Patents by Inventor Alfred J. Smetana

Alfred J. Smetana 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).

  • Publication number: 20120184884
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibrating band comprising a belt-like O-ring, a housing with a vibrating device contained within the housing. The vibrating device comprises a vibrating motor, one or more batteries and a touch or push switch. The vibrating band can be used by a male user to increase stimulation for both the male and his partner during sexual intercourse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dyer, Michael J. Harrison, Jason Kieke, Benny S. Yam, Alfred J. Smetana, Ian Gaylor, Steven Bolkan, Gemma Evans
  • Publication number: 20030215401
    Abstract: A composition for the treatment of sensitive teeth comprising a suitable carrier and a desensitizing amount of: a) at least one tubule blocking agent, preferably a combination of two such agents; and b) a nerve desensitizing agent selected from the group consisting of at least one potassium salt, at least one strontium salt, and mixtures thereof, wherein the tubule blocking agent deposits or swells upon the dentinal surface and/or precipitates within the dentinal tubules, retaining a higher concentration of the nerve desensitizing agent at the exposed dentinal surface and within the dentinal tubules. The compositions may further contain a source of physiologically acceptable fluoride ion, such as stannous fluoride. Also disclosed are methods of using the subject compositions in the treatment of sensitive teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: David Estrada, Benjamin D Fitz, Jan F Macik, Neil J Napolitano, Alfred J Smetana, Joseph D Synoids, Michael E Trama
  • Patent number: 6423762
    Abstract: A denture adhesive composition is disclosed and comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition; wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of: poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly acrylic acid, polyitaconic acid, polycitraconic acid, and a monovalent alkali metal cation salt thereof. This composition exhibits enhanced adhesive performance and reduces oozing and incidence of food occlusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Wong, Hal C. Clarke, Robert C. Gasman, Joseph D. Synodis, Alfred J. Smetana
  • Publication number: 20020041852
    Abstract: A composition for the treatment of sensitive teeth comprising a suitable carrier and a desensitizing amount of: a) at least one tubule blocking agent, preferably a combination of two such agents; and b) a nerve desensitizing agent selected from the group consisting of at least one potassium salt, at least one strontium salt, and mixtures thereof, wherein the tubule blocking agent deposits or swells upon the dentinal surface and/or precipitates within the dentinal tubules, retaining a higher concentration of the nerve desensitizing agent at the exposed dentinal surface and within the dentinal tubules. The compositions may further contain a source of physiologically acceptable fluoride ion, such as stannous fluoride. Also disclosed are methods of using the subject compositions in the treatment of sensitive teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Neil J. Napolitano, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph D. Synodis, Jan F. Macik, Michael E. Trama, David Estrada, Benjamin D. Fitz
  • Patent number: 6239191
    Abstract: A denture adhesive composition is disclosed and comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition. This composition exhibits enhanced adhesive performance and reduces oozing and incidence of food occlusion. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a denture adhesive composition comprising: preparing a mixture which comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition; forming a denture adhesive composition including the mixture; and recovering the denture adhesive composition. A method of making a denture adhesive composition more adhesive and less oozing is disclosed as well. This method comprises adding to the denture adhesive composition a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Wong, Hal C. Clarke, Robert C. Gasman, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph Synodis
  • Patent number: 6083488
    Abstract: A denture cleansing agent containing a film forming material for preventing plaque formation. The denture cleansing agent may be a denture cleanser tablet, and the film forming material may be a polyoxyethylene oxide/vinyl acetate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: The Block Drug Company
    Inventors: Paul X Riccobono, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph Synodis
  • Patent number: 6025411
