Patents by Inventor Nathan R. Westphal

Nathan R. Westphal 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: 9155813
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a refill having a reservoir for containing a volatile material. A permeable membrane is disposed over the reservoir and allows the volatile material to be released therethrough. The dispensing system also includes a housing adapted to retain the refill and a manual drive mechanism, which is in communication with the refill. Actuation of the manual drive mechanism causes the refill to rotate more than 180° about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Jerome A. Matter, Deliang Shi, Jonathan N. Mandell
  • Publication number: 20150130089
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a refill having a reservoir for containing a volatile material. A permeable membrane is disposed over the reservoir and allows the volatile material to be released therethrough. The dispensing system also includes a housing adapted to retain the refill and a manual drive mechanism, which is in communication with the refill. Actuation of the manual drive mechanism causes the refill to rotate more than 180° about a longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Jerome A. Matter, Deliang Shi, Jonathan N. Mandell
  • Publication number: 20150028062
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a recess for receipt of a container. Further, a first compartment for receipt of a first battery and a second compartment for receipt of a second battery are provided. An actuator is disposed above the recess and the first compartment and the second compartment are disposed on opposing sides of the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8887954
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The movement of the actuator arm actuates a valve stem of one of the two containers in one of the first and second positions. The actuator arm is adapted to spray fluid disposed in an interior of the two containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20140145005
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a base for receiving a volatile material containing reservoir. A cover is attached to the base having at least one aperture and at least one series of ports. A regulating plate is operatively attached to the cover and has at least one window and at least one series of bores. Manipulation of the regulating plate allows for the registration of the bores and the ports to release a volatile material therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20140145004
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a base with a plurality of ribs for supporting a peripheral flange of a cartridge having a volatile material containing reservoir. A first removable cover is attached to the base and has at least one aperture and a first regulating plate. The first cover may be removed and replaced by at least a second cover that has at least one aperture and a second, different regulating plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8678233
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of providing a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having at least two aerosol containers disposed therein and an actuator arm. The dispensing unit activates in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor. The method also includes the step of selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Nathan R. Westphal, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, M. Scott Carpenter, Michael E. Short
  • Patent number: 8474663
    Abstract: An adapter includes a base having an aperture extending therethrough. A wall extends upwardly from the base, wherein first and second opposing ridges are disposed on an external surface of the wall adjacent a lower end thereof and first and second opposing elongate ribs are disposed adjacent the first and second ridges, respectively. A plurality of outwardly protruding stop members are disposed on the external surface of the wall above the first and second ridges and elongate ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8459508
    Abstract: A shroud includes a body portion having an opening adapted to receive one of at least two different containers. An upper portion of the body portion is adapted to interact with one of the at least two different containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20130068787
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein and an actuator arm attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. The automatic discharge device also includes a drive unit for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The movement of the actuator arm actuates a valve stem of one of the two containers in one of the first and second positions and the actuator arm is adapted to spray the contents of the two containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20130026181
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing retaining two containers therein. An actuator arm is attached to the housing and movable between first and second positions. A drive unit is provided for automatically moving the actuator arm into one of the first and second positions in response to a signal from at least one of a timer, a sensor, and a manual switch. The movement of the actuator arm actuates a valve stem of one of the two containers in one of the first and second positions. The actuator arm is adapted to spray fluid disposed in an interior of the two containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 8342363
    Abstract: An automatic discharge device includes a housing having a top portion and a base portion, wherein surfaces defining a recess are provided therebetween for securely holding a container. At least one gear is disposed substantially between the recess and a rear panel of the housing. A drive motor is in association with the at least one gear. An actuator arm is also provided. Activation of the drive motor and the at least one gear provides for movement of the actuator arm between at least one of a pre-actuation position and a discharge position along a path that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: M. Scott Carpenter, Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Short, Gene Sipinski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20120061420
    Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing unit includes the step of providing a power source to a dispensing unit that includes a housing having at least two aerosol containers disposed therein and an actuator arm. The dispensing unit activates in response to a minimum threshold of light being sensed by a light sensor. The method also includes the step of providing a means for selecting a sleep period interval between spray operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Thomas P. Gasper, Chris A. Kubicek, Leon M. Lemon, Brent D. Madsen, Nathan R. Westphal, Kenneth W. Michaels, Cory J. Nelson, M. Scott Carpenter, Michael E. Short
  • Publication number: 20120024894
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing having sides, a top end, and a bottom end. A portion between the top end and the bottom end extends outwardly from an axis of the housing. A bore extends through the housing, which is adapted to receive a container. The container is adapted to dispense a volatile material through a first aperture of the housing. Fluid is dispensed from the container through the first aperture in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the housing, wherein one face of the sides is shaped to appear like a naturally occurring object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20120024901
    Abstract: An adapter includes a base having an aperture extending therethrough. A wall extends upwardly from the base, wherein first and second opposing ridges are disposed on an external surface of the wall adjacent a lower end thereof and first and second opposing elongate ribs are disposed adjacent the first and second ridges, respectively. A plurality of outwardly protruding stop members are disposed on the external surface of the wall above the first and second ridges and elongate ribs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20120024902
    Abstract: A shroud includes a body portion having an opening adapted to receive one of at least two different containers. An upper portion of the body portion is adapted to interact with one of the at least two different containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Publication number: 20120018453
    Abstract: A dispenser includes a housing 52 having curvilinear sides 54, a top end 56, and a bottom end 58. At least one face of the curvilinear sides 54 is shaped to appear like a natural occurring object and includes a portion between the top end 56 and the bottom end 58 that extends radially from a longitudinal axis 66 of the housing 52 to a greater extent than portions at the top end 56 and the bottom end 58. A bore 60 extends through the housing 52, which is adapted to receive a container 100. The container 100 is adapted to dispense fluid through a first aperture 62 of the bore 60 in the top end 56 of the housing 52. Fluid is dispensed from the container 100 through the first aperture 62 upon telescopically moving the housing 52 by exerting a force against the at least one face of the curvilinear sides 54 shaped to appear like a natural occurring object in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis 66 of the housing 52.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D674886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Andrew Irwin, Aparna Unnikrishnan, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D713516
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladlena Belozerova, Cory Boudreau, Justen England, Eric Gobrecht, Mark Groth, Christopher Harris, Amelia H. Majerowski, Jonathan N. Mandell, Nicholas Reback, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D713948
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Westphal