Fountain Patents (Class 15/24)
  • Patent number: 11135612
    Abstract: Rotating applicators are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes an inlet to receive a surface coating to be applied to a surface of a workpiece, a shaft having a fluid channel extending therethrough, where the fluid channel is in fluid communication with the inlet, and an applicator coupled to an end of the shaft, where the applicator has an opening in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The apparatus also includes a pump to cause the surface coating to flow from the inlet to the opening, and a motor to rotate the shaft while the applicator dispenses the surface coating from the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Raymond Neil Henderson, Joshua Andrew Babst, Kevin Michael Bell, Brian Joseph Wimer
  • Patent number: 10682212
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush according to the present disclosure includes: a shaft to which a brush is attached; a primary drive unit that operates the shaft to let the brush perform a cleaning motion; and a supplementary drive unit that enables the shaft to move eccentrically. Accordingly, the electric toothbrush can facilitate entry of bristles of the brush between teeth and improve performance of cleaning between the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10307436
    Abstract: Provided are a food composition and a feed composition for removing amyloid plaques, each composition including ginsenoside F1, in which ginsenoside F1 is effective for removing amyloid plaques in the hippocampal area of the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: INTELLIGENT SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY CENTER
    Inventors: Sun Chang Kim, Jin Hee Han, Bong Hwan Park
  • Patent number: 10221545
    Abstract: A soap dispensing shower assembly for selectively spraying a mixture of soap and a fluid includes a dispensing unit has soap positioned therein. The dispensing unit is fluidly coupled to a fluid supply thereby facilitating a fluid to be mixed with the soap. A spray unit is fluidly coupled to the housing. The spray unit selectively sprays the mixture of the soap and the fluid for bathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Ralph Saro
  • Patent number: 10188139
    Abstract: Tobacco smoking mixtures capable of producing tobacco smoke are provided which reduce the cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity of the tobacco smoke. The tobacco smoking mixtures include tobacco cut filler and glycerin in an amount effective to reduce cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity of smoke produced by the tobacco smoking mixture. The tobacco smoking mixtures enable a further reduction in cytotoxicity and/or mutagenicity when glycerin is combined with palladium or salts of calcium and/or magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: San Li, Raquel Olegario, Joseph L. Banyasz, Kenneth H. Shafer
  • Patent number: 10082361
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable wireless electroshock device. The portable wireless electroshock device includes (A) a fluid reservoir containing a conductive fluid and (B) a pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and a terminal having an orifice. The orifice is operable to emit a fluid stream trajectory of the conductive fluid there-through, and the terminal is operable to deliver an electrical current through the fluid stream trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORSYTHE & STORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Lorne M. Forsythe, Christopher J. Storms, Joseph R. Patzer
  • Patent number: 9980797
    Abstract: A water pressure driven tooth brush according to embodiments includes a hose to be connected to a faucet, a water pressure power generator to generate rotating force by receiving water pressure through the hose, and rotary tooth brush hairs rotated by the water pressure power generator. The water pressure power generator includes a cylindrical housing serving as a tooth brush handle and having a water supply pipe and a water exhaust pipe at a rear portion thereof, and at least one driving shaft at a front portion thereof, a water turbine installed in a rear chamber formed in the cylindrical housing and rotated by pressurized water, and a reduction module installed in a front chamber formed in the cylindrical housing and coupled to a rotating shaft of the water turbine to transfer reduced rotating force to the driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Inventor: Jong-Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 9650021
    Abstract: A device for use in dispensing tire chemical onto a cylindrical car tire brush, comprising, an elongated shield having a concave inside surface having a curvature generally matching the outside curvature of the cylindrical brush, a port entering into the inside surface of the shield for receiving a chemical, and at least one distribution groove formed into the inside surface, which distribution groove communicates with the port and is inclined downwardly at an angle so as to distribute the chemical longitudinally along the said inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Douglas
  • Patent number: 9559634
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, comprising a carrier, at least one cleaning roller rotatably supported at the carrier, and a rotary drive for the cleaning roller, wherein the rotary drive is designed as a fluid drive, wherein the flow of a cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning roller for cleaning purposes is converted into a drive movement for the cleaning roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 9480330
