Patents by Inventor Michael J. Schuster

Michael J. Schuster 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: 20230366190
    Abstract: The combination of: a closet collar having a flange; an anchor bolt having a head portion and an elongate shank with an axis and configured to be operatively connected to the closet collar; a cap support assembly that is engageable with the anchor bolt elongate shank adjacent a free end region thereof; and a cap. Cooperating components on the cap and cap support assembly are engageable to maintain the cap in assembled relationship with the cap support assembly, wherein the cap cannot be separated from the cap support assembly by exerting a force upon the cap along the axis of the elongate shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20230366191
    Abstract: A method of mounting a toilet using a closet collar having an upper surface transitioning to an annular surface portion at an outside annular corner, including the steps of: obtaining a sealing assembly including a sleeve having a body with: a) a top and bottom spaced from each other in an axial direction; b) a radially outwardly projecting mounting flange with an axially downwardly facing surface; c) a top horn engaging region; and d) an annular force transmission region; placing the sleeve in a starting position; lowering the toilet towards the support surface to thereby cause: a) the toilet horn to initially contact the horn engaging region of the sleeve body; b) the toilet to progressively axially compress the force transmission region of the sleeve body; and c) the compressing force transmission region to cause a part of the radially projecting mounting flange to be drawn downwardly as an incident of which an annular region of the axially downwardly facing surface on the radially outwardly projecting mou
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11773366
    Abstract: Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spore container to store spores, a nutrient container, an arrangement of valves and tubes, a reciprocating pump, a mixing tube, and a holding tank. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can control the reciprocating pump to draw a ratioed volume of the spores, the nutrients, and water through the valves and tubes. During an expelling phase of the system, the controller can control flow control valves to direct the spores, nutrients, and water through the mixing tube and into the holding tank. The controller can also direct a heater to heat the mixture in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature. Once the mixture reaches the temperature, the controller can also direct the system through a number of other phases of operation, including cooling and purging phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NCH Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Jordan E. Church, Gabriel F. K. Everett, Charles J. Greenwald, Christopher J. Laney, Michael Paloian, Judith G. Pruitt, Amanda K. Rosmarin, Michael J. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20230228071
    Abstract: A method of modifying a fluid supply feature having a conduit communicating fluid from a source to a valve through which fluid is delivered to a point of use. The method includes the steps of: obtaining a kit made up of a plurality of components; and interconnecting the plurality of components with each other and at least one of the conduit and valve to thereby maintain the plurality of components in an operative relationship wherein the plurality of components overlie an exposed surface on at least one of the valve and conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11623193
    Abstract: Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spores container to store spores, a nutrient container to store nutrients, a water supply line, a syringe tank, a syringe pump, an adjustable valve, a heater, and a controller. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can cause the syringe pump and the adjustable valve to draw into the syringe tank a volume of spores, nutrients, and water to form a mixture. The controller causes the heater to heat the mixture for a period of time. In a dispensing phase of the system, the controller can cause the syringe pump to expel the mixture through the adjustable valve and into a water distribution system. The controller can direct the system through a number of other phases of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NCH Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Dwayne A. Porter, Douglas C. Saunders, Jeffrey W. Siegrist, Thomas R. Bajek
  • Publication number: 20220358734
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for augmented reality task identification and assistance in construction, manufacturing, and home remodeling. According to various embodiments, an augmented reality system includes a remote computing environment and an augmented reality device, where the remote computing environment is employed to identify tasks for an operator to perform to complete a project. The tasks may be sequentially displayed in an augmented reality session and the environment may be augmented to facilitate performance of the tasks by an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20220292864
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for patent analysis applications. A computing device may be directed to parse an electronic version of a patent document having a detailed description, a claims section, and at least one drawing. In various embodiments, parsing the electronic version of the patent document may include applying an OCR process to the electronic document, obtaining a list of claim terms used in the claims section, identifying instances of the claim terms used in the detailed description, identifying a reference numeral corresponding to the claim terms from the detailed description, and identifying portions of the drawing that includes the reference numeral. In response to user interaction with a claim term, a dialog may be shown proximate to the claim term, where the dialog includes a portion of the detailed description that includes the claim term and/or the drawing that comprises the reference numeral corresponding to the claim term.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11434053
