Patents by Inventor Malcolm D. Poirier

Malcolm D. Poirier 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: 6571960
    Abstract: A fluid filtering device has a housing with a mounting mechanism disposed at the forward end and on the top surface of the housing. A fluid inlet is defined through the housing top surface, and at least one fluid outlet is defined through the housing bottom surface. A valve member is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. At least one filter is disposed longitudinally within a portion of the housing rearward of the mounting mechanism. The filter is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and may be removable from the rear of the housing. An actuator extends from the forward end of the housing and is connected with the valve member through the housing. The actuator moves the valve member between a filtered and unfiltered position. In the filtered position, fluid is directed from the fluid inlet and through the rear portion of the housing containing the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce S. Williamson, Malcolm D. Poirier, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kevin P. McGrath, Paul Metaxatos
  • Patent number: 6565743
    Abstract: A portable liquid filtration system includes a container 22 having a filtering assembly 30 therein and an arrangement for indicating the number of times that the cap has been fitted to the container in order to determine the remaining useful life of the filter. The indicator includes a clutch plate 50 having downwardly extending projections that mate with a plurality of upwardly extending projections on the filtering assembly top 34. The cap includes a vent and may include an arrangement to ensure that the filter is positioned correctly therein. Preferably, the indicator releases the filtering assembly after a predetermined number of uses that approximates the life of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm D. Poirier, Paul Metaxatos, David Mathieu, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kevin P. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6457589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid dispenser. The flow of either filter or unfiltered fluid may be selected by positioning an actuator that also contains the filter. Selection is accomplished by positioning the actuator within two planes that are not coincident, or by positioning the actuator along a single axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm D. Poirier, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kevin P. McGrath, Bruce S. Williamson
  • Patent number: 6368503
    Abstract: The present invention provides a filtered fluid dispensing system. The invention may replace the sprayer provided with the faucet assembly of a conventional sink and may, in certain embodiments, be adapted to selectively dispense filtered and unfiltered fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce S. Williamson, Michael S. Brunner, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kevin P. McGrath, Malcolm D. Poirier, Paul Metaxatos, Dave Mathieu
  • Publication number: 20020005379
    Abstract: A fluid filtering device has a housing with a mounting mechanism disposed at the forward end and on the top surface of the housing. A fluid inlet is defined through the housing top surface, and at least one fluid outlet is defined through the housing bottom surface. A valve member is disposed within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. At least one filter is disposed longitudinally within a portion of the housing rearward of the mounting mechanism. The filter is in fluid communication with the fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and may be removable from the rear of the housing. An actuator extends from the forward end of the housing and is connected with the valve member through the housing. The actuator moves the valve member between a filtered and unfiltered position. In the filtered position, fluid is directed from the fluid inlet and through the rear portion of the housing containing the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Bruce S. Willamson, Malcolm D. Poirier, Jeffrey E. Fish, Kevin P. McGrath
  • Patent number: 6337015
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water filtration apparatus for mounting on the exposed exterior surfaces of a refrigerator to provide filtered water to the interior of a refrigerator cabinet. The apparatus may be mounted on the exposed or visible surfaces of the refrigerator for ease of installation, monitoring, and filter replacement. A readily replaceable filter cartridge is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventor: Malcolm D. Poirier