Patents Examined by Robert Peshock
  • Edgewise bracket
    Patent number: 4799882
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket of the edgewise type including a single tie wing having a labially facing archwire slot and a scoopout or pocket along the archwire slot axis formed so that the archwire slot is interrupted centrally of the tie wing so as to reduce the friction between the archwire and the bracket along the longitudinal axis of the archwire. The tie wing may optionally include one or more notches at the edges of the tie wing tips wherein the notches are sized to receive an elastomeric ligature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: TP Orthodontics, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter C. Kesling
  • Vacuum cleaner for pets
    Patent number: 4799460
    Abstract: A light weight, battery operated, portable unit which is primarily useful as a vacuum cleaner for pets. The unit includes an external housing, and a power source which is selectively connected to a motor which drives a fan within the housing. The housing includes an open area in which is created a vacuum (or air flow) as a result of the operation of the fan. A screen apparatus disposed within the housing prevents material from being drawn into the fan. The housing includes an opening through which the vacuum or air flow is produced. Bristles mounted in an annular ring surround the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Lynn Kuhl
  • Collar for a pet
    Patent number: 4798174
    Abstract: A collar for a pet equipped at one end of a beltform collar with a buckle having a pin, said proper being formed by a warp knitted fabric, preferably made by a double raschel stitch and having holes for inserting a pin which are formed by the gaps provided between a pair of chain stitches formed successively by a pair of adjacent warps not interlocking with each other in a given length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Assignee: Hotta Co., Ltd. (Hotta Kabushiki Kaisha)
    Inventors: Yoshiya Tachi, Noriyuki Hotta
  • Freezable pet dish
    Patent number: 4798173
    Abstract: A pet dish designed to contain food for an extended period of time by use of an integral coolant which aids in preventing spoilage. A removable, transparent cover allows a pet to see the food and provides a means for accessing the food. The cover is designed to allow it to be opened by the pet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventor: Thomas J. Wilgren
  • Animal feeder
    Patent number: 4798170
    Abstract: An animal feeder includes a support frame directly attachable to the walls of an enclosure. A feed bowl is mounted on a mounting frame which mates with the support frame. A spring-biased releasing mechanism releases the feed bowl and associated mounting frame from the support frame for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventor: Edward F. DePiazzy
  • Cleansing floss for pierced ear lobes
    Patent number: 4798216
    Abstract: A thread, such as a floss, impregnated with a hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial astringent for cleansing and conditioning pierced ear lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1989
    Inventors: John D. McCarty, Linda M. McCarty
  • Orthodontic wire terminal and attachment tool therefor
    Patent number: 4797094
    Abstract: A rounder terminal cap is fitted to the end of an orthodontic wire to reduce cheek injury from the sharp wires and is secured by a very small set screw in the cap. The set screw is tightened by a novel tool having a rotatable set screw wrench at the end of a bevel geared rotatable shaft in a elongated housing. For installation, the tool captures a cap between a slideable box or plate that secures a cap on its set screw until the cap is placed on an orthodontic wire and the set screw tightened. The slideable box is then moved to release the cap from the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Karwoski
  • Numerical display module
    Patent number: 4796370
    Abstract: The relatively large size seven-segmented numerical display module consists of six peripheral segments having the same shape and size. Each segment is operated by a transmission mechanical gear assembly and a low voltage direct current motor. Only a low energy solar cell and/or battery is required to operate all the segments so as to provide a selected numerical display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Kwangling Chang
  • Wire mesh flooring
    Patent number: 4796563
    Abstract: The main or warp wires in the mesh flooring are shaped with a flat surface on top and have a cross-sectional shape so that the widest portion of each warp wire is at or near the top flat surface. The warp wires also have high and low surfaces with the high and low surfaces of adjacent wires alternated in accordance with a predetermined pattern to improve both comfort and resistance to slipping. This construction also permits the use of straight cross wires so that the wire mesh floor will rest firmly on flat surfaces and support systems in existing installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Eastern Iowa Pork
    Inventor: Dale H. Keuter
  • Muscular expansion bumper and head-gear appliance
    Patent number: 4797093
    Abstract: A muscular expansion bumper appliance is optionally removable from a patient's mouth and includes a wire form member formed in a U-shape with the free ends which may be removably secured to buccal tubes. The wire form member supports at least one side pad which overlies one or both of the upper or lower posterior teeth to hold the user's cheeks away from those teeth to permit lateral posterior expansion. The side pads can be trimmed to custom fit the appliance to the user and the appliance comes in varying sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Earl O. Bergersen
  • Protective bag for handling pots
    Patent number: 4796567
    Abstract: A bag for use in handling and bathing cats or other pets which assists the attendant in controlling the animal is disclosed. The bag is formed of a nylon mesh which allows the passage of water. The bag has an open end which is placed over the animal, and a closed end. The open end allows the insertion of the hands of the attendant. The closed end has an opening in the upper corner through which the pet's head extends and a square lower corner which allows the pet's paws to be extended for support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventors: Nancy J. Allan, Lorraine J. Allan
  • Resilient denture connecting device
    Patent number: 4797099
    Abstract: A resilient denture connecting device for utilization with a male/female attachment means to an abutment tooth, which includes a distally extending shank and a housing sized and configured to nest over the shank and pivot means pivotally interconnecting the shank and housing for swinging movement of the housing relative to the shank and said pin dwelling in a slot which permits of vertical movement of adjustment through a predetermined limited range of movement and the device further includes a biasing means normally urging the housing in a normal untilted position but yieldable vertically and swingably so that the housing is adapted to move vertically and in a distal hinge direction in response to masticating loads and to be reboundingly restored to a normal position by the resilient means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Melvin D. Poveromo
  • Oral hygiene swab
    Patent number: 4795421
    Abstract: The present invention is a mouth swab which comprises a support stick having a swab mounted on at least one end thereof. The swab is impregnated with an oral treatment composition (e.g., a mouth freshening composition) and is encapsulated with a dry, saliva-soluble polymeric coating. Placement of the swab in the mouth results in dissolution of the polymeric coating by the saliva in the mouth and allows for release of the oral treatment composition into the mouth cavity. In certain preferred embodiments the product can contain either a dental floss or toothpick implement within the support stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Chesebrough-Pond's Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Blasius, Jr., Joseph F. Zygmont, Jr.
