Patents by Inventor Robert S. Robinson

Robert S. Robinson 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: 12400558
    Abstract: A cleaning system with on-board user-training functionality may include: a cleaning machine; an electronic playback device constructed and arranged for user training, with the playback device connected to the cleaning machine; and an electronic storage unit on which one or more items of training information are stored, with the training information relating to training a user in the operation or use of the cleaning machine. In this fashion, a user may select and play training information on the playback device to train the user in the operation or use of the cleaning machine. The playback device may include play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and stop functions, whereby a user may select an item of training information, play the item, pause or stop play of the item, and practice performing the item on or with the cleaning machine to which the playback device is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2025
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11317777
    Abstract: The method may include putting fresh cleaning liquid in the trolley bucket assembly bucket and the vacuum recovery tank; and, while propelling the system across hard surface flooring: dispensing fresh cleaning liquid from the bucket onto flooring by adjusting the spigot; spreading fresh cleaning liquid on flooring with the liquid spreader assembly; and vacuuming soil and cleaning liquid from flooring into the tank with the squeegee head assembly. The method may further include, when a desired amount of cleaning liquid has been dispensed from the bucket, or a desired amount of cleaning liquid has been vacuumed into the tank: stopping dispensing of cleaning liquid from the bucket; stopping propelling of the system; and transferring a desired amount of cleaning liquid from the tank to the bucket via the cleaning liquid transfer outlet. In addition, the method may include resuming propelling the system across flooring while also: dispensing; spreading; and vacuuming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Robert G. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11000884
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a commercial food or beverage refrigeration unit may include: a liquid tank; a pump; a vacuum recovery tank; a vacuum motor assembly; a spray wand; a drain stopper; and a suction tool. The refrigeration unit may include a rack, a tray, a fan, a fan housing, a fan power cord, a fan housing power outlet, a coolant, a coolant coil, a pan, and a drain. A method of cleaning the refrigeration unit may include: filling the liquid tank; rinsing the rack by spraying liquid onto the rack; removing the rack; rinsing the tray by spraying liquid onto the tray; removing the tray; stopping the fan; stopping the flow of the coolant; positioning the drain stopper; elevating the fan housing; rinsing the coil by spraying liquid onto the coil; positioning the suction tool on the pan; and vacuuming soil and sprayed liquid into the vacuum recovery tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10959592
    Abstract: A cleaning system may have a trolley bucket assembly, a vacuum recovery tank, and a vacuum motor assembly. The trolley bucket assembly may have a bucket, a wheeled chassis, and a spigot fluidly connected to the bucket. A user may dispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the bucket through the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot. The tank may hold cleaning liquid and soil, and may have a bottom wall, a vacuum recovery inlet, and a transfer outlet through which cleaning liquid may be transferred to the bucket for reuse. The bottom wall may have an interior surface; and the transfer outlet may have an entry opening through which cleaning liquid from the tank enters the transfer outlet. The entry opening may be positioned above a portion of the interior surface, thereby inhibiting soil that settles on the interior surface portion from passing through the transfer outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Robert G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210030237
    Abstract: A multi-functional cleaning and floor care system may have: a fresh liquid reservoir; a vacuum assembly including a vacuum recovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly; a wheeled chassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir and the vacuum recovery tank; and a spigot fluidly connected to the fresh liquid reservoir, with the spigot adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The system also may have: a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreader pad; and a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Joshua L. Harrell, Robert W. Kyde, David W. Lloyd, John T. Richter
  • Patent number: 10786131
    Abstract: A multi-functional cleaning and floor care system may have: a fresh liquid reservoir; a vacuum assembly including a vacuum recovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly; a wheeled chassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir and the vacuum recovery tank; and a spigot fluidly connected to the fresh liquid reservoir, with the spigot adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The system also may have: a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreader pad; and a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Joshua L. Harrell, Robert W. Kyde, David W. Lloyd, John T. Richter
  • Publication number: 20200230669
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a commercial food or beverage refrigeration unit may include: a liquid tank; a pump; a vacuum recovery tank; a vacuum motor assembly; a spray wand; a drain stopper; and a suction tool. The refrigeration unit may include a rack, a tray, a fan, a fan housing, a fan power cord, a fan housing power outlet, a coolant, a coolant coil, a pan, and a drain. A method of cleaning the refrigeration unit may include: filling the liquid tank; rinsing the rack by spraying liquid onto the rack; removing the rack; rinsing the tray by spraying liquid onto the tray; removing the tray; stopping the fan; stopping the flow of the coolant; positioning the drain stopper; elevating the fan housing; rinsing the coil by spraying liquid onto the coil; positioning the suction tool on the pan; and vacuuming soil and sprayed liquid into the vacuum recovery tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20200005672