    Abstract: A denture adhesive composition is disclosed and comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition. This composition exhibits enhanced adhesive performance and reduces oozing and incidence of food occlusion. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a denture adhesive composition comprising: preparing a mixture which comprises a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition; forming a denture adhesive composition including the mixture; and recovering the denture adhesive composition. A method of making a denture adhesive composition more adhesive and less oozing is disclosed as well. This method comprises adding to the denture adhesive composition a polymeric activator in an amount of up to about 3 percent by weight based on the total weight of the denture adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eddie Wong, Hal C. Clarke, Robert C. Gasman, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph Synodis
  • Patent number: 5939048
    Abstract: An oral composition for treatment of hypersensitive teeth in which the salty taste of the desensitizing salt, such as a potassium or strontium salt, is masked by baking soda, sodium bicarbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Block Drug Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Alfano, Joseph D. Synodis, Alfred J. Smetana, Ronald S. Leight, Kuo-Chen Yeh
  • Patent number: 5885551
    Abstract: A method for treating dentinal hypersensitivity by administering a therapeutic amount of an alginate to a hypersensitive tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Inventors: Alfred J. Smetana, Jon Hayes, Kuo-Chen Yeh, Laura McCulloch
  • Patent number: 5830933
    Abstract: A denture adhesive composition contains a denture adhesive and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier in which the denture adhesive is a salt of a copolymer of maleic acid or anhydride and a 1 to 5 carbon atom alkyl vinyl ether having a specific viscosity of at least 4.0. The denture adhesive composition is used to adhere a denture to the oral mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Synodis, Alfred J. Smetana, Robert C. Gasman, Eddie Wong, Hal C. Clarke
  • Patent number: 5750591
    Abstract: A denture adhesive with significantly improved hold performance is comprised of the mixed partial salts of polymethyl vinyl ether maleic acid. At least one of said salts comprises zirconium while a second salt is selected from the group consisting of calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, strontium and mixtures thereof. Optionally, a tripartite salt formulation may be prepared utilizing sodium, lithium or potassium. The adhesives are formulated in a standard pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle comprised of waxes, oils, colorants, viscosity modifiers and the like as is known in the art. The denture adhesive may be formulated as a paste, powder or liquid which has rapid absorption characteristics for faster swelling softening and superior coalescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: The Block Drug Company
    Inventors: Hal C. Clarke, Hyung-Kook Ahn, Eddie Wong, Robert C. Gasman, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph Synodis, Tiang Shing Chang
  • Patent number: 5561177
    Abstract: An improved denture adhesive that exhibits superior tack, adhesion, cohesive strength and spreadability characteristics is made from a hydrocarbon-free base consisting of a mixture of medium length chain triglycerides which have been mixed with a small amount of fumed silica and other components so as to improve the viscosity, spreadability and taste. Preferred triglycerides include captic and caprylic acids and in particular, a mixture of the caprylic and captic acids which are combines with fumed silica and a water soluble cellosic polymer and a synthetic methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymer that is formulated as a paste or gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: The Block Drug Company
    Inventors: Nilofar Khaledi, Eddie Wong, Joseph Synodis, Hal C. Clarke, Robert C. Gasman, Alfred J. Smetana
  • Patent number: 5525652
    Abstract: A novel denture adhesive composition contains an adhesive mixture comprising sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and, either a partially neutralized sodium, magnesium, zinc mixed salt or a partially neutralized magnesium, zinc mixed salt of an alkyl vinyl ether maleic acid copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hal C. Clarke, Hyung-Kook Ahn, Eddie Wong, Robert C. Gasman, Alfred J. Smetana, Joseph Synodis
  • Patent number: D616978
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Grotyohann, Michael J. Harrison, John Ip, Jason Kieke, Alfred J. Smetana
  • Patent number: D621028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Grotyohann, Michael J. Harrison, John Ip, Jason Kieke, Alfred J. Smetana
  • Patent number: D621029
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Grotyohann, Michael J. Harrison, John Ip, Jason Kieke, Alfred J. Smetana
  • Patent number: RE36657
    Abstract: A denture adhesive composition contains a denture adhesive and a pharmacologically acceptable carrier in which the denture adhesive is a salt of a copolymer of maleic acid or anhydride and a 1 to 5 carbon atom alkyl vinyl ether having a specific viscosity of at least 4.0. The denture adhesive composition is used to adhere a denture to the oral mucosa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Block Drug Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Synodis, Alfred J. Smetana, Robert C. Gasman, Eddie Wong, Hal C. Clarke