    Abstract: A cleaning device (10, 110) comprises a body (16, 116), a cleaning arrangement (14, 14), and a driver (18, 118) to effect motion of the cleaning arrangement. The driver is held by the body, and the driver comprises a mounting arrangement (30, 32, 180, 82) to detachably mount the cleaning arrangement on the driver. There is also disclosed a cleaning arrangement (14, 14) for use with a drive arrangement (12, 112) of a cleaning device (10, 110). The cleaning arrangement has a longitudinal main axis and comprising a support (124) extending along the main axis. The cleaning arrangement further includes a brush part (126) on the support, the brush part extending radially outwardly from the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: Ali Waqar Majeed
  • Patent number: 9377219
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning surfaces, having a cleaning head which includes at least one base part and at least one brush arrangement, in particular a cylindrical brush roller, attached to the base part; and a fluid drive for the brush arrangement which is at least partly integrated into the base part and which is designed to convert the flow energy of a fluid supplied to the base part under pressure into a cleaning movement of the brush arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 9237797
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning a substrate is provided. In one aspect, the cleaning device includes a brush including a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, an outer surface, and a hollow bore defined in the brush about a central axis of the brush. The brush defines a first cross-sectional area near the first end and a second cross-sectional area near the second end. Both the first and second cross-sectional areas are generally perpendicular to the central axis and the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Tyrrell, Bradley S. Withers
  • Patent number: 8955187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, comprising a carrier, at least one cleaning roller rotatably supported at the carrier, and a rotary drive for the cleaning roller, wherein the rotary drive is designed as a fluid drive, wherein the flow of a cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning roller for cleaning purposes is converted into a drive movement for the cleaning roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8813291
    Abstract: An oral care implement is disclosed comprising: an oral care region having cleaning elements; a body coupled to the oral care region; a gas outlet operably coupled to a gas source, the gas outlet disposed in the oral care region; an oral care material source storing an oral care material; an oral care material outlet operably coupled to the oral care material source, the oral care material outlet disposed in the oral care region; and wherein the oral care material outlet is spaced apart from the gas outlet. In another aspect, an oral care implement is disclosed comprising an oral care region having an elastomeric tooth cleaning element and an air outlet positioned adjacent the air outlet so that an air stream existing the air outlet causes a dynamic vibratory flexing action of at least a portion of the elastomeric tooth cleaning element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez, Steve Sorrel, Philip Durocher, Bruce Russell, Thomas Boyd
  • Patent number: 8789229
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning surfaces has a cleaning head which includes a base part and at least two brush elements which are provided at opposite the sides of the base part and which can be set into a cleaning movement relative to the base part. A fluid drive is integrated into the base part and is designed to convert the flow energy of a fluid supplied to the base part under pressure into the cleaning movement of the brush elements. The fluid drive has a drive member, in particular a turbine wheel or a bucket wheel, which is driven by the fluid and by which both brush elements can be driven together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8677543
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning (e.g., scrubbing, washing, treating, waxing, etc.) a surface, such as a recessed crevice or area, includes a fluid-powered scrubber head and a removable brush extending from the scrubber head. The scrubber head includes a housing, an inlet at one end of the housing for receiving a flow of fluid from a fluid supply and a deflecting surface for directing the flow of fluid once received through the inlet. The deflecting surface may be a movable deflecting panel that is selectively moved relative to the housing to cover an opening in the housing. The deflecting surface may also include a partial conical surface that concentrates the flow of fluid deflected out of the housing and onto the brush outside the housing as the brush rotates in response to the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8607393
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus may include a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle. Pressurized fluid may enter the apparatus, and a fluid flow director directs the fluid to scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements may be secured to the wheel, and different types of treatment material dispensing systems are operable to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8539630
    Abstract: An oral care implement with an air flossing system cleans debris from the teeth of a user. The oral care implement may include an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue. A body is provided for gripping the implement. An air source is disposed in the body for proving pressurized air to an air outlet. The air outlet is disposed in the oral care region for injecting the pressurized air to clean debris from the oral tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez, Steve Sorrel, Philip Durocher, Bruce Russell, Thomas Boyd
