Patents by Inventor Thomas Helf

Thomas 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: 5954240
    Abstract: A docking station and bottle system 23 including a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which have a head interconnect 86 and a bottle interconnect 90, respectively, for fastening the bottle 22 to the filling 20 head in order to prevent spillage. The bottle interconnect 90 includes a fluid port 106 and a vent port 104 which are simultaneously opened from a closed position in order to allow the filling head 20 to draw concentrated fluid from the bottle 22 and mix the concentrated fluid with a diluting fluid such as water before being dispensed from a filling head nozzle 52. The bottle 22 includes identifying indicia 158 for purposes of tracking utilization of the bottle and the concentrated fluid contained therein. An information storage system 170 is associated with the bottle and filling head in order to provide records of such concentrated fluid utilization. A wall mounted docking station 200 including one or more filling heads 20 is also provided for. A refill head is further provided for refilling bottle 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson Commercial Markets, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Duchon, Raymond McKinnon, Carey W. Zimmerman, Michael J. Greaney, A. Ross Cameron, Thomas A. Helf, Charles E. Seaman, Jr., John A. Boticki
  • Patent number: 5862948
    Abstract: A docking station and bottle system 23 including a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which have a head interconnect 86 and a bottle interconnect 90, respectively, for fastening the bottle 22 to the filling 20 head in order to prevent spillage. The bottle interconnect 90 includes a fluid port 106 and a vent port 104 which are simultaneously opened from a closed position in order to allow the filling head 20 to draw concentrated fluid from the bottle 22 and mix the concentrated fluid with a diluting fluid such as water before being dispensed from a filling head nozzle 52. The bottle 22 includes identifying indicia 158 for purposes of tracking utilization of the bottle and the concentrated fluid contained therein. An information storage system 170 is associated with the bottle and filling head in order to provide records of such concentrated fluid utilization. A wall mounted docking station 200 including one or more filling heads 20 is also provided for. A refill head is further provided for refilling bottle 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: SC Johnson Commerical Markets, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Duchon, Raymond McKinnon, Carey W. Zimmerman, Michael J. Greaney, A. Ross Cameron, Thomas A. Helf, Charles E. Seaman, Jr., John A. Boticki
  • Patent number: 5765605
    Abstract: A distributed concentrated chemical dispensing system 300 and method include a central station 302, one or more permanently mounted satellite stations 304, and one or more portable satellite stations 306. Local concentrated chemicals can be distributed from the central station 302 without being diluted to the satellite stations 304, 306 for final dilution. An information storage device 318 is provided for tracking and keeping records of the utilization of the concentrated chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: SC Johnson Commerical Markets, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Waymire, Michael R. Barry, Carey W. Zimmerman, Raymond McKinnon, Thomas A. Helf, Charles E. Seaman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5544810
    Abstract: A fluid-mixing device and a fluid-dispensing system are disclosed. The fluid-mixing device comprises a nozzle (200) having an outlet (210), an inlet (208) adapted for receiving a high-pressure liquid diluent, a nozzle mixing chamber (226), an orificed fluid passageway (236) communicating with the mixing chamber (226), and an orificed fluid-metering element (180) in fluid communication with the fluid passageway (236). A vacuum effect is created in the mixing chamber (226) when high-pressure liquid is passed from the nozzle inlet (208) to the nozzle outlet (210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Horvath, Jr., Robert D. Abrams, Thomas A. Helf
  • Patent number: 5320693
    Abstract: A novel, layered, indicia-containing, surface-coating composite for application to a substrate such as a floor is disclosed. The novel composite comprises a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive and a layer of indicia having the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side thereof. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer secures the indicia layer to the floor. "Tack" properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive may range from 50 to 2000 grams per square centimeter. The novel composite further includes an alkali-soluble transparent polymeric layer on the opposite side of the indicia layer. Also disclosed is a method of applying, and then selectably removing, such an indicia-containing surface-coating composite from the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Helf