Patents Examined by Robyn Doan
  • Patent number: 8689809
    Abstract: A cosmetic applicator for highlighting or imparting color to a user's hair includes upper and lower halves attached together by a hinge. Each half includes a rigid outer cap and a flexible connector surrounding and connecting the outer cap to a perimeter of the respective half. The cosmetic applicator further includes an applicator pad arranged in an interior of one of the upper and lower halves and a coloring material arranged in an interior of the other of the upper and lower halves. The flexible connector permits the outer caps of the respective upper and lower halves to be pressed inwardly toward one another so as to bring the applicator pad and the coloring material into engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Edison Nation, LLC
    Inventors: Anna Curry, Juan Carlos Perez, Raeshon Lamont McNeil, Jeff Browning, Alexa Adams, Daniel Lee Bizzell, Daniel Cordero, Todd Stancombe, Robert Roger Hall
  • Patent number: 8689400
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided that includes a main body, a dust-collecting unit mounted in the main body, a suction force generating unit mounted in the main body, a first filter unit disposed upstream from the suction force generating unit, and a second filter unit disposed downstream from the suction force generating unit, wherein the first filter unit and the second filter unit are disposed adjacent to each other, and are individually, detachably mounted in the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-jo Lee
  • Patent number: 8689806
    Abstract: An artificial nail has a nail platform, an electroluminescence material connected to the nail platform, and an electric circuit electrically connected to the electroluminescence material. The electroluminescence material is preferably an electroluminescent film or other material that becomes luminous upon application of alternating current. When an electroluminescent film is used, the electric circuit preferably includes a driver module that provides sufficient alternating current to drive the electroluminescent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Randal Tufts, Donald Richard Swanson
  • Patent number: 8690574
    Abstract: A method of placing a dental implant analog in a physical model for use in creating a dental prosthesis is provided. The physical model, which is usually based on an impression of the patient's mouth or a scan of the patient's mouth, is prepared. The model is scanned. A three-dimensional computer model of the physical model is created and is used to develop the location of the dental implant. A robot then modifies the physical model to create an opening for the implant analog. The robot then places the implant analog within the opening at the location dictated by the three-dimensional computer model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Biomet 3i, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Berckmans, III, Zachary B. Suttin, Dan P. Rogers, T. Tait Robb, Alexis C. Goolik
  • Patent number: 8684013
    Abstract: An eye makeup fallout protector for use in shielding the user's face beneath the eye during the application of eye makeup includes a planar flexible shield member and supporting handle. The shield member is curved to conform generally to the user's lower eyelid. The handle is removable to facilitate cleaning and replacement of the shield member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventors: Denise I. Haman, Thomas R. Ranftl, Robert W. Ranftl
  • Patent number: 8678018
    Abstract: A method of conditioning hair and reconditioning hair color comprising mixing hair conditioning solution with water to achieve a nearly full suspension of the hair conditioning solution in water, thereby producing a conditioner/water mixture. The conditioner/water mixture is heated to a temperature of at least 150° Fahrenheit. The conditioner/water mixture is applied to the hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Don W. Brown
  • Patent number: 8678823
    Abstract: A new and useful dental cleansing solution, and a method of application of the solution, is provided. The dental cleansing solution is designed to be applied by a tooth brush to the teeth of a child under the age of 2. The dental solution is fluoride free, includes a plaque inhibitor, has a viscosity that promotes wicking when applied to the bristles of a tooth brush, is palatable to children, especially children under 2 years old, and further characterized in that it does not foam when brushed onto teeth. The solution includes a carrier, a plaque inhibitor, a humectant, a preservative and a colloidal thickener. The solution may further include one or more additives that provide pH control. The solution can be applied onto the bristles of a tooth brush and is designed to wick into the bristles of the tooth brush. Moreover, the solution can be applied to other objects that may be inserted into the oral cavity of a human, particularly a child under the age of 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DR Products, LLC
    Inventors: Ray A. Wagner, Elizabeth P. Noble
  • Patent number: 8671954
    Abstract: A hair coloring tool which includes a body which has an opening and interior walls that define an interior cavity for containing a fluid hair colorant. At least one dispensing structure is provided on the body which is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. A plunger is pivotally connected to the body. The plunger is removably positioned in the opening of the interior cavity and is in sealing engagement with the interior walls of the interior cavity such that upon manual depression of the plunger, fluid hair colorant is forced from the interior cavity through the dispensing structure. A variety of configurations of combing tines, brushes, and nozzles are provided to accommodate varying hair types and textures as well as for the chosen width of the application of hair colorant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas William Conn
  • Patent number: 8671953
    Abstract: A nail clipping and catchment apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible breathable backing layer having a shape, and a window layer having substantially the same shape as the backing, and being mated to an edge of the backing by an upper seam sufficient to create a pouch, the pouch for catching and containing nail clippings. The apparatus further includes a number of openings in the window layer, the plurality of openings including opposing hand openings on opposite sides of a bottom portion of the pouch near the edge and separated by a lower seam between the breathable backing layer and the window layer, the opposing hand openings each for receiving a nail-bearing extremity of a human. The apparatus further includes one or more pockets positioned on an outer surface of the pouch, the one or more pockets each having an access opening aligned toward the upper seam of the pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Power Straps, Inc.
