Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Bruce

Douglas A. Bruce 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: 10836562
    Abstract: A valve for an aerosol dispenser. The valve has a housing as a chassis for other components of the valve. The housing perimetrically joins the valve to an outer container for the aerosol dispenser. The housing has a hole with a moving valve stem to selectively dispense product, upon actuation. The housing, or portions thereof, may be crystallized, to provide strength and dimensional stability, to reduce leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Earl Magness, David Andrew Dalton, Douglas Bruce Zeik
  • Patent number: 10822945
    Abstract: Data is stored in a first storage device or second storage device, where the first storage device and second storage device are located in a borehole of a geologic formation, and where a value of a storage attribute associated with the first storage device is different than a value of a storage attribute associated with the second storage device. A value based on an ambient condition downhole in the borehole is determined. The data is stored in the first storage device, if the value based on the ambient condition is less than or equal to a threshold or the data is stored in the second storage device, if the value based on the ambient condition is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley David Dunbar, Robert W Arfele, Douglas Bruce Caraway, John Leslie Wisinger, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10791682
    Abstract: A vegetation clearing device relating to the clearing of small-caliper vegetation, the vegetation clearing device having a grapple configured to releasably grapple the small-caliper vegetation, a cutter configured to cut the small-caliper vegetation engaged within the grapple, a support frame configured to support the grapple and the cutter, a coupler configured to removably couple the support frame to a working arm of a tractor, the coupler having a first pivot enabling pivoting of the support frame about a first rotational axis and a second pivot enabling pivoting of the support frame about a second rotational axis, the second rotational axis being non-parallel with the first rotational axis, a power-driven grapple actuator configured to actuate the releasable grappling by the grapple, and a power-driven rotator configured to rotate the support frame about the second rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Kitchen
  • Patent number: 10774593
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a seal groove defined at least partially between a first member and a second member rotatable relative to the first member, an annular sealing element positioned in the seal groove and providing a mud surface, a lubricant surface axially opposite the mud surface, an inner radial surface, and an outer radial surface radially opposite the inner radial surface. One of the inner and outer radial surfaces is a dynamic surface that seals against the first member when the sealing element rotates with the second member, or seals against the second member when the second member rotates relative to the sealing element. A lubricant channel is defined through the sealing element and extending between the lubricant surface and the dynamic surface to provide a lubricant to the dynamic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shiwei Qin, Douglas Bruce Caraway, Micheal Burl Crawford
  • Patent number: 10695966
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for molding workpieces usable for consumer products. The workpieces may be injection molded with a cavity formed by a core pin and have an undercut, such as internal threads, in the cavity. The apparatus has a drive system with a stripper plate mounted for alternatingly forward and retracting axial movement. The stripper plate is axially driven and drives a stripper sleeve barrel cam and a core pin base barrel cam, each having respective cam followers. The respective motions of the cam followers are superimposed on a stripper sleeve insert, which drives a core pin sleeve. The core pin sleeve is subjected to responsive three dimensional motion, allowing an internally threaded workpiece to be unscrewed from the core pin sleeve. The system does not require separate drives for the core pin sleeve, a single stripper plate drive being sufficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce Zeik, Richard C. Darr, Thomas J. Simpson
  • Patent number: 10687468
    Abstract: Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Antriebssysteme Gmbh
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Wood
  • Publication number: 20200187420
    Abstract: Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: ContiTech Antriebssysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Douglas Bruce Wood
  • Patent number: 10676272
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser. The aerosol dispenser is made from materials which can go into a single recycling stream having a single class of materials, as defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and particularly may exclusively comprise Class 1 materials with no flammable product/propellant present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Scott Edward Smith, Douglas Bruce Zeik
  • Patent number: 10661974
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser having a valve cup. The valve cup has an internal interlock, for attachment of a valve assembly thereto. A seal is disposed below the interlock. This arrangement provides the benefit that components of the dispenser may be inserted past the interlock, and still seal product therein under pressure. The interlock may comprise threads or a bayonet fitting. The valve cup may be injection molded as a preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Aaron Neumann, Douglas Bruce Zeik, Scott Edward Smith
  • Publication number: 20200148461
    Abstract: Methods of making an aerosol container having an open neck at the top and a closed end bottom longitudinally spaced therefrom. The container has a valve cup and bag. The valve cup and bag are integral. The valve cup is attachable to the neck in sealing relationship. This arrangement provides for propellant to be disposed intermediate the container and bag. Product can be disposed in the bag for selective dispensing by a user actuated valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce Zeik, Matthew Aaron Neumann, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10640284
