Patents by Inventor Ernie Katris

Ernie Katris 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: 20230371714
    Abstract: A modular shelving system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a length and defining a first passage, a second passage, a first channel, and a second channel that each extend the full length of their respective shelf The system also includes a plurality of bars, each bar defining a length and including a first bar opening at a first end and a second bar opening at a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of connectors, each connector including at least two male portions, each male portion sized and shaped to be received in one of the first passage, the second passage, the first bar opening, and the second bar opening to interconnect each of the plurality of shelves and each of the plurality of bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: 11771240
    Abstract: A modular shelving system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a length and defining a first passage, a second passage, a first channel, and a second channel that each extend the full length of their respective shelf. The system also includes a plurality of bars, each bar defining a length and including a first bar opening at a first end and a second bar opening at a second end opposite the first end, and a plurality of connectors, each connector including at least two male portions, each male portion sized and shaped to be received in one of the first passage, the second passage, the first bar opening, and the second bar opening to interconnect each of the plurality of shelves and each of the plurality of bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: GloFish, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Ernie Katris
  • Publication number: 20230280207
    Abstract: The use of photochromic pigment detection to determine UV output intensity of a UV illuminating source within a reptile cage. More specifically, photochromic pigment may be placed at a location within the cage so that it may selectively be exposed to a UV illuminating source and through a color change, identify the relative intensity of UV output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander CHIRBAN, Ernie KATRIS
  • Patent number: 11641848
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a container that contains a liquid. A spout includes a first leg that extends along a first axis from an inlet positioned in a bottom portion of the aquarium space to a bend, and a second leg that extends along a second axis from a flow aperture formed adjacent the bend to an outlet. The spout is arranged to direct a portion of the liquid from the inlet to the outlet. A cap is coupled to the spout and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. The cap includes a seal element positioned to form a seal between the cap and the spout, and a flow control member fixedly attached to the cap and sized to completely block the flow aperture when the cap is in the first position and to completely uncover the flow aperture when the cap is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek
  • Patent number: 11412717
    Abstract: An aquarium includes a container defining a perimeter and an aquarium space, a filter space arranged to receive a fluid, and a filter holder coupled to the container. The filter holder defines the filter space and is operable to direct the fluid from the filter space into the container. A pump operates to draw the fluid from the container and a spout is coupled to the pump to selectively receive the fluid. The spout includes a first leg that extends along a first axis and a second leg that extends along a second axis and defines an outlet, The spout is movable along the first axis between an on position in which fluid from the pump flows through the spout and is discharged through the outlet and an off position in which no fluid flows through the spout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek
  • Publication number: 20220248645
    Abstract: In general, an enclosure is disclosed that includes a basin for storing water and an insert configured to be removably disposed within the basin and provide dry and wet sections that define a habitat for one or more amphibians and/or reptiles. Preferably, the insert includes an integrated filter arrangement that can be removed together, e.g., as a single unit, from the basin when cleaning is desired. More preferably, the insert includes a plurality of openings to allow water to drain via gravity into the basin as a user “pulls” the insert from the same. Accordingly, a user may then remove the insert from the basin without necessarily removing creatures from within the insert, and more importantly, from the habitat provided by the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Brad L. MIHLBAUER, Phillip C. BARTOSZEK, Ernie KATRIS, Lawrence E. STERNAL
  • Patent number: 10813345
    Abstract: A water change system includes an elongate tube and a spout configured to be coupled to the elongate tube. The spout includes a first opening and a second opening spaced from the first opening. The spout is rotatable between a first position to permit water to enter the second opening and pass out of the first opening, and a second position to inhibit water from entering the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Phillip Bartoszek, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: 10772302
    Abstract: A collar for an animal includes an elongate piece of flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to be releasably coupled together about the neck of an animal. The collar also includes a lighting system coupled to the piece of material. The lighting system includes a power source and an optical element coupled to the power source. The optical element is at least partially embedded within the piece of material and extends along a length direction between the first and second ends. The optical element further includes an LED that is configured to illuminate a portion of the optical element when the power source is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris
  • Publication number: 20200253465
