Patents Examined by Cary E. Stone
  • Self luminous characters and signs incorporating same
    Patent number: 4928414
    Abstract: A self luminous character comprises a transparent light carrier having a plan shape defining the desired shape of the character and includes a longitudinally extending recess housing one or more self luminous light sources. Light from the or each light source diffuses through the transparent light carrier and is reflected by reflector means to be emitted through a front surface of the carrier and illuminate the plan shape of the character.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Saunders-Roe Development Limited
    Inventor: Alfred N. Bright
  • Medication timing device
    Patent number: 4926572
    Abstract: A medicament regimen control device is provided which prompts a patient to take the correct medication to a predetermined regimen. A liquid crystal display is used to display the numbers of doses of medicaments which are color and alphabet keyed to specific bottles of the medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Professional Packaging Limited
    Inventor: Gordon W. Holmes
  • Fiber optic sign
    Patent number: 4924612
    Abstract: A sign having letters preferably of fluorescent paint, on a substrate to which light is channelled by fiber optic plastic and/or fiber optic cable, from a low voltage and low amperage circuit and bulb connected in series with a doorbell apparatus and circuit thereof for illuminating the letters when the door bell is not activated to ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Robert Z. Kopelman
  • Dental hygiene device
    Patent number: 4922935
    Abstract: A dental hygiene device includes a housing for storing a toothbrush and tooth powder. The housing further includes a mechanism wherein the head of the toothbrush may be inserted and tooth powder is delivered to the bristles of the toothbrush. The housing also includes a storage reel mechanism for storing floss. A dental flossing tool is detachably attached to the housing along with a dental scraper tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: T. N. T. Medi Corporation
    Inventor: Robert L. Birkeland
  • Card holder
    Patent number: 4920673
    Abstract: A card holder for housing therein telephone cards or the like, comprising a plate-like base member with pairs of slits through which the cards are insertably housed in the transparent holder so that they are easy to distinguish and to remove. The top ends of each pair of slits are spaced apart at a distance slightly larger than the length of one side of the card. The slits bend downwardly near the top ends and extend therefrom downwardly and inwardly towards each other and approach the opposite ends. Two corners of the card are inserted into a pair of slits, whereby the card holder holds the cards in such a manner as to allow the card to be freely inserted and removed. The pairs of slits are spaced such that the cards do not overlap and are entirely visible. A retaining tongue is provided above each pair of slits to secure the cards in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Masuhiro Mitsuyama
  • Inflatable communication device
    Patent number: 4920674
    Abstract: A self-inflatable balloon has a communication discernible on its surface and has its mouth opening pneumatically sealed to a funnel through which air is selectively directed upon actuation of a triggering event. Audible communication may also be actuated by the same or a different triggering event. A method of communicating comprises a message which becomes cognizable upon inflation of a message carrying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Inventor: Henry W. Shaeffer
  • Orthodontic ligature gun
    Patent number: 4921423
    Abstract: Device for applying elastic ligatures to an orthodontic bracket, which includes jaw elements spreadable for stretching an elastic ligature and for dispensing the ligature directly onto an orthodontic bracket in an orthodontic system so as to attach an archwire to a bracket. The device may be in the form of a gun which can be used first to load a ligature from a dispenser and then to unload the ligature around and onto a bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: TP Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Kesling
  • Disposable tooth color shade guide
    Patent number: 4919617
    Abstract: A tooth color shade guide which has a body (20) constructed from photographic paper, thermoplastic, or cardboard, having a number of fingers (22) distending from a base portion (28). A specimen (32) of a color shade is located on the end of each finger, each having a different hue and alpha-numeric designations (34) adjacent thereunto allow natural tooth color to be matched and identified. The attaching end (26) of the fingers are perforated (30), permitting them to be individually torn-off for comparison and then the entire color shade guide may be disposed of after use. A moisture indicating surface (38) may be added to the back of each finger exhibiting use when in contact with moisture present in a person's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventors: Peter Antons, Samra L. Antons
  • Orthodontic band cap
    Patent number: 4919615
    Abstract: A disposable cap for use by dentists for facilitating the cementation process of orthodontic banding. The cap includes a two-piece construction employing an adhesive base portion with a peel-off cover. The base element contains the surface adhesive only in a central area where the orthodontic band should make contact with the cap. The cap further includes a pair of tabs that extend from opposite sides which are not coated with adhesive to facilitate use by a practitioner wearing rubber gloves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Theodore P. Croll
  • Applicator case for lipstick and similar applications
    Patent number: 4917133
    Abstract: The applicator case for lipstick and similar applications comprises a body defining a base forming a bottom. The base is extended by an envelope having a slot and forming a guide for a sheathe defining a protrusion extending through the slot of the envelope. The sheath has a length less than that of the envelope and forms an inner ring against which abuts the lipstick and similar applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventor: Simone Morel
  • Page turning apparatus
    Patent number: 4916839
    Abstract: The uppermost page of an opened volume is rubbed toward the volume's spine to buckle the uppermost page and permit air to enter a space between the buckled page and the next page. The buckled page is then released to fall back toward its initial position and form an air layer between the uppermost page and the next page. The uppermost page is attracted upward by applying a suction force and a plate is moved along a path crossing the attracted uppermost page to turn it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Nakanishi
