Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Szymczak

Thomas J. Szymczak 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: 7850444
    Abstract: A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Thomas J. Szymczak, Kara L. Lakatos, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair, Paul E. Furner
  • Patent number: 7731492
    Abstract: A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Thomas J. Szymczak, Kara L. Lakatos, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair, Paul E. Fumer
  • Patent number: 7670566
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices for dispensing air treatment chemicals. There is a substrate bearing a first volatile air treatment chemical that is capable of being dispensed from the substrate when the substrate is heated, and an indicator unit holding a volatile indicator chemical separate from the first volatile air treatment chemical such that the volatile indicator chemical is capable of being dispensed from the unit when the unit is heated. The extent of dispensing of the first volatile air treatment chemical can be indicated by a visible cue whose appearance results from the dispensing of the volatile indicator chemical. In one form the unit also holds a second air treatment chemical. In another the indicator unit is a replaceable cartridge positionable more remote from the heater than the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel E. Adair, Brian T. Davis, Gopal P. Ananth, Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 7568912
    Abstract: A candle fuel element includes a wick-holder assembly including a wick spaced from a heat-conductive element, a first fuel charge surrounding the wick, and a second fuel charge slidably engaging and at least partly surrounding the first fuel charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A Kubicek, Cory J Nelson, Brian Wagers, Paul E Furner, Kara L Lakatos, Thomas J Szymczak, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E Adair
  • Publication number: 20080318176
    Abstract: A fuel charge for use with a melting plate candle assembly includes an outer shell of fuel material surrounding an inner core of fuel material having different properties than the fuel material of the outer shell. The outer shell is substantially solid and may contain fuel additive that slows capillary flow of liquid fuel to the flame through the wick. The inner core may include liquid fuel, discrete solid fuel particles, or a solid fuel mass. The fuel additive is disposed in the fuel charge so as to slow migration of liquefied fuel to a flame on a wick only after a substantial portion of the fuel charge has been liquefied by heat from the flame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Thomas J. Szymczak, Kara L. Lakatos, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair
  • Patent number: 7467945
    Abstract: A candle assembly includes a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits over the capillary pedestal, a wick that is carried by the wick holder, and a fuel element that fits over the wick and wick holder and rests on the melting plate. The fuel element includes a duct therethrough for receiving the wick holder. The fuel element is adapted to prevent improper insertion of the wick holder into the duct. The duct is adapted to facilitate successful initial ignition and sustained burn of the wick by having a width that is selected to ensure that melted fuel material engages the wick when dripping down the duct. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly. A candle holder, such as including the melting plate supported by a base, may be adapted to promote laminar air flow thereacross during a burn in a substantially calm atmospheric environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Cory J. Nelson, Robert G. Gray, Thomas J. Szymczak, Elizabeth J. Jameson, Georgia A. Tenhagen, Paul E. Furner, Ralph Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7413435
    Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles which employ heat conductive elements to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a support plate for a solid fuel and to the body of said solid fuel, so as to more rapidly liquefy the solid fuel, such as paraffin wax, and to more uniformly and intensely heat such fuels to increase the efficiency of consumption thereof and to more rapidly release volatile materials contained within said fuels. The heat conductive support plate is configured so as to have a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which cooperatively engages a wick holder comprising a preferably consumable wick and heat conductive fins which conduct heat from a flame upon said wick to said support plate. The wick holder also provides capillary fins by which liquified fuel is transported from said support plate to said flame, Said wick holder further engages said capillary pedestal in such a locking manner as to resist accidental removal from said pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth J. Jameson, Chris A. Kubicek, Thomas J. Szymczak, Padma Prabodh Varanasi, Joel E. Adair
  • Patent number: 7318724
    Abstract: A candle assembly includes a support base, a melting plate having a capillary pedestal, a wick holder that fits onto the capillary pedestal, and a fuel element that fits over the wick holder. The wick holder includes a sleeve having first and second open ends. A wick fits into the sleeve and extends between the open ends. The sleeve has a constricted portion, which is disposed between the open ends and has a cross-sectional area less than any other cross-sectional area between the open ends. The constricted portion reduces an effective capillary fluid flow capacity of the wick between the open ends, which may thereby regulate how quickly fuel is consumed when the candle assembly is burning. A capillary well disposed between the wick holder and the capillary pedestal may be adapted to promote a successful relight after an initial burn of the candle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Cory J. Nelson, Thomas J. Szymczak, Paul E. Furner
  • Patent number: 6978914
    Abstract: Apparatus for placing contents of a first container in fluid communication with a delivery apparatus includes an actuating element carried by the delivery apparatus and a valve element carried by the first container. At least one of the actuating element and the valve element defines a flow path from the first container to the delivery apparatus when the actuating element and the valve element are engaged with one another. The actuating element is engageable with a circular cylindrical valve of a second container to prevent flow of contents of the second container into the delivery apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul E. Furner, Kenneth W. Michaels, Thomas J. Szymczak, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, David J. Houser, William E. McCracken
