Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Soller

Douglas A. Soller 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: 7596974
    Abstract: A device for applying stain formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with a valve assembly for dispensing an effective stain removal formulation directly to the stain, spot or mark. The device also includes a shell accommodating absorbent pads. After the stain removal formulation is applied, an absorbent pad is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess fluid thereby reducing the amount of time the resulting wet spot takes to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Jeanne A. O'Brien, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20090241247
    Abstract: Devices for dispensing toilet treatment tablets into toilet bowls when a button is actuated are disclosed. In one version, the device includes: (i) a toilet cover; (ii) a dispenser mounted to the cover; (iii) a plurality of solid tablets stored in the dispenser so as to be dispensable therefrom, wherein at least one of the tablets includes a toilet treatment chemical; and (iv) an actuator for moving a tablet from a ready position of the dispenser to a release position. In another version, the invention provides a handheld device including a body having a cover and a hollow wall connected to the cover. The cover and the wall define an interior space in the body, and the cover includes a dispensing slot. The device also includes a removable tablet holder suitable for holding a plurality of solid tablets. A tablet retainer of the tablet holder is located within the cover when the tablet holder is installed within the body. The tablet retainer retains a tablet in a ready position for dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Matthew N. Thurin, Douglas A. Soller, Michael C. Fryan, Kevin L. Askling
  • Publication number: 20090205152
    Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed which is of the all-in-one type. It has a substrate that delivers impregnated cleaning liquid to the window being cleaned, a squeegee blade to drive used cleaning liquid off the window, and an absorbent region of the substrate to collect the used liquid. In some embodiments a single block of substrate can provide the applicator, scrubbing, and collecting functions, as well as filter and reprocess used cleaning liquid for further use. Refill structures are provided to permit insertion of the refill in varied directions, to facilitate insertion and removal of the refill, to increase the abrasive character of the refill, to minimize drooling, and to otherwise optimize cleaning properties of the refill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Jose de Jesus Castillo Higareda, Steven A. Zach, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Srikanth Pilla, Jose Porchia, Jacqueline V. Lepow, Garsen Lee Yap, Jason C. Billig, Stuart M. Leslie, Charles A. Curtiss
  • Publication number: 20090178188
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser for dispensing a composition in response to level changes in a liquid in a tank. The dispenser includes a container for holding the composition, a discharge conduit in fluid communication with the container, an air inlet in fluid communication with the container, and a level sensing member mounted to the dispenser such that a lower end of the level sensing member contacts the liquid in the tank and senses its level. In use, a rise of the liquid in the tank between a lower liquid level and a higher liquid level causes the level sensing member to alter air pressure in a headspace of the container above the composition and thereby cause a controlled discharge of the composition from the discharge conduit; and a fall of the liquid in the tank between the higher liquid level and the lower liquid level causes the level sensing member to alter pressure in the headspace and thereby causing air to be vented into the headspace from the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Daniel N. Campau, Michael C. Fryan, Steven A. Zach, Douglas A. Soller
  • Publication number: 20090057331
    Abstract: Portable wipe dispensers are provided. In one form the wipe dispenser can be used to spray a cleaning liquid onto a wipe being dispensed from the device. Alternatively the outlet may be directed against a surface external to the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Michael C. Fryan, Douglas A. Soller, Rakesh K. Popli, Frank J. Steer, Evan A. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20090056004
    Abstract: Toilet bowl treating/cleaning assemblies are provided. In one form the toilet seat lid has mounted on it a dispenser in a fashion so that pivoting of the lid assists in controlling dispensing of a solid pill containing a treating chemical. Also, structures are provided to avoid dispensing when a consumer determines that bowl treatment is not needed, and to facilitate dispensing in response to manual activation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Michael C. Fryan, Matthew N. Thurin, Kevin L. Askling
  • Publication number: 20080314928
    Abstract: A trigger operated fluid delivery system for dispensing two different fluids is disclosed. The fluid delivery system includes a first container having a first primary fluid, a fluid inlet conduit in fluid communication with the first container, and a pump for drawing the first fluid through the fluid inlet conduit and into a pump chamber. A fluid discharge conduit is located downstream of the pump chamber. The fluid discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the pump chamber and a discharge orifice. The pump discharges the first fluid from the pump chamber into the fluid discharge conduit. The fluid delivery system also includes a second container having a second fluid, and means for delivering the second fluid into the fluid discharge conduit. The second fluid mixes with the first fluid when the first fluid is discharged into the fluid discharge conduit such that a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid is discharged through the discharge orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Michael C. Fryan, Steven A. Zach
