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).

  • Patent number: 8550716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski, Lawrence C. Stanos
  • Patent number: 8192182
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, Raechell Maria Thuot, Leland J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120099806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Stacey M. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20110311169
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski, Lawrence C. Stanos
  • Patent number: 7832041
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 7596974
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 7574781
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith, James C. Pawloski
  • Publication number: 20090175747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: William E. LeBoeuf, Raechell Maria Thuot, Leland J. Smith
  • Patent number: 7318534
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Kenneth S. Nurkiewicz
  • Publication number: 20070289071
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Michael J. Banco, Douglas A. Soller, Roberta A. Wick, Jeanne A. O'Brien, Christopher R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 7052181
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Rui M. Pires
  • Publication number: 20040252916
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Rui M. Pires
  • Publication number: 20040251256
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Inventors: Robert R. Turvey, Leland J. Smith, Kenneth S. Nurkiewicz
  • Patent number: 6793090
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith
  • Publication number: 20040099667
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Bryan L. Ackerman, Leland J. Smith
  • Patent number: D551907
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Zettle, Leland J. Smith, Douglas J. Carpiaux
  • Patent number: D490706
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson Home Storage, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, Jose Porchia
  • Patent number: D422909
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Home Storage Inc.
    Inventors: Leland J. Smith, David L. Hunt