    Abstract: A bite block includes a body defining a first side wall, a second side wall, a first bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, the second side wall arranged to be positioned adjacent an interior portion of a patient's cheek. An LED is positioned within the body and positioned to emit light away from the interior portion of the patient's cheek. A battery is positioned within the body and is connected to the LED and a switch is positioned within the body and actuatable through contact with an exterior portion of the patient's cheek to selectively provide power to the LED, wherein the body defines an inseparable component that cannot be disassembled without destroying the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek, Peter Katris
  • Publication number: 20200121097
    Abstract: A modular shelving system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a length and defining a first passage, a second passage, a first channel, and a second channel that each extend the full length of their respective shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Phillip C. Bartoszek, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: 10561310
    Abstract: A bite block includes a body defining a first side wall, a second side wall, a first bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall. A window is formed as part of the first side wall, an LED is positioned within the body and positioned to emit light through the window, and a power supply is positioned within the body and is connected to the LED. A switch is positioned within the body and is actuatable through the second side wall to selectively provide power to the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: IT'S LIT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek, Peter Katris
  • Patent number: 10136620
    Abstract: A filtration system for a fish tank includes an upper housing having an inner cavity. The filtration system also includes a lower housing slidingly coupled to the upper housing to permit changes in an overall length of the filtration system. The filtration system also includes a filter cartridge disposed at least partially within the inner cavity, and a pump disposed at least partially within the inner cavity that draws water into the inner cavity and through the plurality of filter cartridges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Elive LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Ernie Katris
  • Publication number: 20180288974
    Abstract: A collar for an animal includes an elongate piece of flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to be releasably coupled together about the neck of an animal. The collar also includes a lighting system coupled to the piece of material. The lighting system includes a power source and an optical element coupled to the power source. The optical element is at least partially embedded within the piece of material and extends along a length direction between the first and second ends. The optical element further includes an LED that is configured to illuminate a portion of the optical element when the power source is turned on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: 9999201
    Abstract: A collar for an animal includes an elongate piece of flexible material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends configured to be releasably coupled together about the neck of an animal. The collar also includes a lighting system coupled to the piece of material. The lighting system includes a power source and an optical element coupled to the power source. The optical element is at least partially embedded within the piece of material and extends along a length direction between the first and second ends. The optical element further includes an LED that is configured to illuminate a portion of the optical element when the power source is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris
  • Publication number: 20180139936
    Abstract: A water change system includes an elongate tube and a spout configured to be coupled to the elongate tube. The spout includes a first opening and a second opening spaced from the first opening. The spout is rotatable between a first position to permit water to enter the second opening and pass out of the first opening, and a second position to inhibit water from entering the second opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Phillip Bartoszek, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris
  • Publication number: 20180125349
    Abstract: A bite block includes a body defining a first side wall, a second side wall, a first bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall, and a second bite surface extending between the first side wall and the second side wall. A window is formed as part of the first side wall, an LED is positioned within the body and positioned to emit light through the window, and a power supply is positioned within the body and is connected to the LED. A switch is positioned within the body and is actuatable through the second side wall to selectively provide power to the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek, Peter Katris
  • Patent number: 9839205
    Abstract: An air-powered filter for an aquarium includes a base component configured to be coupled to a surface of the aquarium, the base component including a suction cup. The air-powered filter also includes a filter component releasably coupled to the base component, the filter component including a filter housing having at least one opening. The air-powered filter also includes a decorative feature coupled to the base component, the decorative feature configured to cover and disguise at least a portion of the air-powered filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ELIVE LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Lutz, Matthew Allen, Ernie Katris, Phillip Bartoszek
  • Patent number: D945711
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: D953482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Ernie Katris
  • Patent number: D1015647
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Central Garden & Pet Company
    Inventors: Brad L. Mihlbauer, Ernie Katris