Tooth Or Nail Brush Patents (Class 15/167.1)
  • Patent number: 11938298
    Abstract: A kit including a packaging and an injection device is described. The injection device defines a positioning recess. The packaging includes a channel extending longitudinally to accommodate the injection device. The channel includes a first longitudinal wall, a second longitudinal wall opposing the first longitudinal wall, and a base wall extending between the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall. The packaging also includes a first handling recess defined by the first longitudinal wall and a second handling recess defined by the second longitudinal wall. The packaging also includes a positioning rib protruding from the base wall into the channel for insertion into the positioning recess of the injection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Teva Pharmaecutical Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Horlock
  • Patent number: 11930915
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald Gontarz, Patrik Johansson, John Gatzemeyer, Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless, Brian Bloch, Najma Khan
  • Patent number: 11918103
    Abstract: The present invention is a full-mouth toothbrush apparatus. The full-mouth toothbrush apparatus comprises a housing, a pair of brush tines, a set of brush connectors, and a set of brush inserts. The set of brush connectors comprises a pair of first brush connectors and a second brush connector. The pair of brush tines is terminally connected adjacent to the housing. The set of brush connectors is distributed about the pair of brush tines. The pair of first brush connectors is terminally distributed along the pair of brush tines. The pair of first brush connectors is hingedly connected along the pair of brush tines. The second brush connector is slidably connected along the pair of brush tines. The second brush connector is positioned between the housing and the first pair of first brush connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Jose Luis Valencia
  • Patent number: 11910911
    Abstract: An all-in-one oral care system that includes a brush, a main body, a top cover, a bottom cover, an interdental brush, and a toothpaste cartridge. All major components are designed to be detachable and replaceable using attachment mechanisms built into each part. The oral care system utilizes a manual actuator to force toothpaste from the main body into the toothbrush head and onto the bristles when depressed. When released, the actuator creates a vacuum force that draws toothpaste from the cartridge into the main body. The vacuum force draws a plunger in the cartridge upwards to move the toothpaste to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventors: Faycal Benjelloun, Francisco Alberto Diaz
  • Patent number: 11896117
    Abstract: An oral care implement used for treatment of a user's oral cavity. The oral care implement may include a body having a longitudinal axis, a first hard plastic component, and a second hard plastic component. The first hard plastic component may have a front surface having a perimeter portion and a central portion that is surrounded by the perimeter portion, the central portion being recessed relative to the perimeter portion. The second hard plastic component may be positioned on the central portion of the first hard plastic component and surrounded by the perimeter portion of the first hard plastic component. The second hard plastic component may have an outer surface with a plurality of grooves that are elongated in a direction of the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas Hohlbein, Chi Shing Wong
  • Patent number: 11895944
    Abstract: A brush belt including a base member having a first side with a traction surface and a second side opposite the first side defining a mounting surface presenting a first edge and a second edge and having a longitudinal axis therebetween and parallel thereto and a plurality of bristles coupled to the mounting surface and arranged in a first section of bristles and a second section of bristles, the bristles of the first section each having a first diameter and the bristles of the second section each having a second diameter that is different than the first diameter. The first section abuts the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Elijah B. Garner, Michael E. Frasier, Michael E. Friestad
  • Patent number: 11871840
    Abstract: An injection-molded first component of an article, the first component including a sheath element formed from a pre-sheath element, the sheath element having a cavity and a recess extending from the cavity into a wall of the sheath element surrounding the cavity. The recess is formed by a through hole in the pre-sheath element and a lid element closing the through hole. The lid element is connected to the pre-sheath element with a plastic material injection-molded over at least a part of a parting line between the lid element and the pre-sheath element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Andreas Bresselschmidt, Jochen Ganninger, Benedikt Heil, Uwe Jungnickel, Joerg Kotitschke, Andreas Reuschenbach, Holger Schulz
  • Patent number: 11800924
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a head and a handle. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements extend from an exposed front surface of the head. The handle has an open thumb gripping passageway extending between an exposed first surface of the handle and an exposed second surface of the handle opposite the exposed first surface. The handle also has a plurality of slots defining open slot passageways from the exposed first surface of the handle to the exposed second surface of the handle. The open thumb gripping passageway may be defined by a ring component that is fitted into an aperture in a body component. The open thumb gripping passageway may be a void space in the handle. The open slot passageways may be elongated along the handle and may serve to reduce a total amount of virgin material needed to manufacture the oral care implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless
  • Patent number: 11793300
    Abstract: An oral care implement (100) having a head (120). The head (120) has a support structure (130) and a monolithic cleaning unit (140) that is coupled to the support structure (130). The head (120) has a side surface (123) that includes a first lateral portion (124) and a second lateral portion (125). The monolithic cleaning unit (140) includes a base portion (141) that is coupled to the support structure (130) and a plurality of bristles (150) extending from the base portion (141). The plurality of bristles (150) include a plurality of first peripheral bristles (171) positioned adjacent to the first lateral portion (124) of the head (120), a plurality of second peripheral bristles (172) positioned adjacent to the second lateral portion (125) of the head (120), and a plurality of central bristles (175).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Yanmei Ji, Wen Jin Xi
  • Patent number: 11779102
    Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Joachim Storz, Andreas Wechsler
  • Patent number: 11766112
    Abstract: A paint brush having a handle with an integrated hanger that is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger within a groove of the handle, and an extended position for extending the hanger outwardly from the groove to hang the paint brush on an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Wooster Brush Company
    Inventors: James M. Byrne, John L. Scott, Sr., Matthew Joseph Doerfler, Scott A. Melegari, Everett A. Crosby
  • Patent number: 11751675
    Abstract: An toothbrush having a handle and a head. The handle may include a first component and a second component covering at least a portion of the first component. The first and second components may be chemically compatible. The first and second components may both comprise a hard polyolefin. The first and second components may have different transparencies. In one aspect, the first component may be opaque and the second component may be transparent or semi-transparent. In some aspects, the handle may also include a third component comprising a thermoplastic elastomer. Furthermore, there may be at least one projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Chi Shing Wong, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Al Sprosta, Wen Jin Xi, Xiangji Ding
  • Patent number: 11744356
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a detachable head portion is provided. The toothbrush includes a handle portion, a neck portion, and a head portion, and the head portion includes a first head portion and second head portion. The second head portion is detachable from the first head portion. The toothbrush further includes a button portion and an attachment/release mechanism. The button portion is actuatable to actuate the attachment/release mechanism to facilitate detachment of the second head portion from the first head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HAYDEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Curan Mehra, Alan Trojanowski
  • Patent number: 11723452
    Abstract: An improved paint brush is disclosed. In particular, the improved paint brush includes a body portion and a handle extending therefrom. A plurality of bristles extends from the body portion, and can be held in place by a sleeve. A hook is disposed on and extends from the body portion. The underside of the hook is rounded so that a painter can place her thumb on the hook thereby obtaining a more stable grip allowing for more precise painting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Rafael Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11707124
    Abstract: A hair comb contains: a handle, a stepped body extending from a connection segment of the handle, multiple long columns and multiple short column which are separately arranged on the stepped body. A height of a respective one long column is different a height of a respective one short column. The stepped body includes an external surround portion, a middle surround portion, and an internal surround portion which have different heights respectively. Multiple gaps are defined among the external surround portion, the middle surround portion, and the internal surround portion. The multiple gaps includes multiple support portions formed in a vertical line so that the external surround portion, the middle surround portion, and the internal surround portion define the stepped body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Inventor: Shih-Ling Hsu
  • Patent number: 11700930
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator, including: an application member (30) comprising an application element (42); and a gripping member (32) hinged to the application member, with the gripping member being mobile with respect to the application member around an axis of rotation (38), between a first and a second stable configurations. The application member and the gripping member respectively comprise first and second (75) guiding elements, configured to slide against one another during a rotation of the gripping member with respect to the application member, with each one of the first and second stable configurations corresponding to a minimum of elastic stress between said first and second guiding elements, said elastic stress being considered in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: L'OREAL
    Inventors: Xavier Debaecker, Sylvain De Raemy
  • Patent number: 11684150
    Abstract: A cosmetic brush fiber includes five substantially parallel outer edges extending along a length of the cosmetic brush fiber; and five substantially parallel inner edges extending along the length of the cosmetic brush fiber, wherein the cosmetic brush fiber defines a star-shaped transverse cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Anisa International, Inc.
