Patents by Inventor Leland J. Smith
Leland J. Smith 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: 8550716Abstract: A pouch including opposing sidewalls sealed together in a closed distal portion to form an interior that is accessible by a proximal opening. A closure profile extends along an interior surface of the opposing sidewalls for selectively sealing the proximal opening, wherein the closure profile substantially extends a length of the proximal opening. A plurality of tactile strips are disposed on an interior surface of at least one of the opposing sidewalls between the closure profile and the proximal opening, the tactile strips being variably spaced. Preferably, each tactile strip has a well-formed triangular cross-sectional shape with a height from the respective sidewall approximately double a thickness of the respective sidewall.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski, Lawrence C. Stanos
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Patent number: 8192182Abstract: A gastight interface for an evacuation device includes a flexible suction cup adapted to form a gastight seal with a surface surrounding a valve disposed on a container and extending from an evacuation end of an evacuation chamber. The flexible suction cup has an aperture disposed therethrough for fluid communication with the evacuation chamber. A plurality of support members extends from the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to restrict movement of the flexible suction cup between the surface and the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber, to allow fluid communication between an interior of the container and the evacuation chamber through the valve when the valve is in an open position, while the piston is being reciprocated between the closed end and the evacuation end. Each support member has a distal surface disposed outside of an outer perimeter of the flexible suction cup.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, Raechell Maria Thuot, Leland J. Smith
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Publication number: 20120099806Abstract: There is disclosed an improved stand-off for large vacuum compression storage bags made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or other thermoplastic material and preferably made by extrusion. The stand-off includes a base having an aperture therein for alignment with the valve of the bag. The base further includes a plurality of ribs. The stand-off may include a variety of geometries provided that it is of sufficient length and width to cover the valve area. It may extend from one side of the bag to the other side of the bag or include variations thereof in size.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Stacey M. Stanley
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Publication number: 20110311169Abstract: A pouch including opposing sidewalls sealed together in a closed distal portion to form an interior that is accessible by a proximal opening. A closure profile extends along an interior surface of the opposing sidewalls for selectively sealing the proximal opening, wherein the closure profile substantially extends a length of the proximal opening. A plurality of tactile strips are disposed on an interior surface of at least one of the opposing sidewalls between the closure profile and the proximal opening, the tactile strips being variably spaced. Preferably, each tactile strip has a well-formed triangular cross-sectional shape with a height from the respective sidewall approximately double a thickness of the respective sidewall.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski, Lawrence C. Stanos
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Patent number: 7832041Abstract: A device for applying stain treatment formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with an applicator tip for containing the formulation and dispensing the formulation to a stain, spot or mark on the garment. The device also includes a shell connected to the reservoir for housing an absorbent member dispensing mechanism. After the stain removal formulation is applied, the absorbent member is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess formulation thereby reducing the time needed for the resulting wet spot to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: November 16, 2010Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Christopher R. Sheridan, Jeanne A. O'Brien
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Patent number: 7596974Abstract: A device for applying stain formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with a valve assembly for dispensing an effective stain removal formulation directly to the stain, spot or mark. The device also includes a shell accommodating absorbent pads. After the stain removal formulation is applied, an absorbent pad is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess fluid thereby reducing the amount of time the resulting wet spot takes to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Jeanne A. O'Brien, Christopher R. Sheridan
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Patent number: 7574781Abstract: A closure assembly useable with a pouch or bag includes an elongate seal assembly and a slider. The seal assembly includes upper and lower interlocking profiles and a rib disposed between the interlocking profiles on at least one side of the seal assembly. The slider includes forward closure bars at a first end and a separator finger and lower closure bars adjacent to an opposing second end. The forward and lower closure bars occlude the upper and lower interlocking profiles. The separator finger extends between the upper interlocking profiles and presses outwardly against the rib to de-occlude the lower interlocking profiles. The lower interlocking profiles can be occluded along substantially an entire length thereof. The slider also includes a retention plate and pressing members, which operatively retain the slider on the seal assembly and may increase the opening force created by the separator finger against the rib.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski
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Publication number: 20090175747Abstract: A gastight interface for an evacuation device comprises a flexible suction cup adapted to form a gastight seal with a surface surrounding a valve disposed on a container and extending from an evacuation end of an evacuation chamber. The flexible suction cup has an aperture disposed therethrough for fluid communication with the evacuation chamber. A plurality of support members extends from the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to restrict movement of the flexible suction cup between the surface and the evacuation end of the evacuation chamber to allow fluid communication between an interior of the container and the evacuation chamber through the valve when the valve is in an open position while the piston is being reciprocated between the closed end and the evacuation end. Each support member has a distal surface disposed outside of an outer perimeter of the flexible suction cup.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, Raechell Maria Thuot, Leland J. Smith
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Patent number: 7318534Abstract: A sealable container cover includes both a flexible film and an elastic film for sealing the container cover to the wall or walls of a container. The elastic film creates an expandable opening of the container cover, which can accept containers of various sizes and shapes. Pull tabs are provided to facilitate removal of a container cover from atop a container. Also constructed in the same manner as the container covers provided herein is a container liner.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Kenneth S. Nurkiewicz
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Publication number: 20070289071Abstract: A device for applying stain formulation to a garment or article of clothing while it is being worn is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with a valve assembly for dispensing an effective stain removal formulation directly to the stain, spot or mark. The device also includes a shell accommodating absorbent pads. After the stain removal formulation is applied, an absorbent pad is pressed and/or rubbed on the stain to lift and remove the stain and to absorb or wick excess fluid thereby reducing the amount of time the resulting wet spot takes to dry. Effective stain removing formulations for on-the-go use are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Jeanne A. O'Brien, Christopher R. Sheridan
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Patent number: 7052181Abstract: A zippered bag includes two sheets sealed to each other along a plurality of edges to form opposing bag sides. The bag also includes a first fastener strip including an inner wall and an outer wall hinged to the inner wall, with the first fastener strip being attached to one of the opposing bag sides. The inner wall includes a first profile. A second fastener strip includes a second profile, the second fastener strip being attached to the other one of the opposing bag sides. The first and second profiles are adapted to interlock to close the bag, wherein the first and second profiles each include an uppermost closure element, an intermediate closure element, and a bottommost closure element. A slider straddles the first and second fastener strips such that the uppermost, intermediate, and bottommost closure elements are enclosed by the slider and the slider is movable between a closed position and an open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Rui M. Pires
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Publication number: 20040252916Abstract: A zippered bag includes two sheets sealed to each other along a plurality of edges to form opposing bag sides. The bag also includes a first fastener strip including an inner wall and an outer wall hinged to the inner wall, with the first fastener strip being attached to one of the opposing bag sides. The inner wall includes a first profile having a length extending in the direction from one edge to another edge of the bag side. A second fastener strip includes a second profile, the second fastener strip being attached to the other one of the opposing bag sides. The second profile has a length extending in the direction from one edge to another edge of the bag side and the first and second profiles are adapted to interlock to close the bag. A slider straddles the first and second fastener strips such that the slider is movable between a closed position and an open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Rui M. Pires
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Publication number: 20040251256Abstract: A sealable container cover includes both a flexible film and an elastic film for sealing the container cover to the wall or walls of a container. The elastic film creates an expandable opening of the container cover, which can accept containers of various sizes and shapes. Pull tabs are provided to facilitate removal of a container cover from atop a container. Also constructed in the same manner as the container covers provided herein is a container liner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2004Publication date: December 16, 2004Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Kenneth S. Nurkiewicz
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Patent number: 6793090Abstract: An ovate-shaped container cover includes one layer of cover material that substantially covers a container, while a second layer of cover material adapted with an elastic border for gripping the walls of a container is substantially adjacent to the walls of the container. The container cover, when placed atop a container, is capable of forming a dome. Further disclosed is an automated method for manufacturing container covers of the ovate design described above.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith
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Publication number: 20040099667Abstract: An ovate-shaped container cover includes one layer of cover material that substantially covers a container, while a second layer of cover material adapted with an elastic border for gripping the walls of a container is substantially adjacent to the walls of the container. The container cover, when placed atop a container, is capable of forming a dome. Further disclosed is an automated method for manufacturing container covers of the ovate design described above.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith
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Patent number: D551907Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey J. Zettle, Leland J. Smith, Douglas J. Carpiaux
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Patent number: D490706Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Jose Porchia
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Patent number: D422909Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage Inc.Inventors: Leland J. Smith, David L. Hunt