  • Patent number: 6966665
    Abstract: A flameless candle includes a housing, which defines an enclosure. A wall is positioned in the enclosure to form an air intake chamber and an air outflow chamber. At least one opening is in communication with both the ambient air and the air intake chamber. At least one opening is in communication with the air intake chamber and the air outflow chamber. And at least one opening is in communication with the ambient air and the air outflow chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Limburg, Thomas J. Szymczak, Milan L. Zdrubecky
  • Publication number: 20040264169
    Abstract: A flameless candle includes a housing, which defines an enclosure. A wall is positioned in the enclosure to form an air intake chamber and an air outflow chamber. At least one opening is in communication with both the ambient air and the air intake chamber. At least one opening is in communication with the air intake chamber and the air outflow chamber. And at least one opening is in communication with the ambient air and the air outflow chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: James A. Limburg, Thomas J. Szymczak, Milan L. Zdrubecky
  • Patent number: 6830164
    Abstract: A shave gel is disposed within a container having a container body defining a space for storage of the product and a valve in fluid communication with the space. A hollow stem is disposed in fluid communication with the valve and includes an exterior end that has at least one side opening therethrough. The valve is actuable to dispense product through the side opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 6415957
    Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a heated gel includes a housing having a recess therein, a coupling assembly disposed in the housing and adapted to retain a pressurized gel container in the recess and a heater assembly disposed in the housing. The heater assembly includes a heater selectively operable to develop heat and a heat exchanger in heat transfer relationship with the heater and having a chamber for receiving a quantity of gel. The heater assembly further includes a first valve in fluid communication with a first portion of the chamber and operable to expose the chamber to pressurized gel and a second valve in fluid communication with a second portion of the chamber and operable to allow dispensing of gel without substantial foaming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, John A. Heathcock, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, Scott W. Demarest, Darren K. Robling, Thomas J. Szymczak, Clifford S. Eagleton, Eric B. Gach, Paul J. Golko, Dennis W. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20020074349
    Abstract: A shave gel is disposed within a container having a container body defining a space for storage of the product and a valve in fluid communication with the space. A hollow stem is disposed in fluid communication with the valve and includes an exterior end that has at least one side opening therethrough. The valve is actuable to dispense product through the side opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Michaels, John A. Heathcock, Edward J. Kunesh, David P. Mather, Scott W. Demarest, Darren K. Robling, Thomas J. Szymczak, Clifford S. Eagleton, Eric B. Gach, Paul J. Golko, Dennis W. Gruber
  • Patent number: 6352689
    Abstract: A composition for use as a post-foaming shaving gel, for example, comprising about 3% to about 20% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyvinylpyrrolidone, in a combined amount, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) and the polyvinylpyrrolidone are present in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1, and about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the composition of a post-foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 5858343
    Abstract: A composition for use as a post-foaming shaving gel, for example, comprising about 3% to about 20% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system, about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of the composition of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyvinylpyrrolidone, in a combined amount, wherein the poly(ethylene oxide) and the polyvinylpyrrolidone are present in a weight ratio of about 1:10 to about 10:1, and about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the composition of a post-foaming agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 4974732
    Abstract: An improvement in a sealed pouch made of molecularly-orientable polymeric film that is sealed along peripheral edge margins is disclosed. The pouch defines a sealed cavity for containment of a fluid. The pouch also defines a sealed fluid-discharge spout that is in fluid communication with the fluid cavity. The pouch further defines a seam disposed between the fluid cavity and the spout. The improvement comprises at least three essential features. One such feature is that a portion of the polymeric film which defines a fluid-discharge end of the spout is molecularly-oriented in a preselected direction. Another such feature is that a portion of the seam defines a slit disposed transverse to the preselected direction. Still another feature is that a portion of the sealed pouch peripheral edge margin in the vicinity of the fluid-discharge end of the spout defines a tear-initiating notch oriented in the preselected direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Sullivan, Karl A. Kohler, Thomas J. Szymczak
  • Patent number: 4822604
    Abstract: A clear, therapeutic hair care composition is presented having a low pH and useful in the local treatment of dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis of the scalp which resists oxidative decomposition. The shampoo is comprised of a detergent shampoo base, a therapeutic amount of a keratolytic agent and a keratolytic stabilizing agent to stabilize the keratolytic agent against oxidative decoloration decomposition catalyzed by ultraviolet radiation exposure. The keratolytic agent is preferably a salicylate and preferably salicylic acid and the keratolytic stabilizing agent is a tertiary amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Knoll, David L. Shelton, Thomas J. Szymczak