Patents by Inventor Gary L. Smith
Gary L. Smith 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).
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Patent number: 7062816Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleanedType: GrantFiled: August 9, 2002Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Allen W. Scott, Phong Hoang Tran, David E. McDowell, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6847011Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer comprising a housing which defines an upper housing wall. It also comprises a liquid tank assembly that has an upper tank surface defining at least one vapor aperture therethrough. The tank assembly is disposed within the housing in a manner as to form an inside compartment between the upper housing wall and the upper tank surface. The warmer further comprises a heating element which is disposed within the housing to provide heat to the tank assembly. In this regard, a portion of liquid within the tank assembly transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element and flow to the inside compartment through the vapor aperture(s). By providing the vapors, the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported therein can be maintained while warming them.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6830626Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a substrate with a deposition material in a vacuum wherein a material source having a substantially longitudinal deposition emission component is used to create a substantially longitudinal material deposition emission plume which coats the surface of the substrate without increasing the throw distance between the substrate and the material source.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Kurt J. Lesker CompanyInventor: Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20040084438Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer comprising a housing which defines an upper housing wall. It also comprises a liquid tank assembly that has an upper tank surface defining at least one vapor aperture therethrough. The tank assembly is disposed within the housing in a manner as to form an inside compartment between the upper housing wall and the upper tank surface. The warmer further comprises a heating element which is disposed within the housing to provide heat to the tank assembly. In this regard, a portion of liquid within the tank assembly transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element and flow to the inside compartment through the vapor aperture(s). By providing the vapors, the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported therein can be maintained while warming them.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6689236Abstract: A binder matrix suitable for use in a gas generant composition, a gas generant composition including the binder matrix, and a related method of igniting such a gas generant composition are provided. The binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material and dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer and has a softening temperature above at least about 125° C. A gas generant composition including the binder matrix includes a non-energetic binder material such as cellulose acetate, dimethyl malonate non-energetic plasticizer, a fuel such as a nitramine fuel such as RDX, HMX or a combination thereof, and a stabilizer such as N-methyl-p-nitroaniline.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Taylor, Gregory B. Hess, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6674048Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer for warming baby wipes while maintaining moisture and coloration thereof. Such warmer comprises a base member for supporting the warmer on a surface. A body member is engaged onto the base member and has an interior-side housing wall and an upper housing wall which collectively form an inside compartment. The warmer further includes a sponge layer which is disposed within the inside compartment and retains liquid therein. A heating element is disposed about the inside compartment for providing heat thereto. The liquid retained within the sponge layer transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element for maintaining the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported upon the sponge layer.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20030205568Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer comprising a housing which defines an upper housing wall. It also comprises a liquid tank assembly that has an upper tank surface defining at least one vapor aperture therethrough. The tank assembly is disposed within the housing in a manner as to form an inside compartment between the upper housing wall and the upper tank surface. The warmer further comprises a heating element which is disposed within the housing to provide heat to the tank assembly. In this regard, a portion of liquid within the tank assembly transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element and flow to the inside compartment through the vapor aperture(s). By providing the vapors, the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported therein can be maintained while warming them.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20030205567Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer for warming baby wipes while maintaining moisture and coloration thereof. Such warmer comprises a base member for supporting the warmer on a surface. A body member is engaged onto the base member and has an interior-side housing wall and an upper housing wall which collectively form an inside compartment. The warmer further includes a sponge layer which is disposed within the inside compartment and retains liquid therein. A heating element is disposed about the inside compartment for providing heat thereto. The liquid retained within the sponge layer transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element for maintaining the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported upon the sponge layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6639185Abstract: There is provided a baby wipes warmer comprising a housing which defines an upper housing wall. It also comprises a liquid tank assembly that has an upper tank surface defining at least one vapor aperture therethrough. The tank assembly is disposed within the housing in a manner as to form an inside compartment between the upper housing wall and the upper tank surface. The warmer further comprises a heating element which is disposed within the housing to provide heat to the tank assembly. In this regard, a portion of liquid within the tank assembly transitions into vapors when heated by the heating element and flow to the inside compartment through the vapor aperture(s). By providing the vapors, the moisture and coloration of the baby wipes supported therein can be maintained while warming them.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Prince Lionheart, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. McConnell, Francois Hacquard, Michael E. Henley, Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20030159411Abstract: The invention relates to dirt separator module comprising a dirt-separation housing having an inlet and an outlet opening and defining a cyclonic airflow separator, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt-separation housing. A separator plate and a cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing form a toroidal cyclonic airflow chamber in the dirt-separator for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall of the dirt-separation housing, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes dual cyclonic separators fluidly connected through a filter assembly. A further embodiment includes a cyclonic separator in the form of a tangential helical ramp.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2003Publication date: August 28, 2003Applicant: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Samuel N. Hansen, Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