  • Patent number: 8347443
    Abstract: A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Fred E. Conrad
  • Patent number: 8327488
    Abstract: An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which constitutes a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (160) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (110) is provided with inner wall planes (112a and 113a) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart and magnets (121 and 123) of different magnetic poles opposing each other in the inner walls planes (112a and 113a). The movable body (160) has a center yoke (140) located between the magnets (121 and 124) through air gaps. The movable body (160) is provided with a shaft (150). The fixed body (180) has a coil (170) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the center yoke (140). The fixed body (180) movably supports the movable body (160) through elastic bodies (190).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto, Kensuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8291537
    Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a handle and a cleaning head supported on one end of the handle. A vibratory source is supported on the handle and is operative to generate vibratory output. A mounting element is disposed between the handle and the vibratory source. A connecting member extends between the vibratory source and the cleaning head, and is adapted to generate motion at the cleaning head in response to the vibratory output generated at the vibratory source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Gall, Craig Saunders, John W. Spirk, John R. Nottingham
  • Patent number: 8256056
    Abstract: A rotatable scrub brush having particular application for removing dried residue from a bucket or similar container. The scrub brush includes a shaft, one end of which can be coupled to a conventional drill. The opposite end of the shaft is connected to a hollow bulb having cleaning bristles projecting outwardly therefrom. Openings through the bottom of the hollow bulb communicate with respective water inlet ducts. When the bulb is dipped in water standing in the bucket to be cleaned, the water will flow upwardly through the inlet ducts to be collected inside the bulb. A rotational force generated by the drill is imparted to the bulb by way of the shaft to cause the bulb to spin at high speed. As the spinning bulb is lifted out of the standing water and moved along the sides of the bucket, the water collected at the interior of the bulb will be expelled therefrom through outlet ports in order to moisten the cleaning bristles and the residue on the bucket to be removed by the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Grant Jones
  • Publication number: 20120186030
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld, motorized cleaning device, comprising a removable rotary cleaning element, a fluid soap reservoir, an electric motor with drive means and a handle having an interior storage for battery power. The handle separates into segments to align a series of batteries, while its working end comprises a refillable reservoir of cleaning solution that is adapted to operate with a plurality of independent cleaning elements, without discharging and refilling between elements. An aperture along the base of the reservoir communicates cleaning solution through the cleaning element to develop lather while the cleaning element is rotated by the electric motor and drive means. The aperture opening is controlled by a rotational slide gate means at the base of the reservoir. In use, the cleaning element is placed in contact with a surface to physically remove built-up dirt and debris, while the soap further breaks down tougher grime and grease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Wilfrid Lazarre
  • Patent number: 8220098
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle (11) and a wheel (13) rotatably mounted to the handle and the wheel having a plurality of scrubbing elements (74). Pressurized fluid enters the apparatus and a fluid flow director (16) delivers the fluid to the scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Different types of treatment material dispensing systems (100) are operable position a flow director to spin a dispenser of treatment material, or to position a dispenser in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements, to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8214959
    Abstract: An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which is a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (110) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (150) is provided with sidewalls (152 and 153) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart. A magnet (160) is provided in the outer yoke (150) through a non-magnetic body (170) and has different magnetic poles located opposing to the opposing inner wall planes of the outer yoke (150) through the air gaps. The movable body (110) is provided with a shaft (180). The fixed body (120) has a coil (128) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the magnet (160). The fixed body (120) movably supports the movable body (110) through elastic bodies (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yasutaka Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8122554
    Abstract: An apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Schemmel, Christopher Murray, Mark Stratford, Benjamin J. Strutt, Patrick Marcil
  • Patent number: 8037567