    Abstract: A cleaning system with on-board user-training functionality may include: a cleaning machine; an electronic playback device constructed and arranged for user training, with the playback device connected to the cleaning machine; and an electronic storage unit on which one or more items of training information are stored, with the training information relating to training a user in the operation or use of the cleaning machine. In this fashion, a user may select and play training information on the playback device to train the user in the operation or use of the cleaning machine. The playback device may include play, pause, rewind, fast-forward, and stop functions, whereby a user may select an item of training information, play the item, pause or stop play of the item, and practice performing the item on or with the cleaning machine to which the playback device is connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 10368710
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a cleaning machine that includes a fresh liquid tank, a vacuum tank, and an electromechanical assembly—with the electromechanical assembly including an electromechanical housing, a pump, and a vacuum motor. In this particular aspect of the invention, the pump and the vacuum motor are mounted to the electromechanical housing; and the electromechanical assembly is releasably connected to the fresh liquid tank. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for rapid replacement of the electromechanical components of the cleaning machine described immediately above. The method includes disconnecting the electromechanical assembly from the fresh liquid tank, and connecting a replacement electromechanical assembly to the fresh liquid tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Robert G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20170258284
    Abstract: A cleaning system may have a trolley bucket assembly, a vacuum recovery tank, and a vacuum motor assembly. The trolley bucket assembly may have a bucket, a wheeled chassis, and a spigot fluidly connected to the bucket. A user may dispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the bucket through the spigot by manually adjusting the spigot. The tank may hold cleaning liquid and soil, and may have a bottom wall, a vacuum recovery inlet, and a transfer outlet through which cleaning liquid may be transferred to the bucket for reuse. The bottom wall may have an interior surface; and the transfer outlet may have an entry opening through which cleaning liquid from the tank enters the transfer outlet. The entry opening may be positioned above a portion of the interior surface, thereby inhibiting soil that settles on the interior surface portion from passing through the transfer outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Robert G. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20160331196
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention is directed to a portable liquid-recycling liquid-reusing cleaning apparatus for use in cleaning hard surface flooring may have a cleaning-liquid-dispensing-and-vacuum-recovery tank, a spigot fluidly connected to the tank, and a vacuum motor assembly fluidly connected to the tank. The tank may define an interior space operable to hold cleaning liquid and soil. The tank may have a liquid dispensing outlet fluidly connected to the tank interior space, and a vacuum recovery inlet fluidly connected to the tank interior space. The spigot may be fluidly connected to the tank interior space via the liquid dispensing outlet. The spigot also may be manually adjustable through a range between a fully open position and a fully closed position, whereby when the tank contains cleaning liquid, a user may dispense and regulate the flow of cleaning liquid from the tank through the spigot onto hard surface flooring by manually adjusting the spigot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 9389827
    Abstract: A method and system including segmenting digital samples related to input audio data into arc segments representing output audio data. The arc segments are arranged to form multiple arcs which are arranged to form a record image. A user-selected boundary of a track of the input audio data may be marked based on a command received from a user via an interaction with the record image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CHANNEL D CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140304598
    Abstract: A method and system including segmenting digital samples related to input audio data into arc segments representing output audio data. The arc segments are arranged to form multiple arcs which are arranged to form a record image. A user-selected boundary of a track of the input audio data may be marked based on a command received from a user via an interaction with the record image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8800094
    Abstract: A cleaning cloth of the invention includes: a first face including a first fold location and a second fold location that intersects and is generally perpendicular to the first fold location, the first and second fold locations dividing the entire first face into four quadrant cleaning areas of substantially equal size, each of the first and second fold locations having a length; and a set of four sequential indicators at the first face, with one of each of the set of four sequential indicators located at one of each of the four quadrant cleaning areas. The first face is free of marked lines that extend along the entire length of each of the first and second fold locations. In this fashion, a user may fold and unfold the cleaning cloth so as to expose and use one or more of the four quadrant cleaning areas in a particular sequence by reference to the sequential indicators, and whereby a user may know which of the four quadrant cleaning areas have been used by reference to the sequential indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140222179
    Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium which provides for the playback of a media file (e.g., audio files, video files, etc.) through a separate media organizer (e.g., Apple's ITUNES®, WINDOWS® Media Player, etc.) when the target media file is in a format that is incompatible with the media organizer (e.g., the Free Audio Lossless Codec files or FLAC format). The media file playback system generates a “proxy” pointer file that is compatible with the media organizer and prompts the system to play the incompatible media file. The proxy file comprises compressed audio comprising a length and sample rate equal to that of the media file. Advantageously, a user that would otherwise be unable to playback an incompatible file through the media organizer due to limitations of the media organizer (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CHANNEL D CORPORATION
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8793580
    Abstract: A method and system for receiving audio data, converting the audio data into discretely sampled data, such as digital audio, and transforming the digital samples into a user-controllable visual representation for computer-based data interpretation and editing. A plurality of synchronized streams of sampled data recordings are digitally sampled, segmented, and rendered into a plurality of arc segments. A value of one or more audio data parameters are determined for each arc segment. A visual indication of the parameter value, such as a color, hue, or shade, is determined for each arc segment. The plurality of arc segments are arranged into a plurality of arcs, and the plurality of arcs are arranged as a smooth, continuous radial spiral, or arcs, using graduated grays or colors to denote waveform characteristics to form a realistic visual depiction of a mechanical recording emulating a conventional “vinyl” record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Channel D Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8738163
    Abstract: A media file playback system, method and computer readable medium which provides for the playback of a media file (e.g., audio files, video files, etc.) through a separate media organizer (e.g., Apple's iTunes®, Windows® Media Player, etc.) when the target media file is in a format that is incompatible with the media organizer (e.g., the Free Audio Lossless Codec files or FLAC format). The media file playback system generates a “proxy” pointer file that is compatible with the media organizer and prompts the system to play the incompatible media file. Advantageously, a user that would otherwise be unable to playback an incompatible file through the media organizer due to limitations of the media organizer (e.g., the restriction against playing FLAC files through the Apple iTunes® software application), is able to execute playback using the media file playback system via interactions with the familiar and centralized interface provided the media organizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Channel D Corporation
    Inventor: Robert S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20140130295
    Abstract: A particular wide-area vacuum/squeegee-head floor cleaning tool, in accordance with the principles of the invention, includes: an elongated frame including a top, a front, a back, a first end, a second end, and a soil uptake opening positioned between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the front and extending between the first and second ends; at least one squeegee blade at the back and extending between the first and second ends; a first wheel at the first end; a second wheel at the second end; and a third wheel at the soil uptake opening. The first, second, and third wheels are constructed and arranged to support the elongated frame above a floor surface when the squeegee blades at the front and back are in contact with the floor surface in a deflected orientation and vacuum suction is applied to the floor cleaning tool by the vacuum source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Joshua L. Harrell, Robert W. Kyde, David W. Lloyd, John T. Richter
  • Patent number: 8544141
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning cart system of the invention includes a reservoir assembly, an upwardly extending handle releasably connectable to the reservoir assembly, and at least two modular cleaning bins. The reservoir assembly includes a liquid reservoir and an integral wheeled chassis. The liquid reservoir includes a circumferential sidewall and an integral top wall, with the top wall including a plurality of openings. The two modular cleaning bins may be: positioned within the liquid reservoir; positioned on the liquid reservoir top wall with a leg of one bin positioned in one of the top-wall openings, and with a leg of the other bin positioned in another of the top-wall plurality of openings; and alternatively releasably interconnected to one another in a side-by-side orientation, with one of the bins supported on the upwardly extending handle by one or more of a plurality of handle brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Kaivac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Kyde, David W. Lloyd, John T. Richter, Robert S. Robinson
  • Publication number: 20130139346
    Abstract: A multi-functional cleaning and floor care system may have: a fresh liquid reservoir; a vacuum assembly including a vacuum recovery tank and a vacuum motor assembly; a wheeled chassis configured to support at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir and the vacuum recovery tank; and a spigot fluidly connected to the fresh liquid reservoir, with the spigot adjustable between a fully open position and a fully closed position. The system also may have: a liquid spreader assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the liquid spreader assembly including a frame and a spreader pad; and a squeegee head assembly connected to at least one of the fresh liquid reservoir, the vacuum assembly, and the wheeled chassis, with the squeegee head assembly fluidly connectable to the vacuum recovery tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Robert S. Robinson, Joshua L. Harrell, Robert W. Kyde, David W. Lloyd, John T. Richter