Patents Examined by Michael D Jennings
  • Patent number: 12036585
    Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes an air supply configured to supply air into a place where a substrate is located; and a rectifying member, having multiple through holes, configured to rectify the air supplied from the air supply. The rectifying member includes a base; and a charge diffusion layer formed on a surface of the base. Electric charges attached to a surface of the rectifying member are diffused along the charge diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadashi Iino, Yoshiteru Fukuda
  • Patent number: 12024135
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to vehicle technology, and more particularly, to an unmanned vehicle and its sensor device and cleaning mechanism. The cleaning mechanism includes: a housing, a cleaning element, a driving component transmissively connected to the cleaning element and a control unit installed within a receiving cavity. The housing has a light transmissive element provided on a side surface thereof. The cleaning element is pivotable about one end thereof and mounted to the housing. The cleaning element, when pivoting, frictionally interacts with a surface of the light transmissive element that is away from the receiving cavity to clean the light transmissive element. The control unit is communicatively connected to the driving component for controlling the driving component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: BEIJING TUSEN WEILAI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xiaoping Gu, Jie Sun
  • Patent number: 12017260
    Abstract: Belt-fed tube cleaning systems and methods may include a tube cleaning projectile belt loaded into a pneumatic firing apparatus employing a cam-activated indexing element and projectile belt separation objects that permit or cause removal of individual tube cleaning projectiles from the tube cleaning projectile belt for semi-automatic tube cleaning operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Crossford International, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph J. Franzino, Stephen S. Bitondo, Jon-Anthony C. Maselli
  • Patent number: 12018509
    Abstract: A pool-cleaning robot is provided, comprising: a robot body with a moving mechanism controlled to move the robot body forward or backward; wherein the robot body has a weight difference between its left and right sides; the moving mechanism includes a driver to drive the moving mechanism unilaterally; the robot body is provided with a fluid inlet-outlet, at least one first fluid inlet, and at least one first fluid outlet, which are communicated with each other. The fluid inlet-outlet is provided with a fluid driver that applies a suction force to the first fluid inlet or a discharge force to the first fluid outlet; a controller in the robot body, connected to and controlling the operation of the moving mechanism and the fluid driver; when the robot body is on a floor or walls of a pool, combinations of discharge forces, suction forces and weight differences steer the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: WARM ENVIRONMENTAL EQUIPMENT QIDONG CO., LTD
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Qijie Tian, Jiamo Zhang
  • Patent number: 12018510
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a steering system for a suction cleaning device, a locomotion system for a pool cleaner, and a turbine for use in an automatic cleaner. The steering system includes a fluid driven turbine that rotates a cam gear that is interconnected with a cam wheel for directing a drive pinion. The drive pinion is positionable in a plurality of positions to drive a nose cone that steers the suction cleaning device. The locomotion system includes first and second A-frame arms that respectively engage first and second bearings about first and second eccentrics of a turbine. Rotation of the turbine causes the first and second A-frame arms to rotate back and forth driving associated walking pod assemblies. The turbine includes a turbine rotor and a plurality of vanes connected to the turbine rotor. The plurality of vanes including lateral edges having lateral open regions to facilitate debris-removing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Hayward Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter J. Rief, Hans Rainer Schlitzer, Manuela Rief, Rosemarie Rief, Benoit Joseph Renaud
  • Patent number: 12004483
    Abstract: A pet hair removal apparatus has a plurality of engagement members. The apparatus has a handle and connected base member. At the end of the handle is a pointed end defined by a pointed tip. The pointed end and pointed tip operates in an operational engagement position to remove pet hair from the surface of an inanimate object, such as a couch or other fabric. The pointed end removes hair or other debris that are in or near a crease or crevice of the fabric. This operational engagement position is one of a number of other operational engagement positions for the pet hair removal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: TOWERSTAR PETS, LLC.
