Patents by Inventor Alan V. Sorrentino

Alan V. Sorrentino has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10244857
    Abstract: A mechanically tapered bristle filament for an oral care implement. The filament is characterized by a long thin tapered end portion. The tapered end portion has a taper length and tip diameter comparable to chemically tapered filaments. The areal surface roughness of the tapered end portion however is greater than chemically tapered filaments thereby producing increased scrubbing action against the surfaces of the teeth. The foregoing taper and roughness characteristics of the present filament enhance inter-dental cleaning effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Stephen Nelson, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Publication number: 20180055206
    Abstract: A mechanically tapered bristle filament for an oral care implement. The filament is characterized by a long thin tapered end portion. The tapered end portion has a taper length and tip diameter comparable to chemically tapered filaments. The areal surface roughness of the tapered end portion however is greater than chemically tapered filaments thereby producing increased scrubbing action against the surfaces of the teeth. The foregoing taper and roughness characteristics of the present filament enhance inter-dental cleaning effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Nelson, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 9764886
    Abstract: A packaged oral care implement (1000) and method of opening the same. In one embodiment, the package (2000) has a first panel (100) that includes a pre-weakened line (103) including at least two portions (103A, 103B) of differing non-zero shear strengths so that an easy as open location (106) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Clark Bow, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 9751676
    Abstract: A packaged oral care implement (1000) and method of opening the same. In one embodiment, the package (2000) includes a tab (106) on a first panel (100) of the package that is strategically located so that the oral care implement itself (1000) acts as a foundation or barrier adjacent to the tab that assists with shearing the first panel to release the tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Clark Bow, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Publication number: 20160297593
    Abstract: A packaged oral care implement (1000) and method of opening the same. In one embodiment, the package (2000) includes a tab (106) on a first panel (100) of the package that is strategically located so that the oral care implement itself (1000) acts as a foundation or barrier adjacent to the tab that assists with shearing the first panel to release the tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Clark Bow, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Publication number: 20160272400
    Abstract: A packaged oral care implement (1000) and method of opening the same. In one embodiment, the package (2000) has a first panel (100) that includes a pre-weakened line (103) including at least two portions (103A, 103B) of differing non-zero shear strengths so that an easy as open location (106) is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Clark Bow, Alan V. Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 7845042
    Abstract: An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with a soft tissue cleanser and/or tooth cleaning elements. The tooth cleaning elements may be flexibly mounted in the head for movement from an initial position with respect to the head during use. The soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of projections for cleaning the soft tissue. The soft tissue cleanser may include a face having hills and valleys upon which the projections are located. The handle may include a base with a gripping region and a projection protruding from the base in the gripping region. The handle may also have a grip surface with a plurality of spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base. The grip body may form opposite finger grips on the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, John J. Gatzemeyer, Bruce Russell, Peter Andersen, Luca Casini, John Hancock, Douglas Hohlbein, Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Küchler, Tanja Langgner, Thomas Mintel, Michael Rooney, Alan V. Sorrentino, Joachim Storz
  • Publication number: 20100275397
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a handle and a head having a flexible support from which cleaning elements extend. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle; a flexible support attached to the head and having a face; a plurality of cleaning elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from the head; wherein the cleaning elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a central region of the flexible support; and wherein some of the wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from the central region of the flexible support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, John J. Gatzemeyer, Bruce Russell, Peter Andersen, Luca Casini, John Hancock, Douglas Hohlbein, Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Küchler, Tanja Langgner, Thomas Mintel, Michael Rooney, Alan V. Sorrentino, Joachim Storz
  • Publication number: 20100263148
    Abstract: A toothbrush with a mechanical vibratory element and a head having a plurality of different types of cleaning areas which provide for an enhanced cleaning effect. In one aspect, the invention is a toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head connected to said handle by a neck element; a mechanical vibratory device which causes the head to vibrate; and wherein said head comprises movable elements attached thereto for providing an enhanced cleaning effect upon vibration of said head by said mechanical vibratory element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, John J. Gatzemeyer, Alan V. Sorrentino, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7722274
    Abstract: An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care material dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush is preferably made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, James Kemp, Alan V. Sorrentino, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7703163
    Abstract: A toothbrush is provided for cleaning and/or massaging of teeth and gums having a mechanical vibratory element and a head having cleaning/treating elements on a plurality of different types of cleaning areas which provide for an enhanced cleaning, scrubbing and massaging effect. The cleaning/treating elements have different physical characteristics so that in addition to providing a varied cleaning/treating effect from the cleaning/treating elements themselves there is enhanced treatment as a result of the movement of the cleaning/treating elements imparted by the mechanical vibratory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, John J. Gatzemeyer, Alan V. Sorrentino, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7331731
    Abstract: An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care material dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush is preferably made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, James Kemp, Alan V. Sorrentino, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7094981
    Abstract: A powered operating device such as a powered toothbrush includes a test button for momentarily testing the operability of the device. The test button simultaneously presses against both the on portion and the off portion of the switch which controls the operation of the device. While pressure is applied to the test button, the device is placed in its operative condition and when the pressure is released, the geometric structure of the test button held by the package releases the on portion of the switch at the same time or just before the off portion. Thus, assuring that the switch turns off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Alan V. Sorrentino, Robert Moskovich
  • Publication number: 20040237226
    Abstract: An oral care toothbrush includes a head mounted to one end of the handle containing a plurality of oral care elements. An oral care accessory is mounted to the opposite end of the handle. An oral care material dispenser is mounted in the head within the cleaning field defined by the oral care elements. The toothbrush is preferably made of small size and of lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, James Kemp, Alan V. Sorrentino, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 6012569
    Abstract: A toothbrush handling device for handling of toothbrushes during the manufacturing process. The device is a rigid toothbrush holder with fixed dimensions which is easily transported in a conveyor type apparatus. The holder is formed with a generally toothbrush-shaped portion and terminates in at least one cavity suitable to hold at least the head portion of the toothbrush such that the bristles do not contact any interior surface of the cavity. If only one cavity is present, it is large enough to permit a gripping mechanism to grasp a portion of the brush to permit the insertion of the brush into or the removal of the brush from the transport device. Also, if more than one cavity is present, the cavities are separated by a supporting wall. The device enables improved and easier handling of the toothbrushes during manufacturing and processing, and protects the bristles from damage during those processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Alan V. Sorrentino