Patents Examined by Richard J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4973183
    Abstract: An original container-applicator device for relatively viscous preparations, such as and of the consistency of hair shampoos and conditioners. Provided with a supply of such a preparation, the device functions as the original container until, in the hands of the ultimate consumer, it serves also as the applicator. The device comprises a chamber; massage fingers, an outlet or dispensing port, as defined by an elongate rim with a proximal end and a distal end; and, a reciprocative valve. The valve has a flange and a gate, and moves between first and second positions. At the first position, the gate closes the distal end while the valve leaves the proximal end open and enables the preparation from the chamber to fill the rim, but not flow from the device. At the second position the flange closes the proximal end and prevents flow from the chamber, while the gate is displaced from and leaves the distal end open, thus to enable a quantity of preparation to flow or drain from the rim, and be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Philip Shevick
    Inventors: Philip Shevick, Kenneth Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 4971313
    Abstract: A ventriloquist apparatus includes one or two ventriloquist devices. Each ventriloquist device includes a rotatable platform divided by a backboard into a first half and a second half. The first half has a first quadrant and a second quadrant, and the second half has a third quadrant and a fourth quadrant. The order of the quadrants is arranged consecutively in a circular fashion. A first ventriloquist doll is detachably mounted on an inclined member which is connected by a vertex to a base member attached to the rotatable platform in the first quadrant thereof and inclined toward the perimeter of the rotatable platform. Similarly, a second ventriloquist doll is detachably mounted to an inclined member which is connected by a vertex to a base member attached to the rotatable platform in the third quadrant thereof and inclined toward the perimeter of the rotatable platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Deborah A. Hucks
  • Patent number: 4971471
    Abstract: A mop assembly is provided for the continuous application of wax and cleaning fluids which utilizes a detachable, disposable plenum incorporated into a disposable sponge mop. The disposable plenum has a plurality of substantially uniformly-spaced openings which provide for a substantially uniform distribution of fluid entering into the sponge. The disposable mop also has a substantially impermeable backing layer which shields the mop head and other non-disposable parts from wax, cleaning fluid, and residue present in the sponge. The disposable mop eliminates the problems associated with clogging of the openings in the non-disposable plenums currently in use, and substantially reduces the amount and frequency of required cleaning of the mop head and other non-disposable parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: David B. Sloan
  • Patent number: 4971470
    Abstract: An applicator device for a viscous material such as a cosmetic material comprises a metering pumping means for discharge of the material, in the form of a piston-cylinder unit arranged transversely with respect to the axis of the housing of the applicator device. The piston of the unit projects out of the housing of the applicator device, so that the piston is freely accessible from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Schwan-Stabilo Schwanhausser GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Gerhard Moeck, Georg Roeder
  • Patent number: 4969764
    Abstract: An improvement is provided for a retractable tip marking pen whereby the tip, in its retracted position, is enclosed in a chamber which prevents drying of the marking fluid. The chamber is provided by an elastomeric sealing member positioned within the outer sheath of the pen adjacent the lower extremity thereof. The sealing member automatically opens when the tip is pushed to its writing position, and closes when the tip is retracted to its stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Inventor: Allen R. Gregory
  • Patent number: 4967850
    Abstract: Blade assemblies having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom are useful for working soil and/or for removing objects buried under the surface of the ground. However, having a plurality of teeth extending below the blade assembly can be detrimental since ground clearance is reduced or if the blade assembly inadvertently lowers during movement of the vehicle from one job site to another. In the subject arrangement, a blade assembly is provided having a plurality of teeth extending therefrom. The plurality of teeth are retractable in response to movement of a mechanism within the blade assembly. Upon raising the blade assembly to its carry position with subsequent retraction of the plurality of teeth, a mounting bar assembly which is associated with the plurality of teeth is moved into a recessed pocket of a latching flange. The latching flange is attached to a vehicle by a frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brent C. Bargfrede, Robert J. Purcell
  • Patent number: 4967455
    Abstract: A casket and method for manufacture are disclosed according to which a shell or base, having outwardly flared walls, is constructed of corrugated fiberboard by a technique in which a planar sheet of corrugated fiberboard is cut to form a blank having interconnected portions corresponding to the areas of the flared side and end walls. A domed lid is also provided, being formed of corrugated fiberboard with a reinforcing marginal frame, provision being made for utilization of the lid either as a single unitary piece or as a split lid having two halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Vandor Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce E. Elder
