Patents Examined by Charles R. Eloshway
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Patent number: 6499901Abstract: A hand-held washcloth of balloon like fabric, for washing and scrubbing a body part and for capturing a washing article, such as a bar of soap, other washing and cleaning agents, or a combination thereof. The device is inflated by mouth, and tied at the neck by a closing attachment, such as, a string, clipping device or both. The washcloth device has a balloon like body, that could have any shape, but must includes a neck for holding and inserting the cleaning article and blowing air into the body. By pushing on the body of the device, bubbles come out from the surface. The body also includes a pair of handles for holding and washing body parts, and can be used for hanging during storage.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Inventor: Shahrokh Rabbani
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Patent number: 6496987Abstract: Water-saving and automatic detergent supplier for toilet bowl, including: a detergent receptacle disposed in a water tank of the toilet bowl, the detergent receptacle being a container having an upper opening for containing a detergent; a quantitative reservoir connected with a bottom of the detergent receptacle and immersed in the water contained in the water tank, a top end of the quantitative reservoir being formed with a detergent inlet, while a bottom end of the quantitative reservoir being formed with a detergent outlet; and a buoyant piston structure connected at the detergent inlet and detergent outlet. The buoyant piston structure is subject to water buoyancy, whereby depending on the existence of water in the water tank or vacancy of the water tank, the buoyant piston structure is operable to release the detergent from the quantitative reservoir into the water tank.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Inventor: Ming-Hsiung Chou
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Patent number: 6496990Abstract: An invented track construct component system with a threaded radial bearing end pulley is described for pool cover systems that includes an extruded longitudinal cover track having a top longitudinal anchoring slot, a C-channel longitudinal slot along one side edge for capturing and holding a side edge of a pool cover and associated sliders carrying a leading (front) edge structures, a cable return channel with a longitudinal slot opening along the other side edge for receiving and protecting cabling connecting between sliders/front cover corners and associated cable reels. Each cover track is secured within separate extruded side wall channel structures having a top channel side wall with a depending longitudinal shaped for snuggly fitting into the longitudinal anchoring slot of the cover track. The extruded side wall channel structures are incorporated into the side wall of the pool.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Inventor: Harry J. Last
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Patent number: 6497260Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a quick connect adaptor has a first coupling that attaches to the bung of a plastic blow molded drum by way of pivotal retainer members and a second coupling that connects to a conventional dispense head. The bung has internal or external threads and may have a radially extending circumferential lip or other retainer member engagement structure. The first coupling provides a secure attachment that is quickly accomplished by manual operation. In a preferred embodiment, the pivotal retaining members pivot into and out of a retention position with the radially and circumferential extending lip. The retaining members are mechanically linked with a circular manual handle member to operate the pivoting of said plurality of retaining members. The pivotal members are preferably biased toward the retention position. These couplings will generally utilize O-rings for sealing.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Entegris, Inc.Inventors: John Hennan, Ray Wolf
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Patent number: 6487732Abstract: An improved bidet device is set forth which includes a rotatable handle and capstan for positioning a spray tube and for opening the supply of water to the tube for spraying. A screw is received by the capstan to mount the handle and is further provided with a radial port. An actuator is coupled to the screw for rotation of the screw relative to the capstan to modulate the flow of water through the device. The actuator may be ergonometrically designed.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2002Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventor: Warren Smith
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Patent number: 6487730Abstract: An anti-splash guard to enclose the open upper portion of a toilet bowl to prevent liquid and matter splashing from the interior thereof when attempting to unclog or dislodge debris from the plumbing when using a plunger including an upper elongated handle and a lower plunger member, the anti-splash guard comprising a cover with or without an upper opening to receive a portion of the upper elongated handle therethrough and a lower opening to receive a portion of the toilet bowl such that when the anti-splash guard is operatively mounted on the toilet with the lower plunger member disposed therein liquid and matter is prevented from splashing therefrom when the plunger is used to dislodge debris from the plumbing.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2000Date of Patent: December 3, 2002Inventors: Gerardo R. Pardo, Alberto J. Pardo