    Inventors: Anisa Telwar Kaicker, NaTasha Miller, Sarina Godin
  • Patent number: 11659922
    Abstract: A head for an oral-care implement, having an elongated mounting surface with an outer circumference, includes two outer rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface along the longitudinal axis in proximity to the outer circumference, and two inner rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface and arranged between and parallel to the outer rows. The tufts of the outer rows have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area perpendicular thereto. The elongated cross-sectional area has a longer axis and a shorter axis, wherein the longer axis defines an angle ? of about 20-65 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The tufts of the outer rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (?) of about 65-80 degrees. The tufts of the inner rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (?) of about 60-85 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company, LLC.
    Inventor: Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 11648700
    Abstract: A handle for a shaver including a manipulation portion, a connection portion that connects to a razor cartridge, and a first flexible portion connecting the manipulation portion to the connection portion, the first flexible portion including a plurality of deformation cells of one or more predetermined shapes between the manipulation and connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: BIC Violex Single Member S.A.
    Inventors: Georgios Paspatis, Anestis Tsegenidis
  • Patent number: 11648099
    Abstract: An actuator (12) for a personal care appliance (10) having an eccentric core (21) to preload the actuator (12) to prevent rattling caused by detrimental reactionary forces. The eccentric core (21) includes a pole assembly (24) radially extending from a spindle 22 having at least a first set (25-1) and a second set (25-2) of pole members. The first set (25-1) has a greater length as measured from the center of the spindle 22 than the second set (24-2), reducing the magnet gap on one side of the spindle (22) to create an eccentric core and preload the actuator (12). Alternatively, the preload can be mechanically created by a set of bearings (28) disposed within housing (18) of the actuator 12, where the bearings (28) have a centerline (A3) offset from the principal axis (A1) of the housing (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin Arnold Miller, Wolter F. Benning, Gregory Russ Goddard, Evert Alle Helfrich
  • Patent number: 11642451
    Abstract: Packaging for an injection device, the packaging including a channel extending longitudinally to accommodate the injection device, the channel including a longitudinal wall adjoining a base wall; a handling recess extending laterally and formed through the longitudinal wall, a positioning rib extending longitudinally and protruding from the base wall into the channel for insertion into a positioning recess of the injection device, the positioning rib arranged offset laterally from the recess and extending in a longitudinal field defined by the handling recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Horlock
  • Patent number: 11622618
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a plurality of cleaning elements coupled thereto and extending therefrom. In the exemplified embodiment, the cleaning elements have a plurality of bristle tufts each including a plurality of bristle filaments. In one aspect, the oral care implement may include a first bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being taller than the inner filaments and a second bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the outer filaments being shorter than the inner filaments. In another aspect, the oral care implement may include a bristle tuft having inner and outer filaments with the inner filaments being either taller or shorter than the outer filaments, and whereby distal ends of the inner and outer filaments are angled relative to an axis of the bristle tuft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Chang L. Liu, Jiang Zhou, Yanmei Ji, Fan Gang Xie
  • Patent number: 11617432
    Abstract: A hole perforation plate (60) has a front surface (61), a back surface (62), a thickness (D) therebetween, and a plurality of holes (70), grouped into more than one arrangement (65) of holes (70), wherein the more than one arrangement (65) of holes (70) can be identical or different compared to one another regarding the number of the holes (70), the shape of the holes (70), the size of the holes (70), the distance between the holes (70), the arrangement of the holes (70), and a combination thereof, and wherein the front surface (61) is uneven in the area of the arrangement (65) of the holes (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jochen Ganninger, Holger Schulz, Niclas Altmann
  • Patent number: 11576481
    Abstract: A head for an oral-care implement, having an elongated mounting surface with an outer circumference, includes two outer rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface along the longitudinal axis in proximity to the outer circumference, and two inner rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface and arranged between and parallel to the outer rows. The tufts of the outer rows have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area perpendicular thereto. The elongated cross-sectional area has a longer axis and a shorter axis, wherein the longer axis defines an angle ? of about 20-65 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis. The tufts of the outer rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (?) of about 65-80 degrees. The tufts of the inner rows are inclined relative to the mounting surface by an inclination angle (?) of about 60-85 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 11571060
    Abstract: A head for an oral-care implement, having an elongated mounting surface with an outer circumference, includes two outer rows of tufts extending from the mounting surface along a longitudinal axis and in proximity to the outer circumference and an arc-shaped toe arranged at a distal end and composed of filaments or a plurality of tufts of filaments. The tufts of the outer rows have a longitudinal extension and an elongated cross-sectional area extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension, the elongated cross-sectional area having a longer axis and a shorter axis, wherein the longer axis defines an angle ? of from about 20° to about 65° with respect to the longitudinal axis, so that the tufts of the outer rows and the arc-shaped toe define an outer arc-shaped envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 11553784
