Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Michaels
Kenneth W. Michaels 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: 10764963Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a refill containing a volatile material and a wick, the housing including a first cavity supporting a heater arrangement and a second, separate cavity supporting a fan arrangement for dispersing a vapor plume of the volatile material. The first cavity is substantially unobstructed between an upper, interior surface of the housing and an upper surface of the heater arrangement. The housing also includes an aperture through which the vapor plume exits the housing and a plurality of openings through which air from the fan arrangement directs the vapor plume away from the aperture. When a refill is received within the hosing, the upper surface of the heater arrangement is disposed nearer the aperture than a distal end of the wick, and a radial gap is formed between the heater arrangement and the wick.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels, Stefano Baldessari, Alessio Dalser, Andrea Pedrotti
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Patent number: 10011419Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of the body of a container and a groove configured to receive a portion of a valve stem of the container. The recess includes a tapered upper end configured to fit a neck of the container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed proximate the groove, which defines lateral sidewalls and a rear sidewall and has an open forward end to receive the valve stem.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
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Publication number: 20180103507Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing configured to receive a refill containing a volatile material and a wick, the housing including a first cavity supporting a heater arrangement and a second, separate cavity supporting a fan arrangement for dispersing a vapor plume of the volatile material. The first cavity is substantially unobstructed between an upper, interior surface of the housing and an upper surface of the heater arrangement. The housing also includes an aperture through which the vapor plume exits the housing and a plurality of openings through which air from the fan arrangement directs the vapor plume away from the aperture. When a refill is received within the hosing, the upper surface of the heater arrangement is disposed nearer the aperture than a distal end of the wick, and a radial gap is formed between the heater arrangement and the wick.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels, Stefano Baldessari, Alessio Dalser, Andrea Pedrotti
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Patent number: 9833530Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for emitting a volatile material. A faceplate is attached to the housing and provides an aesthetically pleasing look to the volatile material dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: William F. Gordon, Thomas Jaworski, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels, Nathan P. Hendon, Sandrine Lebas, Grace Kim, Jonathan Rathbone, Krista Bangsund, Lea Kobeli, Sydney Minnis, In Shr Tseng
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Publication number: 20160340108Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of the body of a container and a groove configured to receive a portion of a valve stem of the container. The recess includes a tapered upper end configured to fit a neck of the container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed proximate the groove, which defines lateral sidewalls and a rear sidewall and has an open forward end to receive the valve stem.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 9474819Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
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Patent number: 9457951Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of a container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed above the recess and the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed on opposing sides of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
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Publication number: 20150028062Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of a container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed above the recess and the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed on opposing sides of the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 8887954Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The movement of the actuator arm actuates a valve stem of one of the two containers in one of the first and second positions. The actuator arm is adapted to spray fluid disposed in an interior of the two containers.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
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Patent number: 8868245Abstract: A dispensing device includes an actuating device that actuates first and second containers, respectively, and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the actuating device is inactive, in a second period the actuating device actuates the first container at a first frequency, and in a third period the actuating device actuates the second container at a second frequency. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the actuating device actuates the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
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Publication number: 20140124597Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing and a dispensing mechanism disposed within the housing for emitting a volatile material. A faceplate is attached to the housing and provides an aesthetically pleasing look to the volatile material dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: William F. Gordon, Thomas Jaworski, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels, Nathan P. Hendon, Sandrine Lebas, Grace Kim, Jonathan Rathbone, Krista Bangsund, Lea Kobeli, Sydney Minnis, In Shr Tseng
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Patent number: 8678233Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of providing a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having at least two aerosol containers disposed therein and an actuator arm. The dispensing unit activates in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor. The method also includes the step of selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Nathan R. Westphal, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, M. Scott Carpenter, Michael E. Short
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Publication number: 20140064713Abstract: A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Inventors: Andrew N. Niemiec, Kenneth W. Michaels, Gopal P. Ananth, Michael J. McGlade
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Publication number: 20140014685Abstract: A dispensing device includes an actuating device that actuates first and second containers, respectively, and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the actuating device is inactive, in a second period the actuating device actuates the first container at a first frequency, and in a third period the actuating device actuates the second container at a second frequency. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the actuating device actuates the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
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Patent number: 8565926Abstract: A dispensing device includes first and second actuators that actuate first and second containers, respectively, to dispense volatile material therefrom and a sensor for detecting an environmental condition. In a first period the first and second actuators are inactive, in a second period the first actuator actuates the first container at a first frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom, and in a third period the second actuator actuates the second container at a second frequency to dispense volatile material therefrom. If the sensor has detected the environmental condition, the first and/or second actuators actuate the first and/or second containers, respectively, during a fourth period at a third frequency.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Tai P. Luc, Kenneth W. Michaels, Megan L. Polzin, Bhavesh Shah
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Patent number: 8403183Abstract: A device for that places a fluid container in fluid communication with a sprayer is disclosed. The device includes a container adapter that allows a dip tube to be attached to the fluid container rather than the sprayer. When the sprayer is removed from the fluid container, the dip tube stays in the fluid container. Refill fluid containers may come with the container adapter and dip tube installed. When the sprayer is attached to the fluid container, the adapter seals against the sprayer allowing fluid to be pumped from the fluid container by the sprayer. A sprayer connector with geometry that matches an inner or outer shape of the adapter is attached to and/or built into the sprayer. The sprayer connector is constructed to allow easy alignment of the sprayer to the fluid container. The sprayer connector and the container adapter also provide a unique attachment geometry to insure only containers with formulae compatible to the sprayer are pumped through the sprayer.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2007Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Cathal L. Fahy, Timothy R. Bartlett, Kenneth W. Michaels, René Maurice Béland, Peter M. Neumann, David H. Leifheit, Thomas Jaworski
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Patent number: D687940Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, IncInventors: William F. Gordon, Alex Mecker, Kenneth W. Michaels
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Patent number: D831813Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Sons, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels
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Patent number: D834167Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels
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Patent number: D834168Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Brian T. Davis, Kamran Faterioun, Kenneth W. Michaels