Patents Examined by Shay L. Karls
  • Patent number: 8065773
    Abstract: The microbial scrub brush employs an insert of foam material that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant that is housed within a housing of alcohol compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After the removal of the lid, the insert of foam material is moved over the end of a female luer and rotated in order to clean the outer surface of the luer as well as the interior of the luer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Bard Access Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Vaillancourt, Marshall Kerr
  • Patent number: 8060970
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having a proximal end and a distal end furthest from the proximal end. The head also includes a top face having a plurality of bristle tufts disposed therein, a back face opposed to the top face, and a tip. An elastomeric support element covers a portion of the back face, and the tip is uncovered by the elastomeric support element. A first plurality of elastomeric elements is integrally formed with the elastomeric support element. Each of the first plurality of elastomeric elements extends individually from the elastomeric support element and terminates in a free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Sanjay Amratlal Solanki
  • Patent number: 8020241
    Abstract: The invention is a squeegee, consisting of a handle and blade assembly that is mounted on a set of tracks. The blade assembly has a left and a right side mounted roller which are designed to operate inside of each track. The side mounted rollers will allow the blade to move upwards and downwards on the tracks. Once installed, the track system ensures that the squeegee maintains constant pressure against the planar surface. In the preferred embodiment, the top of the tracks will feature a hook type design for the use of attaching the invention to the top of a planar surface. An alternative embodiment has the track mounted to the frame of the door or window. A third embodiment integrates a motorized squeegee that has the track mounted to the shower door or window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: David Farmer, Lynda Farmer
  • Patent number: 8011053
    Abstract: A resilient inspection brush used in electrically inspecting pipelines for abnormalities is described which employs highly conductive metals, such as nickel. Since bristles [330] made from these metals cannot be secured firmly by soldering or epoxy, they are folded over a retaining member [350], or wrapped around the retaining member [350]. The retaining member [350] is secured inside of a base housing [320]. The top [321] portion of the base housing [320] may be crimped or swedged to reduce the size of the opening, thereby physically holding the bristles [330]. This also insures that the retaining member [350] does not pass through the opening, securing the retaining member [350] inside of the base housing [320]. In another embodiment, an inner sleeve [810] is used to further secure the bristles [330] and simplify assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas Batzel
  • Patent number: 8011056
    Abstract: A mop and mop shield or cover is described in which the mop shield is slideably mounted on the handle of a mop, and capable of being lowered over the head of the mop to protect it from damage. The protective shield can also be marked, so as to enable a person to identify the purpose for which the mop has been used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Salvador J. Aldana
  • Patent number: 7992244
    Abstract: In a first embodiment an electric toothbrush having a housing containing an electric motor, the motor being drivingly connected to a first brush head rotatably mounted on an end of the toothbrush remote from the motor and adjacent to at least one other rotatable brush head. In a second embodiment a packaged electric toothbrush including a “try me” facility for remotely testing the operation of the toothbrush, which “try me” feature comprises a two-sided metal strip such as aluminum foil, separated by a dielectric material, respective sides of the strip being connected at one end to respective parts used to operate the electric toothbrush and the other end of the strip being folded over and including a centrally disposed aperture onto which is a bendable metal connector such that upon bending or pressing of the connector the two sides of the strip are electrically connected together to temporarily operate the toothbrush whilst still in its packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Frank J. Prineppi
  • Patent number: 7992247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Philipp Pfenniger, Franz Fischer
  • Patent number: 7979958
    Abstract: A work apparatus such as a blower apparatus (1) or a spray apparatus (31) has a drive motor (5), a blower wheel (11) and a blower tube (12). The blower wheel (11) is driven by the drive motor (5) and moves a flow of air through the blower tube (12). The work apparatus (1, 31) has a back carrier (2) on which the drive motor (5) is mounted. In order to avoid electrostatic charges during operation, the back carrier (2) has an arrangement which establishes an electrically conductive connection between the work apparatus (1, 31) and the operator (18) of the work apparatus (1, 31) during operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Raffenberg
  • Patent number: 7979943
    Abstract: A cleaning brush which is inserted into a conduit of the endoscope, includes a long and flexible shaft, and a brush part provided at a leading end of the shaft. The brush part includes brush bristles, a strand, etc. A part of the shaft that overlaps the brush bristles in a state where the brush bristles are bent toward the leading end of the shaft, is provided with a small diameter part that is smaller in external diameter than the other part of the shaft. The dimension obtained by adding the external diameter of the small diameter part and twice the external diameter of the brush bristles is smaller than the internal diameter of a conduit into which this cleaning brush is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Arai, Motohiro Kuroda
  • Patent number: 7979946
    Abstract: A polish having improved properties is generally disclosed. In one embodiment, the polish can include a preservative that resists the growth of organisms, such as mold, fungus, bacteria, and the like, even after extended periods of nonuse. Additionally, the polish can be incorporated or impregnated into a mitt to form an all in one treating device. For example, the all in one treating device can be impregnated with a polish in at least one surface. In one embodiment, the polish can resist wicking or other migration from its application area to other parts of the all in one treatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary E. Kister, Charlene B. Dunbar, Michael L. Gross, Mark Foreste
