Patents by Inventor Mark Steele

Mark Steele 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: 11896170
    Abstract: A package or pouch comprising one or more panel portions and a reclosure device. The reclosure device is provided to extend outward from a panel portion of the package to facilitate the use of the package to store and dispense wet wipes and like products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11873159
    Abstract: A flexible and hingeable valve mechanism is provided to a package or pouch, e.g., a package top seal, creating one or more channels through the top seal of the pouch and then, approximate to the one or more channels, making or forming a pocket within the same seal. As the pocket is filled with gas, it can prevent the top seal from accidentally kinking and allow other gas pressure to flow freely through the one or more channels. If the pouch is tilted or tipped over, the pocket will fill with the liquid content of the pouch and the weight of the liquid within the pocket will cause the pocket to hingeably displace and close off at least a portion of the one or more channels to prevent leaking or spilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11845588
    Abstract: A filling slit is formed in a first panel of web material of a flexible pouch enclosure formed from the first panel and an opposing second panel of the web material and having a resealable closing assembly having interlocking male and female members joined to a flange. After the flexible pouch enclosure is at least partially filled with a product through an opening in the first panel of the web material that is created by the filling slit, the filling slit is closed by sealing the first panel to the flange of the resealable closing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde
  • Patent number: 11773719
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a blast hole in a rock face during a mining operation are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first tool toward the blast hole in the rock face via a common tool outlet of a feed unit using a first tool station of the feed unit; retracting the first tool from the common tool outlet using the first tool station of the feed unit and retaining the first tool in the first tool station; and while the first tool is retained in the first tool station, deploying a second tool toward the blast hole in the rock face through the common tool outlet of the feed unit using a second tool station of the feed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: 1854081 Ontario Ltd.
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Steele, Colin Roos
  • Publication number: 20230056802
    Abstract: A package designed to prevent the leakage of its contents and to capture any leaked contents within a package reservoir, while permitting the package to be sealed for later access to the contents of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20230051768
    Abstract: A bellows device can contain fluid product, such as gasses or liquids. The device can include a series or plurality of pouches attached or otherwise operatively affixed in a manner that provides fluid communication between the pouches to facilitate expansion and contraction, much like an accordion. One or more of the pouches can include one or more apertures or holes defined in one or more portions of a panel portion. One or more affixation patches can be included to provide the structure for attaching the pouches in a serial manner to define the bellows device to facilitate fluid communication between the pouches. One or more apertures or holes are defined in the patch for alignment with the aperture of a first pouch, and an aperture of an adjacent second pouch, to facilitate fluid communication between adjacent pouches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11566608
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of water pumps, and more specifically, to an attachment configured to connect to the rear wheel of a motorcycle or motorscooter to provide power to a water pump and a method of pumping water using the attachment. One aspect of the aquacycle pump includes a base plate and a kick-stand support bracket configured to slidably adjust so that the aquacycle pump may be compatible with different sizes of motorcycles or motorscooters. The aquacycle pump may further include a roller that is configured to abut against the rear wheel of the motorcycle or motorscooter. The aquacycle pump may further include a water pump, wherein the water pump is connected to the roller. The aquacycle pump is configured such that as the engine of the motorcycle or motorscooter is started and power is provided to rotate its rear wheel, the abutting roller of the aquacycle pump also rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Planet Water, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Steele
  • Patent number: 11505383
    Abstract: A package designed to prevent the leakage of its contents and to capture any leaked contents within a package reservoir, while permitting the package to be sealed for later access to the contents of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20220287518
    Abstract: A package or pouch comprising one or more panel portions and a reclosure device. The reclosure device is provided to extend outward from a panel portion of the package to facilitate the use of the package to store and dispense wet wipes and like products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20220274748
    Abstract: A package is provided to make it more resistant to access by individuals, such as small children, while remaining simple enough for an adult to open. A feature, such as a top gusset or a breachable flange or flap, can be provided to promote the child resistance attributes of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11350802
