Patents by Inventor Kurt M. Taylor

Kurt M. Taylor 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).

  • Publication number: 20240099820
    Abstract: A handle of an oral irrigator is provided. The handle may include a handle housing with a first segment and a second segment configured to couple together and define a cavity there between, a first set of interior walls extending from the first segment, and a second set of interior walls extending from the second segment. A wall of the first set of interior walls and a wall of the second set of interior walls may limit movement of an oral irrigator component at least partially disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Brian BOYD, Brian R. WILLIAMS, Kurt M. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 11872097
    Abstract: A dental water jet is provided. The dental water jet may include a base unit, a reservoir supported by the base unit, a handle supported by the base unit, and a container covering an opening of the reservoir. The container may include a base supported by the reservoir and a lid movable relative to the base. The container may be configured to store one or more tips for use with the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220361993
    Abstract: A dental water jet is provided. The dental water jet may include a base unit, a reservoir supported by the base unit, a handle supported by the base unit, and a container covering an opening of the reservoir. The container may include a base supported by the reservoir and a lid movable relative to the base. The container may be configured to store one or more tips for use with the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Brian BOYD, Brian R. WILLIAMS, Kurt M. TAYLOR
  • Patent number: 11432916
    Abstract: An oral irrigator is provided. The oral irrigator may include a base unit defining a recess, a reservoir supported by the base unit, a handle support attached to the base unit above the recess, an oral irrigator handle supported by the handle support, and a tube attached to the handle and in fluid communication with the reservoir and the handle such that fluid from the reservoir flows through the tube into the handle. The tube may include a coiled portion that is received in the recess defined by the base unit when the handle is supported by the handle support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20220061970
    Abstract: An oral irrigator is provided. The oral irrigator may include a base unit defining a recess, a reservoir supported by the base unit, a handle support attached to the base unit above the recess, an oral irrigator handle supported by the handle support, and a tube attached to the handle and in fluid communication with the reservoir and the handle such that fluid from the reservoir flows through the tube into the handle. The tube may include a coiled portion that is received in the recess defined by the base unit when the handle is supported by the handle support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Brian BOYD, Brian R. WILLIAMS, Kurt M. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20220039927
    Abstract: An oral irrigator with back flow prevention is described. The oral irrigator may include a reservoir, a base, a handle, and a one-way or unidirectional valve. The base may support the reservoir and include a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir. The handle may be positioned external the base and in fluid communication with the pump via a hose. The valve may be positioned external the base to inhibit or seal fluid from flowing from a downstream side of the valve toward the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11197745
    Abstract: A removable fluid connection fitting for an oral irrigator is provided. The oral irrigator may include a base unit including an opening formed therein, an oral irrigator handle including a handle inlet, a fitting removably coupled to the base unit and seated within the opening formed in the base unit, and a tube in fluid communication with the fitting and the handle inlet. The fitting may include a fitting inlet and a fitting outlet, the fitting inlet being in fluid communication with the base unit. The tube may be in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Fluid from the base unit may flow through the fitting inlet, to the fitting outlet, into the tube, and into the handle inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11179231
    Abstract: An oral irrigator handle for receiving an oral hygiene agent is described. The handle may be connected to a countertop oral irrigator or may be a portion of a handheld oral irrigator. The handle includes a chamber for receiving the oral hygiene agent, where the chamber body positioned within the fluid path of the handle. Fluid flowing into the handle, flows into the chamber, allowing the fluid to intermix with the agent, and then flows from the chamber to a tip connected to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20210290338
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a base, a reservoir supported by the base, a tip coupled to the base and the reservoir, and multiple control actuators. A first control actuator is configured to selectively power the oral irrigator. Second, third, and fourth control actuators are configured to vary the fluid pressure of the oral irrigator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: 11039906
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle housing defining a cavity, a tip removably connected to the handle housing, and a tip release assembly connected to the handle housing. The tip release assembly includes a tip eject button slidably connected to the handle housing and movable between a first position and a second position and a latch connected to the handle housing and positioned within the cavity. Movement of the tip eject button from the first position to the second position moves the latch laterally across the cavity from an engage position to a disengage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180296308
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle housing defining a cavity, a tip removably connected to the handle housing, and a tip release assembly connected to the handle housing. The tip release assembly includes a tip eject button slidably connected to the handle housing and movable between a first position and a second position and a latch connected to the handle housing and positioned within the cavity. Movement of the tip eject button from the first position to the second position moves the latch laterally across the cavity from an engage position to a disengage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Publication number: 20180296307
    Abstract: A removable fluid connection fitting for an oral irrigator is provided. The oral irrigator may include a base unit including an opening formed therein, an oral irrigator handle including a handle inlet, a fitting removably coupled to the base unit and seated within the opening formed in the base unit, and a tube in fluid communication with the fitting and the handle inlet. The fitting may include a fitting inlet and a fitting outlet, the fitting inlet being in fluid communication with the base unit. The tube may be in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. Fluid from the base unit may flow through the fitting inlet, to the fitting outlet, into the tube, and into the handle inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Brian BOYD, Brian R. WILLIAMS, Kurt M. TAYLOR
  • Publication number: 20180263742
    Abstract: An oral irrigator handle for receiving an oral hygiene agent is described. The handle may be connected to a countertop oral irrigator or may be a portion of a handheld oral irrigator. The handle includes a chamber for receiving the oral hygiene agent, where the chamber body positioned within the fluid path of the handle. Fluid flowing into the handle, flows into the chamber, allowing the fluid to intermix with the agent, and then flows from the chamber to a tip connected to the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 10022207
    Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle through which fluid flows to a tip. Fluid flows to the tip during irrigate mode, and fluid flow may be interrupted by selecting a pause mode. The handle includes a mechanically controlled actuator for selecting the pause mode. The actuator may include a rack gear operably connected to a pinion gear formed on a valve spool inside the handle. The valve spool may include a ball that blocks fluid flow to the tip during pause mode but not during irrigate mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: 10010389
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Patent number: 9980793
    Abstract: An apparatus for oral hygiene is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a base unit containing a reservoir, an oral irrigation handle, a sonic toothbrush, and an accessory container. The apparatus may include a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The apparatus contains a drive mechanism in a gear housing that is continually drained by one or more apertures in the base. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. The oral irrigation handle includes a pause switch that translates longitude motion into rotational motion to close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wagner, Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
  • Patent number: D802120
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Patent number: D867580
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
  • Patent number: D868243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder
  • Patent number: D890917
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: WATER PIK, INC.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Taylor, Clifford J. Snyder