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Patent number: 6484329Abstract: A stopper for selectively blocking a drain to the passage of water. The drain has an inlet, an outlet and a substantially cylindrical throat between the inlet and outlet. A control means is provided for selectively feeding control fluid under hydraulic pressure to the cylindrical throat whereupon an expandable bladder located within the cylindrical throat selectively expands in fluid communication with the control fluid to block the drain and thus act as a stopper.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Inventor: Scott Duncan
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Patent number: 6477724Abstract: A hydro massage bathtub enclosure is provided with conduits interconnecting air jet holes provided in the sidewalls, end or bottom wall of the bathtub enclosure. One or more curved cavities are disposed below one or more of the air jet holes to create a turbulent air flow in the area of the curved cavity whereby to expel any residual water accumulated in the curved cavity after the water level in the bathtub enclosure has been lowered below the air jet holes with the conduit pressurized by air from the blower to purge the conduit. A water evacuating conduit may also be connected in such cavities for the evacuation of residual water therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2002Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Gestion Ultra International Inc.Inventors: Henry Brunelle, Stéphane Baron, Guy Baillargeon
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Patent number: 6474895Abstract: A writing instrument has an accurate operation and simple structure in a mechanism for controlling ink supply by air enclosed in an ink passage, and a method of producing the same. The ink is blocked by the air enclosed in a blocking chamber (11), the blocking chamber communicates with an ink holding passage (18) and has a porous relay body (15) inserted therein, an ink storing portion (17) is formed in a base portion of the relay body, the ink in the ink holding passage (18) descends and contacts the relay body (15) as the ink in the ink storing portion is consumed, and thereby is transferred to the ink storing portion, and the air is prevented from being absorbed into the porous relay body (15).Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: HICS CorporationInventor: Jiro Hori
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Patent number: 6474887Abstract: An applicator with improved safety is provided. Even if the penpoint tip of the applicator has ignited, fire cannot spread over the tip holder. The applicator comprises a main body (2) forming a reservoir 3 to accommodate an occluding body (4) to occlude flammable liquid to be applied, penpoint tips (5,7), and tip holders (6,8). Each of the tip holders (6,8) is made of flame-retardant resin having an oxygen index more than 30 percent.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Sakura Color Products CorporationInventor: Tatsuya Ozu
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Patent number: 6470509Abstract: A spa jet of the type which utilizes a nozzle rotor for delivering a rotating jet of water into a spa is provided with a water-lubricated bearing for reducing frictional resistance to rotation. The rotor is supported by an inner bearing which is mounted for concentric rotation within an outer bearing in the housing. The inner and outer bearing surfaces which face each other include cylindrical side surfaces and upstream and downstream end wall surfaces defining a passage. The flow of water to lubricate the bearing surfaces is arranged to exert a net axial force that spaces at least one of the sets of end surfaces out of contact with each other to reduce friction and also lubricates and separates the cylindrical side surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Pentair Pool Products, Inc.Inventor: Tokunbo Ayeni
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Patent number: 6470508Abstract: A system for use in a spa for controlling air flow to jets of the spa having a water pump directing water to a water input of a jet nozzle; and a valve directing exhaust air from the water pump to an air input of the jet nozzle, the valve being operated by a vacuum generated at the intake of the water pump, whereby when the water pump is operating and pumping water to the jet nozzle, the valve is opened for directing the exhaust air from the water pump to the jet nozzle. The valve is an air-check valve that has a piston for closing the valve under spring pressure and operative in response to a vacuum for overcoming the spring pressure so as to open the valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Assignee: Watkins Manufacturing CorporationInventor: Denis P. Turner
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Patent number: 6470506Abstract: An individually operable and portable perineal device for cleaning and medicating the rectal and vaginal areas of the human body. The device is releasably mounted on a standard bathroom water faucet by means of a two-way water outlet valve converter attachment having an outlet into the sink and an alternate outlet into plastic tubing. The tubing directs the flow of water into either a catheter designed for cleaning and medicating the rectal cavity or into a catheter for cleaning and medicating the vaginal cavity. The device is operable manually by an individual user while seated on a toilet without the assistance of another person. The device ia packageable in a small package or traveling kit and can easily cleaned in a bathroom sink after use.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: William A. Weber
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Patent number: 6470502Abstract: An automatically raised toilet seat apparatus is provided. The toilet seat apparatus includes a toilet seat portion and a pair of box portions. The body of each box portion forms a closed space which contains a liquid and defines a plurality of tank compartments. Baffles separate at least some of the tank compartments. The liquid's adaptive distribution between tank compartments facilitates the toilet seat portion's gradual displacement between lowered raised positions, biasing the toilet seat portion to one of those positions. In certain cases, a pair of shallow holes and a pair of deep holes are formed into the toilet seat portion, for adjustably receiving the box portions, depending on the size of the given toilet's water tank.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Shou Chi Lu
