Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Durham

Benjamin J. Durham 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: 20150296955
    Abstract: An elastic band removal apparatus includes a cutting element for removing elastic bands from hair. The cutting element may include a grasping element and an adjacent receptacle that are configured to engage a portion of an elastic band, as well as a severing edge configured to apply a localized pressure to the portion of the elastic band to cut or break the elastic band. The elastic band removal apparatus may comprise a comb, with the cutting element being carried by a spine of the comb, at or near an end of the comb. Methods for removing elastic bands from hair may include the use of such an elastic band removal apparatus. A grooming kit may include an elastic band removal apparatus, one or more elastic bands and a package for carrying the elastic band removal apparatus and the one or more elastic bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Durham, Mark P. Durham
  • Patent number: 9066569
    Abstract: An elastic band removal apparatus includes a cutting element for removing elastic bands from hair. The cutting element may include a grasping element and an adjacent receptacle that are configured to engage a portion of an elastic band, as well as a severing edge configured to apply a localized pressure to the portion of the elastic band to cut or break the elastic band. The elastic band removal apparatus may comprise a comb, with the cutting element being carried by a spine of the comb, at or near an end of the comb. Methods for removing elastic bands from hair may include the use of such an elastic band removal apparatus. A grooming kit may include an elastic band removal apparatus, one or more elastic bands and a package for carrying the elastic band removal apparatus and the one or more elastic bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Durham Enterprises Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Durham, Mark P. Durham
  • Publication number: 20150173481
    Abstract: An elastic bead includes a body and a channel extending through the body. The channel may be expanded to receive an object, such as a tuft or braid of hair. Once placed over the object, the body may be configured to resiliently engage the object. Such resilient engagement may be effected without doubling, tripling or otherwise twisting and wrapping the elastic bead around the object. Methods for applying and removing the elastic beads are disclosed, as are assemblies that provide ready access to and ready storage for elastic beads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Durham Enterprises Corporation
    Inventors: Mark P. Durham, Benjamin J. Durham
  • Publication number: 20130327349
    Abstract: An elastic band removal apparatus includes a cutting element for removing elastic bands from hair. The cutting element may include a grasping element and an adjacent receptacle that are configured to engage a portion of an elastic band, as well as a severing edge configured to apply a localized pressure to the portion of the elastic band to cut or break the elastic band. The elastic band removal apparatus may comprise a comb, with the cutting element being carried by a spine of the comb, at or near an end of the comb. Methods for removing elastic bands from hair may include the use of such an elastic band removal apparatus. A grooming kit may include an elastic band removal apparatus, one or more elastic bands and a package for carrying the elastic band removal apparatus and the one or more elastic bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Peter J. Tolman, Benjamin J. Durham, Mark P. Durham