  • Publication number: 20080276359
    Abstract: A drain clog remover includes a container adapted to hold a drain cleaning composition and a shaft defining a delivery passage fluidly communicating with the container. In certain embodiments, the shaft includes projections for mechanically engaging and removing clog-forming material from the drain pipe. In other embodiments, the shaft is slidably coupled to the container for moving between a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Terra J. Morgan, Douglas A. Soller, Anthony R. Kevek, Brad P. Baranowski, Christopher R. Sheridan, John C. Taylor, Marc B. Frosch, Evan A. Sparks
  • Publication number: 20080267689
    Abstract: Disclosed are liquid applicators for dispensing liquid to a surface such as a bathroom wall, and working the liquid against the surface. The applicators may have a compressible reservoir for the cleaning liquid. Upon compressing the reservoir the liquid is driven to a scrubbing pad in a controlled fashion. A check valve prevents back flow to the reservoir from the pad. A blister pack can house the scrubbing pad even when the pad is attached to the reservoir. In another form the applicator can be tipped and rested on its side between uses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Michael J. Banco, Lawrence J. Fenske, Min-Ki Bang
  • Publication number: 20080041425
    Abstract: A device for applying stain treatment formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with an applicator tip for containing the formulation and dispensing the formulation to a stain, spot or mark on the garment. The device also includes a shell connected to the reservoir for housing an absorbent member dispensing mechanism. After the stain removal formulation is applied, the absorbent member is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess formulation thereby reducing the time needed for the resulting wet spot to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Leland Smith, Michael Banco, Douglas Soller, Roberta Wick, Christopher Sheridan, Jeanne O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20070289071
    Abstract: A device for applying stain formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with a valve assembly for dispensing an effective stain removal formulation directly to the stain, spot or mark. The device also includes a shell accommodating absorbent pads. After the stain removal formulation is applied, an absorbent pad is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess fluid thereby reducing the amount of time the resulting wet spot takes to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Jeanne A. O'Brien, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 7264414
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a cradle (2) including generally upright sidewalls (4, 6), a handle (40) having a top and a bottom, and a plurality of sheets (30) releasably attached to the bottom of the handle (40), such that the plurality of sheets (30) faces the cradle (2). The cradle (2) can house a reservoir (14) containing a liquid product. The handle (40) is positioned by the upright sidewalls (4, 6) of the cradle (2) and is supported by the cradle (2). The liquid product can be dispensed from the reservoir (14) onto the surface of the outermost sheet (50) of the plurality of sheets (30). That sheet (50) then can be used to apply the liquid product to a surface, and can be removed and discarded after use, revealing a fresh sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent B. McReynolds, Michael C. Fryan, Douglas A. Soller
  • Publication number: 20070015096
    Abstract: A melting plate candle assembly includes a melting plate with a locating protrusion, which engages a fuel element in a predefined orientation when in a preferred operative position. In one operative position, the bottom surface of the fuel element is disposed on the melting plate, and a capillary space is formed between a capillary pedestal on the melting plate and a capillary recess in the bottom surface of the fuel element. The locating protrusion provides positive indication that the fuel element is properly disposed in the operative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Douglas Soller, Nathan Westphal
  • Patent number: D553405
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Terrance M. Parve, Cathal L. Fahy, Peter M. Neumann
  • Patent number: D581618
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Allen D. Miller, Peter M. Neumann, Kenneth H. Kloet, Jason C. Billig, Charles L. Lasky
  • Patent number: D584867
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Zach, Douglas A. Soller, Jose de Jesus Castillo Higareda
  • Patent number: D584868
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose de Jesus Castillo Higareda, Douglas A. Soller, Steven A. Zach
  • Patent number: D584869
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose de Jesus Castillo Higareda, Douglas A. Soller, Steven A. Zach
  • Patent number: D585612
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, Allen D. Miller, Charles L. Lasky
  • Patent number: D590115
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven A. Zach, Jose de Jesus Castillo Higareda, Loretta G. Lynch, Jacqueline V. Lepow, Douglas A. Soller