Patents Examined by Robert J. Warden
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Patent number: 6874193Abstract: A pipeline pig that is moved by pressurized gas flow and that provides for distribution of treating liquid subsisting in the lower portion of the pipeline, having a pig body with a nose cone at a foward end thereof, centralizers affixed to the pig body by which it is supported in the pipeline, a bypass passageway within the nose cone communicating with the pipeline interior, a siphon passageway within the nose cone communicating with a lower portion of the pipeline interior and therby with any liquid subsisting therein and having an outlet end, and a venturi in communication with the siphon passageway and the bypass passageway, gas flowing through the bypass passageway serving to draw liquid from the lower portion of the pipeline through the siphon passageway whereby the liquid is discharged form the siphon passageway outlet end onto ineterior surfaces of the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2004Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventor: Rick D. Pruett
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Patent number: 6872021Abstract: A cleaning assembly 10 having a telescoping handle portion 12 and a sponge member 40 which is pivotally coupled to the telescoping handle portion 12. In various non-limiting embodiments, the cleaning assembly 10 may include material, such as but not limited to, material 80 which is selectively communicated to the sponge member 40, effective to aid in the cleaning of an object and/or area.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Inventors: Vernell Wilson, Raquelle Wilson, Craig Wilson
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Patent number: 6871371Abstract: A floor care method and machine are disclosed, wherein a replaceable floor care element (e.g., a cleaning pad, a brush, a polishing pad, etc.) is easily attached to and detached from the rest of the machine. For attaching the floor care element, an operator positions the machine (minus any floor care element) over the such an element so that components on the machine and/or the floor care element cause the floor care element to operationally align with the rotatable drive of the machine so that rotation of the drive in the direction used during floor care operations causes the floor care element to securely attach to the drive. Alternatively, to detach the floor care element, the direction of rotation can be reversed. The machine can then be tilted upwardly onto its rear wheels and rolled to a location where the floor care element is not underneath the rest of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2002Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Castle Rock Industries, IncInventor: Michael Guest
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Patent number: 6871374Abstract: A brush for use in cleaning teeth, and a method for cleaning teeth using such brush, in which bristles are used in the brush that are prepared from a composition containing a thermoplastic polymeric resin in admixture with a slip agent.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2004Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and CompanyInventors: Russel A. Brezler, III, Susan E. Loudin, Charles F. Nelson, Kwai-Yung Benjamin Su
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Patent number: 6869923Abstract: The present invention relates to a perfume composition for delivery of high impact accord perfume ingredients, encapsulated embodiments of such compositions and their use in laundry and cleaning applications.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Philip Andrew Cunningham, Michael Green, Allan Campbell McRitchie
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Patent number: 6865772Abstract: An applicator used to evenly apply liquid tire dressing to the entire outer sidewall of a tire. The applicator includes a pad that includes an elongated, concave, curved lower surface that is complementary in shape with a portion of the sidewall. The pad includes at least one beveled, concave lateral edge that enable the tire dressing to be applied evenly to the areas of the sidewall adjacent to the wheel hub and to the compressed shoulder area of the tire adjacent to the ground. The pad is attached to a rigid base that includes a rigid handle aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pad and rigid base and that allows the user to easily hold the applicator perpendicular to the sidewall and move the applicator in long broad strokes in a circular pattern around the sidewall of a tire. An optional holding tray is also provided that temporarily stores the applicator and prevents the tire dressing from drying out.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Inventor: Randolph L. Risch
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Patent number: 6863790Abstract: A simple and rugged sheathless interface for capillary electrophoresis/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (CE/ESI-MS) was designed using common laboratory tools and chemicals. The interface uses a small platinum (Pt) wire which is inserted into the CE capillary through a small hole near the terminus. The position of the wire inside the CE capillary and within the buffer solution is analogous to standard CE separation operations where the terminus of the CE capillary is placed inside a buffer reservoir along with a grounded platinum electrode. By combining the use of the in-capillary electrode interface with sharpening of the fused silica tip of the CE capillary outlet, a stable electrospray current was maintained for an extended period of time. The design was successfully applied to CE/ESI-MS separations and analysis of mixtures of peptides and proteins. A detection limit of approximately 4 femtomole (S/N=3) was achieved for detection of myoglobin utilizing a 75 ?m-i.d.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Board of Regents University of Texas SystemInventors: Mehdi Moini, Ping Cao
