Patents by Inventor William E. Smith

William E. Smith 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).

  • Publication number: 20230374787
    Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, Douglas S. Penrod, William E. Smith, John A. Thies, Jacob Paul Honsvick
  • Patent number: 11787130
    Abstract: A mechanical system that assembles or deploys pre-stressed structures. The assembly or deployment process outputs and elastically deforms material to form flexural members having a sinusoidal shape and stored potential energy. The sinusoidal shaped members are oriented and deployed with support members as they take shape. Sinusoidal shaped members are formed from a series of contiguous flexures; each flexure's properties may be engineered using a simulation technique. Each flexure is formed from a region of a sinusoidal member's length that begins and ends at antinodes. During assembly or deployment support members are positioned at antinodes maintaining the flexures' shapes and the assembly's pre-stressed state. By controlling the forces applied to and position of each flexure formed during assembly, the distribution of potential energy within the assembly and its secondary shape can be engineered. Elastic potential energy may be harvested from the material forming the flexural members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Inventor: William E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11761210
    Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, Douglas S. Penrod, William E. Smith, John A. Thies, Jacob Paul Honsvick
  • Patent number: 11608632
    Abstract: Sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units are parts that form pre-stressed assemblies having flexural properties. Sinusoidal shaped members are relaxed material members that have been elastically deformed. Support members maintain the elastically deformed state of the sinusoidal shaped members. The sinusoidal shaped members and support members are organized into pre-stressed curvilinear assemblies containing stored elastic potential energy that is equal to the work done by the forces that deformed their pre-stressed structure. The assemblies' sinusoidal shaped members and support members are adapted to use materials having exceptional mechanical properties and flexural strength. This includes nano-composites. The assemblies' pre-stressed state enhances its mechanical, electrical and structural performance. The size, number, density and possible geometric configurations of the sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units within an assembly/structure is vast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Inventor: William E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20210331431
    Abstract: A mechanical system that assembles or deploys pre-stressed structures. The assembly or deployment process outputs and elastically deforms material to form flexural members having a sinusoidal shape and stored potential energy. The sinusoidal shaped members are oriented and deployed with support members as they take shape. Sinusoidal shaped members are formed from a series of contiguous flexures; each flexure's properties may be engineered using a simulation technique. Each flexure is formed from a region of a sinusoidal member's length that begins and ends at antinodes. During assembly or deployment support members are positioned at antinodes maintaining the flexures' shapes and the assembly's pre-stressed state. By controlling the forces applied to and position of each flexure formed during assembly, the distribution of potential energy within the assembly and its secondary shape can be engineered. Elastic potential energy may be harvested from the material forming the flexural members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: WILLIAM E. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20210285217
    Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, Douglas S. Penrod, William E. Smith, John A. Thies, Jacob Paul Honsvick
  • Publication number: 20210164228
    Abstract: Asphalt-based roofing materials, such as shingles, are disclosed that include a band of a parting material. The asphalt-based roofing material includes at least one asphalt-coated substrate that defines a headlap portion and a tab portion each having opposed top and bottom surfaces; a layer of backdust applied to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the headlap portion and to at least a portion of the bottom surface of the tab portion; a release section of parting material applied to the layer of backdust, where the parting material is included in the in the range of 0.0005 kg/m2 to 1 kg/m2; and an adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Hai Fu, Ozma Lane, William E. Smith
  • Patent number: 11021876
    Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, Douglas S. Penrod, William E. Smith, John A. Thies, Jacob Paul Honsvick
  • Publication number: 20200392734
    Abstract: A roofing underlayment that resists water ingress around fasteners that are used to secure the underlayment to a substrate, such as a roof deck, is provided. The roofing underlayment includes a base layer, a coating layer applied to the base layer, and a water-swellable composition. An upper surface of the roofing underlayment may have a water contact angle of at least 120°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventor: William E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20200240139
    Abstract: Sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units are parts that form pre-stressed assemblies having flexural properties. Sinusoidal shaped members are relaxed material members that have been elastically deformed. Support members maintain the elastically deformed state of the sinusoidal shaped members. The sinusoidal shaped members and support members are organized into pre-stressed curvilinear assemblies containing stored elastic potential energy that is equal to the work done by the forces that deformed their pre-stressed structure. The assemblies' sinusoidal shaped members and support members are adapted to use materials having exceptional mechanical properties and flexural strength. This includes nano-composites. The assemblies' pre-stressed state enhances its mechanical, electrical and structural performance. The size, number, density and possible geometric configurations of the sinusoidal shaped member units and support member units within an assembly/structure is vast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventor: WILLIAM E. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10458119
