embodiments, the user can use the orienting structure as a stand for the mirror assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20200307907
    Abstract: Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: 10494175
    Abstract: Various embodiments of receptacle assemblies, such as trash cans, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the receptacle assembly includes a body portion with an interior space. The receptacle assembly can include a lid portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a pedal portion operably connected with the lid such that moving the pedal portion moves the lid portion between the open position and the closed position. The receptacle assembly can include a motion damper configured to dampen motion of the lid portion. The motion damper can be positioned near a front of the body portion and/or above a front portion of the pedal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, Joseph Sandor
  • Publication number: 20190276232
    Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. The trash can assembly can include a body, a lid, an actuation system, and an active dislodgement or return system. The active dislodgement or return system can be configured to facilitate dislodging the trash can assembly from a surrounding environment, such as a wall. The active dislodgement or return system can include a dynamic member having a frame, a foot movably coupled to the frame, and a spring applying a force on the foot. When an actuation force is removed from the actuation system, the dynamic member can apply a force against the surrounding environment, such as a floor, to move the body relative to the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Zachary Rapoport, William Patrick Conley
  • Publication number: 20190246772
    Abstract: A mirror system can include a mirror assembly and a protective portion, such as a holder or cover. A mirror assembly can include a housing portion, a mirror, a light source, a light conveying channel, and an orienting structure. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a component interaction actuator, such as a switch, configured to automatically activate or deactivate when two components in the mirror system interact or cease interacting. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly is configured to turn on upon removal of at least a portion of the mirror assembly from at least a portion of the protective portion and to turn off upon at least a portion of the mirror assembly being received by at least a portion of the protective portion. In some embodiments, a user can hold the mirror assembly and use the orienting structure as a finger-retaining portion. In some embodiments, the user can use the orienting structure as a stand for the mirror assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Guy Cohen
  • Publication number: 20190185263
    Abstract: Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. In some embodiments, the trash can assembly includes a body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly can include a lid, and a multicomponent trim ring. The lid assembly can be rotatably connected with the body via a hinge unit. In certain embodiments, a flange of the trim ring is guided into and/or received into the hinge unit. A translating pin of the hinge unit can engage into the flange, thereby providing a rotatable connection between the trim ring and the body. In various embodiments, the translating pin is coupled with a handle to facilitate movement of the pin by a user during engagement of the trim ring and the hinge unit. A positioner can help to position the trash can against or adjacent to a wall or other structure. The movement of both the trim ring and the lid can be dampened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Joseph Sandor
  • Patent number: D848158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Patent number: D855919
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Adam C. Wade
  • Patent number: D858024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Patent number: D858923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade
  • Patent number: D874161
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade, Madeline Sharp
  • Patent number: D927863
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SIMPLEHUMAN, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade, Shinwei Rhoda Yen, Eric Renard
  • Patent number: D930933
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Di-Fong Chang, Myk Lum, Adam Wade, Helen Miller