Andrew N Niemiec

US Patent:

20120012667, Jan 19, 2012

Filed:

Jul 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/837739

Inventors:

Thomas P. Gasper - Germantown WI, US
Chris A. Kubicek - East Troy WI, US
Andrew N. Niemiec - Franklin WI, US
Robert C. Coon - Chicago IL, US
Bjorn Gunderson - Chicago IL, US
Erik J. Moses - Carol Stream IL, US
Mike O'Connor - Gurnee IL, US

International Classification:

A61L 9/04
B23P 19/04

US Classification:

239 34, 294261

Abstract:

A method of retaining only compatible refills by a volatile material dispenser includes the step of providing a dispenser having a housing and at least one movable latch disposed within the housing. The method further includes the steps of providing a compatible refill that includes a container for holding a volatile material and a wick extending from the container and inserting the refill into the housing so that the refill actuates the movable latch into engagement with a structure disposed on a neck of the refill to retain the refill within the housing. The incompatible refills are incapable of actuating the movable latch, and thus, the movable latch does not retain the incompatible refills within the housing.

US Patent:

20140064713, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/012632

Inventors:

Andrew N. Niemiec - Franklin WI, US
Kenneth W. Michaels - Spring Grove IL, US
Gopal P. Ananth - Racine WI, US
Michael J. McGlade - Racine WI, US

International Classification:

A61L 9/03

US Classification:

392387

Abstract:

A method of alternatingly emitting two or more volatile materials comprises the steps of activating a first heater and emitting a first volatile material for a first period of time by emitting the first volatile material at a first primary evaporation rate and emitting the first volatile material at a first secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the first volatile material at the first primary evaporation rate. The method further includes the steps of deactivating the first heater, activating a second heater, and emitting a second volatile material for a second period of time by emitting the second volatile material at a second primary evaporation rate and emitting the second volatile material at a second secondary evaporation rate after evaporation of the second volatile material at the second primary evaporation rate. The first and second secondary evaporation rates are less than the first and second primary evaporation rates.

US Patent:

20110139883, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Sep 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/874084

Inventors:

Thomas P. Gasper - Germantown WI, US
Chris A. Kubicek - East Troy WI, US
Andrew N. Niemiec - Franklin WI, US
Robert C. Coon - Chicago IL, US
Bjorn Gunderson - Chicago IL, US
Erik Joseph Moses - Carol Stream IL, US
Mike O'Connor - Gurnee IL, US

International Classification:

B05B 17/04
A61L 9/04

US Classification:

239 1, 239 44

Abstract:

A volatile material dispenser includes a housing, a retention mechanism coupled to the housing, a first refill having a wick extending therefrom, and a first adapter removably attached to a portion of the first refill. The retention mechanism non-removably retains the first adapter to the housing when the first refill and the first adapter combination are inserted therein. When the first refill is removed from the dispenser, the first adapter remains in the dispenser such that a second refill with a second adapter removably attached thereto can be inserted into and retained by the first adapter.

US Patent:

20110139885, Jun 16, 2011

Filed:

Dec 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/969261

Inventors:

THOMAS P. GASPER - Germantown WI, US
Chris A. Kubicek - East Troy WI, US
Andrew N. Niemiec - Franklin WI, US
Steven V. Bisbikis - Hawthorn Woods IL, US
Jason R. Gebhardt - Buffalo Grove IL, US

International Classification:

A61L 9/12

US Classification:

239 6, 239 44

Abstract:

A volatile material refill includes a container with a volatile material disposed therein, a plug assembly disposed within an opening of the container and adapted to retain a wick extending out of the opening, a sheath covering a portion the wick, and at least one rib extending outwardly from the sheath and adapted to assist in retaining the refill in at least one volatile material dispenser.