  • Patent number: 4968167
    Abstract: A combined writing tool having a body receiving a plurality of writing shafts. The tubular writing shafts have knocking parts on their ends with a rearward end of the writing shafts being held in a respective tubular part. A partition member is interposed between the writing shafts. A pair of springs are provided between a forward retaining part on the partition member and each of the tubular parts. Retaining flaps formed on each respective tubular part have projections retained in through holes in the body when the head end of a selected writing shaft projects out of the body and is retained in a second through hole when a selected body of a writing shaft is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Shuhei Kageyama
  • Patent number: 4968168
    Abstract: This invention discloses a ballpoint pen which is capable of generating a "click" sound when the first tube of the pen is rotated over either of two predetermined positions. The ballpoint pen includes a first engaging member, a second engaging member, a medium tube, an ink reservoir tube, a sleeve, a compression spring, a support, and a rod. Thus, the main principle of the present invention is to cause a "click" sound to be produced as the ballpoint of the pen is extended or withdrawn, through the interaction of the first and second engaging members when the first tube of the pen is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: Hann-Tzong Chern
  • Patent number: 4966483
    Abstract: A valve operating mechanism comprises a valve having a valve member and a valve seat, the valve seat having a fluid passage hole is arranged at an end of a fluid chamber containing fluid such as liquid or gas, the valve member which is axially moved relative to the valve seat, to thereby control the passage of fluid, an axially movable member spaced a certain distance from the valve seat, radially displaceable members such as thread-shaped members, linear members or bar-shaped members through which the axially movable member is interconnected with a rear part of the body, and means for causing, when a grasping force is applied to the radially displaceable members the valve seat moves relative to the valve member, thus opening the valve, and for causing, when the grasping force is eliminated, the valve seat comes into abutment against the valve member, thus closing the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Ancos Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Hashimoto, Haruo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4966240
    Abstract: A bulldozer apparatus for a working vehicle comprising a vertically pivotable arm assembly, and a blade pivotable on a fore and aft axis extending along a center position of the vehicle. Two hydraulic cylinders are disposed at opposite sides of the fore and aft axis for causing pivotal movement of the blade such that the blade is pivotable in opposite directions with extensions of the hydraulic cylinders. Two engaging devices extend substantially longitudinally of the vehicle at opposite positions across the fore and aft axis and interconnect the blade and the arm assembly for relative pivotal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Kubota, Ltd.
    Inventor: Norihiro Aikawa
  • Patent number: 4966478
    Abstract: A mechanically controlled writing apparatus with presharpened pencil lead elements generally comprises of an inner cylinder and a pen-holder. The inner cylinder is a straight hollow tube, having two elongated piercing grooves vertically made at the bottom to permit the bottom end be slightly expanded for passing therethrough of pencil lead elements, and a plurality of wedge-like projections made on the outer wall surface at the bottom end and respectively reducing upward, which wedge-like projections may be squeezed inward by the inner wall surface of the outer pen-holder to firmly retain the bottom pencil lead element for smooth writing. The pen-holder comprises a reduced bottom end having a hook means integrally made thereon to alternatively insert through the two elongated piercing grooves into the inner cylinder, which hook means may be controlled to displace outward through a lever motion effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Kuo
  • Patent number: 4963047
    Abstract: A two piece brush for dispensing and applying a material in gel form comprises a brush element having a plurality of bristles and an elongated handle pivotably secured to the brush element for movement from a position adjacent the brush element to a position substantially at right angles to the brush element. An opening is provided extending through the brush element to the bristles which aligns with an opening in the elongated handle entering into a gel retainer in the handle, when the handle is positioned at right angles to the brush element. A flange disposed on the brush element is effective to seal off the opening in the elongated handle with the elongated handle positioned adjacent the brush element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Trotta
  • Patent number: 4963045
    Abstract: An applicator adapted for storing and spreading pre-measured portions of liquid, gel, creamy, low-melting semi-solid or solid substances on surfaces is disclosed. The applicator has a rigid base and a thin flexible cover attached to one side of the base to form, together with the base, a collapsible pocket for storing the substance. A handle is attached to the other side of the base. The thin, flexible cover includes one or more apertures wherethrough the substance contained in the pocket may flow out of the pocket. A protective sealing member, such as a thin film, is removably attached to the exterior of the flexible cover to seal or protect the apertures until the sealing member is removed from the cover. The flexible cover collapses as the substance is squeezed out of the pocket while it is being applied to a desired surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: The Willcox Family Trust
