Patents by Inventor John W. Spirk

John W. Spirk 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: 6410065
    Abstract: An expansible container is provided for use during the cooking of food in a radiant energy device such as a microwave oven, with the container being configured or otherwise designed to provide entertainment to onlookers as the container expands in size during the relative rapid cooking of food in the container and/or with the fully expanded container of cooked food providing an interesting article, character, figure or configuration that is of novel, interesting or entertaining appearance. The container is formed from relatively flexible materials that define a closed chamber which contains food to be cooked. In its deflated form, the container is collapsed to assume a relatively flat, thin configuration which, in most preferred practice, displays or is configured to provide an entertaining or amusing shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, Jr., Dale Panasewicz
  • Patent number: 6371294
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a moving portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The moving portion rotates or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20020038772
    Abstract: A package for an article incorporating an on/off switch having a momentary-on position and a continuously-on position is disclosed. The package includes a cover such as a blister-type cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement formed in the cover proximate the switch. The recess arrangement prevents the switch from being slid into the continuously-on position while permitting the switch to be depressed into a momentary-on position. The recess arrangement includes a first recess positioned directly over the switch, and a second recess positioned directly adjacent the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Dr. John Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Patent number: 6360395
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush having an elongated body having a handle portion, a head portion, and an elongated intermediate portion disposed between the handle portion and the head portion. The head portion includes a static bristle portion and a moving bristle portion. The static bristle portion and the moving bristle portion are disposed along a common longitudinal axis relative to the head portion. The head portion and intermediate portion are dimensioned for disposition in a human user's mouth for brushing of teeth. A motor is disposed in the handle portion and operatively connected to the moving bristles for moving the moving bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20020032941
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a circular portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The circular portion rotates or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The circular portion includes stiff bristles and the static portion includes soft bristles. The elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor in the hollow portion, which is operatively connected to the circular portion for rotating or oscillating or reciprocating the circular portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary and continuous operation of the toothbrush. A worm gear and a pair of step gears are located in the hollow portion. The motor is operatively connected to the worm gear and the step gears are operatively connected to the worm gear and to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20020029988
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20020020645
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a body portion and a head. The head includes a static portion and a moving portion. The moving portion rotates or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor and a gear arrangement, which is operatively connected between the motor and the moving portion for rotating or oscillating or reciprocating the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A switch connected to the motor and battery provides momentary and continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the toothbrush comprises a plurality of gears and swivel arms which move the brush head moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20020019209
    Abstract: A coin sorting apparatus includes a coin receiving area, a coin sorting ramp, and a coin stripper. The coin stripper includes an inlet and a backing plate located adjacent said inlet to support a stack of associated unsorted coins received from the inlet with a face of a lowermost coin of the stack abutting the backing plate. The coin stripper further includes a pushing member located adjacent said backing plate and adapted for reciprocal sliding movement relative to said backing plate between an extended position and a retracted position. The pushing member, when moving from the retracted position to the extended position, engages the lowermost coin of the stack and moves the lowermost coin onto the coin sorting ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, William J. Knox, Patrick W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20020017474
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20010054561
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 6311837
    Abstract: A package for an article incorporating an on/off switch having a momentary-on position and a continuously-on position is disclosed. The package includes a cover such as a blister-type cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement formed in the cover proximate the switch. The recess arrangement prevents the switch from being slid into the continuously-on position while permitting the switch to be depressed into a momentary-on position. The recess arrangement includes a first recess positioned directly over the switch, and a second recess positioned directly adjacent the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Publication number: 20010034202
    Abstract: A cash box includes a housing with a bill storage compartment located in the housing. A coin sorter mechanism is supported by the housing for sorting coins of different denominations. A plurality of coin storage compartments are located in the housing for storing sorted coins. Each coin storage compartment stores coins of a common denomination. The plurality of coin storage compartments communicate with the coin sorter mechanism. The bill storage compartment includes a plurality of sections, each intended to hold a bill of a particular denomination. The housing preferably includes a base which accommodates the plurality of coin storage compartments as well as the coin sorter, and a door which accommodates the several sections of the bill storage compartment. A lift out bill tray may also be accommodated in the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Applicant: Mag-Nif Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, William J. Knox, Patrick W. Brown
  • Publication number: 20010022277
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
  • Publication number: 20010014581
    Abstract: A coin handling and sorting device includes a plurality of coin handling modules which are interconnectable by a user, as desired, to define a coin travel path. Each module is easily assembled by a user without use of tools. To facilitate assembly, bases, gears, retaining clips, and other components of different coin handling modules are interchangeable. The housing and other components of each module are assembled using a plurality of C-clips. Each module is typically manually operated to increase a user's interaction with the device. A clutch mechanism prevents accidental reverse operation of each module by a user. To facilitate interconnection of coin handling modules in any desired order, each has an inlet at a common height with other coin module inlets and an outlet at a common height with other coin module outlets. Each module also utilizes identical interchangeable modified spur/bevel gears that are shaped to accommodate co-planar engagement or angular displacement between engaged pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Mag-Nif Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, William J. Knox, John W. Spirk, Nicholas E. Stanca, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: 6267663
    Abstract: A coin handling and sorting device includes a plurality of coin handling modules which are interconnectable by a user, as desired, to define a coin travel path. Each module is easily assembled by a user without use of tools. To facilitate assembly, bases, gears, retaining clips, and other components of different coin handling modules are interchangeable. The housing and other components of each module are assembled using a plurality of C-clips. Each module is typically manually operated to increase a user's interaction with the device. A clutch mechanism prevents accidental reverse operation of each module by a user. To facilitate interconnection of coin handling modules in any desired order, each has an inlet at a common height with other coin module inlets and an outlet at a common height with other coin module outlets. Each module also utilizes identical interchangeable modified spur/bevel gears that are shaped to accommodate co-planar engagement or angular displacement between engaged pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Mag-Nif Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Nottingham, William J. Knox, Jr., John W. Spirk, Nicholas E. Stanca, Douglas A. Gall
  • Patent number: D445990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Mag-Nif Incorporated
    Inventors: William J. Knox, Jr., John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk, Jeffrey S. Plantz
  • Patent number: D456998
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Patent number: D457728
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Patent number: D458030
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk
  • Patent number: D458455
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk