Patents Examined by Shay L. Karls
  • Patent number: 7886396
    Abstract: A cleaning tool 210 designed to be used with at least one cleaning implement/replaceable dusting sleeve/cleaning mitt or cleaning pad 11 is disclosed. The cleaning tool 210 includes a telescoping support 209 comprised of a plurality of telescopingly received shafts or sections (212, 213, 214, 215). The shafts 212, 213, 214 and 215 may be freely extended into a locked fully extended position 201 and released via depression of a first engaging projection 239. A primary support head 216 and secondary support head 218 are pivotally mounted to the forward mount 240 on a single gear 274 and releasbly locked together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Gracindo, Craig F. Shiesley, Benn Beagan Miller, Matthew Charles White, Simon Roderick Grover, Lawrence J. Fenske, David A. Hoadley
  • Patent number: 7877833
    Abstract: An oral-care device with a power cleaning head configured to dispense an oral-care cleaning solution is disclosed. The power cleaning head comprises squeegees and bristles and one or more apertures for dispensing the oral-care solution. Preferably, the squeegee and bristle are configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while dispensing the oral-care solution through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7870635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning tool sheet and a cleaning tool capable of use for wiping cleaning by contacting the surface of objects to be cleaned in various locations. In a cleaning tool sheet (1), fiber bundles (3) are laminated on one side face of a base sheet (2); the central parts in the direction of flow of the fibers constituting the fiber bundles (3) are joined by a central joining part (4) continuously formed in the central part of the base sheet (2) and joined at a spot-form joining part (7) formed intermittently on a parallel line between the central joining part (4) and two end edges (2a, 2b) parallel therewith. The two ends (31a, 31b) in the direction of flow of the fibers of the fiber bundles (3) are not joined to the base sheet (2). An attaching part (8) for attaching onto a holding member is provided at both ends of the base sheet (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Kikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 7870633
    Abstract: An applicator includes a support on one face of which is attached a resiliently deformable applicator element presenting an application surface opposite the support. The support has a preferential folding axis such that, in response to a folding force exerted on the support, the applicator element is deformed so as to modify the transverse curvature of the application surface observed transversely to the axis. The lengthwise curvature of the application surface observed axially along the axis is also modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: L'oreal
    Inventor: Laure Thiebaut
  • Patent number: 7861355
    Abstract: A retractable eraser has an elongated contoured housing which has a longitudinal slot and spaced detents and an opening at one end. A carrier has a button which is depressible so that a catch clears the detents to permit selective longitudinal displacement of the carrier. An oval shaped eraser element is mounted to the carrier and displaced into and out of the housing so as, in one position, to project beyond the housing. Bristles project longitudinally from the housing around the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Acme United Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart David Farnworth, Jonathan A. Lee, Lee Webb
  • Patent number: 7861361
    Abstract: A snow removal device and kit that include a first sheet, a second sheet, and at least one strap. The top and bottom edges of the first sheet are joined to the top and bottom edges of the second sheet and the second sheet is also joined to the first sheet such that unjoined portions of the first sheet and the second sheet form an arm pocket and a weight pocket. The arm pocket is formed proximate to the joined top edges of the first sheet and the second sheet and is dimensioned to accommodate an arm of a user. The weight pocket is dimensioned to accommodate at least one weight and includes at least three closed edges. The strap is attached proximate to the joined top and bottom edges of one side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Laura Boucher
  • Patent number: 7861366
    Abstract: A robot cleaner system having an improved docking structure between a robot cleaner and a docking station, which is capable of an easy docking operation of the robot cleaner and preventing loss of a suction force generated in the docking station. The robot cleaner includes a docking portion to be inserted into a dust suction hole of the docking station upon a docking operation. The docking portion may be a protrusion, which protrudes out of a robot body to be inserted into a dust suction path defined in the docking station, the protrusion communicates a dust discharge hole of the robot cleaner with the dust suction path of the docking station. The robot cleaner system includes a coupling device to keep the robot cleaner and the docking station in their docked state. The coupling device is configured to have a variety of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Yoon Hahm, Kurgi Eduard, Hoon Wee, Jin Ha Jeong, Jae Man Joo
  • Patent number: 7861357
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for grills and the like that provides multiple selective cleaning surfaces contoured for contact with the grill to be cleaned. A cleaning cylinder is rotatably mounted in a support handle frame so as to be indexed by rotation on a central axis by the user to position new contact cleaning surface areas for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Kerry Porter
  • Patent number: 7854035
    Abstract: The present invention features a cleaning implement, such as a mop, that may be used for cleaning a floor. The mop of the invention typically includes a mop head and a handle pivotally connected to the mop head. The mop head also includes means for securing a mop media, typically a flexible disposable cleaning sheet, to the mop head. The mop may be passed over the floor with one side of the cleaning sheet presented for cleaning the floor. The mop head may then be inverted with the other side of the cleaning sheet presented for further cleaning of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott D. Gullicks, David G. Sebesta, Kevin L. McNulty, Richard W. Wright, John J. Dyer, Thomas M. Apse, Glendon D. Kappel
  • Patent number: 7849550
    Abstract: A swivel paint roller apparatus is arranged for mounting on an extension pole member and arranged to provide for rotation of the roller frame about a pivot axis oriented angularly in the range of 20 degrees to 80 degrees relative to the axis of a longitudinal extension of the base mount supporting the roller frame member, for swiveling, rotating movement of the roller frame and paint roller cage and cover supported thereon by rotation of the extension pole member held in the hands of a user during painting operations, thereby providing for the variation of the angular orientation and corresponding direction of travel of the paint roller during painting operations while permitting the paint roller to remain continuously in contact with the surface being painted, whereby to enhance and simplify painting operations when using an extension pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventors: Donald D. Lanz, Scott M. Lanz
  • Patent number: 7849549
    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: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: CRA Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Hegemann, Rob Hegemann, Jay Hegemann, Tiana L. K. Buschmann
  • Patent number: 7845040
    Abstract: A device for mechanically cleaning a groove used to hold a rotor or a stator winding of an electric machine includes an axially moveable device carrier and at least one cleaning tool connected to the device carrier and extending radially from the device carrier into the groove. In addition, a corresponding method includes the steps of radially moving at least one cleaning tool connected to a device carrier so as to mechanically remove impurities on a wall section of the groove, axial advancing of the device carrier in a manner adapted to the radial movement of the at least one cleaning tool, and setting the dimensional tolerance range for the groove by adjusting the cleaning tool. The device and the method are suitable for cleaning grooves into which a new winding is to be installed in an existing laminated body, for example, in the case of the retrofitting of generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Walter Meier, Ralph Studer
  • Patent number: 7845041
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a storage unit having an input, a memory for storing audio signals received via the input. The unit can have an output for transmitting or playing the stored audio signals. A variety of different constructions of storage unit and toothbrush configurations are described, each creating an environment that makes tooth brushing enjoyable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo J. Jimenez, Robert Riebe, James E. Michaels, Eugene Eighmy, Evan Ward
  • Patent number: 7841038
    Abstract: A manual hand tool has an elongated handle pivotably connected to a cleaning head. The cleaning head pivots substantially ninety degrees in relation to the handle. A first cleaning member component, e.g. a pushbroom, extends from the front section of the cleaning head and a second cleaning component, e.g. a straightbroom, extends from the rear section of the cleaning head, at about a ninety degree angle to the first cleaning component. The cleaning head is pivotable ninety degrees from a first position allowing for the use of the first cleaning member component on soiled surfaces, to a second position, allowing for the use of the second cleaning member component on soiled surfaces. Locking systems are provided to secure the handle and cleaning head in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel G. Vosbikian
  • Patent number: 7827645
    Abstract: A floor maintenance machine is provided. The machine can be used to clean hard or soft floors. A cleaning fluid is dispensed by a dispensing system containing at least two reservoirs, one for a diluting bulk fluid and another for cleaner concentrate. The dispensing system effects both a controlled ratio of bulk fluid to cleaner concentrate and the rate of cleaning solution dispensed for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alto U.S. Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Eklund, Emert R. Whitaker
  • Patent number: 7823242
    Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to the remote cleaning of outer surfaces of windows or facades of high rise buildings without the need for workers located outside the building wall. In fact, the cleaning operation effectively duplicates the conventional manual cleaning operation, such that a minimum of cleaning liquid is used, and no means is required for removal of excess cleaning liquid. The apparatus comprises a rectangular master frame and a parallelogram sub-frame contained therein, suspended from the top of the building to a position opposite a window to be cleaned. A novel cleaning tool, including mechanical scrubbing means e.g. a brush and mechanical scraping means e.g. squeegee and a washing liquid spray means, is carried on an insertion tool attached to the parallelogram sub-frame, and brought to bear against the window outer surface to be cleaned, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel J. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7818844
    Abstract: A hand trowel is provided with upstanding side and rear walls to prevent cement or grout from sliding off when scooped from a container. The sidewalls of the trowel taper to the front edge of the trowel so that no barrier is created to prevent the front edge from being utilized as a “finishing” edge. A handle extends from the rear wall of the trowel. The handle is provided with ergonomic indentations and the front edge is slanted to allow use by either a right- or a left-handed person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Antoni Wolan
  • Patent number: 7814607
    Abstract: During the construction of a building it is necessary to smooth the concrete, create a keyway for the wall and produce a slight curve on the edge of the concrete slab. The current device will enable the operator to perform all three tasks with one tool. The position of the keyway may be adjusted depending on the specific requirements of the construction project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Richard M. Wilson, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7814613
    Abstract: The claimed carpet cleaning apparatus incorporates recesses in a rigid surface of a roller or in a rigid disk. As the roller or disk rotates or is moved across the soft surface to be cleaned, the roller or disk presses downward on the soft surface and compresses it. The soft surface decompresses to the original position when the soft surface is in contact with a surface of a recess and recompresses when the roller or disk presses downward again. The compression, decompression, and recompression, preferably in combination with a cleaning compound, provide the mechanical action necessary for removal of foreign material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: R.E. Whittaker Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard E. Whittaker
  • Patent number: 7810202
    Abstract: A debris collecting device includes a rotatable drum 4 having a plurality of radially extending tynes 5 and a rake adapted to cooperate with the drum, the rake having dual arcuate shaped blades, including a debris releasing blade 7 and a reversing blade 9 adapted to contiguously contact either side of the drum over the whole length thereof at the respective leading edges thereof. The blades include elongate slots 11 adapted to intersect and accommodate the travel path of the tynes as the drum rotates such that debris pierced and picked up by the tynes rotating in a first direction is dislodged for transfer to a catcher 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FPR Solutions Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Eddie Fitzgerald