Patents Examined by Kathleen J. Prunner
  • Patent number: 7021848
    Abstract: A semi-enclosed applicator (10) for distributing a substance onto a target surface is disclosed having a first side (24) having a first internal surface (32) and a first external surface (31); a second side (26) having a second internal surface (34) and a second external surface (33); an internal cavity (29) between the first and second internal surfaces that is externally accessible, and a temperature changing element. The flexible film pouch (30) contains a product located proximately to the first side (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Dana Paul Gruenbacher, James Herbert Davis, Kevin Joe Fields, Thomas James Manske, Jr., Piyush Narendra Zaveri, Gary Curtis Joseph
  • Patent number: 6938281
    Abstract: A combination foldable spa cover and lifting device including a folding spa cover with integral lifting sockets and a lifting device having a pair of first ends pivotally connectable to a spa structure, and second ends having engagement shafts keyed to the lifting sockets such that a folded spa cover is easily lifted and displaced to one side of the spa structure by pivot of the lifting device and transport of the folded spa cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: E. Jess Tudor
  • Patent number: 6935800
    Abstract: The subject articles include a housing including a cellulose ester (for example propionic acid esters and mixed esters), optionally encasing a marking mass, such as a cosmetic mass, and methods for making the same, such as by molding such as injection molding, extruding, and fabricating (e.g., by turning and drilling).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Cosmolab, Inc.
    Inventor: Marvin J. Hetzel
  • Patent number: 6920648
    Abstract: A disposable, deodorant and splash proof urine dispersing device for placement in a urinal including a framework made of scented plastic material with a horizontal segmented supporting base and a central raised housing. The supporting base includes a plurality of perforated flexible segments and a central bottom frame with a central opening aligned with an outlet or drain in the urinal. The opening is surrounded by the multiple segments such that the device can flex and adapt to urinals of different sizes and designs. The central raised housing includes a horizontal or inclined top member and an upstanding peripheral wall connecting the top member with the central bottom frame in the supporting base. The peripheral wall includes flush relief openings and tapered for easy unit stacking. The top member includes a frame with a plurality of spaced parallel rods having a unique configuration for dispersing urine flow with reduced back splashing toward the user of the urinal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventors: Michael R. Suski, Michael F. Suski
  • Patent number: 6874965
    Abstract: A drywall finishing head is provided for applying mastic material over a tape joint between adjacent wallboard surfaces. The finishing head includes a coater connected to a pneumatic applicator for delivering the mastic material. A wiper blade extends across the length of the coater with a cover underlying the wiper blade and a backer bar overlying the wiper blade. A cam assembly is rotatably mounted on a tensioning portion of the coater. Adjustment of the cam assembly is constructed and arranged to change the force of the backer boar so that a proper crown or profile of mastic material can be delivered to the tape joint through a gap between the cover and the wiper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: APLA-TECH, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Mondloch, Jeffrey L. Denkins
  • Patent number: 6866436
    Abstract: A writing instrument has a tubular member having a longitudinal axis and an aperture at an end thereof. A writing component is mounted in the tubular member and has a writing tip at an end portion thereof. The tubular member and the writing component are movable relative to one another in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member between a writing position at which the writing tip protrudes from the aperture of the tubular member and a housed position at which the writing tip is disposed in the tubular member. An airtight sleeve is connected to the end portion of the writing component for movement between an advanced position and a retracted position. The airtight sleeve has a bore through which the end portion of the writing component passes during movement of the writing component between the writing position and the housed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Micro Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kanari, Yousuke Ishii
  • Patent number: 6859955
    Abstract: A device for attachment to an existing shower water supply to provide a primary shower head for normal delivery of water during a shower and a secondary shower head for delivering an adjustable mixture of water and moisturizing lotion to the body of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas E. Hudson
  • Patent number: 6859951