    Abstract: A rotary elliptically shaped head, free spinning, designed to be attached to a pressurized hose, fluid driven. When activated, the fluid is directed thru the head, striking internal longitudinal fins the cause the had to spin longitudinally, at high speed. The fluid is released thru holes in the head, which by the same centrifugal force driving the head along rows of bristles. When applied to a desire surface the head will scrub and clean the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Lee Harris
  • Publication number: 20110239384
    Abstract: A tool powered by pressurized liquid, typically water, for treatment of a variety of surfaces ranging from natural to manufactured, has a scrubber wheel powered by the pressurized liquid. A treatment liquid is contained in a single-use, throw-away cartridge mounted in the tool. The cartridge is mounted in the tool for rotation therein when desired. A nozzle in the tool for discharging the pressurized liquid onto the scrubber wheel to rotate the scrubber wheel, is movable by the tool operator during a treatment operation to change the direction of discharge to the extent desired to drive the scrubber forward or backward and to rotate the cartridge to dispense the treatment liquid if, and when, dispensing of the treatment liquid is desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Larry C. WILKINS
  • Patent number: 8006648
    Abstract: A power-actuated animal paw cleaning device including an elongated handle having an anchor rod statically coupled to a distal end thereof, a casing pivotally mated to the anchor rod such that the casing is freely pivotal thereabout while the handle and anchor rod remain stationary, a splash guard pivotally coupled to the anchor rod and adjoined to an interior surface of the casing respectively, and a paw cleaning mechanism attached to the casing and the handle respectively. Such a paw cleaning mechanism is preferably provided with a brush head rotatably situated within the casing. In one embodiment, the present invention may further include a reservoir containing a liquid cleaning solution therein. Such a liquid cleaning solution may be directly deposited onto a paw of the animal prior to or during cleaning procedures for loosening debris, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Erich Sourwine
  • Patent number: 7988070
    Abstract: A shower head includes a case having a chamber with an opening, and a cover is slidably engaged with the opening and has multiple holes. The cover has an inner space defined therein, and a brush unit is rotatably located in the inner space and the chamber. The brush unit includes multiple blades, and each blade has brushes connected thereto. The brush unit rotates by the water flow so as to brush the inner surface of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Yang, Chiao-Cheng Yang, Tsung-Te Liu, Han-Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 7979940
    Abstract: A tool powered by pressurized liquid, typically water, for treatment of a variety of surfaces ranging from natural to manufactured, has a scrubber wheel powered by the pressurized liquid. A treatment liquid is contained in a single-use, throw-away cartridge mounted in the tool. The cartridge is mounted in the tool for rotation therein when desired. A nozzle in the tool for discharging the pressurized liquid onto the scrubber wheel to rotate the scrubber wheel, is movable by the tool operator during a treatment operation to change the direction of discharge to the extent desired to drive the scrubber forward or backward and to rotate the cartridge to dispense the treatment liquid if, and when, dispensing of the treatment liquid is desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7703165
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle having a plurality of scrubbing elements. A nozzle delivers fluid to the scrubbing elements to effect rotation of the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing element in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. A dispensing system mounted to the handle is remotely operable to position a dispenser of treatment material in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7631386
    Abstract: A handheld cleaning apparatus for cleaning carpets and other surfaces comprises a housing, a motorized cleaning head, and a liquid container assembly removably mounted to the housing for storing and dispensing a cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. The housing and the cleaning head are designed such that the user can easily and comfortably apply a downward force to the cleaning head. Additionally, the liquid container preferably comprises a manual spray dispenser having an outlet orifice that is offset from the cleaning head for unobstructed dispensation of cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. A selectively heated pressure tip with a rounded end is mounted to the cleaning head for cleaning stains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Carlito Santiago, Eric C. Huffman, Timothy S. Parker
  • Publication number: 20090217470
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle (11) and a wheel (13) rotatably mounted to the handle and the wheel having a plurality of scrubbing elements (74). Pressurized fluid enters the apparatus and a fluid flow director (16) delivers the fluid to the scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Different types of treatment material dispensing systems (100) are operable position a flow director to spin a dispenser of treatment material, or to position a dispenser in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements, to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 7565713
