Patents Examined by Randall Chin
  • Patent number: 9707939
    Abstract: A handheld mitter wringer tool is provided for cleansing build-up from hanging mitters. For example, one can expel build-up from a mitter, which is secured at one end to a fixed structure, by indenting the mitter between two non-cutting surfaces that extend across the width of the mitter, while moving the two surfaces along the mitter away from the secured end. Thus, a mitter wringer tool may have a pair of elongate plates that are operatively connected for movement from a fully-opened position, in which working faces of the plates are displaced apart for receiving a mitter, to a working position, in which the working faces are closely opposed and generally parallel for slidably gripping and wringing the mitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Connecticut Carwash, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 9700178
    Abstract: Bowls and methods for scrubbing objects are disclosed. The bowls or optionally removable liners in the bowls include a plethora of bristles or mesh material which provides an abrasive surface against which objects can be scrubbed. The bowls may optionally incorporate extendable sections for the purpose of suspending the bowls from the sides of a sink. In one embodiment, a circular version of the bowl may be configured to double as a spinner bowl inside a salad spinner and in other embodiments apertures with abrasive material inside may be provided for scrubbing narrow items such as carrots. Larger industrial-size versions of the bowl may be constructed for use in restaurants, or for the purpose of scrubbing non-food products, such as mechanical parts. The shape, depth and diameter of the bowls as well as the type of abrasive materials used inside these bowls can vary to suit the application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Rafael Vasquez, James Fisher
  • Patent number: 9687391
    Abstract: A system for absorbing blood and bodily fluids during surgical procedures includes an elongated, flexible element having a proximal end and a distal end, a weight secured to the distal end of the elongated, flexible element, and a plurality of absorbent elements attached to the elongated, flexible element. The absorbent elements are spaced from or connected to one another along the length of the elongated, flexible element. The absorbent elements, such as sponges or cotton balls, are adapted for soaking up blood and bodily fluids at a surgical site. A tab is secured to the proximal end of the elongated, flexible element for extracting the absorbent elements from the surgical site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Inventor: Victoria Genevieve Simon
  • Patent number: 9681782
    Abstract: An extendable battery operated scrubber brush with interchangeable brush heads is provided. The scrubber brush includes a battery operated scrubber brush having an extendable handle and a plurality of interchangeable brush heads, each having different body cleaning materials thereon, and a battery charging docking station. The handle is extendable via an elongated member that is slidably disposed in an interior volume thereof. The handle includes a proximal end and a distal end that includes a drive shaft for removably receiving an interchangeable brush head thereon. The drive shaft is coupled to an electric motor disposed in the handle that rotates the drive shaft and drives an interchangeable brush head mounted thereon. The proximal end includes a port for receiving an electrical connector disposed in the docking station and one or more activation switches for activating the electric motor and driving the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Pamela R. McCauley
  • Patent number: 9681933
    Abstract: The brush head of the toothbrush has filaments that are pointed at one end and led through clearances in the bristle carrier. These filaments have a length of about 10-20 mm. The tips of the pointed filaments produce a height profile other than that of a plane and the ends of the pointed filaments that are remote from the tips are melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: TRISA HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 9683360
    Abstract: An automated pipe clearer that is permanently mounted to a building. The pipe clearer has a spool of cable that extends a head assembly down a pipe. The sealed head assembly contains a motor and has a tip at a forward end. A computer control actuates a feeder to extend the cable and connected head assembly down a pipe towards a clog. When the clog is cleared the feeder re-spools the cable leaving the head assembly in the pipe ready for the next clearing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Inventor: Daisval Vigoa
  • Patent number: 9669286
    Abstract: A process and tool for the application of wax onto watersport boards including, but not limited to, surfboards, longboards, foam top boards, skim boards, standup paddle boards, boogie boards, wake skateboards, and wake surfboards. The process includes shredding wax with the use of a handheld grating device having a cutting blade with grating holes. The process further includes distributing the grated wax fragments onto the surface of the watersport board while continuing to rub the wax over the cutting blade of the grating device and layering the grated wax fragments over areas of the board surface where grip is needed, and then gently pressing the wax fragments onto the surface of the board to create a texture for ideal grip and traction needed to stand on and control the watersport board. One or more scraper edges on the grating device allow for removal of the wax from the board surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Elise Thieler, Michael A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9670687
    Abstract: Automatic pool cleaners (APCs) and components thereof are detailed. The APCs may turn feet, rather than entire bodies, to change direction and may provide water-flow paths through the bodies that are oriented vertically. Thus, unlike existing disc-based cleaners, the APCs may reduce influence of connected hoses on their movements within pools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Hendrikus Johannes van der Meijden, Michael Edward Moore, Bruce David Harbottle
  • Patent number: 9668632
    Abstract: To provide a cleaning tool exhibiting excellent cleaning effectiveness. The present invention relates to a cleaning tool comprising a cleaning sheet, and a holding tool for holding said cleaning sheet. The cleaning sheet is provided with: a brush part configured so as to be capable of cleaning an object to be cleaned; a base part; and insertion parts through which holding parts of the holding tool are inserted. The brush part is configured so as to be provided with: a first cleaning region; a second cleaning region; and a bent region which is sandwiched therebetween, and which is formed by being bent by an end of the base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: UNICHARM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomokazu Suda
  • Patent number: 9669434
    Abstract: A mop includes a handle rod, a mop head, and an actuator handle. The handle rod defines a central handle rod axis. The mop head connects with the handle rod and includes a cleaning element mounting structure, a cleaning element, and a standoff. The actuator handle connects with the handle rod and the cleaning element mounting structure. The actuator handle is movable with respect to the handle rod for moving the mop head with respect to the handle rod between a use position and a storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Terumasa Fujita, Joern Vicari, David Colie Wight
