Patents by Inventor Melvin A. Barbera

Melvin A. Barbera 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: 11844979
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a body engagement portion and a ground engagement portion. The body engagement portion is capable of supporting a user. The body engagement portion includes a base surface capable of supporting the user in a standard plank position. The ground engagement portion includes an arched contact surface that allows the user to rotate between a first side plank position, the standard plank position, and a second side plank position relative to a support surface while the arched contact surface remains in contact with the support surface and the body engagement portion supports the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20230271054
    Abstract: An exercise device including a body engagement portion that can support a user, and a guide track assembly that can rotationally house the body engagement portion. The body engagement portion includes a base surface and a rotation support assembly. The base surface may support the user in a standard plank position. The body engagement portion may allow a user to rotate between a first side plank position, the standard plank position, and a second side plank position relative to a support surface while the guide track assembly remain in contact with the support surface and the body engagement portion support upper body of the user. The body engagement portion may allow a user to statically hold a plank position or rotate between two plank positions at any angle equal to, or between, the first side plank position, the standard plank position, and the second side plank position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20220387848
    Abstract: An exercise device includes a body engagement portion and a ground engagement portion. The body engagement portion is capable of supporting a user. The body engagement portion includes a base surface capable of supporting the user in a standard plank position. The ground engagement portion includes an arched contact surface that allows the user to rotate between a first side plank position, the standard plank position, and a second side plank position relative to a support surface while the arched contact surface remains in contact with the support surface and the body engagement portion supports the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 8565820
    Abstract: A portable device includes a safety feature that prevents some forms of use when the device is moving. The device may detect its speed or movement, compare that to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon exceeding that threshold. The device may be a cell phone configured to disable transmission and reception of voice/text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated features and functions, if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed or the movement is uncharacteristic of walking. The blocking function may be partially overridden based on a safety policy, which can be managed and customized. The introduction of hands-free devices may serve to override a blocking function and enable other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mykee Acquisitions L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael S. Riemer, Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20120289217
    Abstract: A portable device includes a safety feature that prevents some forms of use when the device is moving. The device may detect its speed or movement, compare that to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon exceeding that threshold. The device may be a cell phone configured to disable transmission and reception of voice/text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated features and functions, if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed or the movement is uncharacteristic of walking. The blocking function may be partially overridden based on a safety policy, which can be managed and customized. The introduction of hands-free devices may serve to override a blocking function and enable other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Zoomsafer Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Riemer, Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 8280438
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a safety feature configured to prevent at least some forms of use of the device when the user is traveling beyond a speed threshold. The device may detect its linear speed, compare that speed to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon detecting that the speed has exceeded a threshold. In one embodiment, the device is a cell phone configured to disable the transmission and reception of voice and text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated games, cameras, internet access, etc., if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed. The blocking function in a cell phone may be partially overridden by the introduction of hands-free equipment. The introduction of a hands-free earpiece and microphone may serve to override the blocking of voice transmission and reception, and may also enable a voice activated dialing and/or answering function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Zoomsafer, Inc.
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 8270933
    Abstract: A portable device includes a safety feature that prevents some forms of use when the device is moving. The device may detect its speed or movement, compare that to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon exceeding that threshold. The device may be a cell phone configured to disable transmission and reception of voice/text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated features and functions, if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed or the movement is uncharacteristic of walking. The blocking function may be partially overridden based on a safety policy, which can be managed and customized. The introduction of hands-free devices may serve to override a blocking function and enable other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Zoomsafer, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Riemer, Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20100216509
    Abstract: A portable device includes a safety feature that prevents some forms of use when the device is moving. The device may detect its speed or movement, compare that to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon exceeding that threshold. The device may be a cell phone configured to disable transmission and reception of voice/text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated features and functions, if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed or the movement is uncharacteristic of walking. The blocking function may be partially overridden based on a safety policy, which can be managed and customized. The introduction of hands-free devices may serve to override a blocking function and enable other functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: ZOOMSAFER INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. Riemer, Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20090163243
