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).
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Publication number: 20240138404Abstract: A substrate for emitting a volatile material, the substrate comprising a first woven layer, a second woven layer, and a third layer. The first woven layer has a first weave pattern. The second woven layer has a second weave pattern that is different than the first weave pattern. The third layer is disposed between the first woven layer and the second woven layer. Further, the substrate is configured to provide a steady state weight loss of the volatile material between about 1 mg/day and about 10 mg/day over a time of at least 30 days.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2024Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Calistor Nyambo, Max Krakauer, Caitlin Y. O'Gara, Todd Ulrich, Dirk K. Nickel
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Patent number: 11944096Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Calistor Nyambo, Max Krakauer, Caitlin Y. O'Gara, Todd Ulrich, Dirk K. Nickel
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Publication number: 20210169074Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Calistor Nyambo, Max Krakauer, Caitlin Y. O'Gara, Todd Ulrich, Dirk K. Nickel
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Patent number: 10377556Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2015Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel
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Patent number: 9975673Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Rodney L. Prater, Joel E. Adair, Dirk K. Nickel, Jason R. Gebhardt
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Patent number: 9802751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 9802750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
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Publication number: 20160221746Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel
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Publication number: 20160176590Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Rodney L. Prater, Joel E. Adair, Dirk K. Nickel, Jason R. Gebhardt
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Patent number: 9352064Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20150352241Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20150158659Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: 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
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Patent number: 8985398Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8983279Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20150014366Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
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Publication number: 20140339273Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Donald J. Schumacher, Mark W. Geis
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Patent number: 8870030Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Scott W. Demarest, Donald J. Schumacher, Christine D. Beilstein, Dirk K. Nickel
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Patent number: D718432Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Dirk K. Nickel, Evan A. Sparks
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Patent number: D723376Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Bradley H. Price, Shigeru G. Natsume, Dirk K. Nickel, Tracy L. Guard
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Patent number: D732389Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Dirk K. Nickel, Christopher R. Sheridan