    Abstract: A head for an oral care implement has a longitudinal length extension extending between a proximal end and a distal end, an outer rim and an inner portion. The head comprises at least two tooth cleaning elements of a first type and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements of a second type, the tooth cleaning elements of the first type being arranged at the inner portion of the head, and the plurality of tooth cleaning elements of the second type being arranged at the outer rim of the head, thereby surrounding the tooth cleaning elements of the first type. The tooth cleaning elements of the first type are tufts of a first type comprising a plurality of filaments. The tufts of the first type are arranged substantially parallel to each other. Each tuft has a substantially rectangular or oval cross-sectional shape with a longer length extension from about 4 mm to about 8 mm and a shorter width extension from about 1.5 mm to about 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 11547204
    Abstract: Described herein is an oral care implement comprising: a handle; and a head coupled to the handle, the head comprising a main body and a release component coupled to the main body, the release component comprising: a water-dissolvable matrix comprising a first polymer having a processing temperature greater than or equal to 130° C.; and a release agent comprising at least one of zinc oxide, potassium nitrate, and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate; wherein the release agent is dispersed throughout the water-dissolvable matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Hallena Strotman, Zoe Scoullos, Leighton Davies-Smith
  • Patent number: 11534278
    Abstract: A deburr tool and processes to smooth spires on dentures after an adjustment by the dentist for a proper fit are presented. The deburr tool may have a deburr element comprised of soapstone or chalk, and the deburr element may have a variety of geometric shapes. For example, it may be spherically shaped, parabolic shaped, triangular shaped, cylindrical shaped with and an outer face between a one side and an other side, or rectangular shaped. Appling the one or more outer faces, surfaces, or edges of soapstone to the spires and using a rotary or reciprocating motion, the spires may be smoothed to provide a comfortable fit. The deburr element may have a holding element with a distal end and an other end connected to the deburr element and configured to use in an individuals hand or may be configured to insert in a rotary or reciprocating machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: Karen Ann Lindeman
  • Patent number: 11510483
    Abstract: An oral care implement and/or a cleaning element for an oral care implement. The cleaning element may include an annular cleaning component having an inner surface defining a cavity. The annular cleaning component may be formed from a plurality of arcuate portions with each of the arcuate portions extending from a first end to a second end and terminating in a distal end. A height of each of the arcuate portions may be greater at the second end than at the first end. The plurality of arcuate portions may be arranged in a ring so that the first end of each of the arcuate portions is adjacent to the second end of another one of the arcuate portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Eduardo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 11464610
    Abstract: To provide a method for manufacturing an interdental cleaning tool that can prevent deformation of a core base at molding of a cleaning flexible part using an elastomer material, thereby effectively preventing occurrence of molding failure of the cleaning flexible part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SUNSTAR SUISSE SA
    Inventor: Keisuke Kato
  • Patent number: 11464323
    Abstract: Provided is a toothbrush including a handle, a head connected to the handle and including a first surface, a distal circumference provided at a front end of the first surface, a proximal circumference provided at a rear end of the first surface, a plurality of first cleaning elements provided at the front end of the first surface along the distal circumference, a plurality of second cleaning elements provided at the rear end of the first surface, and a tooth space corresponding to a space provided on the first surface between the first and second cleaning elements. According to the present invention, when a space between a tooth root surface and a gum, e.g., a periodontal pocket, is cleaned, pressing of bristles due to interference between the bristles and a tooth may be prevented and thus first cleaning elements may easily penetrate into the periodontal pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Sungmin Ryu
  • Patent number: 11457725
    Abstract: A brush head (10) and a method (200) for manufacturing a brush head. The method (200) includes stamping (220) a plurality of openings (62) into a strip or roll of backing material (60). A bristle tuft (21) is inserted into each of the openings in the backing material. A proximal end (23) of each bristle tuft is bonded to a proximal side (63) of the backing material to create a merged proximal end head portion (26). Excess portions of the backing material are removed to form a plurality of carrier elements (24) about the openings from the backing material. The carrier elements form a plurality of merged tuft assemblies (20). A platen (42) of a neck (40) is positioned in relation to the merged tuft assemblies. A matrix material (30) is injected around the platen and the merged tuft assemblies to at least partially encompass the platen and the carrier elements of the merged tuft assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Inventors: Martin Varch, Michael Meidl, Florian Kopeinig
  • Patent number: 11445810
    Abstract: A mechanically tapered bristle filament for an oral care implement. The filament is characterized by a long thin tapered end portion. The tapered end portion has a taper length and tip diameter comparable to chemically tapered filaments. The areal surface roughness of the tapered end portion however is greater than chemically tapered filaments thereby producing increased scrubbing action against the surfaces of the teeth. The foregoing taper and roughness characteristics of the present filament enhance inter-dental cleaning effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Stephen Nelson, Alan Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 11432643
    Abstract: The brush for the application of cosmetic products comprises an housing seat for housing at least an application body having a plurality of spreading elements to spread a cosmetic product on a user, in which the housing seat comprises at least a concave portion and defining on the application body at least an application face of the cosmetic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Pennelli Faro S.r.l.