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a bottle cap apparatus configured for dispensing fluids through a sealed channel. In one example, the bottle cap apparatus comprises a cap, an insert container, and a stem. The cap has a top platform with an aperture. The insert container has a first end and a second end. The first end has a first opening that is positioned adjacent to an underside of the top platform of the cap. The second end having a recessed bottom with a second opening. The stem having a platform between a first end and a second end. The second end of the stem is positioned within the recessed bottom of the insert container. The first end being extended through the aperture of the cap. A dispensing channel is formed from the components of the bottle cap apparatus and is configured to allow a fluid be extracted from a bottle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: NCH Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Thomas R. Bajek
  • Patent number: 11275935
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for patent analysis applications. A computing device may be directed to parse an electronic version of a patent document having a detailed description, a claims section, and at least one drawing. In various embodiments, parsing the electronic version of the patent document may include applying an OCR process to the electronic document, obtaining a list of claim terms used in the claims section, identifying instances of the claim terms used in the detailed description, identifying a reference numeral corresponding to the claim terms from the detailed description, and identifying portions of the drawing that includes the reference numeral. In response to user interaction with a claim term, a dialog may be shown proximate to the claim term, where the dialog includes a portion of the detailed description that includes the claim term and/or the drawing that comprises the reference numeral corresponding to the claim term.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11274424
    Abstract: A detachable faucet connector can be used with a faucet to allow easy connection of hoses to the faucet. The detachable faucet connector can include an aerator, a funnel, and a hose adapter. The aerator can connect to a faucet to replace the faucet's existing aerator. The funnel can be inserted in to the aerator prior to the installation of the aerator in the faucet. The hose adapter can be connected to the funnel. The hose adapter can be attached to a hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Douglas C. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11274429
    Abstract: In various embodiments, an apparatus includes a toilet horn receptacle having an upper end and a lower end. A sealing rim is positioned at an upper end of the toilet horn receptacle, and at least a portion of the sealing rim extends inwardly from the upper end of the toilet horn receptacle towards a center axis of the sealing rim. A funnel extends from the lower end of the toilet horn receptacle, and a channel wall circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle. The channel wall and at least the toilet horn receptacle form a continuous annular receptacle. A foam sealing component is disposed in the continuous annular receptacle such that an inner wall of the foam sealing component circumscribes the toilet horn receptacle and such that the channel wall circumscribes at least a portion of an outer wall of the foam sealing component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20220041978
    Abstract: Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spore container to store spores, a nutrient container, an arrangement of valves and tubes, a reciprocating pump, a mixing tube, and a holding tank. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can control the reciprocating pump to draw a ratioed volume of the spores, the nutrients, and water through the valves and tubes. During an expelling phase of the system, the controller can control flow control valves to direct the spores, nutrients, and water through the mixing tube and into the holding tank. The controller can also direct a heater to heat the mixture in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature. Once the mixture reaches the temperature, the controller can also direct the system through a number of other phases of operation, including cooling and purging phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Jordan E. Church, Gabriel F.K. Everett, Charles J. Greenwald, Christopher J. Laney, Michael Paloian, Judith G. Pruitt, Amanda K. Rosmarin, Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11220813
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the installation of a toilet over a closet collar for a drain pipe. According to various embodiments, a toilet seal assembly is positioned between the toilet and the closet collar, providing a seal between the toilet and the flange of the closet collar. The toilet seal assembly may include a flexible rubber seal and a compressible foam seal ring. The flexible rubber seal may include an annular wall, an upper ring that extends radially inward from the annular wall, and a lower ring that extends radially outward from the annular wall. The compressible foam seal ring may be disposed on the lower ring of the flexible rubber seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11213117