    Inventors: Fernando Becattini, Jr., Jacquelyn N. Becattini, Fernando Becattini, Sr., Steve A. Copeland, Nicholas Teixeira
  • Patent number: 11998414
    Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, and a fluid delivery system. A motorised drive unit drives movement of a bristle carrier relative to the handle. At least part of an inlet conduit of the fluid delivery system lies adjacent to the external surface of the motor, and at least part of an outlet conduit of the fluid delivery system extends through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Matthew William Ford, Peter Joel Davies
  • Patent number: 11998070
    Abstract: A towel and mitt combination having a towel and a mitt is disclosed. In one configuration, the towel and mitt combination includes a towel that includes a front fastener. The towel and mitt combination also includes a mitt that includes a mitt fastener. The mitt fastener is configured to be releasably secured to the front fastener. The mitt is configured to be operatively and removably connected to the towel via the mitt fastener and the front fastener, when the mitt fastener is releasably secured to the front fastener. In another configuration, the towel includes a tab which includes the front fastener. These and other embodiments foster a coherent towel and mitt combination that enables a user to fasten a mitt to a towel with great convenience and ease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Temp-Tations Brands LLC
    Inventors: Charles Swope, Tara Tesher
  • Patent number: 11992165
    Abstract: Self-cleaning features for extraction cleaners and attachments for extraction cleaners, such as accessory tools, wands, and/or hoses, are provided. The self-cleaning features are configured redirect cleaning fluid from a fluid supply system of the extraction cleaner into a working air or fluid recovery path of the extraction cleaner, including, but not limited to into the working air or fluid recovery path of a tool, wand, and/or hose of the extraction cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: BISSELL Inc.
    Inventors: Victoria J. Royale, Aaron P. Griffith, David M. Miller, Michael Luyckx, Brian C. Wolfe, Justin Benacquisto
  • Patent number: 11986367
    Abstract: The invention relates to method of manufacturing a recess wall lined with bristles for a mouthpiece for simultaneously brushing at a plurality of dental positions, and to a recess wall and mouthpiece manufactured according to the method. In a providing step, an elongate, continuous, bristled sheet part having a first side lined with a plurality of bristles is provided. The elongate sheet part defines a length axis extending parallel to the sheet part and, viewed transverse to the length axis, a cross-sectional shape. The sheet part obtained in the providing step has an initial condition in which the cross-sectional shape has an initial shape, and the length axis is arch-shaped. In a transforming step, the sheet part of the providing step is transformed from the initial condition to a final condition to provide the recess wall. In the final condition the cross-sectional shape has a final U-shape, the length axis is arch shaped, and the first side is a concave inner side of the final U-shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: DENTAL ROBOTICS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Joppe Gideon Van Dijk, Tim Anton Snijder, Thomas Van De Water
  • Patent number: 11987217
    Abstract: A method for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, includes (a) adjusting an angle of a treatment brush relative to the vertical in at least one predetermined angular range parallel and/or perpendicular to the outer surface, (b) guiding the treatment brush along the at least one outer surface on a path during the treatment process, (c) monitoring the angle of the treatment brush to the vertical parallel and/or perpendicular to the outer surface during step (b), and (d) adapting the path of the treatment brush if a deviation of the monitored angle of the treatment brush from the at least one predetermined angular range is determined in step (c). An apparatus for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, a use of the apparatus for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, and a computer program product are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Washtec Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Foerg, Bernhard Heinz, David Stecher
  • Patent number: 11986084
    Abstract: A mobile trailer-cleaning system is a system that facilitates the cleaning of the exterior surfaces of a trailer. The system may include at least one brush assembly, a roof carriage, an agitation mechanism, and a steering assembly. The at least one brush assembly enables the cleaning of all the trailer's exterior surfaces including the rear of the trailer and any non-flat surfaces. The roof carriage serves as a guide to maintain the at least one brush assembly adjacent to the trailer's walls as the at least one brush assembly moves along the trailer. The roof carriage also prevents the at least one brush assembly from tipping over. The agitation mechanism eases the cleaning of the trailer's exterior surfaces by agitating the at least one brush assembly in predetermined modes of operation. The steering assembly enables the user to manually operate the at least one brush assembly during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventor: Eugene Saint-Jean, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11987215
    Abstract: A windscreen wiper device of the flat blade type comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes at least one longitudinal slit, in which slit at least one longitudinal strip of the carrier element is disposed, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for a rod-like extension of an oscillating arm, wherein said rod-like extension can be pivotally connected to said connecting device about a pivot axis near a free end thereof, with the special feature that said connecting device comprises a channel arranged to receive said free end of said rod-like extension, wherein said windscreen wiper device comprises a nozzle for spraying a washing liquid onto said windscreen to be wiped, wherein said nozzle is mounted onto said rod-like extension by sliding a ring-like mounting part of said nozzle over the free end of said rod-like extension in a directi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: TRICO BELGIUM S.A.