    Abstract: A toilet accessory concealment and toilet bowl evacuation apparatus designed to conceal common bathroom accessories as well as provide one with limited knowledge of plumbing systems with a safe and effective way to reduce the water level in a water closet bowl, or toilet bowl, to facilitate cleaning. The apparatus includes a water-tight primary compartment, a water-tight secondary compartment, and a cover configured to cooperate with the primary compartment and obscure the view of the inside of the primary compartment. The primary compartment is sized and configured to conveniently house a toilet brush, or other bathroom accessory, and retain a first predetermined quantity of liquid when the brush is not in the compartment. The secondary compartment is sized and configured to conveniently house a roll of toilet paper, or other bathroom accessory, and retain a second predetermined quantity of liquid when the roll of toilet paper is not in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Inventor: Eleanor French Spreitzer
  • Patent number: 6857141
    Abstract: A multi-layered concave basin is formed for mounting in an opening in a wash stand. The basin is made from pliant woven twigs with successive bottom layers of a first clear epoxy, a clear fiber cloth and a second clear epoxy and a top layer of a third clear epoxy to create a basin impervious to water under pressure from a wash basin spigot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventors: Karen R. Jackson, Amy J. Parsons
  • Patent number: 6857140
    Abstract: A space expanding device is provided for temporarily expanding the available space defined by a shower curtain within a shower area of a bathtub. The device includes a first elongate planar portion which, in use, rests on an upper surface of the side wall of the bathtub. A second elongate planar portion affixed to one edge of the first portion extends, in use, downwardly from the first portion adjacent an inner side surface of the side wall. A third elongate planar portion affixed to the opposite edge of the first portion extends, in use, upwardly from the first portion away from the upper surface of the side wall. In use of the device, the third portion holds a portion of the shower curtain in a position spaced away from the interior of the bathtub, while a lower portion of the shower curtain is captured between the first portion of the member and the upper surface of the side wall of the bathtub and between the second portion of the member and the inner side surface of the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Inventor: Jon Broudy
  • Patent number: 6851882
    Abstract: A disposable toothbrush with reservoir can be used once or at most a handful of times and has a handle with a top surface and a bottom surface and a head attached thereto, the head having bristles thereon. A reservoir having toothpaste therein is disposed within the top surface of the handle and may extend through to the bottom while one or two covers cover the reservoir. The top cover can be removable in order to provide access to the toothpaste within the reservoir or the one or two covers act as bladders for feeding the toothpaste through a duct and an opening to the bristles or along a channel extending between the reservoir and the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Ray Andrew Maloney
  • Patent number: 6851880
    Abstract: A coating tool and a coating set including such a coating tool can uniformly and reliably apply protection liquid onto the recording surface of a recording medium so as to avoid problems of uneven application and uncoated areas. The coating tool comprises a protection liquid absorbing member for absorbing and holding protection liquid. The protection liquid absorbing member is formed to show a density not less than 30 kg/m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6842917
    Abstract: A spa cover lift and cover construction that easily accommodates use with odd sizes and shapes of spas. The construction uses a column which is positioned at a single location about the periphery of the spa. A foot piece can be included at the bottom of the column which slips under the spa to use the weight of the spa and water to help hold the cover lift and cover securely. The column is preferably adjustable in height. It has pivot arms which extend in recesses formed in the underside of one half of the cover. The pivot arms extend from the column out to the side edges and are looped to form a handle and return that further supports the cover on the lift. The pivot arms may have tail ends that engage a bumper when the cover lift is retracted. Control arms may be pivotally connected between the column and pivot arms to resist erratic movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Leisure Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael C. Genova
  • Patent number: 6837637
    Abstract: A wood-encased pencil for writing, sketching, drawing, and cosmetic purposes includes grip surfaces or grip nubs projecting from at least one surface thereof as handling raised structures. The structures are of a plastic material and are applied in the form of an initially flowable preparation which includes at least one plastic and that later solidifies to give the raised structures. In a first variant, the preparation is anhydrous and is of a radiation-curable plastic. In a second variant, the preparation is, likewise, anhydrous, but its solidification is based on physical drying. For such a purpose, the preparation is of an organic solvent as well as a plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Faber-Castell AG
    Inventors: Udo Beck, Gerhard Lugert, Walter Oetter
