Patents by Inventor Jack F. Clearman

Jack F. Clearman 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: 7770820
    Abstract: A spray apparatus comprises a housing having a fluid inlet, a plurality of tubes for dispensing fluid from the housing, and an integrating member operatively coupled to at least a subset of the plurality of tubes for effecting coordinated movement of the coupled tubes in response to movement of the integrating member. An actuator, such as a turbine or an adjustable control ring, is employed for inducing movement of the integrating member. The dispensing tubes may be flexible so as to allow for easy adjustment of the fluid-dispensing direction or shape by the application of a lateral force at one or more locations along the length of the tubes. The flexibility also facilitates amplified direction/shape changes (compared to rigid dispensing tubes) in the dispensed fluid streams, e.g., when the tubes are subjected to a lateral force on one side and an opposing pivoting force (axially offset from the lateral force) on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 7278591
    Abstract: A spray apparatus includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a plurality of fluid outlets, and a turbine carried for rotary movement within the housing under fluid flow from the fluid inlet to one or more of the fluid outlets. An integrating member is preferably operatively coupled to the turbine for oscillatory movement relative to the housing under rotary movement of the turbine, and a plurality of tubes are each disposed in one of the fluid outlets for dispensing fluid from the housing. At least a subset of the plurality of tubes are operatively-coupled to the integrating member for coordinated movement of the coupled tubes in the respective plurality of fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6360965
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spray head assembly with a moving spray nozzle that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the spray nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine then causes the spray housing and nozzle to wobble. The spray pattern produced by the wobbling spray housing changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths rather than at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble inducing member does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6254013
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus with a wobble turbine that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the wobble turbine is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine has outlet channels disposed therein that distribute the water. The spray pattern produced by the apparatus changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths rather than at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble inducing member does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6254014
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus with a moving nozzle that delivers fluid in a wobbling, rotating or oscillating pattern. The movement of the nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine then causes the nozzle to wobble or rotate. The moving nozzle can be used as a motor providing a rotating output shaft or ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6199771
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid discharging apparatus that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform distribution. The movement of the apparatus is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. In certain embodiments, the wobbling turbine then causes the body or housing to wobble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6186414
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spray head assembly with a moving spray nozzle that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the spray nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine then causes the spray housing and nozzle to wobble. The spray pattern produced by the wobbling spray housing changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths rather than at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble inducing member does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 6092739
    Abstract: The present invention provides a spray head assembly with a moving spray nozzle that delivers fluid in a substantially uniform spray distribution. The movement of the spray nozzle is a wobbling motion, preferably combined with some rotational motion. The wobbling motion is generated by disposing a wobble inducing member or wobble turbine in the path of the fluid supply. The water flowing over the wobble turbine causes the turbine to wobble. The wobbling turbine then causes the spray housing and nozzle to wobble. The spray pattern produced by the wobbling spray housing changes more or less rapidly so that fluid droplets or streams are directed along arcuate paths rather than at a single point. This type of spray distribution pattern is gentler than many stationary patterns and the unique design of the wobble inducing member does not include complex mechanical parts or significant flow restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Moen Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph H. Clearman, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 5588446
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved cigarettes and other smoking articles in which the substrate is a cellulosic material, preferably paper or a paper-like material, e.g., tobacco paper. The substrate of the present invention is used to retain very high amounts of aerosol forming materials and flavorants, which, upon exposure to heated air passing through the aerosol generating means during smoking, are vaporized and delivered to the user as a smoke-like aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 5348027
    Abstract: A new substrate for cigarettes includes an overwrapped rod of gathered cellulose-based paper having an outer diameter of from about 4 mm to about 8 mm; wherein the paper has a basis weight in the range of about 10 g/m.sup.2 to about 90 g/m.sup.2 ; and the paper can include up to about 50 weight percent of one or more burn retardant hydrated salts. The substrate typically comprises an overwrapped rod of a gathered web of a nonwoven cellulosic material, having a length of about 10 mm; wherein the dry unit weight of the substrate rod is from about 20 mg to about 120 mg; and wherein the web of cellulosic material is embossed or scored prior to gathering, thereby providing a substrate rod with a pressure drop of from about 2 to about 40 mm of H.sub.2 O, under FTC conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Russell D. Barnes, Chandra K. Banerjee, Evon L. Crooks, Jack F. Clearman
  • Patent number: 5345955
