Patents by Inventor Dirk K. Nickel

Dirk K. Nickel 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: 11944096
    Abstract: A system for consistently emitting a volatile material, the system including a dispenser having at least one aperture, a substrate adapted to fit within the dispenser, and a volatile material. The substrate includes a first woven layer having a first pore size, a second woven layer having a second pore size, and a third, non-woven layer that extends between the first woven layer and the second woven layer. Further, the system has a steady state weight loss of the volatile material over a time greater than 30 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Calistor Nyambo, Max Krakauer, Caitlin Y. O'Gara, Todd Ulrich, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20210169074
    Abstract: A system for consistently emitting a volatile material, the system including a dispenser having at least one aperture, a substrate adapted to fit within the dispenser, and a volatile material. The substrate includes a first woven layer having a first pore size, a second woven layer having a second pore size, and a third, non-woven layer that extends between the first woven layer and the second woven layer. Further, the system has a steady state weight loss of the volatile material over a time greater than 30 days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Calistor Nyambo, Max Krakauer, Caitlin Y. O'Gara, Todd Ulrich, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Patent number: 10377556
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus configured to couple to a valve stem of an aerosol container and to interface with a dispenser to actuate the valve stem. The apparatus includes a body portion having an internal bore configured to receive a valve stem. The internal bore has an internal diameter. A wall has a thickness defined between the internal bore and an exterior surface of the body portion. The body portion further includes an aperture having a diameter selected to avoid atomization of fluid travelling through the aperture. The wall thickness is selected to prevent collapsing of the wall when the valve stem is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Patent number: 9975673
    Abstract: A cap-locking assembly includes an inner cap having a ribbed outer surface and a locking cap. The locking cap includes opposing first and second engagement mechanisms, opposing first and second stabilizing ridges, and a plurality of ramped tabs, all of which are disposed on the interior surface of the locking cap. When the ramped tabs engage a lower edge of the inner cap they retain the inner cap inside the locking cap. Further, the opposing first and second stabilizing ridges coaxially align the inner cap and the locking cap. Finally, the opposing first and second engagement mechanisms engage with the ribbed outer surface of the inner cap upon application of an inward force to the locking cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Prater, Joel E. Adair, Dirk K. Nickel, Jason R. Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 9802751
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a container includes a housing with a locking element extending therefrom. At least one opening extends through the locking element to selectively receive a portion of the container. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel, Jinsong Yu, Gang Liu, Xiaogang Tan, Yuanheng Liu
  • Patent number: 9802750
    Abstract: An adapter for a container includes a bracket having an annular sidewall and at least one projection extending interiorly from an external surface of the sidewall, wherein the at least one projection includes a sloped surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20160221746
    Abstract: A retaining apparatus configured to couple to a valve stem of an aerosol container and to interface with a dispenser to actuate the valve stem. The apparatus includes a body portion having an internal bore configured to receive a valve stem. The internal bore has an internal diameter. A wall has a thickness defined between the internal bore and an exterior surface of the body portion. The body portion further includes an aperture having a diameter selected to avoid atomization of fluid travelling through the aperture. The wall thickness is selected to prevent collapsing of the wall when the valve stem is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 4, 2016
    Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20160176590
    Abstract: A cap-locking assembly includes an inner cap having a ribbed outer surface and a locking cap. The locking cap includes opposing first and second engagement mechanisms, opposing first and second stabilizing ridges, and a plurality of ramped tabs, all of which are disposed on the interior surface of the locking cap. When the ramped tabs engage a lower edge of the inner cap they retain the inner cap inside the locking cap. Further, the opposing first and second stabilizing ridges coaxially align the inner cap and the locking cap. Finally, the opposing first and second engagement mechanisms engage with the ribbed outer surface of the inner cap upon application of an inward force to the locking cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney L. Prater, Joel E. Adair, Dirk K. Nickel, Jason R. Gebhardt
  • Patent number: 9352064