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Patent number: 6470504Abstract: A splash preventing urinal is provided having a pair of sidewalls extending vertically from the lower wall to the top wall and forming a combination sidewall and splash shield. The urinal extends outward from the rear wall from between 22 to 24 inches, and has an overall width of between 4 to 6 inches.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2002Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Rith Neuo
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Patent number: 6470503Abstract: A foot operated device for lifting a toilet seat that includes a base, a foot pedal, a pair of arms, and a pedal lock. The base includes a pair of fulcrums. The foot pedal includes a pair of levers that are pivotally mounted to the pair of fulcrums, respectively, and a pedal that connects the pair of levers. The pair of arms are pivotally mounted to the levers, respectively, extend upwardly therefrom, and engage the toilet seat so as to allow the toilet seat to be raised when the pedal is depressed by a foot by virtue of the pair of levers being pivoted upwardly causing the pair of arms to rise and raise the toilet seat along therewith. The pedal lock is movably mounted to the base and maintains the toilet seat in its up position, and when released, allows the toilet seat to return to its down position.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Mark F. Holmes
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Patent number: 6467982Abstract: An easily opened, elongated tubular container is disclosed. The container is composed of an inner tube having at least one open end and being adapted for filling with various liquid substances. An outer tube, relatively reciprocative with respect to the inner tube, and having at least one sealing element capable of sealing the open end of the inner tube is provided, and at least one attachment is installed at the exit open end of the outer tube. The sealing element, which is formed as one piece with the outer tube, closes the opening of the inner tube. The outer tube is displaceable, by the operator, from a position which closes the open end of the inner tube to the reverse position which releases the open end of the inner tube so that the liquid in the inner tube is released to flow out the open end and be absorbed by the attachment.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2000Date of Patent: October 22, 2002Inventor: Chien-Hwa Tsao
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Patent number: 6463956Abstract: Water is supplied to a water user outlet facility by maintaining a tappable flow of water in a recirculating loop that includes a pump such as a centrifugal pump driven by a substantially constant speed motor to establish the flow, a water delivery path that extends from the pump to the outlet facility, and a water return path that extends from the outlet facility back to the pump. The flow is permitted to be controllably tapped at the facility by a water user while directing any untapped portion of the flow into the water return path. Such recirculation avoids stagnation and thereby impedes deterioration in the potability of the water. Further such recirculation makes the recirculating loop and water within the loop less sensitive to the temperature of the surrounding environment. The recirculating loop may include a water purifier such as an ultra-violet lamp source to kill organic contaminants and, as well, may include a filter to remove inorganic material.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: International Water-Guard Industries Inc.Inventor: Robert E. Walker
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Patent number: 6463598Abstract: An accessory for a bathtub has a tubular conduit that is placed around the rim of a bathtub and connected to the faucet. The conduit has outlets at locations along its length. When the faucet is turned on, fresh water is conveyed through the conduit to the outlets where the water leaves the conduit and enters the tub by washing down the sides of the tub in the manner of a waterfall. The conduit is non-metallic and supported by plastic or rubber elements. It can be conveniently installed and removed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Inventors: Victor B. David, Thomas Flowers
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Patent number: 6464418Abstract: A dockable storage container for storing solids, powders, liquids and the like includes a housing defining a storage chamber having an opening to provide access to the storage chamber, a cap for closing the opening to the storage chamber and a unisex docking mechanism for releasably docking with a structurally identical unisex docking mechanism of another container so that the containers align with each other when they are docked. A method of refreshing eye makeup includes providing eye makeup liquid remover disposed within a first hollow container and having a first applicator disposed therein, providing eye makeup refreshing powder disposed within a second hollow container connected to the first hollow container and having a second applicator disposed therein, applying the eye makeup remover with the first applicator to remove unwanted makeup, and applying the eye makeup refreshing powder with the second applicator to refresh areas contacted with the eye makeup remover.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Inventors: Shelly M. Visser, Debra B. Visser, Nori Johansen