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a safety feature configured to prevent at least some forms of use of the device when the user is traveling beyond a speed threshold. The device may detect its linear speed, compare that speed to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon detecting that the speed has exceeded a threshold. In one embodiment, the device is a cell phone configured to disable the transmission and reception of voice and text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated games, cameras, internet access, etc., if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed. The blocking function in a cell phone may be partially overridden by the introduction of hands-free equipment. The introduction of a hands-free earpiece and microphone may serve to override the blocking of voice transmission and reception, and may also enable a voice activated dialing and/or answering function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 7505784
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a safety feature configured to prevent at least some forms of use of the device when the user is traveling beyond a speed threshold. The device may detect its linear speed, compare that speed to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon detecting that the speed has exceeded a threshold. In one embodiment, the device is a cell phone configured to disable the transmission and reception of voice and text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated games, cameras, internet access, etc., if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed. The blocking function in a cell phone may be partially overridden by the introduction of hands-free equipment. The introduction of a hands-free earpiece and microphone may serve to override the blocking of voice transmission and reception, and may also enable a voice activated dialing and/or answering function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Publication number: 20070072553
    Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a safety feature configured to prevent at least some forms of use of the device when the user is traveling beyond a speed threshold. The device may detect its linear speed, compare that speed to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon detecting that the speed has exceeded a threshold. In one embodiment, the device is a cell phone configured to disable the transmission and reception of voice and text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated games, cameras, internet access, etc., if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed. The blocking function in a cell phone may be partially overridden by the introduction of hands-free equipment. The introduction of a hands-free earpiece and microphone may serve to override the blocking of voice transmission and reception, and may also enable a voice activated dialing and/or answering function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Publication date: March 29, 2007
    Inventor: Melvin Barbera
  • Patent number: 5425945
    Abstract: Agglomerated psyllium husk comprising edible acid uniformly dispersed throughout the agglomerating coating. Preferred are maltodextrin-containing agglomerates of psyllium husk comprising citric acid uniformly dispersed throughout the maltodextrin coating. This agglomerated psyllium husk has improved mixability and dispersibility in liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 5340580
    Abstract: Agglomerated psyllium husk comprising edible acid uniformly dispersed throughout the agglomerating coating. Preferred are maltodextrin-containing agglomerates of psyllium husk comprising citric acid uniformly dispersed throughout the maltodextrin coating. This agglomerated psyllium husk has improved mixability and dispersibility in liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 5234687
    Abstract: Unflavored psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions are prepared consisting essentially of small particle size psyllium husk comprising less than about 10% of psyllium husk having particle sizes larger than about 60 mesh screen, less than about 2.0% edible acid, and sugar. Such compositions are unflavored so as to permit mixing small particle size psyllium, which is readily suspended in a liquid without a gritty texture, with a broader selection of liquids, such as milk and fruit drinks, without rapid gelling of the psyllium husk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Melvin A. Barbera, Larry E. Burns, Amy M. Martini
  • Patent number: 5224655
    Abstract: Processes for selectively comminuting impure psyllium seed husk. These processes comprise milling impure psyllium seed husk in a mill which causes the husk to be fragmented by collision under conditions whereby the mean particle size of the husk material is reduced relatively more than the mean particle size of the non-husk material. In addition, processes for purifying selectively comminuted psyllium seed husk are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: The Proctor & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Melvin A. Barbera, Larry E. Burns
  • Patent number: 5219570
    Abstract: Agglomerated psyllium husk comprising edible acid uniformly dispersed throughout the agglomerating coating. Preferred are maltodextrin-containing agglomerates of psyllium husk comprising citric acid uniformly dispersed throughout the maltodextrin coating. This agglomerated psyllium husk has improved mixability and dispersilibity in liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: 5048760
    Abstract: Processes for selectively comminuting impure psyllium seed husk. These processes comprise milling impure psyllium seed husk in a mill which causes the husk to be fragmented by collision under conditions whereby the mean particle size of the husk material is reduced relatively more than the mean particle size of the non-husk material. In addition, processes for purifying selectively comminuted psyllium seed husk are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Melvin A. Barbera, Larry E. Burns
  • Patent number: 4978522
    Abstract: Oral compositions effective against caries containing strontium EDTA and a soluble fluoride ion source are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Melvin A. Barbera, Francis O. Agricola, Robert V. Faller, Worth D. Bowman
  • Patent number: 4871531
    Abstract: Oral compositions containing an acrylic acid polymer or copolymer, a soluble fluoride ion source and a strontium ion source are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Inventors: Gregory R. Hartlaub, Melvin A. Barbera
  • Patent number: RE48400
    Abstract: A portable device includes a safety feature that prevents some forms of use when the device is moving. The device may detect its speed or movement, compare that to a threshold, and provide a response or blocking function upon exceeding that threshold. The device may be a cell phone configured to disable transmission and reception of voice/text, conceal its display screen, and disable incorporated features and functions, if the cell phone is moving faster than walking speed or the movement is uncharacteristic of walking. The blocking function may be partially overridden based on a safety policy, which can be managed and customized. The introduction of hands-free devices may serve to override a blocking function and enable other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Tamiras Per Pte. Ltd., LLC
    Inventors: Michael S. Riemer, Melvin A. Barbera