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Patent number: 6859968Abstract: The power toothbrush, which has a rotating brushhead movement, includes a housing with a motor mounted therein having an armature which in operation rotates through an arc of predetermined magnitude. The toothbrush also includes a brushhead mounted on a shaft which is connected to an output mass. A spring assembly couples the armature to the output mass, the spring assembly including two spring portions with a node point therebetween, wherein when the armature rotates, the brushhead moves in an opposite direction. The frequency of the movement of the armature is set equal to the resonant frequency of the spring coupling system and the output assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, John W. Pace, Aafke G. Koster
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Patent number: 6859975Abstract: A vacuum cleaner has a cyclone dust collector 4, arranged in a suction air passage, for separating dust by making sucked air into a whirling stream. The cyclone dust collector 4 has an inlet port 41a through which the sucked air is introduced, a dust collection chamber 41 for collecting separated dust, a lid 42 for opening and closing the dust collection chamber 41, an exhaust cylinder 44 through which the sucked air is discharged out of the dust collection chamber, and a shielding member 46 arranged below the exhaust cylinder 44. Dust is separated as a result of a whirling stream of air colliding with shielding ribs 46b and a circular portion 46a of the shielding member 46.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Ohta, Yasuhiro Oka
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Patent number: 6859970Abstract: An agitator includes an axle, a pulley having a hub mounted to the axle and a belt receiving face having at least one lengthwise channel and a sleeve of molded material received over the axle and in the at least one lengthwise channel. A method of constructing an agitator from an axle and pulley includes the fitting of the axle into the pulley, the injecting of plastic resin into one end of the agitator forming mold on a first side of the pulley and the directing of plastic through at least one channel in the pulley to a second side of the pulley.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Matsushita Electric Corporation of AmericaInventors: Jeffrey T. Roney, Eric E. Muhlenkamp
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Patent number: 6857158Abstract: An apparatus for removing deposits from the interior surface of a conduit while being advanced through the conduit by virtue of pressurized upstream liquid includes front and rear assemblies interconnected in a manner to permit limited movement there between. The rear assembly contains a mechanism for receiving the upstream liquid and increasing its pressure. The liquid of increased pressure is fed to a rotating nozzle in the front assembly. High velocity water jets emergent from the nozzle strike the interior surface of the conduit to dislodge deposits. A resilient sidewall in one or both assemblies expands by virtue of the liquid of increased pressure to apply a controlled braking force against the interior surface of the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2003Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Inventors: Junius Hunter, Mark R. Stephenson
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Patent number: 6854148Abstract: A four-wheel pool cleaner (20) motivated by water flow to move along a pool surface, and having: a body (24); the four wheels rotatably mounted thereon and including two sets of two wheels (22) each, one wheel of each set on each side; a drive mechanism (36) in position to be moved by water flow and having a rotatable drive member (76); a drive train extending to the first wheel set (22a, b) and to the second wheel set (22c, d), to drive all four wheels.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2000Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Assignee: PoolvernguegenInventors: Dieter J. Rief, Manuela Rief
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Patent number: 6852295Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing and sprouting grains is constructed to include a container having a water inlet pipe, a water drain pipe, an overflow pipe, and a grains discharge control valve, a top cover covering the container and provided with ultraviolet lamps for sterilizing water in the container, a water supply coil connected to the water inlet pipe for guiding fresh water to the inside of the container, a disk-like wire gauze filter mounted in the container for carrying grains above the water supply coil, active carbon blocks mounted in the space between the water supply coil and the bowl-like wire gauze filter, a temperature sensor adapted to control the temperature of water in the container, an ozone supply pipe adapted to supply ozone to water delivered to the inside of the container, and an ultrasonic generator adapted to generate ultrasonic waves in water in the container.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Inventor: Chien-Lung Hung
