Patents by Inventor John MANNINEN

John MANNINEN 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).

  • Publication number: 20240090654
    Abstract: A stringer for retaining empty beverage cans is disclosed. The stringer may include a catch at a first end of the stringer. The catch may be configured to be threaded through a hole in a tab of a beverage can. The stringer may also include a stopper that is configured to prevent the beverage cans from falling off of a second end of the stringer. An elongated neck may be positioned between the catch and the stopper that is configured to hold a plurality of beverage cans. The catch, the stopper, and the elongated neck may all be manufactured from a unitary piece of material or may be a combination of different materials. This material may be aluminum to allow the stringer to remain attached to cans during the recycling process or a ferromagnetic metal so that the stringer may be extracted magnetically in the recycling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: John MANNINEN
  • Publication number: 20240068490
    Abstract: Systems and methods for removing liquids from the surface of a non-porous material are provided. In one system, a dual-chambered siphon device includes a first lower chamber having at least one inlet that allows liquid from a surface of a pool cover to enter the first lower chamber, a float positioned within the first lower chamber that is configured to change a position within the first lower chamber based on a level of liquid within the first lower chamber, a second upper chamber that is in fluid communication with the first lower chamber, and a flap valve that is actuated by the float. The flap valve may be configured to seal an outlet in the second upper chamber when the flap valve is in a closed position and unseal the outlet in the second upper chamber when the flap valve is in an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: John MANNINEN
  • Patent number: 11845407
    Abstract: A cart cleaning machine has a foundation, a dock, a movable gantry, and a bellow assembly. The foundation has a cart path spanning the length of the foundation between a first end and a second end. Two side channels are also provided. A dock is stationarily mounted to the foundation. The dock has the shape of an inverted U to allow carts to pass through. The dock has a controller, a water inlet, an electrical hookup, a chemical station, and line management devices. The movable gantry is movable with respect to the foundation. It has a drive mechanism with sprockets that interact with bands spanning between the foundation ends. The gantry has spray nozzles and blow off openings. The bellow assembly is between the dock and the gantry. Water and electric lines pass through the bellow assembly and span between the dock and movable gantry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Alliance Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David Nicholas van Zon, John Michael Wehner, Jason Daniel Krug, Kenneth John Manninen
  • Patent number: 11608225
    Abstract: A container storage device may include a rectangular rigid member that may include multiple apertures distributed throughout. The container storage device may include multiple flexible members affixed to the rectangular rigid member where a center point of the multiple flexible members is configured to align with a center point of the multiple apertures. The multiple flexible members may be configured to hold recyclable objects within the multiple apertures. The container storage device may include at least one elongated vertical support member affixed to the rectangular frame. The container storage device may include a base portion affixed to the at least one elongated vertical support, configured to maintain the at least one elongated vertical support in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: John Manninen
  • Publication number: 20230059314
    Abstract: A device may include a vertical pole, and a horizontal pole suspended at a top end of the vertical pole. The device may also include a mechanical pivot point between the vertical pole and the horizontal pole, and a handgrip suspended at a distal end of the horizontal pole. The device may also include a first chain suspended from the horizontal pole between the handgrip and the mechanical pivot point. The device may additionally include a mechanical device to removably couple the first chain to the handgrip such that when the first chain is coupled to the handgrip, a heavier user is able to use the device compared to when the first chain is not coupled to the handgrip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventor: John MANNINEN
  • Patent number: 11565189
    Abstract: A device may include a vertical pole, and a horizontal pole suspended at a top end of the vertical pole. The device may also include a mechanical pivot point between the vertical pole and the horizontal pole, and a handgrip suspended at a distal end of the horizontal pole. The device may also include a first chain suspended from the horizontal pole between the handgrip and the mechanical pivot point. The device may additionally include a mechanical device to removably couple the first chain to the handgrip such that when the first chain is coupled to the handgrip, a heavier user is able to use the device compared to when the first chain is not coupled to the handgrip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventor: John Manninen
  • Publication number: 20220351147
    Abstract: A reminder device may include a first section, a second section, an indicator, and a proximity sensor. The first section may include a weekly display that may be divided into individual days. The second section may be adjacent to the first section and may include a display portion that may be divided into a plurality of display sections. Each section of the plurality of display sections may be associated with a day of the individual days. The indicator may be associated with the first section or the second section. The indicator may be configured to provide at least a first indication of a current day of the individual days. The proximity sensor may be coupled to the reminder device and may be configured to illuminate a portion of at least one of the first section, the second section, or the indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: John MANNINEN
  • Publication number: 20210221607
    Abstract: A container storage device may include a rectangular rigid member that may include multiple apertures distributed throughout. The container storage device may include multiple flexible members affixed to the rectangular rigid member where a center point of the multiple flexible members is configured to align with a center point of the multiple apertures. The multiple flexible members may be configured to hold recyclable objects within the multiple apertures. The container storage device may include at least one elongated vertical support member affixed to the rectangular frame. The container storage device may include a base portion affixed to the at least one elongated vertical support, configured to maintain the at least one elongated vertical support in a vertical orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: John MANNINEN
  • Patent number: 8573265
    Abstract: A four part system aiding users of flexible liners in the following ways: 1) A perforated conduit on the interior of a receptacle connects to a one-way valve and mating assembly for a vacuum device which is used to suck air out to conform the liner to the receptacle. It can be used on a new receptacle designed for it, or retrofitted to most existing receptacles. 2) A tube which allows air to be removed from a filled liner by squeezing the bag or using the same vacuum device, making the liner smaller and easier to handle. 3) As a result of removing air from inside a filled liner, little or no vacuum is created when the liner is removed, making the process of separating the liner from the receptacle much easer for the user. 4) An adhesive device which is applied to the interior of a receptacle allows it to be emptied without the flexible liner falling out and yet allowing the liner to be easily removed for disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: John A Manninen