  • Luggage tag codispensable with passage tickets and convertible into a handle encircling tag and method
    Patent number: 4916841
    Abstract: A disposable luggage identifying ticket convertible into a luggage handle encircling baggage tag. The ticket comprises a pair of elongated generally coextensive sheets of stock secured to each other, each sheet having a pair of parallel sides and a pair of parallel ends, and configured to be separable into a main portion and a loop forming strap, once removed, being adhesively securable to the main portion. A method of forming a baggage tag from the ticket, and the baggage tag so formed are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Rand McNally & Company
    Inventor: Murray Dawson
  • Penile prosthesis
    Patent number: 4917110
    Abstract: An implantable prosthesis for correcting erectile impotence includes at least one penile implant with a pressure chamber, an accumulator charged with fluid, tubing connecting the accumulator to the pressure chamber of the implant, a valve which is normally closed and a lever which can be moved to open the valve so that pressurizing fluid will flow from the accumulator into the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Medical Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: Robert E. Trick
  • Laminated frame assembly and method for using same
    Patent number: 4914842
    Abstract: Framing apparatus for framing snap shots and the like, including a flexible rectangular-shaped transparent sheet having an opaque frame printed about its perimeter. A pressure sensitive adhesive coating is coextensive with the aforementioned opaque frame. A transparent sheet of much thinner gauge than the first-mentioned sheet is releasably secured to the pressure sensitive adhesive coating. The unassembled frame is moved about the snap shot or picture to be framed. The transparent nature of the assembly facilitates viewing of the picture therebeneath, enabling the user to select any portion of the picture. A writing instrument may be employed to form an outline of the frame on the picture, or the thin gauge cover sheet may be removed and the photograph pressed against the heavy plastic sheet. The portion of the picture extending beyond the frame is cut away from the part of the picture being framed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Inventor: Aaron Lieberman
  • Modular picture frame system
    Patent number: 4912863
    Abstract: A modular picture frame for use in an assemblage of such frames has slots which extend inwardly of a base of the frame, and into which an end of a connecting bar can be inserted and secured, the other end of the connecting bar then being insertable and securable within a similar slot of another modular picture frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Fitzgerald Harvey
  • Multi-axis pivoting display sign
    Patent number: 4912865
    Abstract: A display sign embodying the present invention has a normally vertical display panel having first and second sides and at least one face, between the sides, for information. A base supports the panel. First and second side supports are mounted on the base and are positioned adjacent to the first and second sides, respectively. First and second horizontally spaced apart pivots support the display panel on the first side support and first and second horizontally spaced apart pivots support the display panel on the second side support. The display panel rotates about a first axis of rotation through the first pivots as the display panel is forced to move in a first direction and the display panel rotates about a second axis of rotation through the second pivots, as the display panel is forced to move in a second direction from the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Couch & Philippi, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Ellsworth, Richard N. Philippi, James E. Ahrens
  • Intensive aquaculture system
    Patent number: 4913093
    Abstract: A growing fish population, started in a single tank is sub-divided as the fish grow so that the capacity of the fish to absorb nutrients and produce waste, throughout the growth process, is matched to the capacity of the container in which they are housed. Each such container is essentially an independent closed loop system with a relatively fixed capacity to aerate heat and filter water as water is recirculated. Preferably several populations are cultured simultaneous, with each at a different stage in the growth process. In this manner relatively constant and efficient use is made of all tanks at all times and the fish harvest is semi-continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Fresh-Culture Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven VanGorder
  • Pop-up
    Patent number: 4910899
    Abstract: This invention is directed at a three piece pop-up adapted to be folded together for mounting in a periodical or the like and having a support portion which can be adapted to provide a free standing decorative piece. The showing surface of the pop-up can have a reproduced scene positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Inventor: Arthur Alperin
  • Straight line orthodontic setup method and apparatus
    Patent number: 4909735
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an orthodontic archform wherein the bracket archwire slots are level to one another. The method includes setting up separated model teeth in a straight line on a setup fixture to locate the brackets in a level position on the model teeth, transferring the model teeth and brackets to an alignment fixture, and positioning them in a curved arrangement defining an archform. An archwire can then be formed in the bracket slots either manually or by inserting and clamping the archwire in the slots and heat treating the archwire in an oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Inventor: Alexander J. Wildman
  • Adhesive backed business card for mounting on file card
    Patent number: 4905392
    Abstract: A technique by which business or calling cards of standard dimensions can be retained and displayed in conventional file or address card systems of the type which utilize a file card that has an available and usable surface area which, in at least one dimension, is smaller than that of the business card. The business card has a contact adhesive back surface normally covered by a release sheet which is adapted to be removed when the card is to be mounted on a file card. The card itself is score-cut about its edge portion to provide a rectangular lift-out panel whch carries all of the printed information, which lift-out panel is smaller than the original business card and is proportioned to properly fit the available usable surface area of the file card upon which the panel is thereafter adhesively affixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Gerald B. Klein