Patents by Inventor Bernhard Boland

Bernhard Boland 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: 6253404
    Abstract: An electrically operated tooth-cleaning device being provided with a handle part having an electric drive motor. A hanle part can be connected with an attachment provided with a cleansing tool, with the cleaning tool being capable of being caused to rotate by the drive motor. A first cleaning tool of a first attachment is capable of being connected directly with the drive motor, and cleaning tool of a second attachment can be couple trough a transmission with the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 6102700
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrically powered dental cleansing device (1) to which a cleansing implement (32) is fitted. In this manner, the cleansing implement (32) can be rotated about its longitudinal axis. The cleansing implement (32) is configured as an integrally formed part comprising a thin and elongate cleansing shaft (125). The cleansing shaft has at least one longitudinal edge and is provided with a plurality of serrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Haczek, Bernhard Boland, Peter Hilfinger, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6050818
    Abstract: An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus in which a cleansing implement is coupled to a drive sleeve and adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The coupling is effected by a resilient member, in particular a spring which includes a slip coupling and/or a buffer zone. Under normal conditions, the slip coupling provides a non-rotative connection between the drive sleeve and the cleansing implement. However, in the event of the cleansing implement seizing in an interproximal space, for example, the slip coupling will slip, thus avoiding potential damage. The buffer zone acts to prevent displacement of the cleansing implement--although intended by the user--in cases where, for example, the cleansing implement is positioned against a tooth surface rather than against an interproximal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5927300
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dental cleansing implement (101) having a thin, elongate shaft (102) comprising a free end portion (105) suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion (6) or the like. The mounting portion (6) is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line (135). The free end portion (105) of the shaft (102) is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent (130), approximately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5893715
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an apparatus for treating the teeth and/or gums. This apparatus includes a treatment tool (1) for removing plaque in particular from the gum margin and/or for stimulating the gingival tissue. The treatment tool (1) is adapted to be set in vibration. For example, it is possible to generate the vibration by an unbalance structure (12) on a drive shaft (7) of the apparatus. The vibration results in a substantial improvement of the tooth cleaning and/or gum stimulating action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Georges Driesen, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5709233
    Abstract: A dental cleansing implement having a thin, elongate shaft. The shaft includes a free end portion suitable in particular for insertion in the interproximal spaces and connected with a mounting portion or the like. The mounting portion is adapted to be coupled to an electric motor drive means of a handle member, and the cleansing implement is adapted to be rotated or oscillated about a shaft longitudinal center line. The free end portion of the shaft is made of a flexible material bent in the shape of a crescent, approximately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Werner Haczek
  • Patent number: 5613258
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush for cleaning the teeth, the brush being suitable for use in a toothbrush having a handle member and a brush member and comprising a bristle supporting structure and bristles fixedly secured thereto. The bristle supporting structure is configured as a rod-shaped stem having a first and a second end portion and carrying no bristles in the region of the second end portion. The bristles extend radially relative to the stem in the region of the first end portion and are arranged in a circumferentially distributed pattern. The length of the bristles decreases starting from the first end portion of the stem in the direction of the second end portion of the stem. This brush allows effective and gentle cleaning of the teeth, in particular the interproximal spaces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Hilfinger, Bernhard Boland
  • Patent number: 5499420
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush holder for a toothbrush, in particular for cleaning the interproximal spaces, for releasably locating a brush preferably comprising an in particular stem-shaped bristle supporting structure having bristles secured thereto, with the bristle supporting structure including a portion carrying no bristles, and the brush holder including a receiving structure adapted to receive the bare portion. The brush holder is of an approximately disk-shaped configuration. The receiving structure is associated with a recess, and the recess carries pivotally therein a clamping structure for clampingly, yet releasably, positioning the brush in its proper location relative to the brush holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Boland
  • Patent number: 5467495
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush for an electric toothbrush, comprising a cylindrical bristle supporting structure equipped with bristles arranged on several approximately concentric circular rings on the bristle supporting structure. A circular ring devoid of bristles is maintained between at least two adjacent bristled circular rings, with the average width of the bare circular ring corresponding approximately to the average width of a bristled circular ring. The brush is adapted to perform an oscillating movement vertically to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush. As a special brush, it is particularly well suited to the cleaning of teeth of persons wearing orthodontic appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Peter Hilfinger