    Abstract: Wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human are disclosed. They are of the type that are clipped onto a belt or the like, and use a powered fan to dispense active. They are configured with a first timer to account for a passive release rate of the active and a second timer to account for an active release rate of the active. The first time and second timer are in communication with a useful life indicator to provide a signal to a user of the device to indicate when the substrate in the device for containing the active should be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Nitin Sharma, Tai P. Luc, Zahra Tashakorinia, Dirk K. Nickel, Terence Lup-ho Kwan, Evelyne Chaubert, Jessica M. Gilbertson, Wenson Chern, Evan A. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150352241
    Abstract: Wearable devices for dispensing insect repellents, fragrances, and/or other chemicals along the outside of the clothing of a human are disclosed. They are of the type that are clipped onto a belt or the like, and use a powered fan to dispense active. They are configured with a first timer to account for a passive release rate of the active and a second timer to account for an active release rate of the active. The first time and second timer are in communication with a useful life indicator to provide a signal to a user of the device to indicate when the substrate in the device for containing the active should be replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Nitin Sharma, Tai P. Luc, Zahra Tashakorinia, Dirk K. Nickel, Terence Lup-ho Kwan, Evelyne Chaubert, Jessica M. Gilbertson, Wenson Chern, Evan A. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20150158659
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism for a container includes a housing with a locking element extending therefrom. At least one opening extends through the locking element to selectively receive a portion of the container. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel, Jinsong Yu, Gang Liu, Xiaogang Tan, Yuanheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8985398
    Abstract: A product dispensing system includes an overcap that has a locking element extending therefrom. A container has a product disposed therein. A bracket is attached to the container. The bracket includes at least one flange and at least one slot. The at least one flange extends toward the at least one slot. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel, Jinsong Yu, Gang Liu, Xiaogang Tan, Yuanheng Liu
  • Patent number: 8983279
    Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Imre J. Dancs, Brian T. Davis, Miguel A. Esparza, Kamran Faterioun, Tracy L. Guard, Sebastian D. Hasik, Dirk K. Nickel, Jesse Richard, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20150014366
    Abstract: An adapter for a container includes a bracket having an annular sidewall and at least one projection extending interiorly from an external surface of the sidewall, wherein the at least one projection includes a sloped surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140339273
    Abstract: A carrier suitable to mount an aerosol spray can on a backpack, a belt loop or the like. The carrier has a pair of downwardly depending skirts that are radially spaced from each other, and an upper connector section. Squeezing opposite sides of the outer skirt drives portions of the inner skirt inward as well. However, as the inner skirt is oblong, this also causes other intermediate regions of the inner skirt to bulge outwardly. These intermediate regions are designed to otherwise latch onto the can, and thus this squeezing helps release the carrier from the can. There may also be a secondary catch between the bottom of the outer skirt and the can, as well as a positive stop along an inner side of the outer skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald J. Schumacher, Mark W. Geis
  • Patent number: 8870030
    Abstract: A container has a body with a product disposed therein. A pedestal with a valving structure extends from the body. A bracket has a sidewall with at least one slot extending therein. The bracket includes a second pedestal provided interiorly of the sidewall, which is shaped to fittingly receive the pedestal of the body. The second pedestal includes at least one extending flange. Each of the at least one extending flanges extends toward the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
  • Publication number: 20140034748
    Abstract: A method of emitting a volatile material includes the step of programming a volatile material dispenser to include at least two intensity levels, wherein upon initiation of each of the intensity levels for an operating cycle, a resistor is operated at a first percentage of its power rating for a first period of time. Upon selection of a first of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at a second percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle. Upon selection of a second of the at least two intensity levels and after the first period of time, the resistor is operated at the second percentage of its power rating for a second period of time and, after the second period of time, operating the resistor at a third percentage of its power rating for a remainder of an operating cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Imre J. Dancs, Brian T. Davis, Miguel A. Esparza, Kamran Faterioun, Tracy L. Guard, Sebastian D. Hasik, Dirk K. Nickel, Jesse Richard, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: D718432
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D723376
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Bradley H. Price, Shigeru G. Natsume, Dirk K. Nickel, Tracy L. Guard
  • Cap
    Patent number: D732389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Christopher R. Sheridan