    Abstract: A package or pouch comprising one or more panel portions and a reclosure device. The reclosure device is provided to extend outward from a panel portion of the package to facilitate the use of the package to store and dispense wet wipes and like products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20220170368
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a blast hole in a rock face during a mining operation are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first tool toward the blast hole in the rock face via a common tool outlet of a feed unit using a first tool station of the feed unit; retracting the first tool from the common tool outlet using the first tool station of the feed unit and retaining the first tool in the first tool station; and while the first tool is retained in the first tool station, deploying a second tool toward the blast hole in the rock face through the common tool outlet of the feed unit using a second tool station of the feed unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Roderick Mark STEELE, Colin ROOS
  • Patent number: 11338969
    Abstract: A package is provided to make it more resistant to access by individuals, such as small children, while remaining simple enough for an adult to open. A feature, such as a top gusset or a breachable flange or flap, can be provided to promote the child resistance attributes of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20220144496
    Abstract: A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Patent number: 11280192
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for preparing a blast hole in a rock face during a mining operation are disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: deploying a first tool toward the blast hole in the rock face via a common tool outlet of a feed unit using a first tool station of the feed unit; retracting the first tool from the common tool outlet using the first tool station of the feed unit and retaining the first tool in the first tool station; and while the first tool is retained in the first tool station, deploying a second tool toward the blast hole in the rock face through the common tool outlet of the feed unit using a second tool station of the feed unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: 1854081 Ontario Ltd.
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Steele, Colin Roos
  • Patent number: 11267739
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of water kiosks, and more specifically, to an emergency water filtration kiosk and method of delivering clean and safe water using the emergency water filtration kiosk. One aspect of the emergency water filtration kiosk and method of use may include a four-stage water filtration system to better purify, clean, and improve the taste of water. The emergency water filtration kiosk and method of use may further include a turn-key variable pump system that is configured to supply water to the emergency water filtration kiosk via three alternative power sources. The purpose of the invention is to provide a self-contained and rapidly deployable emergency response water filtration kiosk and method of use that delivers clean and safe drinking water to people in need after a natural disaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Planet Water, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Steele
  • Publication number: 20220055826
    Abstract: A flexible and hingeable valve mechanism is provided to a package or pouch, e.g., a package top seal, creating one or more channels through the top seal of the pouch and then, approximate to the one or more channels, making or forming a pocket within the same seal. As the pocket is filled with gas, it can prevent the top seal from accidentally kinking and allow other gas pressure to flow freely through the one or more channels. If the pouch is tilted or tipped over, the pocket will fill with the liquid content of the pouch and the weight of the liquid within the pocket will cause the pocket to hingeably displace and close off at least a portion of the one or more channels to prevent leaking or spilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20220041338
    Abstract: A filling slit is formed in a first panel of web material of a flexible pouch enclosure formed from the first panel and an opposing second panel of the web material and having a resealable closing assembly having interlocking male and female members joined to a flange. After the flexible pouch enclosure is at least partially filled with a product through an opening in the first panel of the web material that is created by the filling slit, the filling slit is closed by sealing the first panel to the flange of the resealable closing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steele, Christopher Ludwig, Eric Plourde
  • Patent number: 11235910
    Abstract: A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Steele
  • Publication number: 20210061693
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the field of water kiosks, and more specifically, to an emergency water filtration kiosk and method of delivering clean and safe water using the emergency water filtration kiosk. One aspect of the emergency water filtration kiosk and method of use may include a four-stage water filtration system to better purify, clean, and improve the taste of water. The emergency water filtration kiosk and method of use may further include a turn-key variable pump system that is configured to supply water to the emergency water filtration kiosk via three alternative power sources. The purpose of the invention is to provide a self-contained and rapidly deployable emergency response water filtration kiosk and method of use that delivers clean and safe drinking water to people in need after a natural disaster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Planet Water, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Steele