Patents by Inventor Mark E. Hartelius

Mark E. Hartelius 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).

  • Publication number: 20180339897
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher P. DOOLEY, Loren T. TAYLOR, Mark E. HARTELIUS
  • Patent number: 10138114
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, dispenser, and tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable or slidable carriage. The carriage includes at least one compartment horizontally disposed above an optional funnel. The carriage is rotatable about a central axis or translatable parallel to and below the hopper. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignees: Product Spring, LLC, Taylored Concepts, LLC, Hartdesign! Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher P. Dooley, Loren T. Taylor, Mark E. Hartelius
  • Publication number: 20140364024
    Abstract: An amusement device is formed by an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Mark E. HARTELIUS
  • Patent number: 8584901
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, a dispenser, and a tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable carriage contacting a support element with an opening. The carriage includes a plurality of compartments horizontally disposed above an optional funnel and rotatable about a central axis. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper through the opening into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Product Spring, LLC, Taylored Concepts, LLC, Hartdesign! Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Dooley, Loren Taylor, Mark E. Hartelius
  • Publication number: 20130032611
    Abstract: A powder dispensing apparatus for dispensing a powder either with or without a liquid is presented. The apparatus includes a base, a dispenser, and a tower. The base is adapted for receiving a container. The dispenser includes a rotatable carriage contacting a support element with an opening. The carriage includes a plurality of compartments horizontally disposed above an optional funnel and rotatable about a central axis. A hopper is disposed above the carriage and communicates with less than all compartments. Each compartment is capable of separately dispensing a powder from the hopper through the opening into the funnel and thereafter into the container resting on the base. The tower is disposed between and attached at opposing ends to the base and the dispenser. The apparatus is useful, for example, in preparing baby formula and other food for infants, as well as in preparing food and drink for children and adults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher Dooley, Loren Taylor, Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 7663977
    Abstract: A timer assembly mounted removably on a personal soap dispenser of a type having a pump operated by a soap dispensing plunger with a handle and spout. The timer assembly has a housing capsule with a timer for measuring a preselected time interval; LEDs and a music generating chip for signaling the time interval to the user, and a pressure switch for starting the timer. The housing capsule is received in a flexible hood/cover mounted on the top of the handle so that pressure switch is actuated to start the time by pressure of the user's hand during depression of the handle to dispense soap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 7360665
    Abstract: A basket assembly has an open top base container, a strap form handle having attachment clips at opposite ends snap-fitted into apertures on opposite wall portions of the base container adjacent the rim to upstand in bowed condition from the rim; a product/gift display board and, fasteners for attaching the handle to the display board so that the display board extends vertically above the rim. The handle has outrigged hooks adjacent the attachment clips for hooking over the container rim to stabilize the handle on the container and shoulder portions with board mounting protuberances locating a lower edge of the display board resting on the shoulders. The fasteners have clasp portions for receiving intermediate portions of the handle as a snap fit and are integrally molded with board anchoring portions which receive securing posts to anchor the handle to the display board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 7318765
    Abstract: A balloon illumination and inflation device has a tubular housing assembly comprising a balloon neck attachment at one end, an inflation mouthpiece at an opposite end; an air valve adjacent the mouthpiece, a lamp mount adjacent the one end to direct light into the attached balloon; an internal battery mount and a switch to connect the lamp to the battery circuit for illumination of the balloon interior. The switch is formed by first and second tubular housing members relative rotatable to close the air valve means and simultaneously to connect the battery circuit to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 7316346
    Abstract: A seasonally decorative cover for a mailbox has a three dimensional one-piece arched cover body decorated with seasonal symbols and messages and an underside formed with an arcuate recess for snugly receiving the top and opposite sides of the mailbox, so that the cover body can be mounted straddling the mailbox. One version is made of foamed polyurethane and another version is inflatable, having a skin of P.V.C. An anchoring eye for tethering a balloon is formed from the skin material at the top of the body and further anchoring eyes are formed at the bottom of each side for receiving cover securing ties passing under the mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Laura C. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 7195241
    Abstract: A combination game device and candy dispenser has a game board defined by an enclosing transparent plastic blister adhered to a support card; a spring powered launcher for candy projectiles; a projectile trap defined by a portion of the blister for receiving launched projectiles; a store of candy pieces and a candy slide formed by a blister portion guiding individual pieces of candy to the launcher. Trapped candy can be accessed through a trap door in the support card. The blister has portions extending adjacent the card surface defining a gate for admitting only a single piece of candy at a time to the launcher and defining a candy store separated from the playing area. The configurations of the game board and trap can be matched to the configuration of an individual candy projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 7147536
