Patents Examined by Lawrence Charles
  • Patent number: 4044779
    Abstract: A filter-attachment machine comprises a drum and a cooperating rolling plate between which assemblies of cigarette and filter portions are rolled in order to wrap connecting sheets around them to join the cigarette portions to the associated filter portions, including means for monitoring the regular passage of assemblies through the rolling area between the drum and the plate and for producing a fault signal when assemblies stop passing a given point in the rolling area at regular predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Molins Limited
    Inventors: Edward George Preston, Jan Antoni Rakowicz
  • Patent number: 4040753
    Abstract: A brush applicator instrument is provided having a compressible reservoir and valve means for selectively establishing fluid communication between the brush and the reservoir in response to compression of the reservoir. The valve means includes an extensible ferrule shiftable away from the reservoir in response to compression of the latter to thereby establish a fluid passage between the reservoir and the applicator brush such that liquid is presented to the brush only when the reservoir is compressed. An annular, flexible wall section between the reservoir and the shiftable ferrule establishes a normally sealed relationship between the reservoir and ferrule, yet due to the flexibility of the wall permits shifting movement of the ferrule relative to the reservoir when the reservoir is compressed to establish the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: Griffith, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon D. Griffith
  • Patent number: 4039261
    Abstract: A disposable toothbrush molded from a flexible plastic material and having a brush head carried at one end of a handle. The brush head has a paste-holding cavity and a plurality of hollow bristles molded in and extending from one side of the brush head such that the interiors of the hollow bristles communicate with the paste-holding cavity. A sealing film which functions to maintain the paste within the cavity is punctured upon manual compression of the brush head, such that paste may be squeezed through the hollow bristles to the top end thereof for use. In the second embodiment of the invention the bristle head is disclosed as being separable from the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Inventor: James L. Evans
  • Patent number: 4037975
    Abstract: A writing instrument of new and novel configuration in the shape of a bird, such as a duck, and the like. One end, preferably the head portion of the instrument which resembles the head of the bird has an index finger engaging portion opposite the point of the writing instrument for applying appropriate pressure thereto by a user's index finger. The upper, outermost portion of the head slants so as to permit a user's fingernail to extend over the front top of the head without interference. The lower central portion of said body of the bird-like device being shaped and/or mounted for convenient pivotal movement about the pivot point by the writer when using the device. The body of said instrument also has suitable surfaces for the user's thumb and remaining fingers when the user holds the instrument while writing. Posterior eraser means for removing written material is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1977
    Inventor: Fred A. Huffman
  • Patent number: 4036228
    Abstract: An osmotic device for delivering an active agent is disclosed. The device is comprised of a wall surrounding a compartment and has a passageway through the wall for dispensing the agent. The wall is formed of a material permeable to an external fluid and substantially impermeable to agent and a gas generating means. The compartment is comprised of an active agent and a gas generating means that either exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against the external fluid, or the means is mixed with an osmotically effective compound that exhibits an osmotic pressure gradient against the fluid. Agent is released by fluid being imbibed through the wall into the compartment at a rate controlled by the permeability of the wall and the osmotic pressure gradient across the wall, which fluid wets the means causing it to react and produce an effervescent solution containing agent that is dispensed under pressure through the passageway to the exterior of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Alza Corporation
    Inventor: Felix Theeuwes
  • Patent number: 4035089
    Abstract: The mechanism for varying the diameter of a body in accordance with this invention is defined by a mechanism in which the grip area intended for expansion comprises a plurality of compressible O-ring elements supported by a cylindrical body section and spaced apart by spacer elements. A stationary end plate which may be formed by the tip portion of a writing implement, forms an abutment against which an end O-ring will be forced for compression. An axially movable adjustment member is also carried on the cylindrical body for engagement with the opposite end O-ring so that as the adjustment member is moved toward the abutment member the plurality of O-rings therebetween will be compressed so that their cross-sectional shapes will be deformed from circular to elliptical thus enlarging the overall outside diameter of the grip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Inventors: Allan E. Schwartz, Richard E. Frenkel
  • Patent number: 4035090
    Abstract: An applicator comprising a reservoir and two applicator pads for applying a liquid, semi-liquid or pasty adhesive contained in the reservoir. Each pad has a duct extending therethrough parallel to the main axis of the reservoir which is preferably tubular. A removable hollow cover is provided at each end of the reservoir, the covers enclosing the pads. Each cover has a pin projecting therefrom and extending through the duct in the pad. The pin acts as a piston in its duct when a cover is removed and replaced at one end of the reservoir, forcing adhesive through the duct at the other end of the reservoir from which the cover has been removed.The pads are of sponge or flexible porous foamed plastics, and may be of different sizes. The size of each duct and its related pin are related to the size of the associated applicator pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Eparco SA.