  • Patent number: 7975343
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Steven M. Sorrel, Bruce M. Russell
  • Patent number: 7975340
    Abstract: Separate covers for protruding portions of discs of automatic swimming pool cleaners are addressed. The covers may be placed onto protrusions, such as fins, and removed from the fins as needed. Version of the covers are made of material more rigid and having lower coefficient of friction than the fins to discourage lateral bending of the fins and decrease frictional contact of the fins with pool surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Zodiac Pool Care Europe
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes Van Der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore
  • Patent number: 7972446
    Abstract: A washing system for an elevated surface has a) a housing having a liquid application cleaning system therein; b) a support element that supports and elevates the washing system; c) a rigid member extending from a surface of the housing that faces away from a surface to be cleaned so that the cable, when supporting the cleaning system against the surface to be cleaned and connected to the housing at a connection point, exerts a rotational force on the cleaning system in relation to the fixed fulcrum at the roof top; and d) weights provided at a distance and direction from the connection point fulcrum to at least in part counterbalance the rotational force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventors: Michael R. Lange, Dallas W. Simonette
  • Patent number: 7971308
    Abstract: A grip cleaning and rising devices includes a dual tubular body having a closed lower end for holding separately both soapy and rinsing fluid, and an open upper end for receiving the grips or handles to be cleaned longitudinally therein. Cleaning is effected by a single helical brush with multiple turns that is simply threaded into position in the washing body. A splash guard is also provided as an impinging lip that extends into the receiving orifice. A smaller diameter rinsing tube is in fluid isolation from the cleaning solution. A cap may optionally be provided to close the top of the grip washer when not in use or for transportation from one place to another. The simple tubular construction enables the grip washer adapted for use as a mobile unit, with a laterally extending base to allow the user to stabilize the device by placing his or her feet over the base edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Like New, LLC
    Inventor: Mike Lawson
  • Patent number: 7971311
    Abstract: A travel kit for assisting a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body includes a hollow shaft provided with telescopically interfitted rectilinear first, second, and third sections respectively. The kit includes a rectilinear connector, and a plurality of attachments is connected directly to the connector and the distal tip of the third section. The travel kit further includes a mechanism for locking the hollow shaft between compressed and extended positions, a plurality of depressions, an arcuately shaped knob formed in the outer surface of the second and the third sections respectively, a plurality of cylindrical brackets directly attached to the outer surface of the first and second sections respectively, and a tab suitably shaped and sized to reside within an associated one of the outer depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert S Zielinski
  • Patent number: 7966692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaner employing the same that forms an upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants. The multi-cyclone dust collector for the vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone unit causing dust-laden air sucked through a lower portion of the first cyclone unit to form a first upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants from the dust-laden air by centrifugal force, and a second cyclone unit disposed under the first cyclone unit and making partially clean air, which is discharged from the first cyclone unit and then sucked in a lower portion of the second cyclone unit, to form a second upwardly whirling air current so as to separate dust from the partially clean air by centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tak-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 7962991
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a loop arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice, a central cleaning element disposed within the loop, two opposing arcuate cleaning elements disposed on opposite sides of the loop, peripheral cleaning element with a stepped and tapered construction, elongate distal cleaning elements, and proximal cleaning elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7962989
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a flat panel display and a roll brush used therein are provided. The apparatus includes an internal wall, hollow cylindrical joint parts, each of which is joined with the internal wall and having an opening therein, and roll brushes, each of which includes a rotation shaft passing through the opening of the hollow cylindrical joint part, a hollow cylindrical liquid blocking member integrated with the rotation shaft to have an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the joint part, and a brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Semes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Duk Jang, Eui-Sik In, Sung-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7962997
    Abstract: A suction head is provided for removing debris from a surface. The suction head includes a suction nozzle which has a generally semi-circular groove formed on an interior surface of the suction nozzle. Additionally, there is a suction hole formed at a generally central region of a rear surface of the nozzle and communicating with the semi-circular groove. Further, a uniform pressure forming region is provided at a longitudinally extending side of the semi-circular groove, and a suction pipe is mounted to the suction hole to guide air in the semi-circular groove through the suction hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moon-kee Chung, Young-Gyu Jung
  • Patent number: 7954193
    Abstract: An oral hygiene device having two toothbrushes connected or connectable to the end of a handle, the one or more toothbrushes providing a desirable fit about the teeth and/or gums and/or providing a desirable brushing action. An oral hygiene device hereof may provide for mechanically providing the brushing movements of the professionally recommended manual tooth-brushing method known as the “Bass” or “Modified Bass” technique to thus reduce or eliminate the element of human error associated with the brushing of a user's teeth and gums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: CRA Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Hegemann, Rob Hegemann, Jay Hegemann, Tiana L. K. Buschmann