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Curtis, IL

Chip Curtis, West Dundee, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100332022HYGIENE COMPLIANCE MONITORING SYSTEM - A hygiene compliance monitoring system provides a dispenser that is associated with a data collection unit that collects dispensing events, such as the dispensement of material from the dispenser, which occurs during time segments of a predetermined duration. The hygiene event monitoring system also includes a portable data acquisition unit that is in wireless communication with the data collection unit of the dispenser. As such, when the data acquisition unit is brought within the range of reception of the data collection unit, the hygiene compliance data and time segment information are transmitted to the data acquisition unit and stored at a portable memory unit, which is removable. As such, the hygiene compliance data stored on the portable memory unit can be readily transferred to any desired computing device for analysis and report generation.12-30-2010

Chip W. Curtis, West Dundee, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090000023Fluid dispenser having infrared user sensor - A dispensing system is disclosed which utilizes a controller in conjunction with a photodetector in order to provide automatic dispensing to a user when an object enters a target area. A controller is programmed to pulse a light source that is mounted proximate the photodetector. The controller constantly monitors the voltage at the receiving signal of the photodetector, and evaluates the difference in voltage from the light pulsed on and off. The controller sums the differences, and constantly updates the differences over a designated period to create an average difference value. The average difference value is summed with a target offset value and compared to a momentary voltage difference. When the momentary difference exceeds the sum of the target offset value and average difference, the controller sends a signal to a dispense mechanism which dispenses a fluid or other product on the object.01-01-2009
20100163573Low cost radio frequency identification (RFID) dispensing systems - A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes.07-01-2010

Jennifer E. Curtis, Chicago, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080316575Aberration correction of optical traps - A method and system for correcting aberrations in a beam of light including correcting for effects from an undiffracted portion of an input beam. The method and system includes (1) a component for providing a beam of light; (2) a component for applying a diffraction grating pattern to the beam of light to establish an optical gradient to form an optical trap; (3) component for measuring aberration in the beam of light having the applied diffraction grating pattern; (4) component for calculating a phase-shifting diffraction grating encoding the aberration; and (5) component for projecting the phase-shifting diffraction grating in conjunction with the diffraction grating pattern characteristic of the optical trap. The method and system also includes (1) providing an input beam of light; (2) applying a diffractive grating pattern to the input beam of light to establish a diffracted portion, apart from an undiffracted portion, to form at least one optical trap; (3) operating on both the diffracted portion and the undiffracted portion to bring the light to focus out of the focal plane; and (4) operating on the diffracted portion of the input beam of light (the optical trap) to modify focus of the diffracted portion relative to the undiffracted portion to bring the diffracted portion into focus in the focal plane.12-25-2008

Kim R. Curtis, Chicago, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20110080258Identity - The present invention is a new type of luxury automobile which would implement numerous ergonomically designed innovations which would deter various criminal activities which would include car theft, carjacking, and driving under the influence. Identity is a security mechanism installed on car doors that requires a fingerprint scan prior to the keypad being revealed.04-07-2011

Patrick J. Curtis, Glen Ellyn, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100260579CORNER-CUT CORRUGATED FASTENER - A corner-cut corrugated fastener in accordance with the principles of the invention includes one or more features to facilitate fastening corner joints. The corrugated fastener includes a corrugated body member having a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The corrugated body member may have a notch along the trailing edge, or chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge, or both a notch along the trailing edge and chamfers at opposing ends of the leading edge. Additionally or alternatively, the corrugated body member may include a corrugation that extends a full length of each lateral edge extending between the leading edge and the trailing edge in order to provide enhanced strength.10-14-2010

Patrick J. Curtis, Glenn Ellyn, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090272782Pneumatically Operable Fastener-Driving Tool and Seal Mechanism Assembly, and a Method of Operating the Same - A pneumatically operable fastener-driving tool and seal mechanism assembly, and a method of operating the same, comprises the use of a single, annular seal member, having a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configuration, disposed within an annularly recessed portion of the fastener-driving tool piston in such a manner that the open region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively high-pressure upstream end portion of the fastener-driving tool cylinder, while, conversely, the closed region of the V-shaped annular seal member is disposed toward the relatively low-pressure downstream end portion of the pneumatic tool cylinder Accordingly, the relatively high-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a power stroke, while relatively low-pressure air acts upon the radially outwardly flared lip portion of the annular seal member during a return stroke, whereby only a single V-shaped annular seal member is required to achieve proper sealing performance characteristics throughout an operative cycle of the fastener-driving tool.11-05-2009

Stanley E. Curtis, Urbana, IL US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090164234LIVESTOCK TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A livestock tracking system includes the collection of animal data upon loading of the livestock for transport and the collection of similar data upon unloading, thereby monitoring and tracking same. Livestock is transported from a grouped plurality to individual animals capable of being weighed and then put into transport containers. Each transport container is readily identifiable throughout the process such that upon the unloading of the livestock the information pertaining to the livestock within each container can be compared to data collected upon loading and therefore traced. While the most important data is weight, other measurements may be utilized. A method incorporating this system is also disclosed.06-25-2009