Patents Examined by Amanda Flynn
  • Patent number: 6698669
    Abstract: A pivot flow joint for high-pressure fluid-flow devices of the type including a rotating flow member connected to a non-rotating flow member. The pivot flow joint includes first and second axially-aligned seal bushings secured to the non-rotating and rotating flow members, respectively, the first and second seal bushings having opposed adjoining contact surfaces. The seal bushings are biased toward one another for sealing engagement at such contact surfaces. Certain preferred embodiments involve spring-biasing the seal bushings toward one another and/or use of the high-pressure fluid to exert axial pressure for that purpose. The two seal bushings, which are preferably ceramic and of identical size and shape, carry out the sealing function of the pivot flow joint in the transition between the non-rotating and the rotating members of such joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mosmatic Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Rieben
  • Patent number: 6694543
    Abstract: An adjustable, compressive mount for a shower curtain rod fits neatly within the curtain rod to maintain the esthetic appearance of the rod. A rotatable extension within the rod is moved in and out of the rod to alter the effective length of the rod. Extending the rod to fit within the enclosure provides a frictional fit against the opposing walls of the shower enclosure, without the need to place screws into the walls of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Sean A. Moore
  • Patent number: 6694534
    Abstract: A ventilation system (10) for a conventional flush toilet (100) generally comprises a battery (20); an air sweetener (30) in a water tank (140) for deodorizing or scenting air (90D); an air flow device (40) positioned within a tank (140) including a duct (50) with a fan (60) therein, and an electrical circuit (70) powering a fan (60) when a circuit (70) is activated. The duct (50) receives a bowl filling hose (166) and attaches to a top end (172) of a bowl fill pipe (170) so as to receive air from a bowl (120). A float switch (80) may deactivate a fan circuit (70) after flushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Earlyn W. Stone
  • Patent number: 6692466
    Abstract: A catheter assembly having a balloon disposed at the distal end thereof and a therapeutic substance delivery assembly, including a needle in fluid communication with a therapeutic substance delivery lumen for allowing a therapeutic substance to be injected into a diseased physiological lumen. A deflector is positioned along an inside wall of the delivery lumen, positioned, such that as a bend region forms caused by the movement of the delivery lumen, the deflector bends to rest on the outside curvature of the bend. As the needle is made to travel through the bend, the ribbon helps to bounce the needle tip off the wall of the delivery lumen, allowing the needle to travel through the bend without digging into and/or gouging the delivery lumen wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mina Chow, Paul John Kawula, Jeffrey Steward
  • Patent number: 6684414
    Abstract: A portable urinal for collecting and storing urine from a user is provided. The portable urinal includes a receptacle for collecting the urine, where the receptacle includes a body portion having an inlet sized to sufficiently receive the genitourinary area of the user, and an outlet. The portable urinal further includes a storage container for storing the urine, where the storage container has an inlet for receiving the urine from the receptacle. A connector attached to the storage container receives the storage container inlet and removably receives the receptacle outlet, such that the connector releasably joins the receptacle with the storage container allowing the urine to flow from the receptacle outlet into the storage container inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Houston Rehrig
  • Patent number: 6685104
    Abstract: Landscape sprinkling systems that incorporate fire sensors, optional moisture sensors, and control electronics that continuously monitor the perimeter of a property for fire and/or smoke, and optionally low soil moisture conditions. When an alarm is detected, the systems automatically turn on selected sprinkler valves to water areas that would be most impacted by a fire or are in need of water. Wireless and wired system embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Ardele Y. Float, Kenneth W. Float
  • Patent number: 6681414
    Abstract: A spa comprised of a fluid enclosure having a floor and an upstanding sidewall includes a plurality of therapy stations within the enclosure. Each therapy station includes a hydrotherapy assembly and each such assembly includes a plurality of fluid jets in the floor or sidewall of the enclosure and a fluid inlet through the floor or sidewall of the enclosure. Each hydrotherapy assembly also includes a fluid pump having a suction port that is in fluid communication with the inlet and a discharge port that is in fluid communication with the jets. The pump is adapted to move fluid from the enclosure through the fluid inlet and suction port and back through the discharge port and the jets into the enclosure. A variable flow controller is also provided for each hydrotherapy station, which controller is adapted to control the flow of fluid from the discharge port of the pump through the jets into the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: May Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom M. May, George L. Hendricks, Scott A. Romano
  • Patent number: 6679439
    Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid product includes a reservoir configured to contain a fluid product and a spray orifice associated with the reservoir. The reservoir may include at least one actuating wall having a predetermined threshold resistance to deformation. The actuating wall may be configured to deform in response to pressure exerted on the actuating wall so as to cause the product to be sprayed out from the orifice. When pressure exerted on the actuating wall is less than a threshold pressure Ps sufficient to overcome the predetermined threshold resistance to deformation of the actuating wall, substantially no portion of the product is sprayed from the spray orifice. At least upon a first use of the device, continuous exerting of the threshold pressure Ps on the actuating wall causes spraying of the product from the spray orifice for a spray duration that is capable of being altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: L'Oreal S.A.
