Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Helf

Thomas A. Helf 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: 10898915
    Abstract: A sprayer system includes a sprayer head, at least two reservoirs, and a gripping portion. The reservoirs hold constituent components of a product. The product is emitted from a nozzle included in the sprayer head. The emission of the product results in the depletion of the components of one of the reservoirs to a greater extent than the remaining at least one reservoir and changes the center of gravity of the sprayer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Cunjiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 10669146
    Abstract: A container can be configured for use with an attachment for mixing and dispensing a solution. The container can include an outlet opening for flow out of the container, and a container valve that is configured to control the flow out of the outlet opening. A neck of the container can be oblong, can include a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange, or can include a first attachment shelf and a second attachment shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, Thomas A. Helf, James R. Crapser, Richard A. Batton, Jeffrey L. Crull, Cunjiang Cheng, Elizabeth Alstad, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Evan A. Sparks, Joel Kramka, Shawn Smith, Joshua James Riley, James Michael Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20190270107
    Abstract: A sprayer system includes a sprayer head, at least two reservoirs, and a gripping portion. The reservoirs hold constituent components of a product. The product is emitted from a nozzle included in the sprayer head. The emission of the product results in the depletion of the components of one of the reservoirs to a greater extent than the remaining at least one reservoir and changes the center of gravity of the sprayer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Cunjiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 10335814
    Abstract: A container includes a reservoir holding a non-pressurized product. A metering device and valve assembly are within the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a product intake conduit and a spring biased valve stem. The valve stem is at least one of an upwardly extending conduit or reciprocating conduit, which is in fluid communication with the product intake conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Cunjiang Cheng
  • Publication number: 20190119094
    Abstract: A container can be configured for use with an attachment for mixing and dispensing a solution. The container can include an outlet opening for flow out of the container, and a container valve that is configured to control the flow out of the outlet opening. A neck of the container can be oblong, can include a first attachment flange and a second attachment flange, or can include a first attachment shelf and a second attachment shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, Thomas A. Helf, James R. Crapser, Richard A. Batton, Jeffrey L. Crull, Cunjiang Cheng, Elizabeth Alstad, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Evan A. Sparks, Joel Kramka, Shawn Smith, Joshua James Riley, James Michael Schlueter
  • Patent number: 10138110
    Abstract: A system for mixing and dispensing solution, such as a cleaning solution, includes a body with a first flow passage extending between a diluent inlet and an outlet, and a second flow passage extending between a concentrate inlet and the first flow passage. The system further includes a container for concentrate, with a container including a container valve. Moving the body axially toward the container to seat the body on the container opens the container valve for a flow of concentrate from the container to the first flow passage via the second flow passage. Further, moving the body axially away from the container to unseat the body from the container closes the container valve to the flow of concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, Thomas A. Helf, James R. Crapser, Richard A. Batton, Jeffrey L. Crull, Cunjiang Cheng, Elizabeth Alstad, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Evan A. Sparks, Joel Kramka, Shawn Smith, Joshua James Riley, James Michael Schlueter
  • Publication number: 20170081165
    Abstract: A system for mixing and dispensing solution, such as a cleaning solution, includes a body with a first flow passage extending between a diluent inlet and an outlet, and a second flow passage extending between a concentrate inlet and the first flow passage. The system further includes a container for concentrate, with a container including a container valve. Moving the body axially toward the container to seat the body on the container opens the container valve for a flow of concentrate from the container to the first flow passage via the second flow passage. Further, moving the body axially away from the container to unseat the body from the container closes the container valve to the flow of concentrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicant: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, Thomas A. Helf, James R. Crapser, Richard A. Batton, Jeffrey L. Crull, Cunjiang Cheng, Elizabeth Alstad, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Evan A. Sparks, Joel Kramka
  • Publication number: 20160074888
    Abstract: A container includes a reservoir holding a non-pressurized product. A metering device and valve assembly are within the reservoir. The valve assembly includes a product intake conduit and a spring biased valve stem. The valve stem is at least one of an upwardly extending conduit or reciprocating conduit, which is in fluid communication with the product intake conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: S. C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Cunjiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 9192949
    Abstract: A fluid application system includes a diluent reservoir, a chemical container, a sprayer housing, a manifold located in the sprayer housing, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with an outlet of the manifold. The manifold includes a diluent inlet in fluid communication with the diluent reservoir, a chemical inlet in fluid communication with the container, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the diluent inlet and the chemical inlet and the outlet of the manifold. The pump assembly draws a mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the manifold and sprays the mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Cunjiang Cheng, Jonathan Mark Dalton, David Jackson Trettin, Spencer Ralph Dodge, Hee Seung Lim
  • Patent number: 9089622
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a drive unit adapted to be mounted on a container. The drive unit is adapted to be activated in response to a signal from at least a sensor to radially displace a tilt-activated valve stem of the container. The volatile material dispenser further includes a flexible tube having a discharge end fixedly held with respect to the container. The flexible tube is adapted to be in fluid communication with the tilt-activated valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Edward L. Paas
  • Patent number: 9061821
    Abstract: A volatile material dispenser includes a housing adapted to receive a container that includes a tilt-activated valve stem. The housing includes a resilient retaining structure. The resilient retaining structure is adapted to retain a portion of the container. An electric drive unit is disposed within the housing. The drive unit includes a cam for engaging a portion of the container to actuate the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Edward L. Paas, Paul E. Furner, Rene Maurice Beland, James F. Kimball
  • Patent number: 8826470
    Abstract: Disclosed are automated aerosol dispensers for delivering chemicals (e.g. cleaners, fragrances, insect control agents) from the dispenser to selected locations (e.g. the air; a toilet bowl; a shower enclosure). There is an actuator (e.g. a push button or a foot pedal) for initiating dispensing, and a holder for an aerosol container. The aerosol container stores the chemical before use. There is a switch associated with the holder that recognizes when the aerosol container has been mounted to the holder, and when thereafter that aerosol container has been dismounted from the holder. A controller controls dispensing of the chemical from the aerosol container in response to actuation. The controller has a timer that determines the amount of time that chemical is to be delivered from the aerosol container upon the dispenser being actuated by the actuator. A database is provided for assisting the controller in varying the time that the timer permits dispensing in response to activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, James R. Crapser
  • Patent number: 8746504
    Abstract: A dispensing system includes a container having a tilt-activated valve stem with a discharge end. The dispensing system also includes an electro-responsive wire that imparts motion to the valve stem to open a valve of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Rene Maurice Beland, Thomas A. Helf, James F. Kimball, Edward L. Paas
  • Patent number: D707559
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ordiway, Douglas A. Soller, Rakesh K. Popli, Thomas A. Helf
  • Patent number: D743806
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Jonathan Mark Dalton, David Jackson Trettin, Spencer Ralph Dodge, Hee Seung Lim
  • Patent number: D780584
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Jonathan M. Dalton, David J. Trettin, Spencer Dodge, Hee Seung Lim
  • Patent number: D800560
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher F. Lang, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Jeffrey L. Crull, Evan A. Sparks, Jonathan M. Dalton, David J. Trettin, Spencer Dodge, Hee Seung Lim
  • Patent number: D809097
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Richard A. Batton, Joel Kramka, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D884833
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Joel Kramka, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Richard A. Batton, Evan A. Sparks
  • Patent number: D960319
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie L. Bates, James R. Crapser, Thomas A. Helf, Joel Kramka, Casey Frett, Katlyn Garcia, Richard A. Batton, Evan A. Sparks