Patents by Inventor Frederick C. Mennen

Frederick C. Mennen 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: 4562043
    Abstract: A tubular test device for testing occult blood in fecal matter using hydrogen peroxide in an ampoule and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine as the chromogen dissolved in chloroform to impregnate a cellulosic pledget which, when dried, is substantially colorless and is introduced adjacent a sampling swab into the device to lie adjacent the ampoule containing dilute hydrogen peroxide and a wetting agent. A special conditioning pre-coating for the pledget before impregnation with liquid chromogen in chloroform is provided consisting of hydroxyethylcellulose dissolved in an aqueous non-volatile acid buffer such as citric acid and sodium citrate to maintain a pH of 5-7, and then dried. The swab takes a sample of fecal matter. A cap is placed over the swab. The ampoule is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Inventors: Frederick C. Mennen, Ronald Freake
  • Patent number: 4355113
    Abstract: An over the counter swab kit for self detection of gonorrhea in the male using saline ampul. A method wherein a pledget in the form of fibrous material is impregnated with a compound which reacts with Neisseria gonorrhea to produce a color change. The pledget, before the test, is in a dry condition and is activated by a wetting agent such as saline, when placed in contact with the pledget. The chemical compound used and incorporated into the pledget is selected from a group consisting of phenylenediamines. A sufficient amount of saline is held within a frangible ampul to wet the pledget and then to be drawn by capillary action through the swab on which a sample of exudate as a specimen is placed. The chemical compound is in the form of a mineral acid salt which dissolves in the saline and is transported by capillary action through the pledget into the swab. A purple color is created on the tip of the swab at the site of the bacteria and is a positive test for gonorrhea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 4340670
    Abstract: An over the counter swab kit for self detection of gonorrhea in the male using an ampul containing 1% N, N, N' N' tetramethyl-p- phenylenediamene or tetramethyl chromogen. The method of taking a sample is also shown in which the open end of a tube is filled with a plug in the form of fibrous material. After a sample is taken of exudate from a male, the 1% solution of tetramethyl chromogen reacts with Neisseria gonorrhea which may be present in the exudate to produce a color change. The plug, before the test, is in a dry condition, the plug is activated only by the tetramethyl chromogen which is placed below the plug in the tube and the ampul broken to release its contents. A sufficient amount of 1% tetramethyl chromogen is held within the frangible ampul to wet the plug and this amount is 1/2 the volume than is used in the saline ampul in my companion patent application entitled Over the Counter Swab Kit for Self Detection of Gonorrhea in the Male Using Saline Ampul.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 4108729
    Abstract: A paper booklet for presumptive diagnosis of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the Male comprising staggered strips, a to d, back to front of (a) a bibulous paper specimen collector, (b) a bibulous paper reagent impregnated strip, (c) a bibulous paper target strip to which is applied a drop of physiological saline in the target circle, and (d) an impervious strip of polymer-coated paper which is used to squeeze the drop of saline from strip (c) through strip (b) to permit the specimen collected on strip (a) to interact with reagent in strip (b) and create color which presumptively diagnoses Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the male.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: U.S. Packaging Corp.
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 4018653
    Abstract: A non-culture method and instrument for a rapid presumptive test for gonorrhea in which a specimen of exudate from a suspected case is placed in direct contact with a pledget containing a compound which reacts with Neisseria gonorrhoeae to produce a color change. The pledget, before the test, is in a dry condition and is activated by a wetting agent such as saline, when placed in contact with the pledget. The chemical compound used and incorporated into the pledget is selected from a group consisting of phenylenediamines. The instrument used consists of a flexible tube containing a fluid-filled frangible ampul at one end and the chemically impregnated pledget disposed immediately above same. A separate sterile swab is supplied for taking the specimen. The swab containing the specimen is inserted into the flexible tube. The flexible tube is then squeezed at the ampul portion, releasing the wetting agent by breaking the frangible ampul. The wetting agent when thus released activates the reagents in the pledget.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: U.S. Packaging Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 3959955
    Abstract: A self cleaning rotary lawn mower blade and deck assembly in which the lawn mower blade is provided with metal pins symmetrically mounted on opposite sides of the opening for the center shaft, the tops of the pins being spaced from the deck by a critical distance of one-fourth of an inch + or - 1/32 of an inch and being spaced from each other on from 2 to 4 inch centers, so that a 5 inch blade need only have four pins total, half on one side and half on the other side. The mounting of the pin is such that the pin shank whips through an angle of about 30.degree., e.g., about 15.degree. each side of the normal vertical position and this whipping action which takes place during rotation of the blade removes debris, clippings, and the like which tend to adhere to the underside of the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Inventors: David M. Smith, Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 3954564
    Abstract: A disposable instrument for Neisseria gonorrhoeae making use of an oxidase reagent impregnated in a dry pledget that is activated by being wetted at the time of the test comprising a flexible transparent tube surrounding a frangible ampul containing a wetting fluid to activate the reagent and the pledget, both held in a reaction chamber within the tube by a restriction in the tube and a swab held separated from the pledget by the restriction until a test specimen has been collected thereon. After the specimen has been collected, the swab is reinserted in the tube, forced past the restriction and into contact with the pledget. The frangible ampul is broken by squeezing the flexible tube, and the instrument may be sealed with a cap as the test proceeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen
  • Patent number: 3954563
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in detecting Neisseria gonorrhoeae in females including a container and operative elements sealed therein. The test makes use of a dry pledget impregnated with reactant chemicals that is adapted to be activated upon being wetted. The test kit includes a stem fitted with an end swab upon which a specimen is collected by probing the patient, a reaction chamber cooperatively arranged with respect to the swab, and a frangible container for holding a wetting fluid adapted to activate the pledget when the test is to be run. The reaction chamber serves the dual function of providing a protective cover for the swab as the specimen is being collected thereon as well as holding the pledget in position for engagement with the specimen to complete the test. A protective skirt surrounds the stem above the swab to ensure the accuracy of the test by preventing such bacteria as pseudomonas which are also present in areas near where the specimen is collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Inventor: Frederick C. Mennen