    Inventor: Florent Duqueroie
  • Patent number: 6675404
    Abstract: A system for control of water delivery to an interior of a tub, spa or shower includes a plurality of ports and a flow control device. The plurality of ports is adapted to be located on a surface of the tub, spa, or shower and the plurality of ports is configured to transmit water to an interior of the tub, spa, or shower. A first pipe of the flow control device includes a plurality of elongated inlets and a second pipe includes a plurality of outlets in fluid communication with the plurality of ports. The first pipe or the second pipe is moveable, one relative to the other. Moving of the first pipe or the second pipe to a first position serves to cause communication of an elongated inlet of the plurality of elongated inlets with a first outlet of the plurality of outlets. The first outlet is in fluid communication with a first port of the plurality of ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Saratoga Spa & Bath Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Brennan, W. John Gardenier
  • Patent number: 6671895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dual purpose beading for swimming pool liners. The beading includes a first portion structured and arranged for attachment of a swimming pool liner thereto and a second hook shaped portion. The hooked shaped portion is adapted so that it is moveable from a first position that enables the beading to be placed over an upper edge of a pool wall and a second position that enables the beading to be inserted into a receptor type coupling in a pool wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Latham Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Lewis
  • Patent number: 6673006
    Abstract: A spacing apparatus for use with radiation therapy devices, and in particular, for use with a brachytherapy device. The spacing apparatus is useful in that the instrument is effective to limit the amount of radiation that comes into contact with the sensitive tissue proximate to the extraction site, and thereby protect sensitive tissue from overheating or hotspots, and/or protect against radiation exposure outside of the patient's body which may affect healthcare providers or others who might come close to the patient. In particular, the spacing apparatus is effective to control the proximity of a brachytherapy device to the outer surface of the sensitive tissue proximate to a surgical extraction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Proxima Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventor: Rance A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 6668390
    Abstract: A debris recovery device for drainage systems that includes a shaft with a peripheral wall. A basket made out of a meshed material has a spring loaded hingedly mounted bottom wall that is partially opened when it carries a load of a predetermined weight. A peripheral flange rests on the shoulder of the peripheral wall. An oil trap assembly can be optionally added to catch oil spills before reading the drainage system. The oil trap includes a sheet of a porous oil-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Inventor: Raul Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6662379
    Abstract: A toilet cleaning dispenser system adapted for placement in a toilet tank includes a hanger, a dispenser housing and a cartridge device removably coupled to the dispenser housing. The cartridge device, which includes a cleanser tablet enclosed within a cartridge housing, is inserted into a cavity of the dispenser housing and turned in one direction to lock the device and, alternatively, in an opposite direction to unlock the device. The cartridge housing may be formed to turn as one unit, or be formed as a basket and a rotatable cap that can be turned with respect to the basket. The dispenser housing includes an inlet water trap and an outlet water trap, each comprising a pair of concentric, nested tubes that retain liquid after flushing so as to prevent fumes from exiting the dispenser housing into the toilet tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack T. Nguyen, Farid Maiwandi, Dan Lodhe, Christopher A. Coppock, Troy A. Bell
  • Patent number: 6664440
    Abstract: A disposable undergarment is provided on inside of a waist-opening's peripheral edge with a sweat-absorbent sheet comprising an inner layer destined to come in contact with a wearer's skin and an outer layer opposed to the inner layer. The inner layer contains hydrophobic fibers of 70˜98 w % and hydrophilic fibers of at least 2 w %. The outer layer contains hydrophilic fibers of 50˜100 w % of which a part extends outward from the outer layer through interstices of the hydrophobic fibers to the skin contacting surface of the inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kawamura, Yoshio Ono