    Abstract: A scrubbing spray device includes a housing coupled to a base by a flexible hose for transferring fluid from the base to the housing. The base is preferably coupled to a building's hot and cold water supply lines. A brush member removably attaches to one end of the housing. An outlet channel attaches to the housing for moving between first and second configurations and selectively discharging fluid contained in the housing. These two configurations give the user the option of spraying the fluid onto the brush member or directly onto the object being cleaned. A soap reservoir is in communication with the housing for selectively introducing a cleaning substance into the fluid contained in the housing. A motor and battery are included for rotating the brush member, and the base may include a battery charger for charging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Edward B. Standish
  • Patent number: 7530136
    Abstract: A powered window washer used for scrubbing and cleaning a window or glass of an automobile. The device contains a battery-powered scrubbing head that rotationally spins to scrub away debris from a window. The device further has internally stored washing fluid, which may be released by depressing a fluid activation button, an extendable handle assembly, a multiple-positioning washing head, a squeegee and scraping blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher E. Ball
  • Patent number: 7484260
    Abstract: A manually operated liquid dispensing cleaning implement uses batteries to drive a motor, through gearing to rotate a flexible cleaning head with cleaning elements. A cleaning fluid reservoir container is supported within the implement for dispensing cleaning fluid through the head. Application of compressive pressure on the head acts against the bias force of a leaf spring within the container to allow cleaning fluid to pass out the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Quickie Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 7465359
    Abstract: A game ticket scratching device and method includes an elongated tubular member that has an open first end and a closed second end. An axle is mounted within the tubular member adjacent to the first end. A plurality of bristles is attached to and radially extends outwardly away from the axle. A motor is mounted within the housing and is mechanically coupled to the axle. A power supply electrically coupled to the motor. An actuator is operationally coupled to the power supply for selectively turning the power supply on or off. The power supply is turned on so that the axle rotates. The bristles are abutted against a lottery ticket concealing layer so that the bristles scrape the concealing layer off of the game card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Inventor: Walter J. Vives-Martinez
  • Patent number: 7401377
    Abstract: A battery-operated toothbrush includes a drive unit, a housing defining an accommodation chamber configured to receive the drive unit, and a thermoplastic elastomer seal disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The housing includes a front end configured to receive a toothbrush head, an open end, opposite the front end, that provides access to the accommodation chamber, and a pass-through aperture, which extends from an outer surface of the housing to the accommodation chamber. The drive unit includes an engagement element configured to engage the pass-through aperture to retain the drive unit in the accommodation chamber. The thermoplastic elastomer seal extends into the pass-through aperture. A potion of the thermoplastic elastomer seal is elastically displaced by the engagement element when the engagement element engages the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birk, Soren Wasow
  • Patent number: 7373684
    Abstract: This device is used to clean and dry lens of eyewear. The entire device is contained in one unit and will provide the appropriate motion or movement to accomplish the cleaning of the eyewear using brushes and drying pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Warren L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7353560
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a wet region and corresponding dry region on a wafer. A proximity brush unit delivers fluids with a rotatable brush to produce the wet region on the wafer. As the proximity brush unit moves in a selected scan method across the wafer, a plurality of ports produces the dry region on the wafer. Further, the rotatable brush disposed within the proximity brush unit can rotate via mechanical gears or electromagnetic levitation. The selected scan method that produces the wet region and the dry region moves the proximity brush unit in a variety of methods including a radial scan, a linear scan, a spiral scan and a raster scan. To further produce a dry region during the selected scan method, the plurality of ports disposed on the surface of the proximity brush unit is on the trailing edges of the proximity head unit and the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Boyd, Michael L. Orbock, Fred C. Redeker
  • Patent number: 7114211
    Abstract: A cleaning brush including a housing including a reservoir for storing therein cleaning fluid, the reservoir in fluid communication with a pump, a hollow spindle rotatably mounted in the housing, connected to and powered by a motor, the hollow spindle being in fluid communication with the pump, and a brush including bristles in fluid communication with the hollow spindle, wherein a fluid flowing through the hollow spindle flows directly to the bristles of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Zvi Elster
  • Patent number: 7003843
