Patents Examined by Laura C Cole
  • Patent number: 7543349
    Abstract: An invention that uses a convex shaped tool in the application and smoothing of concrete, but also can be used in other fields where needed where there is a concave surface. This trowel will be a big help in many variety of fields that has to deal with different degrees of concave surfaces. This trowel has a need to come in many different sizes, convex shapes, and composition depending on the need in the desired job being worked on. This trowel will be a big help in areas of concave surfaces where before there was no universal tool to do those jobs quickly and efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Inventor: Duane A. Coon
  • Patent number: 7086114
    Abstract: A wet floor wiping device includes a mop made of absorbent material and a mop frame exhibiting a center carrier piece (4) attached to a handle (3). Mounted pivotably at each hinge edge (5) at the center carrier piece (4) are two mop carrier wings (6), the inner surfaces of which, carrying the mop, can be pressed one against another by means of a squeeze feature. At least one of the two side edges (8, 9) extending from the hinge edge (5) is angled in relationship to the opposite side edge (9). Each mop carrier wing (6) forms a trapezoid including a right angle, the longer base line of which is the hinge edge (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Firma Carl Freudenberg
    Inventor: Gernot M. Hirse
  • Patent number: 7051395
    Abstract: A disposable toothbrush that can folded and unfolded upon it self is shown and described. The toothbrush is constructed of two folding sections that each contain bristles each half can join to the other half and so provide a rigid toothbrush for brushing. Prior to use, the toothbrush is in the unfolded position so that the bristles in each of the brush lie flat. This orientation presents a toothbrush with very narrow width for ease of storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Todd Philip Domke
  • Patent number: 7051393
    Abstract: This invention teaches both the means and the method for removing dirt and germs from a person's shoes before they enter a home or business. The invention uses four systems. The first system provides the method for initiating and replenishing fluids that contains a disinfectant. The second system presents the method of providing a new dampened wiping surface each time the device is ready for use. The third system provides a means of removing solid particulants from the wiping surface after it has been used. The fourth system provides the method of collecting the previously removed solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Alvin Emison Cox
  • Patent number: 7020928
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having multiple cleaning elements. One group of the cleaning elements is mounted on a movable portion of the head and another group may be fixedly mounted on the head. The movable portion of the head is attached by a flexible membrane to the fixed portion of the head so that the membrane is capable of flexing to alter its original orientation during use of the toothbrush and then recover to the original orientation randomly during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7013526
    Abstract: Equipment and a method for changing a blade which is intended to be placed in a blade holder (10) and which is preferably arranged as a flexible band (16). The equipment has reels (14, 15) for keeping the band (16) reeled and transfer devices (18) for moving the band (16) in the blade holder (10) between the reels (14, 15). The equipment includes guide devices (17) for guiding the band (16) from a reel (14, 15) to the blade holder (10) and vice versa. The guide devices (17) are arranged to turn the band (16) longitudinally to be essentially parallel to the blade holder (10). The closest guide member (20) of the guide members (20, 20?) belonging to the guide devices (17) is rotated to a position that essentially corresponds to the position of the blade holder (10) turned to the blade-changing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilkka Eskelinen, Ari Närhi, Harri Ruotsalainen
  • Patent number: 7010827
    Abstract: A brush for massaging head skin including a body portion having an annular bristle mounting part at one side, and a handle at the other side, an annular bristle fixing part fixed on the bristle mounting part, and a plurality of bristles fixed on the bristle fixing part. Since the bristle mounting part of the body is annular-shaped and the supporting part and the bristle fixing part which are fixedly mounted on the bristle mounting part are annular-shaped, respectively, almost all bristles are brought into contact with a curved portion of the head, thereby increasing a contact efficiency between the bristles and the head skin. Therefore, the head skin can be effectively stimulated, thereby preventing alopecia and simultaneously promoting hair growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Inventor: Yon Chol Kim
  • Patent number: 7007331
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein and a head having one or more moving bristle holders, wherein the one or more moving bristle holders are operatively connected to the motor. A neck disposed is between the handle and the head. The handle has a viewing window and a movable viewing surface disposed there beneath, wherein at least a portion of the viewing surface is visible through the window. The viewing surface is mechanically coupled to the motor so that rotational output of the motor causes movement of the viewing surface. The viewing surface may be directly or indirectly coupled to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nicola Mills Davics, Frank Delmar Macaulay, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 7007334
    Abstract: A cleaning device (9) for a facade surface (3) of a building (1), comprising at least one elongate wiper strip unit (10) movable back and forth along at least one guide rail unit (6) by means of a stationarily arranged drive motor (45), the wiper strip unit extending at right angles to the guide rail unit (6), and comprising at least one cleaning fluid line (29) with which spray nozzles (31) directed towards the surface (2) to be cleaned are connected; for a simple, space-saving design thereof, the wiper strip unit (10) includes at least one carrier (19) slidingly guided in the guide rail unit (6), the carrier being tightly connected to a linear driving element (32), e.g. a toothed belt (33) that is movable along the guide rail unit (6), the stationarily arranged drive motor (45) being associated with this driving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Inventor: Julius Thurnher
  • 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: 7000281
    Abstract: A convertible broom which has two sections each retaining a multiplicity of bristles on their respective lower surfaces. The two sections have means to retain them together and when in this condition, the joined sections can be used as a conventional straight broom or angle broom with the sections pushed or swept by an elongated handle retained in the first section. The two sections can also be separated and the second section which has a short handle retained thereon or grasping means incorporated therein can then be used as a handheld whisk broom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Worldwide Integrated Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred I. Morad
