Patents Examined by Stephanie Willatt
  • Patent number: 6766808
    Abstract: A dental floss holder comprises a generally planar handle with a pair of spaced apart arms adapted to retain a length of dental floss tape. By forming the holder in a single plane, the holder is inexpensive to manufacture. Dental floss tape is molded into the arms at an angle. The holder is injection molded to include a pair of spaced apart posts formed as an integral part of the arms, thereby forming a positive mount for the tape in the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Patrick Gwen
  • Patent number: 6763977
    Abstract: A lint remover and spray dispenser apparatus rotatably supports a tubular adhesive lint remover tape roll or fixedly supports a single strip or multiple strips of a directional lint remover fabric. The apparatus includes an elongated handle section and a cylindrical or oblong support section. The elongated handle has an open end. A spray top having a hand pump and a cap is mounted on the elongated handle or on the end of the support section. The liquid container-handle combination may be a molded polymer container having a trigger activated spray pump attached thereto. Alternately, the handle is configured to receive a separate liquid spray dispenser container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: William D. McKay
  • Patent number: 6752157
    Abstract: A hair treatment applicator head includes first and second elongate body members. That first body member has a handle portion at a first end and a first treatment surface proximate a second end. The treatment surface bearing a fluid absorbent material. The second body member has a flange for engagement with a treatment fluid supply at a first end and a second treatment surface proximate a second end. A fluid path extends through the body from proximate the flange to a plurality of apertures on the second treatment surface. The first and second elements are hingeably engaged to allow the first and second treatment surfaces to be brought into proximity each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Wah Wong Electric Manufactory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Lu Shao Hua
  • Patent number: 6708699
    Abstract: A dreadlock grooming apparatus which includes a first elongated open channel, a second elongated open channel, apparatus for registering the first elongated open channel with the second elongated open channel in opposed relationship, and apparatus for maintaining the first and second elongated open channels at a temperature above ambient temperature for a finite time period. In some embodiments the apparatus for registering the first open channel with the second open channel in opposed relationship may include meshing surfaces on the first and second channels. The first and second channels move along an associated dreadlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: Alphonso McGriff, III
  • Patent number: 6691892
    Abstract: A granular pump that includes a dispersion reservoir, a primary reservoir, a manual air pump, and a one-way valve. The user aims the granular pump in the direction of the area to be sprayed with the granular material contained in the granular pump and operates the manual air pump to force a pneumatic pulse through the one-way valve into the dispersion reservoir. The pneumatic pulse into the dispersion reservoir permeates the granular material in the dispersion reservoir and carries the granular material through the second open end of the dispersion reservoir. The velocity of the granular material causes it to spread out in a substantially constant pattern of application. The granular material is continually gravity fed into the dispersion reservoir from the primary reservoir as the user operates the manual air pump while aiming at different locations to be sprayed with granular material until the primary reservoir is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Chapin Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Odessa
  • Patent number: 6688500
    Abstract: A grout and mortar bottle for convenient handling and application of viscous flowable substances, and may include three separate sections. The dispenser section may include a variety of nozzle and orifice designs. The main section includes an area to hold quantities of grout or mortar and includes a flexible section for squeezing the contents out through the dispensing section. A rear end cap is provided for loading the bottle. The cap includes a check valve to allow air to replace the expended mortar or grout and still provide for positive pressure for forcing the contents out the dispenser. The cap may also include a handle for manipulating the bottle or hanging the bottle in an attitude that maintains the bottle ready for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Dara Cheng
  • Patent number: 6688315
    Abstract: A hair extension device has a skin-simulating layer of artificial skin material having an inner face for attachment to a wearer's scalp and an outer face. The skin-simulating layer has an opening through which a portion of a wearer's existing hair can be pulled. A plurality of hair strands are secured to the skin simulating layer around the opening to extend from the outer face of the layer in order to imitate naturally growing hair when integrated with the natural hair pulled through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Hair Addition Studio, Inc.
    Inventor: Dawn P. Harrison
  • Patent number: 6681963
    Abstract: A rinse water additive dispenser for use in an automatic washing machine is disclosed. The dispenser includes a top, a valve assembly and a base releasably connected to the top. The valve assembly is retained within a valve housing located in the top and is able to move within the housing. The valve assembly includes a resilient disk valve and counterweight that are interconnected by a valve post. The resilient valve is located, enclosed, or compressed between the top and base portions when the top and base are connected. The top and base can be connected with threads, tongue and groove structures etc. When subjected to the centrifugal force of a spin cycle, the movement of the counterweight within the device causes the resilient disk to unseat from between the top and base allowing fluid communication between the dispenser and the tub of the washing machine. Optionally, the dispenser can have an elliptical cross section to promote proper orientation of the dispenser during the spin and rinse cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Philip Edwin Hague, Michelle Lynn Moorman, Naomi Ruth Nelson, Timothy Frederik Thomas Perry, Alton Warren Clark, Jr., Bradley Wayne Daubenspeck
  • Patent number: 6681775
    Abstract: A brush includes a brush body that defines a bristle-receiving chamber therein, and that has a combing wall formed with a plurality of bristle-extension apertures in spatial communication with the bristle-receiving chamber. A bristle-holding element is disposed movably in the bristle-receiving chamber. A plurality of bristles are mounted on the bristle-holding element, and extend through the bristle-extension apertures in the combing wall, respectively. An urging member is disposed in the bristle-receiving chamber for urging the bristle-holding element toward the combing wall of the brush body. An operating member is connected to the bristle-holding element to move the bristle-holding element against urging action of the urging member away from the combing wall of the brush body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Huo-Pia Wang
  • Patent number: 6675812
    Abstract: The dispenser has its internal fluid space fed from a reservoir. The face of the dispenser has dispensing openings and, around the dispensing openings are fingers, bristles or sponge which aid in distributing the dispensed fluid. The dispenser is particularly useful in the application of health and beauty fluid s to the hair because the fingers, bristles or sponge can distribute the fluid in the hair or on other surfaces. The dispenser head preferably also has comb teeth or brush thereon so that, as part of the process, the hair can be combed or brushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventor: Lien L. Wiley
  • Patent number: 6672313
    Abstract: A misting styling brush is provided for use with pressurized and non-pressurized cylindrical aerosol sprayers. The misting styling brush includes a handle similar to that of a standard cylindrical hair brush but having a longitudinal interior chamber disposed therein. The aerosol sprayer fits within the handle with an end cap retaining the aerosol sprayer from longitudinal movement once admitted therein. A trigger assembly slides the aerosol sprayer toward the restrained end cap to actuate the pump of the aerosol sprayer to spray a liquid contained therein through a lateral spray hole through the handle. A plurality of interchangeable cylindrical brush assemblies of various outer bristle diameters each include a plurality of bristle groups that extend outwardly from a tubular bristle support member which slides over a brushing portion of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventors: Anthony Battaglia, Allen E. Edwards, Elissa L. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6662808
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping hair with a cord is provided and includes a housing; a main spindle operatively coupled to the housing and defining a main spindle bore for receiving cord and hair; a rotatable spool carrier and at least one spool. The spool carrier has a platform and a drive spindle operatively coupled to the main spindle so that rotation of the main spindle is translated into rotation of the platform. The drive spindle has guides for receiving cord and permitting the cord to be disposed through a bore extending through the drive spindle. The rotation of the main spindle causes cord to be dispensed through the one guide and the drive spindle bore and the main spindle bore, hair is disposed through the drive spindle bore and the main spindle bore, and the main spindle is rotated to wrap the hair with cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Elysee Beauty Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Leason, Edward J. Ellis, Eugene J. Lattuga
  • Patent number: 6659314
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser, including a reservoir containing a fluid, the reservoir being provided with an opening and defining a maximum overall size and having a recess; and a dispenser member such as a pump or a valve, fitted to the opening of the reservoir. The dispenser member lies within the recess of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Valois S.A.
