Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Oberlin

Jeffrey Oberlin 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).

  • Secondary introduction of fluid into vacuum system
    Patent number: 7272870
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within a vacuum system of a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. A secondary fluid, such as pressurized cleaning solution, is sprayed into the vacuum system in order to reduce soil and debris accumulation within the vacuum system without applying additional fluid to a floor surface. In one embodiment of the invention, pressurized fluid is introduced directly into the vacuum extractor tool of a surface cleaning machine in order to dislodge accumulated debris on surfaces therein. A method of minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within the vacuum system is also disclosed. The invention is applicable to a variety of portable and vehicle-based floor cleaning machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Paul M. Pierce, Frederick A. Hekman, Jeffrey Oberlin
  • Secondary introduction of fluid into vacuum system
    Publication number: 20050246853
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within a vacuum system of a surface maintenance machine is disclosed. A secondary fluid, such as pressurized cleaning solution, is sprayed into the vacuum system in order to reduce soil and debris accumulation within the vacuum system without applying additional fluid to a floor surface. In one embodiment of the invention, pressurized fluid is introduced directly into the vacuum extractor tool of a surface cleaning machine in order to dislodge accumulated debris on surfaces therein. A method of minimizing the accumulation of soil and debris within the vacuum system is also disclosed. The invention is applicable to a variety of portable and vehicle-based floor cleaning machines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventors: Paul Pierce, Frederick Heckman, Jeffrey Oberlin