  • Patent number: 6996873
    Abstract: A device for squeezing liquid-absorbing wiper bodies consists of first and second press jaws, each of which has two principal faces and side faces at right angles thereto, where the first press jaw is connected with the second by means of an articulated joint, a press lever connected with the first press jaw by means of an articulated joint, a clamping device for clamping the first and second press jaws, said clamping device being connected with the press lever, and a fixing arrangement for the device provided on the second press jaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Vermop Salmon GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Salmon
  • Patent number: 6993806
    Abstract: A shoe cleaning apparatus and method of attaching the same to a vehicle includes a brush assembly having at least one brush unit. A linkage includes a first end selectively coupled to the brush assembly and a second end selectively coupled to a hitch receiver of the vehicle. A hitch sleeve is inserted into the hitch receiver and is secured in an installed position. In an alternate embodiment, a shoe cleaning apparatus and method of attaching the same to a hitch receiver of a vehicle includes a frame having a forward end including a mounting arm and at least one brush unit coupled to the frame. A coupling element couples the mounting arm of the frame to the hitch receiver of the vehicle. A mounting aperture of the frame is aligned with an aperture formed on the hitch receiving portion of the vehicle defining a mounting axis. The mounting arm is secured to the hitch receiving portion at the mounting axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: John P. Finley
  • Patent number: 6983510
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning belts used to move fiber optics are disclosed. In general, the system includes wheels that can be arranged to receive a fiber optic belt. The belt can be arranged between a contact plate and a brush. Movement is provided to both the belt and brush and a frictional force is created between the surface of the belt to be cleaned and the brush. This contact and friction cleans the residue from the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Herbert Ray Hudgins
  • Patent number: 6983507
    Abstract: An electrically-driven toothbrush has a brush holder that is arranged to rotationally vibrate and carry a number of bristles interspaced with arcuate membranes. The membranes serve to aid cleaning of the teeth and to polish the teeth surfaces during use of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Gregory McDougall
  • Patent number: 6976283
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cosmetic brush assembly. The cosmetic brush assembly has a brush member, which may be inserted in a case or pulled out from that by the open and close action of a protection cap. Further, the total length of the cosmetic brush assembly may be changed according to the movement of the brush. Therefore, a user may easily reserve the cosmetic brush assembly in a bag or use it for painting with cosmetic powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Inventor: Man Soo Choi
  • Patent number: 6968591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning article to be used while being attached to a holder. The cleaning article includes: a base sheet; a brush portion provided on one side of the base sheet; and a holding sheet provided on the other side of the base sheet. The base sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet are fusion-bonded together to have at least two fusion-bonded portions which are spaced apart from each other and define a holding space between the base sheet and the holding sheet for accommodating the holder. One of the base sheet, the brush portion and the holding sheet is provided with a color different from those of the others so that the fusion-bonded portions have a color different from that of the holding sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6968592
    Abstract: A self-running vacuum cleaner comprises a homing mode of following a back of a user with receiving a signal from a light emitting means or a transmitting means of a position indicator means held by the user, an instruction operation mode, in which the user instructs a cleaning area to the self-running vacuum cleaner, and an execution mode for cleaning up the cleaning area instructed. When the self-running vacuum cleaner operates under the homing mode or the instruction mode, a signal from the light-emitting means or the transmitting means is received by a receiver means attached on a periphery portion of a measuring means, which is provided in an upper portion of the vacuum cleaner. Comparing the signals from the two (2) receiver means in strength thereof determines the distance and the direction from the position indicated by the light-emitting means or the transmitting means up to the vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuo Takeuchi, Yutaka Arai, Yasuhiro Nemoto, Atsushi Koseki, Taiji Tajima
  • Patent number: 6964076
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush includes a housing, an electric motor, a first transmission and a second transmission. The electric motor is connected to the housing has a motor output member for rotation about a motor output axis. The first transmission is connected to the housing, and converts rotational movement from the motor output member into rotational reciprocating movement at a first average angular speed. The second transmission is linked to the first transmission, and converts rotational reciprocating movement from the first transmission into rotational reciprocating movement at a second average angular speed about a second transmission output axis that is parallel to the motor output axis. The second transmission drives an output member to reciprocate at the second average angular speed about the second transmission output axis. A brush head is removably connectable to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Qingping Zhuan
  • Patent number: 6964091
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a wiper blade for a windshield wiper system of motor vehicles with a yoke system for guiding an elongate wiper strip including a lip mounted on a carrier via a web is disclosed. The wiper blade and method of manufacturing the wiper blade includes the wiper strip installed with respect to the yoke system with the carrier extending through at least one claw of the yoke system. Each claw has opposing bendable sidewalls defining a generally U-shaped channel therebetween and located initially in an opened position with respect to one another during installation of the wiper strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Electrical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Herrera