Patents by Inventor Joseph Dugan

Joseph Dugan 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: 9611967
    Abstract: A system for transferring and heating fluid is disclosed comprising a fluid transfer pipe having an internal surface and an external surface, and at least one helical heating rib connected to the internal surface of the fluid transfer pipe structured and arranged to generate non-laminar flow and to heat the fluid as it flows through the fluid transfer pipe. A method of heating fluid contained in a pipe is also disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one helical heating rib connected to an internal surface of a fluid transfer pipe, and passing the fluid through the fluid transfer pipe, whereby the at least one helical heating rib generates turbulent flow of the fluid to thereby heat the fluid. The helical heating ribs may comprise hollow channels through which a heating liquid may be passed to further heat the fluid contained in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph Dugan
  • Patent number: 9102427
    Abstract: A hinge comprises a post that forms a pivot axis for a lid. A ring portion is rotatably mounted on the post portion and comprises a hole having a recess extending from the periphery of hole where the hole receives the post. A pin on the post is dimensioned to fit into the recess when the recess rotates into alignment with the pin to lock the lid in an open position. The hinge may be used on a trash container that comprises a receptacle and a lid pivotably mounted to the receptacle at the hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hanna, Joseph Dugan Musser, Timothy M. Pierzynski, Robert John Warner, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140075317
    Abstract: System and methods for compiling and presenting digital content to a user using non-textual communication features are disclosed. A user interface may be used for web navigation, wherein the user interface displays pieces of information/content as one or more icons, such as circles, spheres, or other shapes. Such icons may have various non-textual features that can communicate to the user one or more characteristics of the information represented by the icon(s). For example, color, shade, shape, movement/animation, size, texture, and/or other depicted features of an icon may represent various characteristics, such as time period, popularity, content type, content source, or other characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: JOSEPH DUGAN, JONATHAN DOMASIG
  • Publication number: 20130186498
    Abstract: A system for transferring and heating fluid is disclosed comprising a fluid transfer pipe having an internal surface and an external surface, and at least one helical heating rib connected to the internal surface of the fluid transfer pipe structured and arranged to generate non-laminar flow and to heat the fluid as it flows through the fluid transfer pipe. A method of heating fluid contained in a pipe is also disclosed. The method comprises providing at least one helical heating rib connected to an internal surface of a fluid transfer pipe, and passing the fluid through the fluid transfer pipe, whereby the at least one helical heating rib generates turbulent flow of the fluid to thereby heat the fluid. The helical heating ribs may comprise hollow channels through which a heating liquid may be passed to further heat the fluid contained in the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventor: Joseph Dugan
  • Patent number: 8066144
    Abstract: A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim with at least one bag lock located on the rim. The bag lock has a first portion defining a cavity and a second portion movable with respect to the first portion between a first position where it is locked to the first portion and a second position where it is spaced from the first portion. The second portion locks a trash bag in the cavity when in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventors: David McNamara, Ian Westad Cunningham, Joseph Dugan Musser, Clayton Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20110214400
    Abstract: A hinge comprises a post that forms a pivot axis for a lid. A ring portion is rotatably mounted on the post portion and comprises a hole having a recess extending from the periphery of hole where the hole receives the post. A pin on the post is dimensioned to fit into the recess when the recess rotates into alignment with the pin to lock the lid in an open position. The hinge may be used on a trash container that comprises a receptacle and a lid pivotably mounted to the receptacle at the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hanna, Joseph Dugan Musser, Timothy M. Pierzynski, Robert John Warner, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090261105
    Abstract: A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim. A shroud is removably mounted on the receptacle for retaining a trash bag in the receptacle. A lid is secured to the shroud for covering at least a portion of the trash bag. The shroud has an interior opening that is substantially coextensive with an opening of the receptacle. The shroud includes a bag ring extending upwardly from the shroud for receiving the open upper edge of a bag. The lid extends over the bag ring such that the bag is hidden from view when the lid is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ian Westad Cunningham, Clayton Kirschner, David McNamara, Joseph Dugan Musser
  • Publication number: 20090173741
    Abstract: A waste can comprises a receptacle having a rim with at least one bag lock located on the rim. The bag lock has a first portion defining a cavity and a second portion movable with respect to the first portion between a first position where it is locked to the first portion and a second position where it is spaced from the first portion. The second portion locks a trash bag in the cavity when in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: RUBBERMAID INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David McNamara, Ian Westad Cunningham, Joseph Dugan Musser, Clayton Kirschner
  • Patent number: 4516354
    Abstract: A counterweight door structure includes a door having a pair of upwardly extending arms for supporting counterweights at positions in spaced relation above the top edge of the door. The door is mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis positioned closely adjacent the top edge of the door and the top edge of the door opening. The counterweight support arms are laterally spaced apart by a distance greater than the width of the building adjacent the door pivot axis to provide swinging clearance for the support arms when the door is pivoted upwardly 90.degree..
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Inventor: J. Joseph Dugan