    Inventor: Miles Paul Martin
  • Patent number: 8671506
    Abstract: A washing device has a washing cloth for removing contaminants, ink, etc. from a surface and an ultrasound device for assisting a cleaning operation. The washing device includes one or more ultrasound generators and one or more resonators each in the form of an oscillating flat metal body, from which sound energy is output onto a substantially linear region on the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Helge Steckmann, Irina Karpel
  • Patent number: 8671958
    Abstract: An orthodontic flosser comprising an elongated handle and a head coupled to the handle at a vertical angle is disclosed. A first and second projection extend from the head for suspending floss, the first projection is sized for insertion of floss between a wire affixed to a tooth and the tooth. A source spool of fresh floss is configured to feed fresh floss incrementally into suspension between the first and second projections while a take-up bobbin is configured for taking up used floss and applying tension to the suspended floss. A button may be used for releasing the source spool to rotate, and for holding the source spool against rotation. The source spool and take-up bobbin may be disposed in separated chambers to reduce cross contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: N. Michelle Borg, John O. H. Niswonger
  • Patent number: 8657602
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a waved implant integrating a soft tissue area and an osseous tissue area. The implant is connected at an upper end thereof to a process tooth. The implant includes a screw portion, a flange and a soft tissue area. The screw portion is inserted into an alveolar bone. The flange is connected to the upper end of the screw portion and inserted into the alveolar bone. The flange has on the upper end thereof a waved shape that is concave in front and rear portions thereof and is convex in left and right portions thereof. The flange comprises on the circumferential surface thereof a fine threaded portion having a thread pitch and/or a thread height smaller and denser than those of the screw portion. A plurality of waved microthreads is formed on the fine threaded portion. The soft tissue area is combined with the upper end of the flange in a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Warantec
    Inventors: Chong-Hyun Han, Shin koo Kim
  • Patent number: 8651119
    Abstract: A cosmetic powder brush is provided. A brush holder is provided with a brush insertion part in which a brush is stored, and is rotatably coupled to a cap. The brush is stored in the brush insertion part, and then, the brush holder is rotated through a certain angle to prevent a removal of the brush in a closed state, and the brush holder is rotated through the certain angle to an original position thereof to use the brush, and the brush is taken out in an open state. The brush holder is rotatably installed on the cap, and the brush is inserted and stored in the brush holder, thereby effectively preventing the brush from being lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Young-Kwang Byun
  • Patent number: 8651867
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dental crown formed of a thermoplastic polymer material, the crown comprising: a tooth shaped top surface; and flexible side surfaces, at least one of which includes an inwardly directed bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Uri-Dent Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Zilberman
  • Patent number: 8651859
    Abstract: An apparatus and method define a fit of a set of upper and lower teeth of a patient by generating a computer representation of the teeth; and determining an occlusion from the computer representation of the teeth using one or more keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Ziaullah Khan Chishti, Andrew C. Beers
  • Patent number: 8646467
    Abstract: A shaving kit includes cartridge store for storing at least one spare blade cartridge and a container for storing a shaving fluid like a refreshing or cleaning lotion or a shaving foam. The container includes a volume of the shaving fluid which is sufficient for several series of shaving actions. After at least one shaving action, a blade razor may be coupled to the container to transfer shaving fluid to the blade razor. By transferring shaving fluid to the blade razor, the volume of shaving fluid in the container decreases. The container includes a replacement indicator for indicating a desired replacement of the blade cartridge. The replacement indicator operates in dependence on a volume of shaving fluid transferred from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Mark Johannes Lelieveld, Gerben Raap, Jasper Zuidervaart, Jan Bennik, Sint Baron
  • Patent number: 8646466
    Abstract: The Interchangeable Headband Cover is an easily applied and removed material covering that sit on a C Shaped or Horse Shoe Shaped headband. A C Shaped or Horse Shoes Shaped headband typically is used to pull a wearers hair out of their eyes. The exposed area of the design is undecorated. The unexposed outer area of The Interchangeable Headband Cover has two insertion points with overlapping flaps positioned laterally of a fused center. The flaps open wide and enable the user to easily manipulate and apply the covering to a headband without any special tools. As you exam the insertion point closest to the internally fused center the design does not overlap but as you look laterally there is a gradual increase where the materials overlap more and more until there is one portion of the fabric completely covers the other at the internally fused tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Cristy Marie Howard, Sean Michael Howard
  • Patent number: 8641419
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods and devices for restoring teeth using fixed restorations. In particular, the invention provides a system, kit, and devices for the management of interproximal areas for traditional cementation and/or bonding of dental crowns, onlays, inlays, veneers and bridges. In the method, a barrier is positioned in contact with the tooth being restored and an adjacent tooth to cover a section of the tooth being restored and to create separation of the tooth being restored and the adjacent tooth. Cement is applied to the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and/or to the second mating surface of the tooth, and the first mating surface of the fixed restoration and the second mating surface of the tooth are positioned adjacent each other to seat the fixed restoration on the tooth. The barrier covers a section of the tooth being restored to prevent cement from bonding to the section of the tooth. This eliminates the need to remove hardened cement from this section of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Clark
  • Patent number: 8640715
    Abstract: A nail care apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a nail care apparatus comprises a housing, a blade extending from the housing to a distal end, a motor disposed in the housing and operatively driving the blade to reciprocate in two parallel planes, and a power source providing power to the motor. The distal end of the blade may narrow to a peaked distal edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Inventor: David B. Howell
  • Patent number: 8636014
    Abstract: A hair styling system comprising a handle and at least one roller, and a connector for releasably securing the roller to the handle. The connector includes a sleeve slidably mounted on the handle and a compression spring for urging the sleeve axially outwardly whereby a trio of locking balls are biased radially outwardly into mating notches formed in an orifice at one end of the roller to prevent axial separation and rotation of the roller on the handle. Retraction of the sleeve on the handle releases the trio of balls from the notches for separation of the roller from the handle. The rollers are provided in a plurality of sizes and shapes and preferably are coated or formed from a ceramic ionic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventor: Maurice Fiorio