    Abstract: A balloon illumination and inflation device has a tubular housing assembly comprising a balloon neck attachment at one end, an inflation mouthpiece at an opposite end; an air valve adjacent the mouthpiece, a lamp mount adjacent the one end to direct light into the attached balloon; an internal battery mount and a switch to connect the lamp to the battery circuit for illumination of the balloon interior. The switch is formed by first and second tubular housing members relative rotatable to close the air valve means and simultaneously to connect the battery circuit to the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 6964130
    Abstract: A combination planter and step-light has a portable, open topped receptacle having a base and a plurality of sidewalls upstanding therefrom. The sidewalls are a minor rear end wall and major outer wall forming a corner seating adjacent a corner of a step and an outer end of the step, and joined at free ends by an inner facing wall which converges toward the major end wall as it extends outward and forwards toward a front of the step. A compartment in the receptacle receives a light detecting and illuminating module inserted into the compartment from below, is molded in the receptacle aligned with an aperture in the inner wall. The module has a lamp, a control circuit and a photosensitive device for detecting the ambient light level to switch the lamp on and off at dusk and dawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 6962284
    Abstract: A seasonally decorative cover for a mailbox has a three dimensional one-piece arched cover body decorated with seasonal symbols and messages and an underside formed with an arcuate recess for snugly receiving the top and opposite sides of the mailbox, so that the cover body can be mounted straddling the mailbox. One version is made of foamed polyurethane and another version is inflatable, having a skin of P.V.C. An anchoring eye for tethering a balloon is formed from the skin material at the top of the body and further anchoring eyes are formed at the bottom of each side for receiving cover securing ties passing under the mailbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Laura C. Pacheco
  • Patent number: 6766902
    Abstract: A container assembly for three dimensional premium item mounted removably to a beverage cup for handling as a single unit has a clear, plastic cover member, and first and second base members. The first base member is formed with a gift containing well which is closed by a clear flat top panel of the cover member by assembly of the first base member therein. The second base member releasably attaches to the bottom of the first base member to define a collectible card receiving compartment and has a flat topped bottom recess which can receive the top panel of another assembly to enable the container assemblies to be stably stacked on top of each other. The second base member is a press fit on the lid of a standard large beverage cup to releasably mount the container assembly thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 6419547
    Abstract: An undercarriage for a vehicle such as a toy truck or an adult size riding vehicle where the undercarriage allows a vertically directed tilt force to engender a turning movement of the wheels. The undercarriage is simply constructed of two spaced apart brackets having oblique slots through which an axle running between the wheels pass. The axle is also engaged by a fulcrum located midway between the brackets and two biasing tabs which are located between the fulcrum and each of the brackets. In straight ahead movement, the axle is slightly biased by the tabs to be located about the mid-point of the slots. However, when a tilt force is applied to the vehicle, then the axle will move to a lower portion of one of the slots and the upper portion of the other slot. At the same time one of the tabs is flexed so as to increase its biasing force on the axle. When the tilt force is removed, the biasing force of the tab pushes the axle to its mid-point position in the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Strombecker Corporation
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: 6065478
    Abstract: A fingernail stamper craft set comprising a base having five regions at five vertical different levels where the top surfaces of each region include one or more recesses. The first region at the lowest level includes recesses for receiving the fingers of a user having the nails to be decorated. The second region includes recesses for receiving nail enhancement accessories such as nail polish, cotton balls, emery boards and ink pads. The third and fourth regions include recesses for receiving stampers including stampers bearing letters of the alphabet and stampers bearing designs. The fifth or top region includes a recess for storing nail stickers. The nail stamper base may be engageable by another base from a nail enhancement set where the second base also has a number of recesses for accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Strombecker Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Richard W. Carton, Jeff A. Alward
  • Patent number: 6035857
    Abstract: A fingernail enhancement craft set having a base with accessories and tools for decorating fingernails. The base has five regions of progressively higher surfaces where each of the surfaces include openings, recesses or bins for storing items to decorate the nails. Such items include nail polish, glitter and stickers, as well as items useful when working on the nails such as cotton balls, cotton swabs, emery boards and tools. In particular, the tools are a magnifying lense and a fan. The first region at the lowest vertical level includes indentations for the placement of the fingers of the nails to be decorated. The remaining regions store or locate and support the accessories and tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Strombecker Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Richard W. Carton, Jeff A. Alward
  • Patent number: D282942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: CPG Products Corp.
    Inventor: Mark E. Hartelius
  • Patent number: D481971
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Laura C. Pacheco
  • Patent number: D485372
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartelius, Laura C. Pacheco