Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Minkler

Douglas J. Minkler 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: 20210002055
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Patent number: 10737867
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ZUME, INC.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Patent number: 10654640
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic. The base and/or the cover may include one or more detachable portions that may be selectively separable from the remaining portion of the base and/or cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Zume, Inc.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Publication number: 20190009968
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic. The base and/or the cover may include one or more detachable portions that may be selectively separable from the remaining portion of the base and/or cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Publication number: 20180215523
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Publication number: 20180105344
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Publication number: 20170275077
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing compostable food containers which preserve the quality of a food product for an extended duration of time, and which optionally allow for cooking of the food product therein. In some implementations, the food containers are sturdy, stackable, insulating, and require minimal or no manual labor to assemble. In some implementations, the food container includes a base and a cover which cooperate to form a closed chamber for supporting, protecting, insulating and optionally cooking a food product, such as a pizza. The base and cover may each be formed of a single layer of material including, but not limited to, molded sugarcane fiber (“bagasse”), molded wood fiber, molded bamboo fiber, molded paper or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden, Chester Wajda
  • Patent number: 9021649
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: 8387793
    Abstract: Bags for granular material with a closure on top of the bag and a vertical handle on the lower end of the bag and having suitable dimensions, static coefficient of friction, creep resistance and containing granular materials of limited flow properties can be vertically stacked without support, for example on a pallet. One such suitable granular material is cat litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Minkler
  • Publication number: 20130014337
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: 8286295
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Publication number: 20120187014
    Abstract: Bags for granular material with a closure on top of the bag and a vertical handle on the lower end of the bag and having suitable dimensions, static coefficient of friction, creep resistance and containing granular materials of limited flow properties can be vertically stacked without support, for example on a pallet. One such suitable granular material is cat litter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Douglas J. Minkler
  • Patent number: 7971720
    Abstract: Bags for granular material with a closure on top of the bag and a vertical handle on the lower end of the bag and having suitable dimensions, static coefficient of friction, creep resistance and containing granular materials of limited flow properties can be vertically stacked without support, for example on a pallet. One such suitable granular material is cat litter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Minkler
  • Publication number: 20100329590
    Abstract: Bags for granular material with a closure on top of the bag and a vertical handle on the lower end of the bag and having suitable dimensions, static coefficient of friction, creep resistance and containing granular materials of limited flow properties can be vertically stacked without support, for example on a pallet. One such suitable granular material is cat litter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Douglas J. Minkler
  • Publication number: 20100223743
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas J. Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: 7603739
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Douglas J Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: D866249
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zume, Inc.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden
  • Patent number: D893247
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Zume, Inc.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden
  • Patent number: D900558
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ZUME, INC.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden
  • Patent number: D962059
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Zume, Inc.
    Inventors: Casper W. Chiang, Douglas J. Minkler, Julia Collins, Alexander John Garden