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Publication number: 20030145922Abstract: An igniter composition such as for a gas generant material used in pressure activated restraint system devices such as micro-gas generator applications such as seat belt pretensioners is provided. The igniter composition includes a fuel component containing at least about 3 composition weight percent and less than 15 composition weight percent of boron and an oxidizer component, wherein the fuel component and the oxidizer component are present in stoichiometrically balanced amounts. Associated methods of gas generation are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Robert D. Taylor, Michael W. Barnes, Gary L. Smith
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Patent number: 6502513Abstract: A gas generant material body in the form of a tablet having a triangular cross section and associated methods of gas generation are provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Barnes, Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20020174507Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus comprises a fluid dispensing system including at least one fluid supply tank, a dispensing nozzle connected to the fluid supply tank through a fluid supply conduit for applying a cleaning fluid to a surface to be cleaned, a fluid recovery tank for holding recovered fluid, a suction nozzle, a working air conduit extending between the recovery tank and the suction nozzle, a vacuum source in fluid communication with the recovery tank for generating a flow of working air from the suction nozzle through the working air conduit and to the recovery tank to thereby recover fluid from the surface to be cleaned through the suction nozzle and working air conduit and into the recovery tank, and a power drive mechanism for selectively propelling the portable cleaning apparatus over the surface to be cleanedType: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Allen W. Scott, Phong Hoang Tran, David E. McDowell, Gary L. Smith
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Publication number: 20020115341Abstract: An order filling system used in an inventory storage area having a controlling computer and a network of user interface devices which each have a microprocessor, memory and the ability to independently process information. The controlling computer coordinates communications with the user interface devices through poll broadcasts. The controlling computer transmits order information to the user interface devices which display the order information to assist workers in picking inventory order items. When the workers pick the specified quantity of an order items they press confirmation buttons on the user interface devices which transmit confirmation signals to the controlling computer. If special processing is required, the user interface device is capable of performing various tasks which reduces the processing requirements of the controlling computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Inventors: Mark L. Hein, Petraas H. Bhatena, David M. Chervin, Julius M. Davault, Jeanne Marie Johnson, Hazem N. An Nashif, Parixit Manibhai Patel, Richard Michael Propp, Christine Roa, Robert Bruce Sanderson, Gary L. Smith, Hoa Tram, Sunil Chowdary Vemulapalli, Steve Li An Yuan
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Publication number: 20020011050Abstract: The invention relates to cyclonic dirt separator comprising a dirt-collection assembly including a dirt tank having an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture, a cyclonic separator, at least one filter element, and a suction source fluidly connected with the dirt collection assembly. In one embodiment, the cyclonic dirt separator includes a separator plate cooperating with the housing to form a toroidal region of the dirt tank for aiding in the separation of dirt from a suction airstream developed by the suction source. The separator plate has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the dirt tank, creating a gap between the outer edge of the separator plate and the inner wall of the dirt tank. A further embodiment includes dual cyclonic separators fluidly connected through a filter assembly. A further embodiment includes a cyclonic separator in the form of a tangential helical ramp.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: January 31, 2002Inventors: Samuel N. Hansen, Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger, David E. McDowell, Brandon L. Mouw
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Patent number: 6286180Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Gary Kasper, Eric C. Huffman, Gary L. Smith, Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed
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Patent number: 6279196Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2001Date of Patent: August 28, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
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Publication number: 20010002500Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2001Publication date: June 7, 2001Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
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Patent number: 6192549Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. A clean water holding tank and a detergent holding tank are removably mounted to the handle while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the base. A mixing valve is fluidly connected between the holding tanks and the spray nozzle for changing the mixing ratio of the detergent with respect to the water. The fluid recovery tank includes an integrally molded conduit that extends from the suction nozzle and a mounting for an accessory hose that interrupts the fluid path from the suction nozzle in the conduit and redirects fluid flow through the hose.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 27, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Charles A. Reed, Jr., Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger
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Patent number: 6167586Abstract: A portable surface cleaning apparatus has a base for movement along a surface to be cleaned and an upright handle pivotally attached to a rearward portion of the base. A fluid dispensing nozzle for applying fluid to the surface and a suction nozzle for picking up fluid and debris from the surface are associated with the base. Supply tanks are removably mounted to the handle or base while a recovery tank is removably mounted to the handle or base. An outlet in each supply tank includes a valve to close the outlet when the supply tank is removed from the base. A protrusion in a bottom surface of the supply tank defines a measuring volume for concentrated cleaning solution and is further adapted to stabilize the supply tank in the base or handle. The supply tank also includes an aperture through a lower portion selectively closed by a drain plug. A conduit connecting each supply tank to a dispensing nozzle includes a check valve restricting fluid flow to a direction from the tank and to the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Bissell Homecare, Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Reed, Jr., Timothy E. Kasen, Luke E. Kelly, Gary L. Smith, Eric R. Metzger