Patents by Inventor James L. O'Rourke

James L. O'Rourke 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: 4377877
    Abstract: A tooth-brushing device comprising a brushing unit having a pair of counterrotating shafts, with bristles projecting radially outwardly from each shaft. The bristles are arranged in a series of clusters spaced from one another along the length of each shaft. Preferably, the clusters of bristles are spaced apart a distance approximately the width of a tooth. Some of the bristles may be longer than others, bristles of differing diameter may be used, and special flossing units are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 4304023
    Abstract: A tooth-brushing device comprising a brushing unit having a pair of counter-rotating shafts, with bristles projecting radially outwardly from each shaft. The bristles are arranged in a series of clusters spaced from one another along the length of each shaft. Preferably, the clusters of bristles are spaced apart a distance approximately the width of a tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 4181997
    Abstract: A tooth-brushing device comprising a brushing unit provided with rotating brushes, and a dentifrice-carrying cartridge unit. The cartridge unit is attachable to a water faucet and supports an impeller operated by water pressure to rotate the brushes. The cartridge unit also has a passage for conducting water from the faucet to the rotating brushes. The cartridge unit supports a disposable dentifrice tube which is squeezed by the pressure of water from the faucet to force dentifrice from the tube to the brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 4124316
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a brushing unit and a dentifrice containing cartridge unit. The cartridge unit is shaped to permit it to be comfortably held in the hand and has a squeezable wall for the purpose of expelling dentifrice from the dentifrice-containing chamber therein. The dentifrice passage extending from the chamber to the brushing unit is normally closed by a valve which opens by the force of the dentifrice when the cartridge is squeezed. A check valve permits air to replace dentifrice that has been expelled from the cartridge chamber. The dentifrice may be introduced directly into the cartridge chamber, or it may be placed in a bag or tube and the dentifrice-containing bag or tube placed in the chamber. The bag or tube may have screw threaded or slip on type openings at one or both ends or one or both ends may be pierced by a needle or the like to allow the dentifrice to be squeezed out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 4049354
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a brushing unit and a dentifrice containing cartridge unit. The cartridge unit is shaped to permit it to be comfortably held in the hand and has a squeezable wall for the purpose of expelling dentifrice from the dentifrice-containing chamber therein. A dentifrice passage extending from the dentifrice chamber to the brushing unit is normally closed by a valve which opens by the force of the dentifrice when the cartridge is squeezed. The cartridge has a check valve to allow air to replace used up dentifrice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 3936200
    Abstract: A toothbrush having a brushing unit and a dentifrice-containing cartridge unit. The cartridge unit is shaped to permit it to be comfortably held in the hand and has a squeezable wall for the purpose of expelling dentifrice from the dentifrice-containing chamber therein. A dentifrice passage extending from the dentifrice chamber to the brushing unit is normally closed by a valve which opens by the force of the dentifrice when the cartridge is squeezed. The cartridge has a check valve to allow air to replace used up dentifrice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Inventor: James L. O'Rourke