Patents by Inventor Georges Driesen

Georges Driesen 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: 6786558
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, and to a method of manufacturing such a brush head. The brush head includes a bristle carrier and bristles fixedly secured thereto, said bristle carrier having a slot-type recess in which a multiplicity of bristles is received forming an elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour corresponding essentially to the contour of the slot-type recess. According to the invention the brush head is characterized in that the slot-type recess is divided by means of at least one transverse wall into several segments, a separate tuft is inserted and secured in each of the segments, and the at least one transverse wall is constructed so that the separate tufts converge, forming in combination the elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20040130203
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, and to a method of manufacturing such a brush head. The brush head includes a bristle carrier and bristles fixedly secured thereto, said bristle carrier having a slot-type recess in which a multiplicity of bristles is received forming an elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour corresponding essentially to the contour of the slot-type recess. According to the invention the brush head is characterized in that the slot-type recess is divided by means of at least one transverse wall into several segments, a separate tuft is inserted and secured in each of the segments, and the at least one transverse wall is constructed so that the separate tufts converge, forming in combination the elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6665901
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, and to a method of manufacturing such a brush head. The brush head includes a bristle carrier and bristles fixedly secured thereto, said bristle carrier having a slot-type recess in which a multiplicity of bristles is received forming an elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour corresponding essentially to the contour of the slot-type recess. According to the invention the brush head is characterized in that the slot-type recess is divided by means of at least one transverse wall into several segments, a separate tuft is inserted and secured in each of the segments, and the at least one transverse wall is constructed so that the separate tufts converge, forming in combination the elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Armin Schwarz-Hartman
  • Publication number: 20030163881
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush head for an electric toothbrush with a brush head holder on which a bristle holder having a bristle cluster is movably arranged. It is provided that locking means are provided on the attachment section of the brush head holder, which, when the brush head holder is pushed onto the handpiece of the toothbrush with a linear, axial motion engage with the engaging means provided thereon. In order to achieve more efficient cleaning, it is further provided that several groups of bristle tufts are fixed on the motorized drivable bristle holder, and are inclined in different directions, and have different cross-sections, preferably also varying from the circular cross-sections, in order to better penetrate the gaps between teeth and effectively remove plaque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Harms, Peter Hilfinger, Lars Lieberwirth, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20030154568
    Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Georges Driesen, Michael Drossler, Norbert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6497458
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet
  • Publication number: 20020166188
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush head, in particular a toothbrush head, having a bristle carrier and bristles attached thereto, which are seated in the form of tufts in holes in the bristle carrier and fastened by their ends close to the bristle carrier to the bristle carrier without anchoring, in particular by welding and/or adhesive bonding to a rear side of the bristle carrier using the method referred to as anchor-free tufting. According to the invention, at least one hole (2) in the bristle carrier (1) is divided by means of at least one transverse wall (4) into several segments and said at least one transverse wall is constructed such that the bristles seated in the segments form a common tuft (3) with a smooth and closed outer contour corresponding to the contour of the hole and are supported by the transverse wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 6475553
    Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles) can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of TEFLON® fibers, KEVLAR® fibers, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gillette Canada Company
    Inventors: Gordon G. Guay, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Georges Driesen, Rainer Hans
  • Publication number: 20020138926
    Abstract: A head for an electric toothbrush includes a support member having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: William R. Brown, Thomas Christman, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Roberts, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20020004965
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in crosssection, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet
  • Patent number: 6327736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet, Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans
  • Publication number: 20010038914
    Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles) can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of Teflon™, Kevlar™, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Canada corporation
    Inventors: Gordon G. Guay, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Georges Driesen, Rainer Hans
  • Publication number: 20010023516
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brush head, particularly a toothbrush head, and to a method of manufacturing such a brush head. The brush head includes a bristle carrier and bristles fixedly secured thereto, said bristle carrier having a slot-type recess in which a multiplicity of bristles is received forming an elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour corresponding essentially to the contour of the slot-type recess. According to the invention the brush head is characterized in that the slot-type recess is divided by means of at least one transverse wall into several segments, a separate tuft is inserted and secured in each of the segments, and the at least one transverse wall is constructed so that the separate tufts converge, forming in combination the elongated tuft with a closed, smooth outer contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20010016963
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle for a toothbrush, particularly for an electric toothbrush, and to a method for its manufacture. The bristle is manufactured from a monofilament (5) made of plastic. The bristle has in its cross section at least two zones (6, 7) and at least one point of preferred breaking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Ahmet C. Firatli, Rainer Hans, Armin Schwarz-hartmann
  • Patent number: 6224755
    Abstract: A coffee maker and a method of preparing coffee in which steam is applied to the coffee grinds prior to passing hot water through the coffee grinds. The coffee maker includes a controllable outlet valve disposed within a fluid path, between a water reservoir and a flow-through heater. In a first position, the outlet valve has a flow opening dimensioned sufficiently small that water exiting the outlet valve evaporates completely in the flow-through heater. In a second position, the outlet valve has a flow opening dimensioned sufficiently large that water exiting the outlet valve is heated in the flow-through heater without appreciable development of steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Schamberg, Reinhard Stücher, Bernd Trebitz, Christof Kleemann, Georges Driesen, Klaus Amsel
  • Patent number: 6141819
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (12) for a toothbrush, in particular for an electric toothbrush, which is made of plastic and includes several filaments (13, 14, 15) joined together. The filaments (13, 14, 15) are wound or braided and joined together as a result of the action of chemical agents. This results in a firm bond between the filaments (13, 14, 15), and any cavities between the filaments (13, 14, 15) are reliably avoided. Overall, a toothbrush results which, in addition to having a high cleaning effect, offers bacteria or other germs no possibility of infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6094769
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) for a toothbrush, in particular for an electric toothbrush, which is comprised of a monofilament (2) made of plastic. The monofilament (2) is of a non-circular cross-section, is twisted about its longitudinal axis, and is fixed as a result of the action of chemical agents. In this manner, the bristle (1) is provided with a three-dimensionally structured surface which effects an improved cleaning action, in particular with regard to the removal of plaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6058541
    Abstract: An improved oral brush is provided that includes crimped bristles. The oral brush includes a body and, extending from the body, a plurality of crimped bristles. One such oral brush is an electric toothbrush, with a brush head having a preferred arrangement of tufts of crimped and straight bristles that are flexed by cyclic motions of the brush head toward and away from the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Gillette Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Craig Masterman, Jeffrey Meessmann, Jean Spencer, Georges Driesen, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Hilfinger
  • Patent number: 6021538
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (24) for an electric toothbrush (20) in which a handle section (22) is connectible with the brush section (24). A bristle carrier (44) of a circular disk shaped configuration is arranged at the end of the brush section (24) remote from the handle section (22) and has on its upper side bristle tufts (46, 60, 62, 72, 74) disposed on one central ring (54) and one outer ring (56). The bristle carrier (44) is mounted on the brush section (24) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (50) in an alternating oscillating fashion from a central position (58). The axis of rotation (50) is aligned at approximately right angles to a longitudinal center line (52) of the brush section (24). In use of the electric toothbrush (20), an improved cleaning action is accomplished in that the outer ring (56) of the bristle carrier (44) is set with tufts (60, 62) of bristles of different lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Kressner, Georges Driesen
  • Patent number: D478214
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Till Winkler, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch