Patents Examined by Laura C Guidotti
  • Refill for electric toothbrush
    Patent number: 11399924
    Abstract: A refill for an electric toothbrush comprises a generally tubular structure formed by refill walls defining an interior space for accepting thereinto a coupling stem of a toothbrush handle. The refill includes a motion transmitter functionally connected to the brush head for driving it. The refill has a coupling device including a pair of mutually opposite and resiliently deformable cantilevered arms disposed in the interior space of the refill and adjacent to the refill walls and extending from respective roots in a circular or semi-circular manner around, and in a plane substantially perpendicular to, the refill's longitudinal axis. Each of the arms is resiliently deformable and terminates with a coupling surface for engaging a coupling pin extending from the handle's coupling stem for secure and disengageable connection therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fritsch, Irina Neusser, Joern Utsch
  • Magnetic bottle brush
    Patent number: 11399625
    Abstract: A magnetic bottle brush that has a handle with an upper portion and a lower portion and a brush head attached to the upper portion of the handle. A magnetic element is disposed in the lower portion of the handle that exerts a magnetic attraction force between the magnetic bottle brush and an accompanying magnetic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Munchkin Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Bryan Dunn, Yong Sun Simon Kang, Thomas Edward Birkert, Mark Gerard Tebbe, Fangyi Gao, Nicholas Trumbo, Sung Yun Chan
  • Connection mechanism for grilling utensil with a removable tip
    Patent number: 11399660
    Abstract: A grilling tool is described herein that has a replaceable tip, and can be used with a variety of other attachments. The grilling tool can be made of a heat-conformable material such that during use grooves are formed in the replaceable tip that correspond to a grilling surface on which it is used. Once the grooves are too deep or the tip is fully used, the tip can be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Thompson Brothers & Company LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Thompson, Nathan Thompson, Jason Thompson, Andrew N. Stadick
  • Grout line squeegee tool
    Patent number: 11399688
    Abstract: A tool for cleaning a tile bonding compound from between and on a plurality of adjacent tiles includes an elongated handle and a tool head fixed with the handle. The tool head is comprised of a first tool and a second tool. The first tool includes a foam scrubber and a seam scrubber or wiper. The second tool includes at least one arcuate elastomeric wiper and a seam wiper. Both the foam scrubber and elastomeric wiper are adapted for scrubbing the tile bonding compound from a front face of the adjacent tiles, while the seam scrubber and seam wiper are adapted for fitting between two of the adjacent tiles to scrub the tile bonding compound from between the tiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Winfred Lynn Ward, Sr., Ozella Ward
  • Brushroll for vacuum cleaner
    Patent number: 11395569
    Abstract: A brushroll for a surface cleaning apparatus includes a brush dowel defining an axis and having opposing bristle supports and a shroud surface between the opposing bristle supports, and a plurality of bristles protruding from the bristle supports. The shroud surface includes opposing convex curved surfaces extending between the bristle supports which intersect the shroud surface at outside corners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kasper, Todd Richard VanTongeren, Jeffrey A. Scholten, Jake Andrew Mohan
  • Hair brushing device
    Patent number: 11395539
    Abstract: A hair brushing device comprises a housing and a brush, the brush body is formed from a rigid plastics material and is capable of being mounted, in a least two different positions, to allow variation in the functionality of a device of the type of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DMS Innovations Limited
    Inventor: Deane Marc Stanton
  • Oral hygiene means
    Patent number: 11369191
    Abstract: An oral hygiene means, in particular a toothbrush, includes at least one application unit, at least one grip unit and at least one fastening unit that has at least one suction cup and is configured for an at least temporary fastening to surfaces. The suction cup has a non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: TRISA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Martin Zwimpfer, Kurt Bieri
  • Electric toothbrush
    Patent number: 11369462
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush, including a refill connectable to a handle via a coupling device. The handle has a drive mechanism, and the refill has a brush head and a motion transmitter functionally connected to the brush head for driving it. The handle has a coupling stem terminating with a free end and including a coupling pin extending from the stem. The refill includes a generally tubular portion formed by refill walls defining an interior space for accepting the coupling stem of the handle. The coupling device comprises a pair of mutually opposite and resiliently deformable cantilevered arms disposed adjacent to the refill walls in the interior space of the refill. Each of the cantilevered arms terminates with a coupling surface for engaging the stem's coupling pin for secure and disengageable connection between the handle and the refill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fritsch, Irina Neusser, Joern Utsch
  • Multi-diameter foam pig
    Patent number: 11365842
    Abstract: Embodiments of a multi-diameter foam pig include a first set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a nose end of the pig and a second set of radially spaced-apart, longitudinally extending, slots located toward a tail end. Each set of slots ends at a band section of the pig so that, together, the two sets of slots do not traverse the entire length of the pig. A standard-length unit version of the foam pig includes only the first set of slots. A set of shorter, intermediate slots, offset in a circumferential direction from the first and second set of slots and partially overlapping those slots, may be included on the band section. Because of the slots, and because of open cell foam, the foam pig decreases or increases in diameter as it enters a different diameter run than the run just traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Morrow
  • Toothbrush with contoured neck and back fin
    Patent number: 11363881
    Abstract: A fin toothbrush includes a contoured neck and a back fin. The back fin moves soft tissue, such as the cheek or tongue of a user's mouth, thereby providing greater access to teeth when brushing. In one embodiment, the back fin is located at the back of the brush head and neck and extends in a direction that is opposite of the bristles. The back fin also has an elongated curved shape so as to provide a smooth surface to the tongue and soft tissues when brushing. When the toothbrush is positioned to brush the back teeth, the back fin pushes the cheek away from the teeth, thereby allowing the teeth to be easily cleaned. The toothbrush also includes a contoured neck, which provides space and relief to prevent the neck of the toothbrush from rubbing against soft tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Yvonne De Mesa
  • Variable pressure cleaning device and method
    Patent number: 11357394
    Abstract: Endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, and devices and methods for cleaning endoscopic instruments are provided. A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a cleaning member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The cleaning element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force of a cleaner or detergent against the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively clean all internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument, including crevasses, scratches or other irregularities, without further damaging these surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Miller, Frank Carter, Carl Gauger
  • Turbine-driven swimming pool cleaning apparatus
    Patent number: 11359398
    Abstract: A swimming pool cleaner is driven along a submerged surface by water and debris flowing past a turbine positioned between an inlet and outlet of the cleaner. Retractable elements carried proximate the inlet form a plenum for water to enhance adherence of the pool cleaner to the submerged pool surface being cleaner. A drive train independently drives each of two wheels for maneuvering the pool cleaner in forward and reverse directions along the submerged surface. A hose connector operable with an outlet port is angled toward the forward direction of movement of the pool cleaner such that a suction hose will be placed slightly ahead of the pool cleaner when climbing a side wall surface to provide a weight for keeping the cleaner below the water surface and thus prevent an undesirable sucking of air at the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Inventors: Pavel Sebor, Robert Sebor
  • Dual head tooth cleaning appliances
    Patent number: 11351017
    Abstract: Described herein are electronic dual-head tooth cleaning appliances that facilitates simultaneous front and rear surface cleaning of individual teeth. The tooth cleaning appliances or devices can be rechargeable, portable, lightweight and electronic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: LaVerne Edward Nitz
  • Oral care implement
    Patent number: 11350729
    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: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless
  • Medication reminder toothbrush
    Patent number: 11337513
    Abstract: A medical device has a receptacle and a toothbrush. The receptacle has a container and a closure. The container has an open end and a closed end. The toothbrush has a stalk and bristles. The stalk is operatively associated with the closed end and the bristles. The closure selectively closes the open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventor: Ashlesha Patel
  • Squeeze flat mop cleaning tool having adjustable squeeze opening
    Patent number: 11337578
    Abstract: A squeeze flat mop cleaning tool having an adjustable squeeze opening is provided. The squeeze flat mop cleaning tool comprises a mop bucket and a flat mop; the flat mop comprises a mop stick and a flat mop head, and a wiper is provided on the flat mop head; the mop bucket has an independent squeezing area and an independent cleaning area, and a squeeze device is mounted on the mop bucket; the squeeze device comprises a scraper plate and a support member, and a squeeze opening is formed between the scraper plate and the support member. The scraper plate is rotatably provided on the mop bucket, and the size of the squeeze opening can be changed by the rotation of the scraper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: CIXI BOSHENG PLASTIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiyong Huang
  • Paint brush with integrated hanger and packaging therefor
    Patent number: 11330897
    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. When stowed in the retracted position the hanger may be flush with an outer surface of the handle to enhance the ergonomic design. The hanger and groove may be configured to enable ease of deployment of the hanger from the retracted to extended position simply with a one-handed operation. The portion of the handle having the groove may be made of a flexible material which may better secure the hanger in the groove when stowed and/or may facilitate installation of the hanger. The handle may include a grip portion having the flexible material which is over-molded onto a rigid head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The Wooster Brush Company
    Inventors: James M. Byrne, John L. Scott, Sr., Matthew Joseph Doerfler, Scott A. Melegari, Everett A. Crosby
  • Dental cleaning apparatus
    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
  • Foldable multi-purpose nonwoven hand pad and method of use
    Patent number: 11324378
    Abstract: A nonwoven hand pad includes a substrate having first and second opposed major surfaces wherein the first major surface includes a first functional region configured for a first cleaning operation, and the second major surface includes at least two functional regions configured for second and third cleaning operations. A method of cleaning using such a pad is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Lauren K. Carlson, James P. Gardner, Jr., Mark D. Hunter, Robert J. Maki, James P. Endle
  • Pressure sensing system and method for an electric toothbrush
    Patent number: 11324307
    Abstract: A pressure feedback system continuously monitors the level of pressure or force on a brush head and is programmed to provide a feedback signal to a user based on the amount of pressure. The pressure level is monitored as a function of the change in the speed of the drive shaft. The system includes a housing, a motor, a drive shaft for attachment to a brush head, a feedback device, a sensor capable of detecting a change in the rotational speed of the drive shaft, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed activate the feedback device as a function of the measured change in rotational speed. The sensor may be a Hall effect sensor, or another sensor that is responsive to a magnetic field. A magnet may be positioned on the drive shaft, or another portion of the system that moves as a function of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan J. Dishon