  • Patent number: 6658672
    Abstract: A hinge of toilet bowl seat and toilet bowl cover, including a subplate and a sleeve disposed on the subplate. The subplate is integrally formed with an upright column. A top end of the column is formed with an inner thread section. The sleeve has an axial through hole corresponding to the column, whereby the sleeve can be fitted around the column. The sleeve is fixed on the subplate by a bolt corresponding to the inner thread section of the column. An outer diameter of the head section is larger than an inner diameter of the through hole. The bolt is downward fitted into the sleeve and screwed into the inner thread section of the column. The head section of the bolt is stopped at the top edge of the sleeve to fix the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Elvis Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6659367
    Abstract: A device for spraying a liquid coating product includes a hub forming or accommodating a liquid feed pipe and a divergent centrifugal deflector having a distribution surface whose overall shape is that of a trumpet bell. Applications include electrostatic painting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sames Technologies
    Inventor: Patrick Ballu
  • Patent number: 6651259
    Abstract: A urine specimen container system is disclosed for collecting urine from a woman. The urine specimen container system includes a receiving member for receiving urine expelled from a body of a user. The receiving member has a bottom wall with a perimeter, and a peripheral wall united to the perimeter of the bottom wall to define an interior of the receiving member. The bottom wall of the receiving member has a hole formed therein for draining urine from the interior of the receiving member through a bottom surface of the bottom wall. The system includes a container having an opening with an annular lip formed about the opening. A container securing structure on the receiving member removably secures the container to the receiving member by releasably engaging the annular lip on the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: Marlene D. Hartman, Gary W. Hartman
  • Patent number: 6651264
    Abstract: A flush valve is connectable to a blind hole in a vertical wall of a toilet tank. An overflow member is in fluid communication with a flush valve housing. The flush valve housing is wider than it is higher, and fits into a blind hole in the tank wall of similar cross sectional shape. The tank is formed with an attachment ear. A clip mounted on the housing holds the housing against the tank wall, while the non-circular nature of the housing and blind hole prevent relative rotation there between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Halloran, Andrew H. Matznick
  • Patent number: 6651909
    Abstract: A fluid spray apparatus includes a pump providing fluid at an elevated pressure and a delivery system coupled to the pump to spray the fluid in a predetermined configuration. The delivery system includes a flexible hose and a nozzle receiver adapted to receive one of a plurality of nozzles each having an associated spray pattern. A nozzle retainer coupled to the delivery system is adapted to releasably retain the nozzles in proximity to the distal end of the delivery system. An associated method includes the step of retaining the nozzles when not in use in an ordered pattern relative to the retainer and in proximity to the distal end of the delivery system. A nozzle cleaner having a configuration similar to that of the nozzles includes a pin and a guard pivotally mounted to cover the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Adolfo Arteaga Bugarin
  • Patent number: 6651260
    Abstract: A toilet tank top with easy access to drop in deodorizing discs for effectively deodorizing and disinfecting a toilet bowl. The toilet tank top with easy access to drop in deodorizing discs includes a main lid portion designed for abutting a top edge of a toilet tank. The main lid portion has an aperture that extends therethrough. The aperture is for receiving a tank cleansing tablet. A cover member is couplable to the main lid portion. The cover member is for selectively closing the aperture such that the tank cleansing tablet is insertable into the toilet tank without removal of the main lid portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Vernon Dodson