    Inventor: Nancy A. Willcox
  • Patent number: 4961663
    Abstract: This invention relates to a cartridge type cosmetic bar container removably accommodating a cartridge of lipstick or the like in a rotary operating cylinder. This container is designed for an extended useful life, greater ease of use and simplified construction.In the cartridge type cosmetic bar container of this invention, the outer bottom of the inner cylinder of the cartridge is provided with a recess engageable with a cylindrical elevation provided at the inner bottom of the rotary operating cylinder, whereby the inner cylinder and rotary operating cylinder are joined as a unit. As the user turns the rotary operating cylinder, the inner cylinder is rotated and consequently the payout cylinder accommodated in the inner cylinder ascends or descends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: Kanebo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Iwamoto, Hisao Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 4960339
    Abstract: A makeup liquid container designed to enable scraping a makeup liquid off the inner surface of the container. The container has a container body with an opening, a cap fitted on the container body so as to close the opening, an applicator shaft fixed at its one end to the container body and adapted to be inserted into the container body when the cap is fitted on the container body, and an applicator such as a brush fixed to the other end of the applicator shaft. The container further has a slider capable of sliding along the inner surface of the container body so as to scrape makeup liquid off the inner surface of the container body. The sliding motion of the slider is caused by the applicator shaft which is moved into and out of the container body when the user pulls or presses the cap up and down or, alternatively, the slider is freed from the applicator shaft so as to move up and down in the container body as the container body is shaken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Yoshino Kogyosho Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Iizuka, Takao Kishi, Riichi Ogawa, Hiroshi Mizushima
  • Patent number: 4958449
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering drilling mud returns in a drilling mud pit. A soil-projecting apparatus which is attachable to the rear of a conventional farm tractor comprises a plurality of scoop-like members connected to a drive shaft member which is operably associated with the power take-off of the tractor, independently adjustable blade membes placed forward of the scoop-like members for displacing soil toward the scoop-like members, and a protective partial enclosure of the scoop-like members. A method for covering drilling mud returns comprises placing a first, supporting layer of a material adjacent the returns and placing a layer of topsoil adjacent the first, supporting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Inventor: Paul L. Prater
  • Patent number: 4957385
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ampule solution dispenser applicator. It includes a container base, a plunger, an absorbent applicator and a cover. The container base has a collar or neck adapted to receive an ampule of a solution to be dispensed and the container is adapted to hold at least half of the ampule firmly. It also has an open area which would remain open surrounding an ampule upon insertion of an ampule into the container base and it has means for removably attaching a cover thereto. The plunger is adapted to be fitted over the collar of the base and adapted to have a first position resting on the collar and adapted to be forcibly permanently attached to the collar at a second position. The plunger includes means for holding an absorbent applicator such that a portion of the applicator is extending beyond the plunger and a portion of the applicator extends below the plunger into the container base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Primary Delivery Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jack Weinstein
  • Patent number: 4957384
    Abstract: A mechanical pencil in which a lead guide pipe may protect a lead in a range from a lead chuck to the tip member or an extremity end of the slider by the tip member or the slider or the projection bar as well as the lead guide pipe so as to protect the lead and to prevent a breakage of the lead and a clogging of broken lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: Kotobuki & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidehei Kageyama, Yoshihide Mitsuya, Youichi Nakazato
  • Patent number: 4957383
    Abstract: A lead propelling device for an automatic pencil includes an upper tubular body which has a through-hole tapering downward and a first lead clamping face at the lower end of the through-hole, the tubular body being split along an axial plane thereof to permit the first clamping face to move between a clamping position and a releasing position, and a corrugated hollow member connected to the tubular member and having a corrugated wall with a plurality of indented annular portions defining second lead clamping faces which are movable between a clamping position and a releasing position thereof. The second clamping faces are in the clamping position when the first clamping face is in the releasing position thereof. A cone-shaped lead guide member is provided in the tapered end of the pencil tube and has a bottommost tube portion to protrude outward from the tapered end. The lead guide member is movable between a protruding position and a retracted position to propel and draw in the lead rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventor: Jia-Ming Sheu