Patents by Inventor Gerald A. GONTARZ

Gerald A. GONTARZ 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: 11930915
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald Gontarz, Patrik Johansson, John Gatzemeyer, Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless, Brian Bloch, Najma Khan
  • Patent number: 11718906
    Abstract: Method for forming a metallic component surface to achieve lower electrical contact resistance. The method comprises modifying a surface chemical composition and creating a micro-textured surface structure of the metallic component that includes small peaks and/or pits. The small peaks and pits have a round or irregular cross-sectional shape with a diameter between 10 nm and 10 microns, a height/depth between 10 nm and 10 microns, and a distribution density between 0.4 million/cm2 and 5 billion cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Conghua Wang, Yong Tao, Lin Zhang, Gerald A. Gontarz
  • Patent number: 11628051
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Guofeng Xu, Gerald Gontarz, Robert Moskovich, Daniel Wainless
  • Publication number: 20220133027
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald GONTARZ, Patrik JOHANSSON, John GATZEMEYER, Douglas HOHLBEIN, Daniel WAINLESS, Brian BLOCH, Najma KHAN
  • Patent number: 11229283
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald Gontarz, Patrik Johansson, John Gatzemeyer, Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless, Brian Bloch, Najma Khan
  • Publication number: 20210307886
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik JOHANSSON, Guofeng XU, Gerald GONTARZ, Robert MOSKOVICH, Daniel WAINLESS
  • Publication number: 20210254208
    Abstract: Method for forming a metallic component surface to achieve lower electrical contact resistance. The method comprises modifying a surface chemical composition and creating a micro-textured surface structure of the metallic component that includes small peaks and/or pits. The small peaks and pits have a round or irregular cross-sectional shape with a diameter between 10 nm and 10 microns, a height/depth between 10 nm and 10 microns, and a distribution density between 0.4 million/cm2 and 5 billion cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Conghua WANG, Yong TAO, Lin ZHANG, Gerald A. GONTARZ
  • Patent number: 11065091
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Guofeng Xu, Gerald Gontarz, Robert Moskovich, Daniel Wainless
  • Publication number: 20210169624
    Abstract: A container, a toothbrush, or a device including at least one sacrificial electrode. In one aspect, the container may include a body adapted to contain an oral care solution and a cap selectively removable from the body. The cap may include a cavity configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode comprising a sacrificial metal, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, and an electrical connection electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. Activation of the power source may generate an electric field between the first and second electrodes, thereby causing the sacrificial metal of the first electrode to release ions into the fluid in the cavity of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Gerald Gontarz
  • Patent number: 10932893
    Abstract: A container, a toothbrush, or a device including at least one sacrificial electrode. In one aspect, the container may include a body adapted to contain an oral care solution and a cap selectively removable from the body. The cap may include a cavity configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode comprising a sacrificial metal, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, and an electrical connection electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. Activation of the power source may generate an electric field between the first and second electrodes, thereby causing the sacrificial metal of the first electrode to release ions into the fluid in the cavity of the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Gerald Gontarz
  • Patent number: 10934615
    Abstract: Method for forming a metallic component surface to achieve lower electrical contact resistance. The method comprises modifying a surface chemical composition and creating a micro-textured surface structure of the metallic component that includes small peaks and/or pits. The small peaks and pits have a round or irregular cross-sectional shape with a diameter between 10 nm and 10 microns, a height/depth between 10 nm and 10 microns, and a distribution density between 0.4 million/cm2 and 5 billion cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Conghua Wang, Yong Tao, Lin Zhang, Gerald A. Gontarz
  • Publication number: 20200237090
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald GONTARZ, Patrik JOHANSSON, John GATZEMEYER, Douglas HOHLBEIN, Daniel WAINLESS, Brian BLOCH, Najma KHAN
  • Patent number: 10681976
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald Gontarz, Patrik Johansson, John Gatzemeyer, Douglas Hohlbein, Daniel Wainless, Brian Bloch, Najma Khan
  • Publication number: 20200102642
    Abstract: Method for forming a metallic component surface to achieve lower electrical contact resistance. The method comprises modifying a surface chemical composition and creating a micro-textured surface structure of the metallic component that includes small peaks and/or pits. The small peaks and pits have a round or irregular cross-sectional shape with a diameter between 10 nm and 10 microns, a height/depth between 10 nm and 10 microns, and a distribution density between 0.4 million/cm2 and 5 billion cm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Applicant: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Conghua WANG, Yong TAO, Lin ZHANG, Gerald A. GONTARZ
  • Publication number: 20190328497
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik JOHANSSON, Guofeng XU, Gerald GONTARZ, Robert MOSKOVICH, Daniel WAINLESS
  • Patent number: 10435782
    Abstract: Method for forming a metallic component surface to achieve lower electrical contact resistance. The method comprises modifying a surface chemical composition and creating a micro-textured surface structure of the metallic component that includes small peaks and/or pits. The small peaks and pits have a round or irregular cross-sectional shape with a diameter between 10 nm and 10 microns, a height/depth between 10 nm and 10 microns, and a distribution density between 0.4 million/cm2 and 5 billion cm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TREADSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Conghua Wang, Yong Tao, Lin Zhang, Gerald A. Gontarz
  • Patent number: 10390917
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle, a power source disposed in the handle, a head including a cavity disposed at a distal end of the handle, an electrically conducting element disposed in the cavity and electrically connected to the power source, and a movable cleaning element connected to the head and movable relative to the cavity. The movable cleaning element includes a tooth cleaning support member, a tooth cleaning element mounted on the support member, and a ferromagnetic member. Application of an electrical current to the electrically conducting element generates a magnetic field at the electrically conducting element. The magnetic field selectively at least one of attracts and repels the ferromagnetic member to move the movable cleaning element relative to the electrically conducting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Guofeng Xu, Gerald Gontarz, Robert Moskovich, Daniel Wainless
  • Publication number: 20190110876
    Abstract: A container, a toothbrush, or a device including at least one sacrificial electrode. In one aspect, the container may include a body adapted to contain an oral care solution and a cap selectively removable from the body. The cap may include a cavity configured to contain a fluid, a first electrode comprising a sacrificial metal, a second electrode spaced from the first electrode, and an electrical connection electrically connecting the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. Activation of the power source may generate an electric field between the first and second electrodes, thereby causing the sacrificial metal of the first electrode to release ions into the fluid in the cavity of the cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik JOHANSSON, Gerald GONTARZ
  • Patent number: 10179038
    Abstract: An oral care implement includes a housing defining a cavity and configured for at least partial insertion into an oral cavity. An opening in the housing fluidly connects the cavity to an environment of the housing. First and second spaced electrodes are disposed in the cavity. An electrical connection electrically connects the first electrode and the second electrode to a power source. At least one of the first electrode or the second electrode is a sacrificial electrode and passing a current through the electrical connection causes the sacrificial electrode to oxidize.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Patrik Johansson, Gerald Gontarz
  • Publication number: 20190008271
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a handle, a head at a distal end of the handle comprising a bristle plate, a hole extending through the bristle plate, a plurality of bristles at least partially disposed in the hole and extending from the hole in a direction away from the head, and a reservoir in fluid communication with the hole. Fluid in the reservoir enters the tuft holes and is wicked out of the head of the toothbrushes by capillaries formed between the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Gerald Gontarz, Patrick JOHANSSON, John GATZEMEYER, Douglas HOHLBEIN, Daniel WAINLESS, Brian BLOCH, Najma KHAN