Patents by Inventor Gerald K. Brewer

Gerald K. Brewer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230413986
    Abstract: Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a toothbrush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental tray and to any malocclusion that may be present. The powered toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the Modified Bass Method of brushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald K. BREWER, Caleb VAINIKKA, Chris REDINGER, Aaron POOLE, Joe SKIDMORE
  • Publication number: 20230413987
    Abstract: Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a toothbrush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental tray and to any malocclusion that may be present. The powered toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the Modified Bass Method of brushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Gerald K. BREWER, Caleb VAINIKKA, Chris REDINGER, Aaron POOLE, Joe SKIDMORE
  • Patent number: 10986916
    Abstract: A power hairbrush which oscillates in operation with a frequency in the range of 55 Hz-120 Hz and an amplitude in the range of 8-20°, with a brushhead adapted to remove sebum and other material from the scalp and hair of a user, the brushhead including a plurality of lines or rows of filament tufts, wherein each filament in the filament tufts at its distal end is split into several portions. The brushhead further includes a plurality of lines of solid tuft members positioned adjacent to the lines of filament tufts. The filament tufts are approximately 1-3 mm taller than the solid tuft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Gerald K Brewer, Akiko Kamigori
  • Publication number: 20190159583
    Abstract: A power hairbrush which oscillates in operation with a frequency in the range of 55 Hz-120 Hz and an amplitude in the range of 8-20°, with a brushhead adapted to remove sebum and other material from the scalp and hair of a user, the brushhead including a plurality of lines or rows of filament tufts, wherein each filament in the filament tufts at its distal end is split into several portions. The brushhead further includes a plurality of lines of solid tuft members positioned adjacent to the lines of filament tufts. The filament tufts are approximately 1-3 mm taller than the solid tuft members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Akiko Kamigori
  • Patent number: 10264927
    Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead base member and at least one outer ring of bristles mounted thereto, the brush base member being non-oscillating. An inner assembly is adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like non-Newtonian balm element having shear thinning characteristics. In an embodiment, the inner assembly is adapted to receive energy from an oscillating action of the inner assembly produced by a motor in the appliance to which the brushhead is attachable. Oscillation of the inner portion at a selected frequency and amplitude results in the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element changing to a liquid in a shear thinning effect, the liquid being useful for removal of makeup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Inventors: Gerald K Brewer, Aaron D Poole, Kelly M George, Mickaël Poletti
  • Patent number: 10258141
    Abstract: A power hairbrush which oscillates in operation with a frequency in the range of 55 Hz-120 Hz and an amplitude in the range of 8-20°, with a brushhead adapted to remove sebum and other material from the scalp and hair of a user, the brushhead including a plurality of lines or rows of filament tufts, wherein each filament in the filament tufts at its distal end is split into several portions. The brushhead further includes a plurality of lines of solid tuft members positioned adjacent to the lines of filament tufts. The filament tufts are approximately 1-3 mm taller than the solid tuft members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: L'Oréal
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Akiko Kamigori
  • Publication number: 20170150810
    Abstract: A power hairbrush which oscillates in operation with a frequency in the range of 55 Hz-120 Hz and an amplitude in the range of 8-20°, with a brushhead adapted to remove sebum and other material from the scalp and hair of a user, the brushhead including a plurality of lines or rows of filament tufts, wherein each filament in the filament tufts at its distal end is split into several portions. The brushhead further includes a plurality of lines of solid tuft members positioned adjacent to the lines of filament tufts. The filament tufts are approximately 1-3 mm taller than the solid tuft members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Akiko Kamigori
  • Publication number: 20170020276
    Abstract: The appliance includes a housing and an attached brushhead which oscillates at a selected frequency and amplitude by a motor and drive system. A system recognizes a hair tangle as the brushhead is drawn through the hair by a decrease in amplitude of movement of the brushhead. A control system changes the operation of the brushhead in response to the recognizing system in such a manner as to untangle the hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: L'Oréal
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Zane Miller
  • Publication number: 20160367086
    Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead base member and at least one outer ring of bristles mounted thereto, the brush base member being non-oscillating. An inner assembly is adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like non-Newtonian balm element having shear thinning characteristics. In an embodiment, the inner assembly is adapted to receive energy from an oscillating action of the inner assembly produced by a motor in the appliance to which the brushhead is attachable. Oscillation of the inner portion at a selected frequency and amplitude results in the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element changing to a liquid in a shear thinning effect, the liquid being useful for removal of makeup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Aaron D. Poole, Kelly M. George, Mickaël Poletti
  • Patent number: 9474358
    Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead base member and at least one outer ring of bristles mounted thereto, the brush base member being non-oscillating. An inner assembly is adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like non-Newtonian balm element having shear thinning characteristics. In an embodiment, the inner assembly is adapted to receive energy from an oscillating action of the inner assembly produced by a motor in the appliance to which the brushhead is attachable. Oscillation of the inner portion at a target frequency and amplitude is sufficient to result in the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element changing to a liquid in a shear thinning effect, the liquid being useful for removal of makeup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Gerald K Brewer, Aaron D Poole, Kelly M George, Mickaël Poletti
  • Publication number: 20160183670
    Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead base member and at least one outer ring of bristles mounted thereto, the brush base member being non-oscillating. An inner assembly is adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like non-Newtonian balm element having shear thinning characteristics. In an embodiment, the inner assembly is adapted to receive energy from an oscillating action of the inner assembly produced by a motor in the appliance to which the brushhead is attachable. Oscillation of the inner portion at a target frequency and amplitude is sufficient to result in the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element changing to a liquid in a shear thinning effect, the liquid being useful for removal of makeup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: L'Oréal
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Aaron D. Poole
  • Patent number: 9320335
    Abstract: Devices and/or methods for treating facial hair are provided in order to soften the feel thereof. The devices and/or methods generally alter the structure of the tips or ends of the hair follicles to enhance their feeling of softness. Some devices and methods employ a high speed impacting principle to split the ends of the hair follicles. Some devices and methods aim to reduce the thickness of hairs near the tips through abrasion. Some devices and/or methods employ both crushing/impacting and abrasion in order to soften the feel of a subject's facial hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, Gerald K. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20150182000
    Abstract: Devices and/or methods for treating facial hair are provided in order to soften the feel thereof. The devices and/or methods generally alter the structure of the tips or ends of the hair follicles to enhance their feeling of softness. Some devices and methods employ a high speed impacting principle to split the ends of the hair follicles. Some devices and methods aim to reduce the thickness of hairs near the tips through abrasion. Some devices and/or methods employ both crushing/impacting and abrasion in order to soften the feel of a subject's facial hair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, Gerald K. Brewer
  • Patent number: 8484788
    Abstract: The brushhead is used in a power skin brush appliance which includes a drive system having a single drive member. The brushhead includes a base assembly mountable to the drive system with an optional outer annular fixed portion and an inner portion which in operation oscillates back and forth at a selected sonic frequency through a selected angle in response to action of the drive system. Mounted on the outer portion is a first group of filament tufts. Mounted on the oscillating portion are three concentric groups of filament tufts. Each oscillating group of filament tufts includes two annular rings of filament tufts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: L'Oreal SA
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Robert E. Akridge, Kenneth A. Pilcher, Richard A. Reishus
  • Patent number: 8359692
    Abstract: Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a tooth brush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental arch and to any malocclusion that may be present. The power toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the “Modified Bass Method” of brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald K. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20120233798
    Abstract: The brushhead is used in a power skin brush appliance which includes a drive system having a single drive member. The brushhead includes a base assembly mountable to the drive system with an optional outer annular fixed portion and an inner portion which in operation oscillates back and forth at a selected sonic frequency through a selected angle in response to action of the drive system. Mounted on the outer portion is a first group of filament tufts. Mounted on the oscillating portion are three concentric groups of filament tufts. Each oscillating group of filament tufts includes two annular rings of filament tufts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Pacific Bioscience Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, Robert E. Akridge, Kenneth A. Pilcher, Richard A. Reishus
  • Publication number: 20110159461
    Abstract: A power toothbrush (10) is disclosed having a handle (15), battery (12), ultrasonic drive circuit (14), motor (16), control unit (18), and toothbrush head (20). The toothbrush head includes bristles (26) and a waveguide (24) that is operatively connected to an ultrasonic transducer (22). The waveguide facilitates the transmission of acoustic energy into the dental fluid to achieve improved cleaning and stain removal and improved cleaning in interproximal and subgingival regions. In one embodiment an ultrasound transducer module (30) includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements (32, 34) that may be mechanically connected in series, and electrically connected in parallel. One or more contacts (36) connect the elements, and a waveguide structure (50). An impedance matching layer (38) may be provided between the waveguide and the ultrasonic transducer module. The waveguide may be formed from a relatively soft material, for example, a polymer having a hardness between 10 and 65 Shore A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicants: WASHINGTON, UNIVERSITY OF, ULTREO, INC.
    Inventors: Pierre D. Mourad, James Christopher McInnes, George A. Barrett, David A. Ballard, Gerald K. Brewer, Frederick Jay Bennett
  • Publication number: 20100062397
    Abstract: Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a tooth brush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental arch and to any malocclusion that may be present. The power toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the “Modified Bass Method” of brushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: RYCA INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Gerald K. Brewer
  • Patent number: 7448109
    Abstract: An oral hygiene device having an ultrasound transducer 22 and an acoustic waveguide 24 facilitating the transmission of ultrasonic acoustic energy to fluids in the oral cavity is disclosed. Preferred ultrasound operating parameters for operation in aqueous environments and in dental slurries are disclosed. Devices may incorporate a drive motor 16 for oscillating a device head 23, acoustic waveguide 24 and one or more bristle tuft(s) 26 at sonic frequencies, and preferred sonic operating parameters are also provided. Multi-element piezoelectric transducer assemblies 30, 40, and various control and communications features are disclosed. Oral hygiene devices disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, stimulating dental tissue, and disrupting biofilm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Ultreo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald K. Brewer, James Christopher McInnes, Daniel Bayeh, Frederick Jay Bennett, Richard K. Taylor, David A. Ballard, George A. Barrett
  • Patent number: D843003
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: L'Oreal USA Creative, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuoyong Huang, Suk P. Wong, Richard A. Reishus, Gerald K. Brewer, Aaron D. Poole, Ricky Chan