    Abstract: A garbage can cleaning system for cleaning a garbage can after garbage has been removed from the garbage can. The garbage can cleaning system includes a platform assembly being designed for being positioned on a vehicle, such as a flatbed trailer. The platform assembly is designed for storing fluid to be used for cleaning the garbage can. At least one fluid distribution assembly is coupled to the platform assembly. The fluid distribution assembly is designed for being in fluid communication with the fluid stored by the platform assembly whereby the fluid distribution assembly is for spraying the fluid into the garbage can to facilitate cleaning of the garbage can. At least one scrubbing assembly is coupled to the platform assembly. The scrubbing assembly is designed for scrubbing an interior of the garbage can to remove debris from the interior of the garbage can.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Mitchell Moore
  • Patent number: 6981291
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a handle, a support rotatably coupled to the handle for rotation by a drive motor mounted in the handle and a cleaning element mountable on the support. The cleaning element a flexible mat fixed about the support or about a core mountable on the support. An auxiliary cleaning element attachment may be mounted on the end wall of the support. A liquid container may be mounted in the support or used to form the support to dispense fluid to the cleaning element disposed about the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Hartz Mountain Corporation
    Inventor: William D. McKay
  • Patent number: 6918153
    Abstract: An oral care system (1) comprising a sonic power toothbrush (2) which comprises a body (3), a brush member (4) mounted on the body (3), a brush head (5) which is supported by the brush member (4) at its end remote from the body (3) so as to be able to vibrate relative to the body (3) and which is provided with bristles (6) and an additive outlet (7), an additive container (8) connected to said additive outlet (7), driving means (9) for generating sonic frequency vibrations, and transmission means (29) for transmitting said sonic frequency vibrations to the brush head (5), wherein the toothbrush (2) comprises at least one further additive container (18). Instead of the user having to apply a first and a second additive manually to the brush head (5), these additives are already incorporated into the sonic-power toothbrush (2), which benefits the user-friendliness of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Paul Gruber
  • Patent number: 6862769
    Abstract: A vehicle washing device includes an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end. A coupler is fluidly coupled to the first end for coupling with a water supply hose. A housing includes a top wall and a peripheral wall. The second end of the tubular member is attached to the top wall of the housing and is fluidly coupled to a plurality of nozzles mounted in the housing. A plurality of spindles is rotatably mounted in the housing. Each of the spindles has a central portion and a pair of lateral portions. A plurality of paddles is attached to each one of the central portions. The central portions are positioned such that the spindles are rotated when jets of water from the nozzles strike the paddles. A plurality of bristles is attached to each one of the lateral portions of the spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Clifton Dalton, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20040255410
    Abstract: A hand-held motorized household cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and connected to the battery, an output drive shaft connected to the motor, a cleaning attachment coupled for movement with the output drive shaft and a liquid delivery system with a pressurized reservoir. A flexible adapter is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Todd Alan Schonewille, Richard Peter Rosa, Sean David Wilkinson, Corey Donald MacTavish, Jacob Richard Prosper, James Douglas Marshall, Oleksiy Petrovych Sergyeyenko, Vincent P. Cooper, David Michael Shaver, Patrick Marcil
  • Patent number: 6795994
    Abstract: A portable cleaning system a power pack assembly, a combination hose/electrical wiring assembly, and a motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly. The power pack assembly includes a rechargeable battery power supply and is connected to the motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly using the combination hose/electrical wiring assembly. The user may attach a variety of items for cleaning, polishing and the like to the electrical motor driven rotary, tool attachment plate of the motorized power transfer assembly brush assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Inventor: Michael M. Nahoom
  • Patent number: 6792639
    Abstract: A portable tool has a long handle with a fitting for connection to an external pressurized water supply, a hand receiver on the worker end of the handle with a trigger-operated water flow control valve, a rotatable wheel at a distal end of the handle remote from the control and having surface scrubbing elements thereon, a distribution nozzle pivotable in the handle adjacent the wheel to direct high velocity water discharge onto the scrubbing elements, a discharge direction control button adjacent the proximal end, and a control wire coupled to the nozzle and button and operable to direct discharge from the nozzle onto the wheel at selectable radii relative to the wheel rotational axis to change wheel speed, direction and torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20040172779
    Abstract: A rotatable washing device has a holder provided with connecting means; and an attachment provided with counter connecting means which are connectable to the connecting means of the holder to rotate together with the latter, the attachment being formed as an element which allows passage of liquid through the element or around the element, the holding element and the attachment being rotatable by the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Sam Zhadanov, Ell Zhadanov