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a nested brush. The nested brush can include a first brush and a second brush. The first brush can include a first elongated handle and a first brush head. The first elongated handle can include a first end, a second end, and a brush receptacle extending from the first end of the first elongated handle along a portion of the first elongated handle. The first brush head can be attached to the first end of the first elongated handle. The second brush can include a second elongated handle and a second brush head. The second elongated handle can include a first end and a second end. The second elongated handle can be configured to fit within the brush receptacle of the first elongated handle. The second brush head can be attached to the first end of the second elongated handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DANCO, INC.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Thomas R. Bajek, Dwayne A. Porter
  • Publication number: 20210363740
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a lockable toilet fill valve and methods according to the present invention. In one embodiment, a toilet fill valve includes a float and arm assembly. The toilet fill valve is closed when the float and arm assembly is disposed in a first position. The toilet fill valve is open when the float and arm assembly is disposed in a second position. A side lever is associated with the float and arm assembly. The side lever includes an unlock position and a lock position. The side lever includes a hook that engages the float and arm assembly to restrict movement of the float and arm assembly when in the lock position and allow movement of the float and arm assembly when in the unlock position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Larry L. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20210350133
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for determining piping configurations in an under-sink or similar environment. A computing device, such as a mobile device or a server, may be directed to access at least one digital image, the at least one digital image comprising a photograph of an under-sink environment; perform an analysis of the under-sink environment to generate at least one suggested configuration of piping for placement in the under-sink environment using compliance criteria, where the at least one suggested configuration comprises at least one of a faucet, a pipe, a coupler, a connector, a fitting, adhesive, and plumbing tape suggested to connect a first object in the under-sink environment to a second object in the under-sink environment; and display the at least one suggested configuration in a display communicatively coupled to the client device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11167886
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment for a utility bucket is disclosed. One embodiment, among others, the cleaning attachment includes a ramp with a first end and a second end. The second end may have a greater height than the first end. The cleaning attachment also includes a back platform and a rim engagement slot. The back platform may have a smaller height than the second end of the ramp. The rim engagement slot can be configured to engaging a rim of the utility bucket. The rim engagement slot can formed between a back wall of the second end of the ramp and the back platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Schuster, Thomas R. Bajek, Dwayne A. Porter
  • Patent number: 11155780
    Abstract: Metastable state spore incubation mixing systems are described. An example system includes a spore container to store spores, a nutrient container, an arrangement of valves and tubes, a reciprocating pump, a mixing tube, and a holding tank. In a drawing phase of the system, a controller can control the reciprocating pump to draw a ratioed volume of the spores, the nutrients, and water through the valves and tubes. During an expelling phase of the system, the controller can control flow control valves to direct the spores, nutrients, and water through the mixing tube and into the holding tank. The controller can also direct a heater to heat the mixture in the holding tank to a predetermined temperature. Once the mixture reaches the temperature, the controller can also direct the system through a number of other phases of operation, including cooling and purging phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: NCH Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Jordan E. Church, Gabriel F. K. Everett, Charles J. Greenwald, Christopher J. Laney, Michael Paloian, Judith G. Pruitt, Amanda K. Rosmarin, Michael J. Schuster
  • Patent number: 11142897
    Abstract: Various embodiments for a drain debris straining assembly are described, where the drain debris straining assembly can be positioned inside a drain to collect hair and other debris. A drain debris straining assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a basket assembly. The basket assembly includes a basket body surrounding a hollow core and at least one opening configured to filter fluid to entrap debris. The basket assembly further includes a flexible rib configured to compress against an internal diameter of a drain flange to form a seal between the basket assembly and the drain flange. The drain debris straining assembly may also include a pop-up assembly having an interference ridge sized and positioned to contact at least one inner wall of the basket assembly to retain a vertical position of the pop-up assembly relative to the basket assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Danco, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster
  • Publication number: 20210277646
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for facilitating the installation of a toilet over a closet collar for a drain pipe. In one or more embodiments, a toilet seal assembly includes a seal ring, a component including a seal ring receptacle and a funnel, a sealing washer, and a plate. The seal ring can be configured to be positioned over a toilet closet collar. The seal ring receptacle can be configured to be positioned over the seal ring, and the funnel can be configured to be inserted into the toilet closet collar. The sealing washer can be configured to be positioned over the component having the seal ring and the funnel. The plate can be configured to be positioned over the sealing washer and under the toilet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventor: Michael J. Schuster