Patents by Inventor James W. Wolff

James W. Wolff 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: 11930991
    Abstract: A docking station for a mobile cleaning robot can include a canister and a base configured to receive the mobile cleaning robot thereon, where the base can include a front portion and a back portion opposite the front portion. The base can include a vacuum port extending at least partially through the base. The canister can be connected to the back portion of the base and can be located at least partially above the base. The canister can include a debris bin connected to the vacuum port to receive debris therefrom and a fan compartment connected to a side wall of the debris bin and including a fan system operable to draw debris through the vacuum port and the debris bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Andrew Wolff, Brian W. Doughty, Leo Torrente, Travis Gschrey, Jack Zhang, Levi Fox, Rogelio Manfred Neumann, Celerick Stephens, James J. Mahoney, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20170297761
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Yoichiro Ishikawa, James W. Wolff, Heather L. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 9630740
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY
    Inventors: Yoichiro Ishikawa, James W. Wolff, Heather L. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 4671195
    Abstract: A looper throw out mechanism is provided for bodily moving sewing machine loopers from their normal operative position to a servicable position and back. The looper throw out mechanism includes a looper carrier pivotally arranged on the looper drive shaft, a fork like member attached to the looper carrier, a control disc disposed in operative combination with the fork like member for defining the angular displacement limits of the looper carrier, and a manually operated locking device for releasably securing the looper carrier to the looper drive shaft. When looper servicing is desired, the locking device is released by the operator permitting the looper carrier and the loopers to be pivoted to a serviceable position removed from their operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Wolff, James C. Hsiao
  • Patent number: 4587912
    Abstract: A apparatus is provided for creating and maintaining lubricant pressure and flow to various operative mechanisms disposed within the frame of the sewing machine independent of the sewing machine operation. To aid in the lubrication process, a lubricant heater is provided. The lubricant heater operates independent of the sewing machine operation and serves to warm or heat the lubricant to a preset temperature before it is communicated to the bearing surfaces of the operative mechanisms. The invention may further include a device disposed between the lubricant pump and heater for filtering the lubricant before it is delivered to the operative mechanisms of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Wolff, Sandra J. Liakus
  • Patent number: 4522136
    Abstract: The atmospheric pressure of lubricant containing cavities, from which leakage occurs, is lowered to a point below atmospheric pressure such that air from the environment is drawn thereinto. Since the air being drawn in occupies the passages through which lubricant leakage occurs, such leakage is effectively retarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Union Special Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Wolff, James W. Ruedisueli, Ralph Schinke