Patents by Inventor John E. Thomas
John E. Thomas 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: 10596535Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
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Publication number: 20180169597Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: RICHARD R. CARROLL, JOHN D. MOREY, ANDREW SCHULTZ, RYAN DRAKE, JOHN E. THOMAS, TROY A. ANDERSON, JOSHUA J. LANZ
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Patent number: 9931605Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
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Publication number: 20170151539Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2016Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: RICHARD R. CARROLL, JOHN D. MOREY, ANDREW SCHULTZ, RYAN DRAKE, JOHN E. THOMAS, TROY A. ANDERSON, JOSHUA J. LANZ
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Patent number: 9640967Abstract: A headset can include a cable structure connecting non-cable components such as jacks and headphones. The cable structure can be constructed using a molding process. Different approaches can be used to ensure that a conductor bundle extending through the cable structure remains centered within the cable structure during the molding process. A movable tube can be placed in the mold such that the conductor bundle is retained within the tube. As material is injected into the mold and reaches the tube, the tube can be displaced and progressively removed from the mold. Alternatively, the movable tube can be constructed such that the tube may combine with injected material to form a shell of the cable structure. Gates from which material is provided in the mold can be positioned and controlled to facilitate the injection of material in the mold while maintaining the centered position of the conductor bundle.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Jonathan S. Aase, Cameron P. Frazier, John E. Thomas
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Patent number: 9550154Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
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Patent number: 9403131Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a solution of a solid product in a fluid. A freestanding apparatus comprises an inlet portion through which fluid enters, a reaction portion in which the fluid encounters and dissolves the product to form a solution, and an outlet portion from which the solution exits the apparatus. Fluid may encounter product from a single direction or multiple directions. The apparatus may be configured to receive a particularly shaped solid product, and may comprise a lid or gate to prevent fluid from contacting the product undesirably.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Jason D. Hedlund, John E. Thomas, Richard Ryan Carroll, Louis Holzman, Edward J. Snodgrass, Bernardo Parlange
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Patent number: 9376306Abstract: Methods of dispensing an ingredient and measuring an amount of the ingredient dispensed, e.g., at a customer's location usually as the ingredient is used by the customer, in order to improve the dispensing process by adjusting future dispense cycles, accurately dispensing the ingredient, predicting an amount of ingredient to be dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: ECOLAB INC.Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, John E. Thomas, Thomas J. Batcher, Bryan A. Maser, Michael N. Shulman
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Patent number: 9125392Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating articles suspected of being infested with bed bugs using carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Joelle Francine Olson, Kim R. Smith, John E. Thomas, Andrew M. Schultz
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Publication number: 20150150234Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating articles suspected of being infested with bed bugs using carbon dioxide.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 4, 2015Inventors: Joelle Francine Olson, Kim R. Smith, John E. Thomas, Andrew M. Schultz
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Publication number: 20150102055Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
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Patent number: 8945476Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Richard R. Carroll, John D. Morey, Andrew Schultz, Ryan Drake, John E. Thomas, Troy A. Anderson, Joshua J. Lanz
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Patent number: 8931206Abstract: The present disclosure relates to treating articles suspected of being infested with bed bugs using carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Joelle Francine Olson, Kim R. Smith, John E. Thomas, Andrew M. Schultz
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Publication number: 20140271399Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a solution of a solid product in a fluid. A freestanding apparatus comprises an inlet portion through which fluid enters, a reaction portion in which the fluid encounters and dissolves the product to form a solution, and an outlet portion from which the solution exits the apparatus. Fluid may encounter product from a single direction or multiple directions. The apparatus may be configured to receive a particularly shaped solid product, and may comprise a lid or gate to prevent fluid from contacting the product undesirably.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: ECOLAB USA INC.Inventors: Jason D. Hedlund, John E. Thomas, Richard Ryan Carroll, Louis Holzman, Edward J. Snodgrass, Bernardo Parlange
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Patent number: 8758699Abstract: An apparatus for controlling on site generation and mixing of a two or more part chemistry, such as a peroxide source and a catalyst. In particular, the invention discloses an apparatus and dispensing method for separating solid surfaces that undergo an uncontrolled, continuous reaction when contacted with water and allows for delivery of solid reactive chemistries at the same time in a standard spray from the bottom dispensing configuration while preventing continued reaction after the dosing is complete.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Ecolab USA, Inc.Inventors: Katherine M. Sanville, John E. Thomas
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Publication number: 20140110882Abstract: A headset can include a cable structure connecting non-cable components such as jacks and headphones. The cable structure can be constructed using a molding process. Different approaches can be used to ensure that a conductor bundle extending through the cable structure remains centered within the cable structure during the molding process. A movable tube can be placed in the mold such that the conductor bundle is retained within the tube. As material is injected into the mold and reaches the tube, the tube can be displaced and progressively removed from the mold. Alternatively, the movable tube can be constructed such that the tube may combine with injected material to form a shell of the cable structure. Gates from which material is provided in the mold can be positioned and controlled to facilitate the injection of material in the mold while maintaining the centered position of the conductor bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jonathan S. Aase, Cameron P. Frazier, John E. Thomas
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Patent number: 8702015Abstract: A product dispenser (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 780, 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, and 860) for attachment to a surface such as an inner surface of a dryer releasably attaches a product (31, 131, 431, 531, 713, 733, 743, 753, 763, 787, 804, 815, 825, 834, 844, 854, 862) to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Gregory G. Griese, John E. Thomas, Jamie W. Lerbs, Steven E. Lentsch, Stephan M. Hubig, Terry J. Klos, Ronald B. Howes, Jr., Eric R. Balz
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Patent number: 8701936Abstract: Dispensing systems facilitates formation and dispensation of a use solution from a solid concentrate. The dispensing system may include a cartridge attached to a spray bottle or other dispensing apparatus. The cartridge defines a reservoir configured to store a solid product concentrate. A diluent, such as water, is placed in a fluid reservoir of the dispensing apparatus. Activation of a dispensing mechanism, such as a trigger, creates a vacuum in the cartridge reservoir, opening a valve and drawing diluent from the fluid reservoir into the cartridge reservoir and onto the solid product. The flow of diluent onto the solid product causes a portion of the solid product to be dissolved, eroded, and/or otherwise mixed with the diluent to form a use solution. Actuation of the dispense mechanism may further draw the use solution from the cartridge reservoir and dispense the use solution through the nozzle.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: John E. Thomas, Gregory G. Griese
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Publication number: 20140056097Abstract: An apparatus for controlling on site generation and mixing of a two or more part chemistry, such as a peroxide source and a catalyst. In particular, the invention discloses an apparatus and dispensing method for separating solid surfaces that undergo an uncontrolled, continuous reaction when contacted with water and allows for delivery of solid reactive chemistries at the same time in a standard spray from the bottom dispensing configuration while preventing continued reaction after the dosing is complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Ecolab USA Inc.Inventors: Katherine M. Sanville, John E. Thomas
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Publication number: 20140017142Abstract: Methods of dispensing an ingredient and measuring an amount of the ingredient dispensed, e.g., at a customer's location usually as the ingredient is used by the customer, in order to improve the dispensing process by adjusting future dispense cycles, accurately dispensing the ingredient, predicting an amount of ingredient to be dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, John E. Thomas, Thomas J. Batcher, Bryan A. Maser, Michael N. Shulman