Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Hohlbein

Douglas J. Hohlbein 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: 20150164215
    Abstract: A kit and method of relating products by a common feature include the provision of a first product having a first feature providing a first consumer-relevant benefit, and a second different product having a second feature providing a second consumer-relevant benefit, wherein the first and second features have a consistent appearance and wherein at least one feature has a different consumer-relevant benefit relative to the other feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Steven M. Sorrel, Michael Charles Rooney
  • Patent number: 8997301
    Abstract: An oral care implement that emits a scent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a toothbrush comprising: a base component having a gripping region and an oral engaging region, wherein said base component comprises a first scenting agent; and a second component covering at least a portion of said base component in said gripping region, to control a rate of release of said first scenting agent from said base component in said gripping region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Chi Shing Wong, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Al Sprosta, Wen Jin Xi, Xiangji Ding
  • Publication number: 20140325773
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprising tooth cleaning elements and a tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head and a handle; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head; a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material positioned within the receiving cavity, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a base surface that is flush with the second face of the head and a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Publication number: 20140326626
    Abstract: An oral care kit includes a sachet having a reservoir for an oral care material configured around a central opening. The sachet has a first weakened portion for forming a dispensing nozzle. The oral care kit also includes an oral care implement sized so that a portion of the oral care implement fits through the central opening. The oral care implement is configured to be used to tear the first weakened portion of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8876221
    Abstract: An oral care implement and method for forming the same is provided. The oral care implement comprises a handle and a head having a base structure. A plurality of cleaning elements is attached to the base structure. One end of each of the plurality of cleaning elements is connected to one another. At least one of the plurality of cleaning elements is a spiral bristle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo J. Jimenez, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Patrick Casey, Kenneth Waguespack, Bruce M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20140310898
    Abstract: A toothbrush including a handle and a head mounted to one end of said handle, the head having a cleaning block forming a front surface of the head. A plurality of cleaning elements extend outwardly from the front surface of the head. A depression is formed into the front surface of the head, the depression having a floor. A dispenser is at least partially disposed within the depression. The cleaning elements and the cleaning block are unitarily formed of the same material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8857003
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a toothbrush having a handle and an articulated head coupled to the handle. The articulated head includes two sections and each of the head sections has a bottom surface and a side surface. Each of the head sections includes a plurality of bristles extending from the bottom surface of that head section and at least one of the head sections includes a plurality of elastomeric fingers partially defining the side surface of that head section and partially extending from the bottom surface of the head section. The head section most remote from the handle, in a normal configuration of the articulated head, is angled with respect to the other head section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8806693
    Abstract: An oral care implement or toothbrush 100 includes a head 104, a tooth cleaning element region 116 and a tissue cleaning element region 114. The tissue cleaning element region 114 includes a plurality of flexible, angled projections 120. The projections 120 are configured to flex from an at-rest position to a substantially flat position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pushed into the mouth. The projections 120 are also configured to flex to a substantially upright position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pulled out of the mouth. This arrangement aids in preventing debris from being pushed into the mouth and in removing debris from the mouth and tongue. The flexible projections 120 may be used in conjunction with rigid projections 122 having a generally vertical configuration to aid in removing debris from the mouth and in engaging the cheek to improve saliva production during brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Thomas Boyd, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Joe Vazquez, Ian Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8800091
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprising tooth cleaning elements and a tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head and a handle; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head; a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material positioned within the receiving cavity, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a base surface that is flush with the second face of the head and a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8789701
    Abstract: An oral care kit includes a sachet having a ring shaped reservoir for an oral care material configured around a central opening. The sachet has a first weakened portion for forming a dispensing nozzle. The oral care kit also includes an oral care implement sized so that a portion of the oral care implement fits through the central opening. The oral care implement is configured to be used to tear the first weakened portion of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Publication number: 20140201933
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a radial array arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice. A radial array may be strategically disposed in an off-axis arrangement within other cleaning elements on the head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas Mintel, Bruce Russell, Kenneth Waguespack, Urs Troxler
  • Patent number: 8764332
    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 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8745805
    Abstract: Toothbrushes comprising components with light transmitting and structural characteristics provide enhanced visual and other sensory effects. The components in combination are generally chemically compatible and function to provide areas of varying visibility of features. At least one of the components may include a scenting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Chi Shing Wong, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Al Sprosta, Wen Jin Xi, Xiangji Ding
  • Patent number: 8708700
    Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo J. Jimenez, Robert Dickson, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Heng Cai, Sharon Kennedy, Thomas Mintel, Bruce M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20140106309
    Abstract: A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Eduardo J. Jimenez, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Heng Cai, Sharon Kennedy, Thomas Mintel, Bruce M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20140101880
    Abstract: An oral care implement that emits a scent. In one aspect, the invention is directed to a toothbrush comprising: a base component having a gripping region and an oral engaging region, wherein said base component comprises a first scenting agent; and a second component covering at least a portion of said base component in said gripping region, to control a rate of release of said first scenting agent from said base component in said gripping region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: Chi Shing Wong, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Kenneth Waguespack, Al Sprosta, Wen Jin Xi, Xiangji Ding
  • Patent number: 8696964
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements for enhanced cleaning of the teeth. The tooth cleaning elements include cleaning elements that define a radial array arrangement for better retention of the dentifrice. A radial array may be strategically disposed in an off-axis arrangement within other cleaning elements on the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Thomas Mintel, Bruce Russell, Kenneth Waguespack, Urs Troxler
  • Patent number: 8632269
    Abstract: An oral care instrument includes at least one oral care agent. In one embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided on one or more surfaces of the oral care instrument or included within cavities within the head or in one or more surfaces of a head. In other embodiment, the oral care agent can be provided in or on a thin slab subsequently bonded onto a surface, or applied as a stable coating. The oral care instrument can also be provided with a wear indicator. The oral care agents can be released during one use, during multiple uses, or throughout the life of the instrument. Water, oral secretions and/or chemicals within the mouth can activate the oral care agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Bruce M. Russell, Van Canady, Steven M. Sorrel, Candi Rancel, Heng Cai, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Eduardo J. Jimenez
  • Publication number: 20140014543
    Abstract: An oral care kit includes a sachet having a ring shaped reservoir for an oral care material configured around a central opening. The sachet has a first weakened portion for forming a dispensing nozzle. The oral care kit also includes an oral care implement sized so that a portion of the oral care implement fits through the central opening. The oral care implement is configured to be used to tear the first weakened portion of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: D700437
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Hohlbein, Al Sprosta, Alan Sorrentino