Patents by Inventor Gerald R. Hofmann

Gerald R. Hofmann 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: 9700043
    Abstract: Compositions, preferably cleaning compositions, containing at least one component which is corrosive by nature and present at a level to render the compositions corrosive, are provided with reduced corrosivity by increasing the viscosity of the compositions. Reduction in corrosivity of the compositions is provided to a degree so that the compositions are classified as non-corrosive under EPA or OECD/GHS regulations and do not have to be stored in and dispensed from child-resistant packaging and do not require regulated hazard warning labeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin N. Boyd, Matthew Michael Petkus, Pablo M. Hernandez, Gerald R. Hofmann, Caitlin Y. O'Gara
  • Publication number: 20160288147
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for dispensing fluid can include a dispenser (10), such as a trigger engine-type dispenser, configured to draw fluid up from a container to dispense a foam-like spray. The dispenser (10) can be configured to draw fluid up from a container. A dispenser body can be configured to mount the dispenser to the container. The dispenser can include a nozzle (N) having an orifice (230), and a mesh (M) material can be placed on the nozzle (N) over the orifice (230). The mesh (M) material can be formed of a polymeric material in one example, and in another example, the mesh material can be formed of a stainless steel material. A method of assembling a dispenser configured to draw fluid up from a container is also disclosed, which can include providing a dispenser body configured to mount the dispenser to the container, securing a nozzle having an orifice to the dispenser body, and securing a mesh material to the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald R. Hofmann, Matthew T. McDonnell, Ronald H. Spang, JR., Janet M. Kujawa, Roberta A. Wick, Stacey A. Verbeten
  • Publication number: 20150264926
    Abstract: Compositions, preferably cleaning compositions, containing at least one component which is corrosive by nature and present at a level to render the compositions corrosive, are provided with reduced corrosivity by increasing the viscosity of the compositions. Reduction in corrosivity of the compositions is provided to a degree so that the compositions are classified as non-corrosive under EPA or OECD/GHS regulations and do not have to be stored in and dispensed from child-resistant packaging and do not require regulated hazard warning labeling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin N. BOYD, Matthew Michael PETKUS, Pablo M. HERNANDEZ, Gerald R. HOFMANN, Caitlin Y. O'GARA
  • Patent number: 8015970
    Abstract: A personal safety protective device that includes a lens and a support structure onto which the lens is secured. The lens includes a substrate and a hard-coat layer located on the substrate of the lens. The hard-coat layer has a low surface energy outer surface that is derived from a) an additive that includes at least one of i) a perfluoropolyether urethane that includes hydrolysable silane groups, and ii) an acrylate polymer that includes at least one perfluoropolyether moiety and at least one hydrolysable silane group, and b) a silsesquioxane-based hard-coat composition. The provision of such a lens on a personal safety protective device enables the lens to be durable to abrasion and to be easily cleaned without use of solvents that could shorten the service life of the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Zai-Ming Qiu, Gerald R. Hofmann, Andrew S. Viner, Oscar S. Benz, Suresh Iyer, Gregory D. Clark, Craig A. Burton, Mark J. Pellerite
  • Patent number: 7915211
    Abstract: A solid cleaner for heated surfaces is disclosed. The solid cleaner includes a solidifying agent including wax, and a cleaning agent. The solid cleaner is solid at room temperature and liquid at an elevated temperature. Methods of cleaning a heated surface and cleaning articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lowell C. Zeller, Duane D. Fansler, Gerald R. Hofmann, Adriana Paiva, Smarajit Mitra, Terry R. Hobbs, Naiyong Jing, Augustine C. Liu, Mitchell T. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090145458
    Abstract: A solid cleaner for heated surfaces is disclosed. The solid cleaner includes a solidifying agent including wax, and a cleaning agent. The solid cleaner is solid at room temperature and liquid at an elevated temperature. Methods of cleaning a heated surface and cleaning articles are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Lowell C. Zeller, Duane D. Fansler, Gerald R. Hofmann, Adriana Paiva, Smarajit Mitra, Terry R. Hobbs, Naiyong Jing, Augustine C. Liu, Mitchell T. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090025727
    Abstract: A personal safety protective device that includes a lens and a support structure onto which the lens is secured. The lens includes a substrate and a hard-coat layer located on the substrate of the lens. The hard-coat layer has a low surface energy outer surface that is derived from a) an additive that includes at least one of i) a perfluoropolyether urethane that includes hydrolysable silane groups, and ii) an acrylate polymer that includes at least one perfluoropolyether moiety and at least one hydrolysable silane group, and b) a silsesquioxane-based hard-coat composition. The provision of such a lens on a personal safety protective device enables the lens to be durable to abrasion and to be easily cleaned without use of solvents that could shorten the service life of the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas P. Klun, Zai-Ming Qiu, Gerald R. Hofmann, Andrew S. Viner, Oscar S. Benz, Suresh Iyer, Gregory D. Clark, Craig A. Burton, Mark J. Pellerite