    Inventor: Payanotis Bavaveas
  • Patent number: 4033611
    Abstract: A multi-ply lottery ticket or like article is formed from a single sheet of material transversely accordion folded into a set of three contiguous panels disposed in registered zig-zag relationship. The articles are formed from an endless web of sheet material transversely subdivided into a series of connected blanks each of which is transversely trisected into a set of three contiguous panels spanning the full width of the web, wherein portions of each surface of the web are provided with adhesive which is not activated for adhering to other panels until after original indicia has been applied to an upper surface of at least one panel of each blank. Thereafter, each set of panels is accordion folded into registered zig-zag relationship, abutting panels permanently bonded to one another, producing the continuous series of multi-ply tickets or like articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Inventor: Edward L. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 4033004
    Abstract: A bookbinding machine wherein a book comprising a plurality of sheets of paper or the like to be bound together is clamped by a clamping device at a first position and the clamping device with the book is reciprocated between the first position and a second position. In the course of reciprocation adhesive is applied to one edge surface or back of the clamped book. When the clamping device has been returned to the first position after reciprocation, a cover sheet on a supporting plate is applied onto the back of the book by raising the supporting plate, which is then moved away from below the clamping device after application of the cover sheet to the back of the book so that the book may be easily taken out of the machine from below the clamping device by gravitation or otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Taiyo Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuji Sugioka
  • Patent number: 4033700
    Abstract: A roll-on dispenser comprises a generally tubular barrel having an open forward end and a generally tubular ball-carrying member having an open rear end which is slidably received in the chamber of the barrel. The ball-carrying member has a ball applicator rollably mounted in its forward end. The rear end of the barrel is vented to the atmosphere, and a one-way follower device is slidably disposed in the barrel chamber for forward sliding movement. A cap is adapted to be threaded on the ball-carrying member and, when screwed thereon, pulls the ball-carrying member forwardly in the barrel chamber to increase the effective volume of the chamber and create a partial vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure therein, whereupon the atmospheric pressure in the rear end of the barrel chamber will force the one-way follower forwardly by a distance corresponding to the volume of fluent material previously dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Spatz Corporation
    Inventor: Walter B. Spatz
  • Patent number: 4032239
    Abstract: A scrubbing apparatus for washing, drying and/or polishing a car or other object comprises a base and a plurality of fingers adjoining the base, extending generally radially away from a centerline and also extending generally axially with respect to the centerline in a uniform direction. The fingers are flexible and resilient to accomodate the curvatures of various parts of the object being scrubbed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Inventor: Roger A. Maupin
  • Patent number: 4031585
    Abstract: A machine for binding packets of perforated sheets to book form with wire binding elements each formed from a length of metal wire bent to form a series of curved hairpin-shaped prongs on which the sheets are impaled and which are brought to ring shape by bringing their closed ends or "points" into the vicinity of their open ends or "roots" wherein is provided a reception station for the binding elements which are in the open condition, a binding station at which the perforated sheets are impaled upon the prongs of the elements and the latter are closed, means for conveying the open elements from one station to the other, and a rectifying tool in the form of a wedge-shaped bar arranged for reciprocating into and out from the slot in a binding element characterised in that the wedge head of the bar has its sloping sides either extending at at least two separate angles to the axis and/or lying on at least two separate curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Assignee: James Burn Bindings Limited
    Inventor: Sidney George William Adams
  • Patent number: 4032238
    Abstract: An improved fountain paint roller which features the utilization of a pair of aperture-containing cylinders which are rotatable relative to one another so as to bring their respective apertures into and out of alignment which, in turn, turns on and off the paint supply located within the inner cylinder. Guide means are formed near the edges of the inner and outer cylinders for establishing the on and off painting positions, and an end closure cap fits the inner cylinder adjacent the same end for containing the paint therein. A single wire handle has a shaft extending through the distal end of the cylinders for permitting relative rotation thereabout. Means are provided for attenuating forces on the end closure cap which results from the paint positioned within the cylinders. A separately provided key fits within notches formed in the end closure cap for effectuating the control of the paint supply through the apertures to an outer applicator pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1977
    Inventor: Ragnvald G. Leland
  • Patent number: 4030842