    Inventor: Firmin Garcia
  • Patent number: 6655551
    Abstract: The portable dispenser has individual supply chambers that communicate with a mixing chamber. Each of the supply chambers has a doser to move fluid compositions from the supply chamber to the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber has a mixer to allow it to form a homogeneous mix of the individual compositions. An applicator is used to output the homogeneous mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Manne
  • Patent number: 6644513
    Abstract: A self defense pendant and necklace with a pendant assembly including: a removable and replaceable front panel, a main body capable of retaining a small pressurized spray canister and associated spray head, and a hinged top portion that allows access to the top of the spray head. The pendant front includes a horizontally disposed orifice at its top potion that allows pepper spray to exit the front of the pendant assembly. The main body includes an orifice at its top most portion to allow a necklace to be attached to the pendant assembly. The pendant front includes a decorative element. A necklace assembly includes a necklace and attached lanyard. The lanyard is retained in a coiled manner inside a standard spring reel assembly so that the necklace can be extended outward when the user wants to access the pepper spray function and automatically return to its original position after use as a defensive implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Inventor: Stephanie A. Nesbitt
  • Patent number: 6637441
    Abstract: A hair wrapping device and method which includes a housing and a motor contained within the housing. A cover is rotatably mounted to the housing and is driven by the motor. A spool for receiving cord is mounted for rotational movement with the cover. The cord is held for rotation with the cover. The cover has an aperture to thread a lock of hair and the cord therethrough. Rotation of the cover by the motor causes rotation of the cord around the lock of hair, thereby wrapping the hair with the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignees: Spectrum Associates LLC, Kennedy/Matsumoto Design LLC, Longoria Design LLC
    Inventors: Melvin R. Kennedy, José Longoria
  • Patent number: 6637623
    Abstract: A corrugated shipping container for liquids is described. An outer container is a conventional corrugated box. This preferably has an inner corrugated liner forming corner posts. A liquid impermeable plastic bag having a spout and cap is contained within the outer box. The upper closure flaps of the container may have an opening or tear out portion for access to the spout. The neck of the spout is retained in a fixed position at a desired location at the top of the container by a saddle shaped insert having wing-like side members. The retainer ensures that the spout will be immediately accessible when desired, even though the container may have had severe handling stresses causing considerable bag movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Herbert D. Muise, Scott A. Wallick, David J. McKenna
  • Patent number: 6637628
    Abstract: A liquid container with at least one opening and a closure having a graspable lug for opening the closure. The closure includes at least one lever arm for controlling the opening operation, with the lever arm's free end bearing against a the container during the opening operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Höser
  • Patent number: 6637627
    Abstract: An aerosol container for dispensing material or fluid such as an adhesive under pressure is retrofitted with an adapter means for preventing clogging of the discharge valve with old hardened materials or fluid after use. The adapter means comprises an interior sleeve inserted within an exterior dispensing tip where the assembly is retrofitted into the discharge valve of the aerosol container. A trigger mechanism attached to the top of the aerosol container engages the aerosol can discharge valve to facilitate bias engagement of the discharge valve of the aerosol container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: The Glidden Company
    Inventors: Lance Liljeqvist, Edward Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 6637625
    Abstract: A continuous operation metering valve, based on true volumetric positive displacement technology, uses an innovative dual rack and drive pinion design that enables the valve to dispense from one meter chamber while the other meter chamber is filling. This provides greater dispense cycle rates because it does not require a fill or reload period. With an optional encoder-controlled motor, the inventive metering valve is capable of almost unlimited precision dispensing with “on-the-fly” adjustment capability. The metering valve is easily disassembled and cleaned, using stainless steel wetted path components and Teflon seals for the widest range of chemical compatibility. An integral electronic board, mounted to the side of the valve, may be utilized to control the 4-way directional valve and motor direction (when not using a rotary encoder control).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation
    Inventor: Richard Jefferson