Patents by Inventor Erika C. Laiche

Erika C. Laiche 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: 9245163
    Abstract: A method of tracking and reporting the velocity of a hand-held paint spray gun. The object to be painted is placed in a room having one or more fiducial walls. A camera is installed on the spray gun, with its field of view toward the one or more fiducial walls. As the object is painted, the camera detects fiducials, calculates their current position, and compares current positions to previous locations to determine movement and velocity. The current velocity is compared to a stored target velocity, and audible or visible feedback is provided to the spray gun operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Clinton J. Thwing, Jonathan D. Bartlett, Erika C. Laiche, David L. Jones
  • Patent number: 8358126
    Abstract: A method of testing for defects in the bottom of an above ground storage tank, the tank bottom having a lip extending outwardly from the tank wall around the circumference of the tank. A special magnetostrictive sensor is designed to be placed on this lip. The sensor is placed over a strip of magnetostrictive material, which generally conforms in length and width to the bottom of the probe, with a couplant being applied between the strip and the lip surface. The sensor is then operated in pulse echo mode to receive signals from defects in the bottom of the tank. It is incrementally moved around the circumference of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Glenn M Light, Alan R Puchot, Adam C Cobb, Erika C Laiche
  • Patent number: 8235619
    Abstract: A structure and system are described which include the use of a combination container for sequentially dispensing multiple fluids onto a removable applicator device. A preferred application of the invention is with the sequential dispensing of a quantity of disinfecting solution over a toothbrush, followed by the dispensing of a measured quantity of toothpaste onto the toothbrush. The device is constructed in a double walled cylindrical (circular or non-circular) configuration with a hollow plunger component coaxially positioned within the cylindrical walls. Beneath the plunger component is contained a quantity of disinfectant solution such that when the plunger is directed downward the disinfectant solution is forced upward between the walls of the double walled container and through dispensing ports directed into the interior where the applicator is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: William R. Meredith, Annette Johnson Meredith, Albert J. Parvin, Erika C. Laiche
  • Publication number: 20110216188
    Abstract: A method of tracking and reporting the velocity of a hand-held paint spray gun. The object to be painted is placed in a room having one or more fiducial walls. A camera is installed on the spray gun, with its field of view toward the one or more fiducial walls. As the object is painted, the camera detects fiducials, calculates their current position, and compares current positions to previous locations to determine movement and velocity. The current velocity is compared to a stored target velocity, and audible or visible feedback is provided to the spray gun operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Clinton J. Thwing, Jonathan D. Bartlett, Erika C. Laiche, David L. Jones
  • Publication number: 20110169486
    Abstract: A method of testing for defects in the bottom of an above ground storage tank, the tank bottom having a lip extending outwardly from the tank wall around the circumference of the tank. A special magnetostrictive sensor is designed to be placed on this lip. The sensor is placed over a strip of magnetostrictive material, which generally conforms in length and width to the bottom of the probe, with a couplant being applied between the strip and the lip surface. The sensor is then operated in pulse echo mode to receive signals from defects in the bottom of the tank. It is incrementally moved around the circumference of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Glenn M. Light, Alan R. Puchot, Adam C. Cobb, Erika C. Laiche
  • Publication number: 20110121030
    Abstract: A structure and system are described which include the use of a combination container for sequentially dispensing multiple fluids onto a removable applicator device. A preferred application of the invention is with the sequential dispensing of a quantity of disinfecting solution over a toothbrush, followed by the dispensing of a measured quantity of toothpaste onto the toothbrush. The device is constructed in a double walled cylindrical (circular or non-circular) configuration with a hollow plunger component coaxially positioned within the cylindrical walls. Beneath the plunger component is contained a quantity of disinfectant solution such that when the plunger is directed downward the disinfectant solution is forced upward between the walls of the double walled container and through dispensing ports directed into the interior where the applicator is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: WILLIAM R. MEREDITH, ANNETTE JOHNSON MEREDITH, ALBERT J. PARVIN, ERIKA C. LAICHE