    Inventor: Gianluca Serposi
  • Patent number: 11419403
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning or sanitizing a finger. A container has an interior sized to receive a finger, the container having a bottom portion and a wall portion extending from the bottom portion to an opening along an edge of the wall portion through which the finger may be received. The wall portion and bottom portion each have an interior surface within the container. A plurality of bristles extend from an interior surface of the container for contact with a portion of the finger when liquid is in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Inventor: Geoffrey Porter Carroll
  • Patent number: 11400627
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an oral care implement comprising a handle, a connector, and a head repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle via the connector. The method includes the steps of injection molding of at least a part of the handle having a distal end and a proximal end opposite thereto and comprising a hollow portion; injection molding of at least a part of the connector having an outer lateral surface and a recess therein, the recess forming a cavity within the connector; injection molding of at least a part of the head; inserting the connector into the hollow portion of the handle and fixing the connector therein by gluing, welding, and/or press-fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Uwe Jungnickel, Jens Alinski
  • Patent number: 11399508
    Abstract: An animal enrichment tool is provided and includes a shaped frame, a first sensory head positioned at one end of the shaped frame, and a second sensory head positioned at another end of the shaped frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventor: Cynthia Garry
  • Patent number: 11388984
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprises a head and a handle, the head being repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle. The head is at least partially made from a material having a density from about 0.5 g/cm3 to about 1.2 g/cm3, while the handle is at least partially made from a material having a density from about 2.1 g/cm3 to about 3.1 g/cm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventor: Uwe Jungnickel
  • Patent number: 11388983
    Abstract: A brush with bristles attached to multiple sides is designed to clean any gutter guard type that is manufactured today, including reverse curve type gutter guards. The brush has a main body of reverse-oriented bristles and accommodates an extension pole on the “reverse” side. When placed on top of the gutter guard, the brush can be pushed/pulled back and forth using the pole to dislodge any unwanted debris attached to the gutter guard's working surface. The use of the pole removes the need for a person to be on the roof when attempting to clean the gutter and/or gutter guard. With multiple bristle orientations, the brush cart be used for other outdoor cleaning uses, such as house fixtures, structures, windows and so forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: GUTTERGLOVE, INC.
    Inventor: Robert C. Lenney
  • Patent number: 11377976
    Abstract: A surface cooler configured to be operably coupled to an aircraft fan casing and having a first surface configured to confront a peripheral wall of an aircraft fan casing and a second surface opposite the first surface, a set of fluid passages internal to the body and a set of fins located on at least a portion of the second surface of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Unison Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Bernard Albert Luschek
  • Patent number: 11376106
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush and toothbrush head comprise a transmission housing; a substantially disk-shaped bristle carrier; a plurality of first bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a first virtual circle; and a plurality of second bristle tufts arranged on the bristle carrier along a second virtual circle, the second virtual circle being concentric with and having a smaller diameter than the first virtual circle, wherein each of the plurality of first bristle tufts includes a plurality of bristles of a first type, having a tapered form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: SUNSTAR AMERICAS, INC.
