Patents by Inventor J. Evan Spirk

J. Evan Spirk 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: 9314108
    Abstract: A plunger matrix mattress includes a number of independently movable foam padded plungers that form an array of independently movable points of support. This type of mattress significantly improves body contouring over conventional coil spring mattress designs. The plunger matrix mattress also allows substantial airflow through the mattress improving over conventional foam mattress designs. Different plungers may have different spring and dampening characteristics to allow different plungers and plunger zones of the mattress to exhibit different firmness levels. Individual plungers may be removed and replaced independently, for example to replace the plunger with another plunger with a different spring characteristic, and make other types of adjustments and repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Rahul Kirtikar, J. Evan Spirk, Gary R. Stephan, Craig Saunders
  • Patent number: 9314109
    Abstract: A modular mattress includes several plunger matrix sections that each have a respective plunger matrix support platform. The several sections are configured for side-to-side assembly to form the complete matrix for the mattress. A foldable edge frame snugly receives and houses the plunger matrix sections in side-to-side relation. The edge frame also defines a flange on an internal surface of the edge frame that supports plunger matrix sections in side-to-side relation in a position allowing the plungers to move up and down within an internal space defined by the edge frame. A top pad lays on top of the edge frame and the plunger, while a cover configured encapsulates the edge frame, the plunger matrix, and the top pad into a self-contained mattress unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, William E. Rabbitt
  • Patent number: 9226591
    Abstract: A plunger for a matrix mattress includes a pin guide having a flange and a guide body extending from the flange. A pin slidably received within the pin guide includes a flange located above the flange of the pin guide and a shaft extending from the flange through the guide body. The flange of the pin carries a deformable head. A tension spring has a first end fixed to the guide body and a second end located below the guide body positioned to receive a bottom end of the pin shaft. The spring is configured to resiliently stretch with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide. A dampening device captured around the shaft of the pin between the flange of the pin and the flange of the pin guide resiliently deforms with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Rahul Kirtikar, Craig Saunders, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Gary R. Stephan, William E. Rabbitt
  • Patent number: 8904578
    Abstract: Mattress foundations for supporting a mattress generally includes multiple support units that can be abutting arranged to for the mattress foundation. In one embodiment, the mattress foundation includes at least two support units in an abutting relationship that form a rectangular shape at each end of the mattress foundation and provide a planar support surface having length and width dimensions effective to support a mattress disposed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, Michael DeFranks, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Alex Velet, Stephen Hughett, Gary R. Stephan, William E. Rabbitt
  • Patent number: 8813279
    Abstract: Mattress and foundation assemblies generally include a mattress; and a mattress foundation for supporting the mattress, the mattress foundation including a frame configured to elevate the mattress relative to ground; and upper and lower flexible mesh suspension layers spaced apart from one another, each independently supported by a plurality of carriers at discrete points about the surface of the suspension layers, wherein the carriers are pivotably coupled to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Dreamwell, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Alex Velet, Steve Hughett
  • Publication number: 20140137333
    Abstract: A plunger matrix mattress includes a number of independently movable foam padded plungers that form an array of independently movable points of support. This type of mattress significantly improves body contouring over conventional coil spring mattress designs. The plunger matrix mattress also allows substantial airflow through the mattress improving over conventional foam mattress designs. Different plungers may have different spring and dampening characteristics to allow different plungers and plunger zones of the mattress to exhibit different firmness levels. Individual plungers may be removed and replaced independently, for example to replace the plunger with another plunger with a different spring characteristic, and make other types of adjustments and repairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Rahul Kirtikar, J. Evan Spirk, Gary R. Stephan, Craig Saunders
  • Publication number: 20140137334
    Abstract: A modular mattress includes several plunger matrix sections that each have a respective plunger matrix support platform. The several sections are configured for side-to-side assembly to form the complete matrix for the mattress. A foldable edge frame snugly receives and houses the plunger matrix sections in side-to-side relation. The edge frame also defines a flange on an internal surface of the edge frame that supports plunger matrix sections in side-to-side relation in a position allowing the plungers to move up and down within an internal space defined by the edge frame. A top pad lays on top of the edge frame and the plunger, while a cover configured encapsulates the edge frame, the plunger matrix, and the top pad into a self-contained mattress unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Craig Saunders, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, William E. Rabbitt
  • Publication number: 20140137337
    Abstract: A plunger for a matrix mattress includes a pin guide having a flange and a guide body extending from the flange. A pin slidably received within the pin guide includes a flange located above the flange of the pin guide and a shaft extending from the flange through the guide body. The flange of the pin carries a deformable head. A tension spring has a first end fixed to the guide body and a second end located below the guide body positioned to receive a bottom end of the pin shaft. The spring is configured to resiliently stretch with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide. A dampening device captured around the shaft of the pin between the flange of the pin and the flange of the pin guide resiliently deforms with downward motion of the pin with respect to the pin guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: DREAMWELL, LTD.
    Inventors: Michael S. DeFranks, Rahul Kirtikar, Craig Saunders, J. Evan Spirk, Lindsey Tufts, Gary R. Stephan, William E. Rabbitt
  • Publication number: 20110101004
    Abstract: A polymeric cereal container includes a first wall, a cereal chamber at least partially formed by the first wall, and a container opening at least partially defined by the first wall. A first quantity of dry cereal can be received within the cereal chamber, and a second quantity of dry cereal can be provided separately. A method can include providing and filling a polymeric cereal container with a quantity of dry cereal. A system can operate to fill a polymeric cereal container with a quantity of dry cereal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: J. Evan Spirk, Craig M. Saunders, Patrick Brown, John Spirk, John R. Nottingham, Wilson Pan
  • Publication number: 20090050673
    Abstract: The present application discloses a fixture-free, hands-free soldering apparatus having a base support assembly and a solder assembly. The base support assembly has a base member supporting a power supply and an electronic temperature, time and speed control system, and an actuator for remotely actuating the solder assembly without the use of the operator's hands or fixtures. The solder assembly is supported on the base member by vertically movable support arms. A main body supports a spool of solder, a solder feed mechanism operated by the actuator and a solder mechanism having adjustable operating temperature, speed and position. The main body and adjustable solder mechanism of the solder assembly adjust the angle and position of the solder being fed by the solder feed mechanism and an adjustable solder head supporting a concave solder tip. In addition to vertical movement, the main body is rotatable by about 60 degrees with respect to a central horizontal plane along the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Peter Althoff, E. Scott Emerson, Jeffrey M. Kalman, John R. Nottingham, Renard J. Passerell, Clifford M. Prosek, William Eugene Rabbitt, J. Evan Spirk, John W. Spirk