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, and a valve cup for an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol dispenser, has an outer container with a crimp ring, to receive a valve cup clinched thereto. The valve cup has an outer wall with holes therethrough or vents having a vector component parallel to the outer wall. The hole or vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue internal pressurization. The holes and vents relieve propellant and product therethrough in the event of overpressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Andrew William Franckhauser, Scott Edward Smith, Douglas Bruce Zeik, Nathan Daniel Grubbs
  • Publication number: 20200109000
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser, and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container, and preform each have a neck including a crimp ring. The crimp ring may be configured to receive a valve cup, which is clinched thereto. The crimp ring includes one or more vents. The vents may be used to control overpressurization within the dispenser. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue overpressurization. The vents allow propellant and/or product to be released therethrough in the event of overpressurization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew John Martin, Andrew William Franckhauser, Douglas Bruce Zeik
  • Patent number: 10604332
    Abstract: An aerosol container having an open neck at the top and a closed end bottom longitudinally spaced therefrom. The container has a valve cup and bag. The valve cup and bag are integral. The valve cup is attachable to the neck in sealing relationship. This arrangement provides for propellant to be disposed intermediate the container and bag. Product can be disposed in the bag for selective dispensing by a user actuated valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce Zeik, Matthew Aaron Neumann, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10596765
    Abstract: A method of making an aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The method has the steps of sealing the valve to the product delivery device and outer container at respective annular welds or other bonds joining the valve to the product delivery and to the outer container. The welds, or other bonds may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes. Suitable welds include spin welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, Matthew Aaron Neumann, Robert Earl Magness, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, Andrew William Franckhauser, Scott Edward Smith, Douglas Bruce Zeik
  • Patent number: 10589921
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container and preform each have a neck, which in turn has a crimp ring, to receive a valve cup clinched thereto. The crimp ring has slots which act as vents therethrough. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue internal pressurization. The vents to relieve propellant and product therethrough in the event of overpressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Andrew William Franckhauser, James Alexander Morley, Scott Edward Smith, Douglas Bruce Zeik, Nathan Daniel Grubbs
  • Patent number: 10569952
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser. The aerosol dispenser is made from materials which can go into a single recycling stream having a single class of materials, as defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and particularly may exclusively comprise Class 1 materials with no flammable product/propellant present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Scott Edward Smith, Douglas Bruce Zeik
  • Publication number: 20200039730
    Abstract: An aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The valve and product delivery device have respective annular welds or other seals joining the valve and product delivery to the outer container. The welds, or other seals may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, Kerry Lloyd Weaver, Robert Earl Magness, Andrew William Franckhauser, Matthew Aaron Neumann, Douglas Bruce Zeik, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10526133
    Abstract: A method of warming food dispensable from an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol dispenser is made from materials which can go into a single recycling stream having a single class of materials, as defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and particularly may exclusively comprise Class 1 materials suitable for eating in a microwave oven. Consumer products, such as food, contained in the aerosol dispenser may be heated in a microwave oven prior to dispensing. Upon dispensing, food retains residual heat, and is suitable for eating or further cooking. Other heated products in the aerosol dispenser may be comfortably applied to the skin, used as air freshener, used for cleaning, etc. The aerosol dispenser may have indicia indicating the aerosol dispenser is suitable for microwave heating. The aerosol dispenser can have indicia indicating the aerosol dispenser is suitable for heating in a microwave oven. The indicia may be thermochromic, indicating when a desired temperature has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce Zeik, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10518961
    Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container and preform each have a neck, which in turn has a crimp ring, to receive a valve cup clinched thereto and a lower neck potion upon which the crimp ring is mounted. The lower neck portion extends between the bottom of the crimp ring and a shoulder which transitions into the sidewalls. The crimp ring preferably has a greater axial length than the lower neck portion. This geometry allows flexibility in the thickness throughout the thickness of the entire neck. The geometry advantageously minimizes distortion of the neck in the event of overpressurization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Douglas Bruce Zeik, Scott Edward Smith
  • Patent number: 10524351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a printed circuit board (PCB) including a set of stacked metallization layers separated by a set of stacked electrical-insulating layers, respectively, wherein the set of stacked metallization layers includes top metallization layer, bottom metallization layer, and intermediate metallization layer; a via electrically coupled to the top metallization layer, the intermediate metallization layer, and the bottom metallization layer, wherein the top metallization layer, a portion of the via between the top metallization layer and the intermediate metallization layer, and the intermediate metallization layer are configured to route a data signal between a signal-in and a signal-out; and an electromagnetic absorbing material configured to reduce an intensity of a reflected signal resulting from the data signal propagating downward along a stub of the via and reflecting off the bottom metallization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Yu Zhang, Douglas Bruce White