  • Patent number: 9661973
    Abstract: A cleaning pad is provided. The cleaning pad includes a cover layer, a core, and an attachment layer. The core is located between the cover layer and the attachment layer. A porous abrasive substance is applied to the attachment layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Rockline Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Wahlquist
  • Patent number: 9661968
    Abstract: A cleaning system. The system has a floor cleaning device, disposable floor sheet removably attachable to the device pad, and a rotatable beater bar. The device has a single wheel, and moves on the target surface by rolling action of the wheel and gliding of the floor sheet. This arrangement, not having multiple wheels, provides enhanced maneuverability, and improves cleaning performance. The cleaning system may be used to clean hard surfaces, such as a floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Glenn Allen Bradbury
  • Patent number: 9655480
    Abstract: A facial cleaning brush having an outer shell coupled with a brush head assembly with a brush head housing surrounding a motor head operably configured to supply power for a movement of the brush head, wherein the brush head assembly has a brush head having an anchoring plate with a plurality of bristles coupled to a front face of the anchoring plate that includes a first anchoring point, and also has at least two U-shaped springs coupled to the anchoring plate and a brush head anchoring unit with a second anchoring point selectively removably coupled to the first anchoring point, wherein the first and second anchoring points are interposed between the at least two U-shaped springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen CosBeauty Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Ziran Fang, Wanfu Huang
  • Patent number: 9655482
    Abstract: A cleaning scrubber for cleaning household surfaces is described. The cleaning scrubber includes an elongated handle having a gripping portion at the proximal end and a means for removably attaching a cleaning disk at the distal end. The cleaning disk comprises a foam or sponge cleaning pad and means for attachment to the handle. The handle may include means for releasing the cleaning disk from the end of the handle without the need for the user to manually handle the cleaning disk. A caddy for storage of the cleaning scrubber and spare cleaning disks is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Butler Home Products LLC
    Inventors: Robert Michelson, Michael Silverman, Robert Cavalcanti
  • Patent number: 9650799
    Abstract: A self-propelled cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank includes a housing having a front portion as defined by the direction of movement of the apparatus when propelled by a water jet, an opposing rear portion and adjoining side portions defining the periphery of the apparatus, and a baseplate with at least one water inlet. Rotationally-mounted supports are coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing to enable movement of the apparatus over the submerged surface. A water pump is configured to draw water and debris from the pool through the inlet for filtering. A stationary directional discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has at least one discharge opening through which a pressurized stream of water forming the water jet is directionally discharged at an acute angle with respect to the surface over which the apparatus is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Giora Erlich, Tibor Horvath
  • Patent number: 9649759
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head with an extendable handle. The toothbrush has a brush head with bristles extending from one side, and an opening containing one or more segments nested within one another. The inner-most segment is pulled outward, away from the brush head, with the adjacent outer segments following forming a handle assembly. A resilient member within the brush head between the head and inner-most segment assists in extension of the handle assembly. Upon extension the segments form an interference fit with each adjacent interior and exterior segment forming a rigid handle assembly. When the handle assembly is in an extended configuration a retention member extends from the interior of the segment surrounding the extended segment for engaging the end of the segment thereby preventing the handle assembly from collapsing. A rotatable collar at the end of the inner-most segment includes filament for flossing teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: German J. Ubeto
  • Patent number: 9650798
    Abstract: A self-propelled cleaning apparatus for cleaning a submerged surface of a pool or tank includes a housing having a front portion as defined by the direction of movement of the apparatus when propelled by a water jet, an opposing rear portion and adjoining side portions defining the periphery of the apparatus, and a baseplate with at least one water inlet. Rotationally-mounted supports are coupled proximate the front and rear portions of the housing to enable movement of the apparatus over the submerged surface. A water pump is configured to draw water and debris from the pool through the inlet for filtering. A stationary directional discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the pump and has at least one discharge opening through which a pressurized stream of water forming the water jet is directionally discharged at an acute angle with respect to the surface over which the apparatus is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: AQUA PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Giora Erlich, Tibor Horvath
  • Patent number: 9648942
    Abstract: An improved toothbrush is provided. The improved toothbrush includes first and second flexible anchor portions; a plurality of bristles coupled to each of the first and second flexible anchor portions; and a soft pivot bar operably coupled to the flexible anchor portions. A chewing force applied to the pivot bar causes the pivot bar and the first and second flexible anchor portions to compress against a tooth surface to cause a cleaning action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Richard Nadeau
  • Patent number: 9643216
    Abstract: A cleaning device, according to one embodiment, for cleaning a substrate by being rotated, includes: a cleaning member configured to clean a substrate; and a sleeve configured to be provided along a circumference of the cleaning member, a lower part of the sleeve being divided into a plurality of chucking claws each of which holds a portion of a side face of the cleaning member, wherein at inside of each of the plurality of chucking claws, a plurality of protrusions are provided substantially parallel to a rotation direction of the cleaning member, an end of each of the plurality of protrusions is configured to contact the side face of the cleaning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoatsu Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9642450
    Abstract: The toothbrush and tongue cleaner is a device adapted for use in oral hygiene. The toothbrush and tongue cleaner is a combination toothbrush and tongue cleaning device mounted on a single handle. The toothbrush and tongue cleaner comprises a handle, a toothbrush, and a tongue cleaning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventors: Balwan Singh, Ooshah Bharat