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: 7308992
    Abstract: An actuator cap for a container of product includes a main peripheral wall surrounding a central discharge member. The central discharge member is oriented to discharge product axially. An actuator arm extends radially from the central discharge member and is axially deflectable to axially displace the discharge member. A pillar has a peripheral surface and is radially deflectable toward the central discharge member, and the pillar is deflectable relative to the main peripheral wall. In an actuating position of the discharge member, both the pillar and the actuator arm are deflected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven B. Mineau, Ernst W. Tamm, Allen D. Miller, Scott W. Demarest, Brian E. Healy, Anthony G. Volini, Simon M. Conway, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 7234269
    Abstract: An animal test chamber has one or more side walls, a ceiling, and a floor to define an internal space in which animals can be housed and exposed to a chemical agent, a door, a port for introducing animals, an exhaust port, and one or more of the following four features. The first feature is a projector for projecting an image onto the chamber floor to assist in the counting of the knocked-down animals. The second feature is the capability of automatically washing/cleaning the chamber after a test. The third feature is the capability of simulating real life insecticide application conditions. The fourth feature is the capability of automatically dispensing the contents of an aerosol can into the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Yonker, Tracy M. Lutterman, Nathan R. Westphal, David A. Chars, Kevin Stefanczyk
  • Patent number: 7213728
    Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed which can dispense chemicals, such as insect control ingredients, from an aerosol container. The actuator assembly is mountable to the aerosol container and includes a burstable barrier and an extrudable (e.g. paste) plug. Upon initial activation, the pressure from inside of the container presses the burstable barrier which in turn presses the paste plug to cause at least a portion of the plug to move to a position where it is visible and provides a cue that a delay period has started. The device can be manually activated, but is designed so that thereafter it does not need to be manually held open. The user has time to leave the room before spraying begins, and does not need to be present in the room before spraying has finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Kutsch, Vincent R. Lackowski, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 7195139
    Abstract: A valve assembly can automatically dispense aerosol content from an aerosol container at predetermined intervals without the use of electric power. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives gas propellant from a portion of the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves, carrying with it a seal so as to unseal an outlet channel, and thereby initiate a spray burst of the main active chemical. The diaphragm assumes its original position when the pressure within the accumulation chamber falls below a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jaworski, Nathan R. Westphal, Padma P. Varanasi, Darren K. Robling, Joel E. Adair, Chris A. Kubicek
  • Patent number: 7182223
    Abstract: Detachable tube assemblies, such as those useful in remote spraying devices, are disclosed. The assemblies use a U-shaped coupling device having a base with a central aperture, flexible arms, and radial extensions. The radial extensions interfit with alignable radial holes on tubes to be coupled together. The central aperture guides and aligns an actuator rod. The rod can be used to remotely actuate a spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Healy, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 7083125
    Abstract: Detachable tube assemblies, such as those useful in remote spraying devices, are disclosed. Tube segments are interconnected using radial extensions interfit with alignable radial holes on tubes to be coupled together. An actuator rod is provided with flexible barbs and a disk guide. The rod can be used to remotely actuate a spray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, Steven B. Mineau
  • Patent number: 7067142
    Abstract: A packaged animal poison includes a binder/rodenticide/bait mix molded into a cellulosic housing. The housing is covered with a removable cover. The housing defines an internal cavity in which the rodenticide is disposed, a lower wall extending laterally beyond the cavity, and an outer lower surface with adhesive at its underside. The package itself may also contain rodent attractant material and/or a human aversion agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Yonker, Nathan R. Westphal, Michael J. Skalitzky, Brian T. Davis, Dingwen Li
  • Patent number: 7043873
    Abstract: A bait station for crawling insects includes a base and a cover fastened to the base. The base includes a bait cup bisected by a divider wall so that different baits may be offered to the insects. The cover has a roof that is spaced above and spans over the bait cup so that insects may crawl through doorways formed in the cover to access the bait in the bait cup. A support rib extends downwardly from the roof to engage the bait cup and divider wall to not only provide crush resistance and support for the roof but also to provide a bait retention feature. The support rib may also be configured to serve as a reservoir for water or other insect attractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Westphal, David O. Brower, Richard E. Keyel
  • Patent number: 6971560
    Abstract: An actuator assembly is disclosed which can dispense chemicals, such as insect control ingredients, from an aerosol container. The actuator assembly is mountable to the aerosol container and includes a solid plug that, upon initial activation, will be caused by the pressure of the chemical in the aerosol container to move to an unsealed position. Movement of the plug is retarded by a frictional engagement of the plug with an associated passage/conduit. The device can be manually activated, but is designed so that thereafter it does not need to be manually held open. The consumer has time to leave the room before spraying begins, and does not need to be present in the room before spraying has finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Healy, Nathan R. Westphal, John C. Mehnert
  • Patent number: 6926172
    Abstract: A valve assembly can automatically and essentially totally release aerosol content from an aerosol container in a single burst without the use of electric power or constant manual activation. A diaphragm at least partially defines an accumulation chamber that receives aerosol chemical from the can during an accumulation phase. Once the internal pressure of the accumulation chamber reaches a predetermined threshold, the diaphragm moves, carrying with it a seal so as to unseal an outlet channel, and thereby initiate a spray of the main active chemical. The diaphragm is held in the open position while there is elevated pressure of active in the can and/or due to a latch that activates as the diaphragm moves to the dispensing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Jaworski, Nathan R. Westphal, Donald J. Shanklin, David J. Houser, Grace C. Petterson, Tor H. Petterson
  • Patent number: D508548
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Eyup Soner, Nadir Azdiken, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D509139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Healy, Nathan R. Westphal, Allen D. Miller, Scott W. Demarest, John C. Mehnert, Steven B. Mineau
  • Patent number: D513986
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Healy, Nathan R. Westphal, Allen D. Miller, Scott W. Demarest, John C. Mehnert, Steven B. Mineau
  • Patent number: D522361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Healy, Nathan R. Westphal, Allen D. Miller, John C. Mehnert, Steven B. Mineau
  • Patent number: D523302
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan N. Mandell, Scott W. Demarest, Nathan R. Westphal, Allen D. Miller, Brian E. Healy
  • Patent number: D575422
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Beth Adams, Jesse D. Cotterman, Paul E. Furner, Chris A. Kubicek, Romuald Marie, Nathan R. Westphal, René Maurice Béland
  • Patent number: D575884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Beth Adams, Jesse D. Cotterman, Paul E. Furner, Chris A. Kubicek, Romuald Marie, Nathan R. Westphal, René Maurice Béland
  • Patent number: D575885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Beth Adams, Janet Mrazek, Chris A. Kubicek, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D576319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas W. Binetti, Mary Beth Adams, Chris A. Kubicek, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: D576752
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Mary Beth Adams, Romuald Marie, Nathan R. Westphal
  • Patent number: 4954043
    Abstract: A balance mechanism of an industrial robot is provided with a first balance mechanism for a first arm which is swingably mounted to a stand of the robot and a second balance mechanism for a second arm which is swingably mounted to a distal end of the first arm. The first balance mechanism includes a flexible coupling device such as, for example, a chain, led through a guide, which couples between a coupling element of a coupling member which is mounted to a center of angular movement of a proximal end of the first arm and a spring having one end fixed to the stand and which is moved in the direction of deformation when the first arm is angularly moved. The second balance mechanism includes a counterbalancer disposed in the opposite side to an operation side of the second arm and a center of angular movement of the second arm constitutes a fulcrum. The balance mechanisms can be applied to the robot without exchanging parts greatly even if the robot is installed in any position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Yoshida, Toshio Tsubota, Hiroshi Okumura