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improvements in carbonaceous fuel elements wherein (a) the fuel elements are provided with a composite support member which assists in retaining the fuel element within the cigarette structure during smoking, and (b) the fuel elements burn at a lower average temperature than previously known carbonaceous fuel elements. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fuel element comprises at least two different materials contiguous throughout the length thereof, and including one material which burns, and another material which preferably does not burn, or burns more slowly than the burnable material. The non-burning, or substantially non-burning material is advantageously a heat exchange material such as graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Robert L. Meiring, Jerry W. Lawson, Kenneth O. Baker
  • Patent number: 5247947
    Abstract: A cigarette including a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element is disclosed. The substrate is a gathered paper-type material, and is positioned in a spaced apart relationship from the fuel element. One preferred smoking article of the present invention is a cigarette which comprises (i) a symmetrical and longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element; (ii) a physically separate aerosol generating means including at least one aerosol forming material; and (iii) means for securing, maintaining or retaining the fuel element within the smoking article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Robert L. Meiring, Donald R. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 5203355
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved cigarettes and other smoking articles in which the substrate is a cellulosic material, preferably paper or a paper-like material, e.g., tobacco paper. The substrate of the present invention is used to retain flavorants and the aerosol forming materials, which upon exposure to heated air passing through the aerosol generating means during smoking, are vaporized and delivered to the user as a smoke-like aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Billy T. Conner, Ronnie G. Huff
  • Patent number: 5183062
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The substrate is a gathered paper-type material, and is positioned in a spaced apart relationship from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. The fuel element is circumscribed by glass fibers so as to hold the fuel element in place within the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Billy T. Conner
  • Patent number: 5156170
    Abstract: A cigarette includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying tobacco extract and glycerin positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the cigarette, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The fuel element includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the cigarette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Joseph J. Chiou, Darrell D. Williams, William J. Casey, Thomas L. Gentry, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 5099861
    Abstract: An aerosol delivery article includes a longitudinally segmented combustible fuel element, and a substrate carrying flavor or a drug positioned physically separate from the fuel element. The fuel element is composed of a carbonaceous material and is extruded in such a manner that when positioned within the article, its extrusion axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the article. The fuel element is segmented longitudinally and includes a burning segment at one end, a base segment at the opposite end, and an isolation segment between the burning and base segments. A metal cartridge is radially spaced from the longitudinal outer periphery of the burning segment of the fuel element. A retaining member grasps the base segment of the fuel element and holds the fuel element securely in place within the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Joseph J. Chiou, Darrell D. Williams, William J. Casey, Thomas L. Gentry, William C. Squires
  • Patent number: 5060666
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a physically separate tobacco jacket around at least the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke. In other embodiments, tobacco does not burn, but still provides tobacco flavors to the aerosol delivered to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar
  • Patent number: 5052413
    Abstract: A method for making a smoking article is described wherein an aerosol generating cartridge is inserted into a sleeve, preferably having a tobacco insulating material.Also described are articles of manufacture having an elongate jacket module with a rod segment and an annular segment. The rod segment has a length of rod of fibrous material. Disposed logitudinally on either side of the rod segment is an annular segment of insulating material.Additionally, articles of manufacture useful for making smoking articles are described having an elongate structure with two or more repeating sections wherein each section preferably has a tobacco-containing spacer segment and mouthend segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Max N. Baker, Vernon B. Barnes, Douglas C. Clark, Jack F. Clearman, Gerhard Hensgen, Michael D. Shannon, Gary R. Shelar, Alfred Schubert
  • Patent number: 5042509
    Abstract: Making an aerosol generating cartridge useful for a smoking article is described. The method comprises filling a non-combustible elongated capsule, open at one end, with a substrate bearing an aersol forming material, and applying a fuel element to the open end of the capsule to enclose the substrate within the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Chandra K. Banerjee, Ernest G. Farrier, Henry T. Ridings, Andrew J. Sensabaugh, Jr., Michael D. Shannon, Gary R. Shelar, Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry
  • Patent number: 5033483
    Abstract: The present invention preferably relates to a smoking article which is capable of producing substantial quantities of aerosol, both initially and over the useful life of the product, without significant thermal degradation of the aerosol former and without the presence of substantial pyrolysis or incomplete combustion products or sidestream aerosol.Preferred embodiments of the present smoking article comprise a short combustible carbonaceous fuel element, a physically separate aerosol generating means including an aerosol forming substance, a tobacco jacket around at least a portion of the fuel element and the aerosol generating means, and a relatively long mouthend piece.The articles of the present invention provide the user with taste, feel and aroma, associated with the smoking of conventional cigarettes. Tobacco in many embodiments of this invention is burned to provide a sidestream aroma and smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Jack F. Clearman, Thomas L. Gentry, Gary R. Shelar