    Inventors: Supinda Watcharotone, Toru Saito, Jonathan Gum
  • Patent number: 11363880
    Abstract: A Manual Force Sensitive Toothbrush which includes a pivot section which couples a main beam section to a bristle beam section. The pivot section provides notification to user when force upon gumline is exceeded beyond the predetermined levels of force. The pivot is a manual system the connects and reconnects through the use of magnets. When magnets are in connect, the main beam and bristle beam sections provide the end user a gripping section and bristle section to carefully and effectively brush tooth and gums, adversely the force sensitive toothbrush releases upon excessive force applied against tooth and gum—creating a force sensitive section in the toothbrush as referred to as the pivot section. The release of the bristle beam section extends between 15-20 degrees from the resting plane of the main beam section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Scott Eric Dychtwald
  • Patent number: 11361672
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care system that includes a toothbrush; a programmable processor configured to receive oral characteristic data indicative of an oral characteristic of a user; and determine for the user, based at least in part on the oral characteristic data, at least one of a suggested brushing routine and a brushing evaluation for a brushing session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: John Gatzemeyer
  • Patent number: 11351706
    Abstract: A system comprises a fully automated fabrication cell (20) for forming overmolded oral care implements. The cell (20) includes a cluster of process stations (21) including injection molding machines operable to first form oral care implement preforms and then overmold the preforms with an overlay to create fully formed oral care implement bodies. In one example, the overlay may be a flexible elastomeric or rubber material while the preform may comprise a more rigid plastic material. Transfer of the preforms and bodies between the process stations (21) is fully automated and performed by a computer-operated robot (40) having a jointed articulated arm. A grasping tool (60) disposed on an end of the arm (42) releasably engages and transports a plurality of preforms and/or bodies simultaneously. The tool provides two different methods for engaging and holding the toothbrush skeletons/bodies. A programmable controller (130) automatically controls the robotic arm (42)'s operation and movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Shiyong Xia, Tao Xie
  • Patent number: 11337620
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a housing (2), a moveable device (12) disposed within the housing and including a first surface including a first material (15) and a second surface including a second material (17), wherein the moveable device is operable to move to bring the first and second surfaces together and apart to cause contact and separation between the first and second materials, a first strap (4) attached to the housing, a second strap (6) coupled to the moveable device, wherein movement of the second strap causes operation of the moveable device, and electronic circuitry (20) structured to harvest energy from the electrical charge generated by the contact between the first and second materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonweallth System of Higher Education
    Inventors: Paresh Vasandani, Mingui Sun, Wenyan Jia
  • Patent number: 11330895
    Abstract: A dental cleaning apparatus (DCA) includes an elongated member having a brush portion and a handle portion. The DCA includes multiple brushes with different respective geometries situated equiangularly about the brush portion. The brushes may include convex, concave and flat geometries with each brush being designated for cleaning a different respective tooth surface type. For each of the convex, concave and flat bushes, the DCA includes a respective tactile feel region exhibiting the same geometry as the brush type to aid the user in orienting the DCA in the mouth for tooth cleaning purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph E Noonan, Jr., Daniel J Noonan
  • Patent number: 11317707
    Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush includes a support part supporting upper and lower lateral brush elements and transverse brush elements for the combined brushing of the inner, outer and occlusal surfaces of the upper and lower teeth, and an oscillating device intended to impart an oscillating movement to the support part. The support part is elastically deformable such that it can fit snugly against the upper and lower dental arches during brushing. The oscillating device includes a movable part on which the support part is mounted, and a drive shaft coupled to the movable part in order to move the movable part and the support part in an oscillating manner. The movable part extends between the upper lateral brush elements and the lower lateral brush elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Yann Castaldo
  • Patent number: 11291293
    Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Kenneth Waguespack, Robert Moskovich, Andreas Wechsler, Joachim Storz
  • Patent number: 11246399
    Abstract: A bristle for an oral care implement and an oral care implement including a plurality of such bristles. The bristle may include a body extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the body having tapered portion having a transverse cross-sectional profile with a perimeter defined by a first linear section and a second linear section that intersect to form a first apex, a third linear section and a fourth linear section that intersect to form a second apex, a first curved section extending between the first and third linear sections, and a second curved section extending between the second and fourth linear sections. The body may also include a cylindrical body portion such that the tapered portion extends from a top end of the cylindrical body portion. The bristle includes various edges and rounded contours for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Wen Jin Xi, Yan Mei Ji
  • Patent number: 11246405
    Abstract: A spiral bristle (201) includes: a first component (231), a second component (233), and a third component (235), with each of the second and third components (233, 235) wrapping around the first component (231) in a helical and spaced-apart manner, the second and third components (233, 235) isolated from one another by the first component (231). An oral care implement includes the spiral bristle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Wen Jin Xi, Bo Zhang, Guang Sheng Guo