    Inventor: Xavier Boland
  • Patent number: 11981105
    Abstract: The device assists the customer in cleaning residue from their skin and body hair after they use a toilet for elimination, after they receive a cut or abrasion, or from other source. With the device, the person physically transforms toilet paper and other tissue-like paper in real time to have greater texture, density, and wetness, all three of which together facilitate cleaning better than dry paper or than wet paper without such increased density and texture. Being pocket sized and intended for repeated use, the device can be easily carried by or on the person and used in any bathroom or location anywhere without modification to the plumbing facilities, without risk of running out of a supply of pre-moistened wipes, and without damaging the environment or sewage and septic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Inventor: James Kaslik
  • Patent number: 11974709
    Abstract: A cleaning cart can comprise a body defining an underside and at least one shelf, wherein the body has a footprint. A plurality of wheels can rotatably couple to the body. A sweeping attachment can be coupled to the underside of the body. The sweeping attachment can comprise a slide comprising a track that is coupled to the body and a carriage that is configured to slide relative to the track along an axis about and between a first position that is generally within the footprint of the body and a second position that is generally outside of the footprint of the body. A sweeping assembly can be coupled to the carriage. The sweeping assembly can couple to a sweeping element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: United States Government As Represented By The Department Of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Larry Hillson, Micah Hambleton
  • Patent number: 11970850
    Abstract: A sewer cleaning machine includes a frame, a drum rotatably supported by the frame, and a motor supported by the frame and coupled to the drum. The drum includes a cable that is selectively extendable out of the drum. The motor is operable to rotate the drum. The drum is configured to engage a surface to facilitate moving the sewer cleaning machine along the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John S. Scott, Scott T. Moeller, Christopher S. Jones, William D. Stoneback, Warren G. Corrado
  • Patent number: 11963643
    Abstract: A scrubbing tool for cleaning a surface that has a handle for holding by a user in a cleaning operation. The handle has a first connector. The scrubbing tool also has a cleaning head having a second connector configured to mate with the first connector in order to attach the cleaning head to the handle in an engaged position. The cleaning head is comprised entirely of a material configured to dissolve in water and has a cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SCRUB DADDY, INC.
    Inventors: John Edward Lee O'Brien, Aaron C. Krause, Aleksandrs Titovs, Joe M. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 11963608
    Abstract: A toothbrush with a system to replace the bristle head. The present invention patent application follows, for a toothbrush, aimed at oral hygiene, which through a male coupling formed by a tongue with claw, both incorporated in the bristle head, which will couple in the female cavity of the handle, so that with the bristle lifetime end due to its wear, the head can be removed and replaced, providing economy, as well as less environmental impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Marli Sala
  • Patent number: 11944250
    Abstract: A cleaning pad structure of stitch bonded construction incorporating one or more substrate layers of an absorbent nonwoven material with an optional additional fluid blocking substrate layer of polymer film or other suitable material in juxtaposed relation to the absorbent nonwoven layers. Stitching yarns are introduced in stitching relation through the substrate layers. One face of the pad defines a cleaning surface of raised yarn loops formed by the stitched yarns. The pad further includes an attachment surface facing away from the cleaning surface. The stitches of yarns across the attachment surface define an engagement surface for attachment to cooperating hooking elements across a surface of a mop head to define a hook and loop attachment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Tietex International Ltd.
    Inventor: Martin Wildeman
  • Patent number: 11946282
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a moving device used in liquid. The moving device includes a mode switching member configured to achieve a position switching of the moving device above a liquid surface and below the liquid surface. When the moving device is below the liquid surface, the moving device is fully submerged below the liquid surface, and when the moving device is above the liquid surface, at least a portion of the moving device is above the liquid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: XINGMAI INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shilei Zhang