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Patent number: 6849234Abstract: A system and method for controlling operation of an ultraviolet air treatment device including an ultraviolet lamp positioned to treat air within an air handling system that operates in either an on state or an off state. The method includes activating the ultraviolet lamp, and determining the operational state of the air handling system. The ultraviolet lamp is deactivated upon expiration of a predetermined time period during which the air handling system remains in the off state. The predetermined time period is preferably 30-60 minutes, preferably 40 minutes for residential applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2001Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Tracy L. Lentz, Timothy J. Kensok, Jeffrey M. Hammer, Mark E. Stout, Richard N. Metzger, Jon W. Orr
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Patent number: 6848142Abstract: A manipulator assembly for attachment to a bucket of a construction vehicle is disclosed. The manipulator assembly includes a universal attachment apparatus for attaching a utility tool to the bucket. The universal attachment apparatus includes a housing adapted to support the utility tool, at least one mounting bracket connected to the housing, and at least one mounting arm having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the mounting bracket. The mounting arms further include feet positioned adjacent the quick-release connector for allowing the utility tool to pivot relative to the bucket. A quick-release connector is mounted to the second end of the mounting arm for selectively securing the housing to the bucket. A biasing device is disposed on the quick-release connector for continuously urging the quick-release connector into engagement with the bucket.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Trynex, Inc.Inventors: Charles J. Truan, James Truan, Panl Mandrick
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Patent number: 6848144Abstract: A dust collection conversion device for facilitating removal of dust from the area of work piece when a user is working on the work piece. The dust collection conversion device includes a frame assembly being designed for being coupled to a top of the shop vacuum. The frame assembly has a base member and a stanchion member. The base member is designed for coupling to the shop vacuum. The stanchion member is coupled to the base member. An arm member is coupled to the stanchion member of the frame assembly. The arm member is designed for coupling to a hose of the shop vacuum for directing the hose towards a work piece for vacuuming dust when the shop vacuum is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Inventor: Bernard A. McDonald
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Patent number: 6842935Abstract: A toilet bowl brush cleaning system enabling a person to have a easy and sanitary way of cleaning and storing the toilet bowl brush between each use. It's a cleaning system for the toilet bowl brush. The toilet bowl brush cleaning system may be provided with a selected color so as to match the users preferred color. It may also be provided in various shapes and sizes or materials to also suit the users preference. The toilet bowl brush cleaning system is designed to allow the user to put the toilet brush in the cleaning system, into a cleaning agent located in the second level, to be cleaned and disinfected and then pulled back up through a ringer that will ring out the remaining liquid. Then the toilet brush will be stored in the first level thus allowing any cleaner that may remain on the brush to drain off into the second level. The toilet bowl brush is now ready for its next use.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2001Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Inventor: Tammy Leilani Peterson
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Patent number: 6839931Abstract: A bathing brush has a first cleaning ball composed of a first net tube, a second cleaning ball composed of a second net tube, a separation device provided between the first and second cleaning balls having a gripping portion at a periphery thereof and at least a hole at a center thereof, and a connection device running through the hole of the separation device and wound around the net tubes to bond the net tubes at opposite sides of the separation device respectively and make the net tubes expanded to form the first second cleaning balls.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Inventor: Chen Ching Chen
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Patent number: 6836918Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided a cam mechanism and a crank mechanism in the handle. The cam mechanism comprises a cam, mounted on a rotary shaft of a motor via a frame; and a slave unit making a reciprocating movement, defined within the handle and engaged with the cam. The crank mechanism comprises a crank, mounted concentrically with the brush head; a link rod, jointed with the crank; and a block, defined within the brush body and engaged with the slave unit. Therefore, the structure of the electric toothbrush of the present invention is simplified, thus its cost can be reduced accordingly. In addition, the brush head of the present invention can be formed star shape or be inclined to improve the area of contact for super cleaning and be convenient for removing the deposit on the teeth.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Inventor: Ying Kau Wong
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Patent number: 6836923Abstract: An adapter for use with a dust mop having an annular frame pivotally coupled to a handle and including a cover for removable attachment to the frame and defining a lower surface covering a bottom surface of the frame and an upper surface defining first and second receiver portions for receiving first and second end portions of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Harper CorporationInventors: Terrence P. Treacy, David J. Greubel