    Abstract: A shingle including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, an asphalt layer, a layer of granules, and a spacing layer is provided. The asphalt layer covers at least a portion of the top surface and the layer of granules is adhered to the asphalt layer. The spacing layer is attached beneath at least a portion of the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, David P. Aschenbeck, Donn R. Vermilion, Edward R. Harrington, William E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190177978
    Abstract: A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, Douglas S. Penrod, William E. Smith, John A. Thies, Jacob Paul Honsvick
  • Publication number: 20180086423
    Abstract: An apparatus for protecting a floatation device includes an elongate body, the elongate body including a closed front end and an open back end, a securing mechanism removably attached to the open back end of the elongate body wherein the securing mechanism is configured to secure a floatation device in the elongate body. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device is useful for protecting a floatation device such as a pontoon on a watercraft. The apparatus for protecting a floatation device slides over the front end of the pontoon and is secured by a securing mechanism at the rear end of the pontoon to prevent the pontoon from coming into direct contact with rocky shores and docks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventor: William E. Smith
  • Publication number: 20180051465
    Abstract: A shingle including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, an asphalt layer, a layer of granules, and a spacing layer is provided. The asphalt layer covers at least a portion of the top surface and the layer of granules is adhered to the asphalt layer. The spacing layer is attached beneath at least a portion of the bottom surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Grubka, David P. Aschenbeck, Donn R. Vermilion, Edward R. Harrington, William E. Smith
  • Patent number: 9803907
    Abstract: The use of the following techniques to clean air: (1) inlet air filtration, (2) continuous recirculation air filtration, (3) water filtration and disinfection, (4) use of an air curtain in the ice bin opening, and (5) provision of clean air to the air assist pump during the harvest cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: MANITOWOC FOODSERVICE COMPANIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daryl G. Erbs, William E. Smith, Jr., William E. Olson, Jr., Janice M. K. Jaferian
  • Patent number: 9364114
    Abstract: A method and device for creating a beverage recipe for an integrated beverage blending system includes a dispenser and at least one blending/mixing/cleaning module. The method creates the beverage recipe with recipe program running on a computer interactively with a user making recipe entry parameters for the dispensing, blending and mixing operations. The recipe can be stored on a portable memory and inserted into a user interface controller of the integrated system or into an associated point of sale device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Enodis Corportion
    Inventors: Jan Claesson, William E. Smith, Roberto Nevarez
  • Patent number: 9259114
    Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising: a controller for menu selection; an ice portion control module; an ingredient module; a dispensing apparatus in communication with the ice portion control module and the ingredient module, wherein the ice and the ingredient are dispensed into a beverage container via the dispensing apparatus; and at least one blender module which blends and/or mixes the ice and the ingredient in the beverage container, thereby producing the beverage; wherein, upon removal of the beverage container from the blender module, the blender module initiates a cleaning mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, William E. Smith, Jan Claesson
  • Patent number: 8857667
    Abstract: An integrated beverage blending system comprising an ice portion control module, an ingredient module; an ice dispensing conduit in communication with the ice portion control module, and an ingredient dispensing valve removably connected to the ice dispensing conduit and in communication with the ingredient module. Ice is dispensed into a beverage container via the ice dispensing conduit and the ingredient is dispensed into the beverage container via the ingredient dispensing valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, William E. Smith, Jan Claesson, Harry Edward Wing
  • Publication number: 20140205726
    Abstract: A method of controlling an integrated beverage system that comprises a dispensing module that dispenses one or more ingredients into a beverage container and a blending/mixing module that blends and/or mixes the ingredients in the beverage container, the method comprising: controlling the dispensing module and the blending/mixing module to prepare first and second beverages concurrently or sequentially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Claesson, William E. Smith, Roberto Nevarez
  • Publication number: 20140147564
    Abstract: An integrated beverage blending and cleaning includes at least one blender module comprising a housing, a spindle, at least one blade, a drain, and a cleaning assembly. The housing comprises a substantially vertically disposed wall. A controller which, upon completion of a blending or mixing sequence, activates a cleaning and/or sanitizing mode via said cleaning assembly to clean at least an interior of said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Enodis Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Nevarez, William E. Smith, Jan Claesson