  • Patent number: 6835016
    Abstract: A stick projecting device has a barrel as a case body comprising a front barrel and a rear barrel both of which are configured rotatably with regard to each other. A piston rod oval in section, having uncontinuous male thread portions is slidably fitted in the barrel. A driver having a female thread portion in mesh with the male thread portions is provided in the front barrel. A locking member that prevents the piston rod from turning is secured to the front barrel at a position forwardly of the driver. An inner cylinder is movably provided in the front barrel and the tip of the inner cylinder is able to be in abutment with a part of the front interior of the front barrel. A part of a stick that has been projected from the opening of the tip of the front barrel can be restored in the front barrel by a reverse turning operation of the rear barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., LTD
    Inventor: Yoshio Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6832867
    Abstract: An applicator for a fabric treatment composition and application thereof. Fabric treatment applicators comprising a nib and a containing a composition with a bleach and a surfactant and methods of use therefore. Portable stain remover applicator for a fabric treatment composition containing a housing and an application device that incorporates a nib herein the composition comprises at least one bleach and at least one surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: David Roy Sandbach, Jean Wevers
  • Patent number: 6832396
    Abstract: An improved bathroom tap water control valve allowing back-to-back installation includes a body, a water guide and a water temperature control unit, an adaptation trough at the center of the body, the guide being hollow having a disk adapter at bottom to be received in the adaptation trough; the water temperature control unit comprised of a casing and a spindle being accommodated inside the guide; a primary and a secondary supply lines being respectively provided on both sides of the body; a primary and a secondary supply pipes connecting through the primary and the secondary supply lines being provided to the guide; an upper supply area connecting through the primary supply pipe and a lower supply are connecting through the secondary supply pipe being respectively provided on the casing of the water temperature control unit; characterized by that the guide being capable of exercising 180-degree rotation to allow interchangeable conduction between the primary and the secondary supply pipes and the primary and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Globe Union Industrial Corp.
    Inventor: Shih-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 6820287
    Abstract: A dispenser is provided for dispensing cleaning chemicals such as toilet bowl cleaners. It has a dosing chamber containing therein a floating shuttle that seals a lower opening in the dosing chamber and floats up there from as an aliquot of chemical is prepared for release during the next cycle. There is also a float controlled external valve head at a lower end of the dispenser for alternately opening and closing a lower opening in the dosing chamber. The level of water in the toilet tank controls the movement of the valve head, and dispensing of the cleaner chemical controls movement of the floating shuttle. A grommet provides a valve seat for both the floating shuttle and valve head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard P. Harbutt, David C. Snow, Peter T. M. Nott, Simon M. Conway, Kevin Harrity, Steven A. Zach, Nancy J. Sedlar
  • Patent number: 6821041
    Abstract: A combination solid material storage container and applicator assembly for solid materials, such as surf board wax, is disclosed. The assembly includes a symmetrical storage container member, which has an open top end, an open bottom end, and an interior surface. A pusher member is positioned inside the container member and includes a sealing lip portion, which provides a continuous seal between the pusher member and the container member interior surface. The pusher member supports a slug of solid material within the container member. An applicator cap member is releasably secured to the open top end of the container member. The cap member includes a blade portion with a scraper edge and a comb edge. The blade portion is used for manipulating the solid material once applied to a surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Fun Before Money
    Inventors: Gregg Hallam, Diego Cueto
  • Patent number: 6810537
    Abstract: The swimming pool floor or spa floor drain assembly of the present invention includes a drain body having a mouth positionable in proximity to the pool wall to serve as a fluid flow inlet, a spaced apart fluid flow outlet positionable below the mouth and a sidewall interconnecting the mouth with the outlet to define a fluid flow chamber. The cross sectional area of the fluid flow chamber decreases from the mouth to the base. A fluid deflecting plug includes a comparatively large area top and a comparatively small area base. A sidewall interconnects the top and base to form the plug with a cross sectional area decreasing form the top to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Paramount Leisure Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Barnes, John M. Goettl