  • Gnaw resistant animal water bottle
    Patent number: 4794880
    Abstract: A bottle for dispensing water or other liquids to caged animals may be formed of economical, easily fabricated materials such as plastic without being susceptible to damage from gnawing when placed inside the cage. The bottle is suspended from an overhead support and simply swings away in the manner of a pendulum in response to impacts from teeth or claws. The bottle has a continuous, smooth, rounded outer surface which keeps the animal from gripping the bottle in a manner that would enable gnawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Frank W. Atchley
  • Disposable rotary tool assembly for cleaning teeth
    Patent number: 4795343
    Abstract: A disposable rotary tool assembly for cleaning teeth comprising what is known in the dental profession as a prophylactic angle, a small cup-like member made of rubber or similar material having a frusto-conical shape which is placed against a patient's teeth and rotated for cleaning and polishing, and a disposable operating assembly for rotating the same which is connected to a dentist's air syringe and powered by pressurized air instead of being connected to the dentist's hand piece as at present which requires a relatively expensive shaft driven connector, not practical to dispose of after each use with a single patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: George P. Choisser
  • Combination of album and picture frame
    Patent number: 4794713
    Abstract: A combination of album and picture frame comprises a cover or case having a transparent part or window at the top, a plurality of loose leaves for mounting pictures, and a binding device having a socket and support fixed in an appropriate place of the bottom of the cover and a ball-ended column with wire rings is provided for securing the loose leaves, so that the combination can be used as an album and picture frame to collect and display pictures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Ming F. Yang
  • Farrowing station with an electronic control
    Patent number: 4793287
    Abstract: A farrowing station for sows is provided which includes a first floor for the sow. At least one lateral floor section for piglets is provided on a portion of the perimeter of the first floor. The lateral floor sections and the first floor are movable to different levels with respect to one another. Lifting and lowering elements are provided for moving at least one of the first floor and the lateral floor sections to the different levels. The lifting and lowering elements are disposed under at least one of the first floor and the lateral floor sections. Protecting matting elements are provided which are impermeable to liquid disposed on at least a portion of the first floor and the lateral floor sections for protecting the animals from injury and protecting the lifting and lowering elements from soiling or exposure to liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Helmut Hofmann
  • Orthodontic bracket
    Patent number: 4793804
    Abstract: An orthodontic bracket for receiving at least one arch wire may comprise: a base portion adapted for attachment to the outer surface of a tooth and first and second wing portions propecting outwardly from the base portion. Disposed between the two wing portions and opening away from the base portion is a channel for receiving an arch wire. At least one of the channel walls is stepped so as to form two slots of differing widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: George F. Schudy
  • Removable tooth positioning appliance and method
    Patent number: 4793803
    Abstract: Separate appliances are insertable in and removable from the upper and lower jaws of the patient to correct minor malocclusions. The appliance construction has several modifications but consists essentially of: (a) a fairly rigid portion which mates with or securely grips the tooth surface, (b) a rigid portion to provide the base and shape, and (c) an intermediate, flexible resilient portion interposed between (a) and (b) which biases the teeth into the desired position. Details and variations of each of the three portions are described. The rigidity of the rigid portion may vary depending on the condition of an individual case. In some instances the rigid portion need only be somewhat flexible, thereby performing the function of the intermediate portion as well. The method of fabricating each portion is likewise disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: Martin G. Martz
  • Pre-made reinforcement device
    Patent number: RE32824
    Abstract: The present invention consists of a pre-made reinforcement device having a core for receiving a prosthetic crown. A vertical axis, horizontal plane anti-rotational device interconnects the post-and-core and is positioned within indexing recesses extending from a hole in the pretreated tooth. An advantageous locking of the reinforcement device results from the post, core and antirotational device combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Advanced Dental Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey C. Bushway