Patents by Inventor William J. Rice

William J. Rice 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: 20230417038
    Abstract: A system for applying a flowable material to a surface that includes an applicator and a storage pod is disclosed. The storage pod may have a housing and a lid that engage each other to form an interior cavity that contains a flowable material. The applicator receives the storage pod and has a pusher mechanism to apply a force to the housing causing the housing to collapse. As the housing collapses, the flowable material is expelled from the storage pod. The applicator may be a reusable applicator where the storage pods can be used and reloaded, or a single use disposable applicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Douglas A. Soller, Steven A. Zach, James Paul Orrico, Mario M. Orrico, Harbinder S. Pordal
  • Publication number: 20220363465
    Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials includes a tube having a tube interior cavity, an open proximal end, and a distal end having a dispensing orifice. A dividing wall extends along the tube interior cavity and divides the tube into a plurality of chambers. A first flowable material is positioned in a first of the chambers. At least one additional flowable material is positioned in another of the chambers. Each of a plurality of pistons is seated in a proximal end of one of the chambers. A handle includes a plurality of pusher bars, with each pusher bar engaging one of the pistons. When one of the handle and the tube is received in the other of the handle and the tube, the handle and tube move coaxially with respect to one another, and the pistons force the flowable materials from each of the chambers out of the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Steven A. Zach, Francisco R. Figueroa
  • Patent number: 9370794
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Thomas W. Otis, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Patent number: 9364872
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Publication number: 20140374437
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Thomas W. Otis, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Patent number: 8851339
    Abstract: A device for application of a self-adhesive product, wherein the device operates with at least a first step and a second step. The first step and second step being temporally separate. A device for application of a flowable product includes a first section and a second section, the first section being sized such that at least a portion of the first section fits within the second section, the first section being slidable relative to the second section. A device includes a first section having a protrusion extending from its outer surface that fits through a slot in the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Steven A. Zach, Russell B. Wortley, William J. Rice, Doraiswami Jaichandra, Mark D. Duennes, Keith Kristiansen, Jeffrey Buttler, Thomas Van Dyk, David Demar, Roland Charriez, John Kiely, John Anastasiadis
  • Patent number: 8814456
    Abstract: A device employed by a user for applying a self-adhesive product to a surface may include an outer housing configured for gripping by a single hand of the user, the outer housing having a distal end, and a volume of self-adhesive product disposed within the outer housing. An automatic dispensing mechanism is disposed within the outer housing and operatively coupled to the outer housing and the volume of self-adhesive product, the automatic dispensing mechanism configured to advance at least a portion of the volume of self-adhesive product through the outer housing distal end in response to a manual actuation force applied to the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Steven A. Zach, Russell B. Wortley, William J. Rice, Doraiswami Jaichandra, Mark D. Duennes, Keith C. Kristiansen, Jeffrey E. Butler, Jr., Thomas Van Dyk, David A. Demar, Roland Charriez, John Kiely, John Anastasiadis
  • Patent number: 8794293
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Thomas W. Otis, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Publication number: 20130068267
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Publication number: 20120037301
    Abstract: An applicator, related applicator system, and a method for delivering a self-adhesive material are provided. The applicator includes an outer surface, and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface of the applicator defines a void that is operable to receive the self-adhesive material. At least a portion of the inner surface releasably adhere the applicator side of the self-adhesive material where the adhesive force between the portion of the inner surface and the applicator side being less than adhesive force between the substrate and the substrate side. The applicator is used by placing the applicator in contact with a substrate, pressing the applicator against the substrate such that the self-adhesive material adheres to the substrate, and releasing the applicator from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: William J. Rice, Thomas W. Otis, Michael E. Klinkhammer
  • Patent number: D654364
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schultz, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Steven A. Zach, Russell B. Wortley, William J. Rice, Doraiswami Jaichandra, Mark D. Duennes, Keith C. Kristiansen, Jeffrey E. Butler, Jr., Thomas Van Dyk, David A. Demar, Roland Charriez, John Kiely, John Anastasiadis
  • Patent number: D690790
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D690791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D690792
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D690793
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D700949
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D700950
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D701287
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D701938
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell B. Wortley, Michael E. Klinkhammer, Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Tanya M. Jacobs
  • Patent number: D712506
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Soller, William J. Rice, Cory J. Nelson, Michael E. Klinkhammer