Patents by Inventor Kevin Hafer

Kevin Hafer 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: 7267581
    Abstract: A plug stabilizing apparatus includes a prong connector well-secured by a receptacle chamber. The connect has a prong portion, a clip portion, and a neck support situated therebetween, wherein the clip portion is configured to accept a prong having substantially the same dimensions as the prong portion of the connector (e.g., prongs such as those used in connection with standard household plugs), and the clip portion includes one or more distal protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. Support pads are located between said neck support and/or distal protrusions and a back housing surface of a vaporizer device. The receptacle chamber has a first end configured to contact the neck support, a second end including an elongated opening and at least two clip supports configured to accept the distal protrusions, and a guide structure configured to guide the distal protrusions into the clip supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Christopher J Wolpert, Kevin Hafer
  • Publication number: 20070065125
    Abstract: The invention provides means within an improved vapor dispensing device to accommodate or compensate for multiple orientations of an outlet into which the device is to be inserted. Orientation compensation is accomplished by inverted and/or rotatable electrical adapters, universal contacts on a base member, enlarged passive dispersion channels, enlarged emanators, multiple emanators, baffles cooperating with an emanator, and/or sleeves encasing multiple wicks to allow for operation of the device in multiple orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: March 22, 2007
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Jeffrey Bankers, Kevin Hafer, Paul Pappalardo, Geoffrey Faires
  • Publication number: 20070058956
    Abstract: Vapor-emitting devices according to various embodiments of the invention include active end of use indicators to warn users that it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device. Some embodiments of the vapor-emitting devices include intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator, while other embodiments include non-intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator. The indicators may be visual and/or auditory cues for notifying users it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Perry Kaiser, Kevin Hafer
  • Publication number: 20070058955
    Abstract: Vapor-emitting devices according to various embodiments of the invention include active end of use indicators to warn users that it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device. Some embodiments of the vapor-emitting devices include intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator, while other embodiments include non-intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator. The indicators may be visual and/or auditory cues for notifying users it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, PhD, Perry Kaiser, Kevin Hafer
  • Publication number: 20070051825
    Abstract: A vapor dispensing device for dispensing vapor into an environment is provided self-regulates vapor pressure of a reservoir with an evaporation chamber and allows lower volatile ingredients to return to the reservoir. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a vent is in communication between an emitter pad in the evaporation chamber of the dispensing device and the reservoir. This vent allows lower volatility ingredients to flow back into the sealed reservoir extending the useful life of the vapor dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 7164849
    Abstract: Vapor-emitting devices according to various embodiments of the invention include active end of use indicators to warn users that it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device. Some embodiments of the vapor-emitting devices include intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator, while other embodiments include non-intrusive actuation of the end of use indicator. The indicators may be visual and/or auditory cues for notifying users it is nearing the time and/or time to replace the vapor-emitting device or a refill for the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Bankers, Perry Kaiser, Kevin Hafer
  • Publication number: 20060291826
    Abstract: A heating device for the vaporization of active substances, such as air freshener fragrances, disinfectants, sanitizing agents, insecticides and the like, in which a wick is immersed in a fluid active substance and heat is applied to produce vaporization. The heating is produced by one or more electrical resistance elements embedded in a circular heating ring which is hinged to move over the end of the wick and encircle it. The internal wires which carry electrical current from a source of electrical power are led through the hinged area for connection to the electrical resistance elements, and a feature of the invention is the protection of such wires as they pass through the hinged area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Publication date: December 28, 2006
    Inventors: Kevin Hafer, Rick Althouse
  • Patent number: 7151891
    Abstract: The invention provides means within an improved vapor dispensing device to accommodate or compensate for multiple orientations of an outlet into which the device is to be inserted. Orientation compensation is accomplished by inverted and/or rotatable electrical adapters, universal contacts on a base member, enlarged passive dispersion channels, enlarged emanators, multiple emanators, baffles cooperating with an emanator, and/or sleeves encasing multiple wicks to allow for operation of the device in multiple orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Jeffrey Bankers, Kevin Hafer, Paul Pappalardo, Geoffrey Faires
  • Publication number: 20060160426
    Abstract: A plug stabilizing apparatus includes a prong connector well-secured by a receptacle chamber. The connect has a prong portion, a clip portion, and a neck support situated therebetween, wherein the clip portion is configured to accept a prong having substantially the same dimensions as the prong portion of the connector (e.g., prongs such as those used in connection with standard household plugs), and the clip portion includes one or more distal protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. Support pads are located between said neck support and/or distal protrusions and a back housing surface of a vaporizer device. The receptacle chamber has a first end configured to contact the neck support, a second end including an elongated opening and at least two clip supports configured to accept the distal protrusions, and a guide structure configured to guide the distal protrusions into the clip supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Applicant: THE DIAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Christopher Wolpert, Kevin Hafer
  • Patent number: 6962509
    Abstract: A plug stabilizing apparatus includes a prong connector well-secured by a receptacle chamber. The connect has a prong portion, a clip portion, and a neck support situated therebetween, wherein the clip portion is configured to accept a prong having substantially the same dimensions as the prong portion of the connector (e.g., prongs such as those used in connection with standard household plugs), and the clip portion includes one or more distal protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The receptacle chamber has a first end configured to contact the neck support, a second end including an elongated opening and at least two clip supports configured to accept the distal protrusions, and a guide structure configured to guide the distal protrusions into the clip supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Dial Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Christopher J. Wolpert, Kevin Hafer
  • Publication number: 20050232260
    Abstract: A computerized switching system for coupling a workstation to a remotely located computer. A signal conditioning unit receives keyboard and mouse signals generated by a workstation and generates a data packet which is transmitted to a central crosspoint switch. The packet is routed through a crosspoint switch to another signal conditioning unit located at a remotely located computer. The second signal conditioning unit applies the keyboard and mouse commands to the keyboard and mouse connectors of the computer as if the keyboard and mouse were directly coupled to the remote computer. Video signals produced by the remote computer are transmitted through the crosspoint switch to the workstation. Horizontal and vertical sync signals are encoded on to the video signals to reduce the number of cables that extend between the workstation and the remote computer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Publication date: October 20, 2005
    Applicant: AVOCENT REDMOND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Danny Beasley, Robert Seifert, Paul Lacrampe, James Huffington, Thomas Greene, Kevin Hafer