    Abstract: A combination writing instrument and information storage apparatus including an elongated barrel, an elongated tubular spindle dimensioned to be partially inserted in a first longitudinal chamber provided by the elongated barrel, the tubular spindle providing a third longitudinal chamber therein, means for rotatably securing the elongated tubular spindle within the elongated barrel, an elongated cap element having a second longitudinal chamber therein, means for securing the elongated tubular spindle to the elongated cap element, cartridge type writing means adapted to reside within the coextensive first, second, and third longitudinal chambers, means for extending and retracting the writing means from the elongated barrel, and a flexible sheet fixedly secured to the outer surface of the spindle and extending outwardly through a longitudinal slot provided in the elongated barrel, rotation of the spindle retracting and extending the flexible sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventors: John White, David Abbots
  • Patent number: 4030841
    Abstract: A triangular shaped pen or pencil and a triangular shaped device for use in holding a pen or pencil, such as by sliding the device over the length of the writing instrument thereby facilitating the triangular shape of the fingers during the writing exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Darrell S. Balasty
  • Patent number: 4030844
    Abstract: A roll-on dispenser bottle for dispensing cosmetics, deodorants, and the like, in which a plastic ball is mounted in the mouth of a glass bottle and a separate resilient ball retainer is provided which extends from the neck of the bottle. A cap also is provided which contains an insert having a protuberance and a shoulder or shelf which act to constrict the retainer on the ball and press the ball into a seat in the mouth of the bottle when the cap is firmly in place on the neck of the bottle, so as to provide positive closure when the bottle is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Del Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Lench, Luigi M. Ferrari
  • Patent number: 4030845
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a removable brush which includes dentifrice applied to the bristles of the brush. An elongated base is removably mounted to one end of a toothbrush handle. The handle may be disposable and reusable. A plurality of upstanding straight flexible bristles extend upright from the top surface of the base and are arranged in a plurality of spaced apart rows. A plurality of flexible loop-configured bristles are fixedly mounted to the base and extend upwardly from the top surface thereof being arranged in lines interspaced between the rows of straight bristles. Each loop-configured bristle defines and encloses an area in which dentifrice is positioned. In one embodiment, adhesive is provided to secure the base to the handle whereas in another configuration, a pair of opposed clips mounted to the handle are removably engaged with the opposite ends of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Inventor: Dennis D. Deckert
  • Patent number: 4029422
    Abstract: A tubular container, at least partially closed at one end and having a nozzle at the other end, encloses a cylindrical valve head having an applicator brush attached to one end and a valve stem connected to the other end which extends along the axis of the container. When the applicator brush is extended to operating position, one end of the valve head seats against the inside shoulder of the nozzle, preventing liquid from leaking out. In one embodiment, in which the valve head is double-ended, a partition separates a large liquid reservoir at one end of the container from an auxiliary reservoir adjacent the nozzle. When the container is upended, the brush is retracted, engaging a valve seat in the partition, trapping liquid in the auxiliary reservoir. The disclosed embodiments include at least one liquid-pervious guide rigidly fixed inside the container wall and having a circular opening disposed to accommodate the valve stem in free moving axial relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Inventor: Edward J. Pillsbury
  • Patent number: 4027984
    Abstract: A shampoo brush having an elongate handle affixed to a housing having on one surface thereof a circumferential track for supporting a plurality of massaging tips in spaced relation and surrounded by cleansing and grooming bristles. Located in the housing centrally of the circumferential track is a container for a cleansing agent. A pair of spring urged plungers are mounted in corresponding cylinders in the chamber, each cylinder having two one-way valves so that on movement of the plungers against the spring force, one valve will open forcing cleansing agent from discharge orifices toward the surface to be cleansed, and on plunger movement in the opposite direction, the other valve in each cylinder will open filling the cylinder with the cleansing agent to be discharged on the next plunger movement. An annular enclosed passage is formed in the housing adjacent and within the circumferential track, said passage having a plurality of apertures for dispersing dilutant and rinsing fluid from the apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Inventor: Robert L. Underwood
  • Patent number: RE29311
    Abstract: An apparatus is used for applying paint in a container to a surface. The apparatus includes a paint applicator which is movable along the surface to apply paint directed thereto to the surface. Conduit means is provided for directing the paint from the container to the applicator means. A pump having an inlet in communication with the paint in the container and which is operable to continuously draw paint from an open-end container has an outlet which communicates with the conduit means the the pump directs the paint through the conduit means to the applicator. Means is provided for continuously directing at least a part of the paint from the outlet of the pump back to the container so that the paint in the container is continuously mixed in the container while paint is being delivered to the applicator. In addition, the applicator is carried on an extensible or telescoping-type handle and the handle is removable from the applicator without disconnecting the conduit for directing the paint to the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Inventor: Erwin A. Ritter