Patents by Inventor Norbert Schaefer

Norbert Schaefer 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: 7392562
    Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Bernard Boland, Georges Driesen, Michael Dröβler, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20060097084
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Publication number: 20050108838
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush attachment adapted to be attached to and detached from a shaft of a handle of an electric toothbrush, including a bristle area, a brush shank and a plug-on part disposed in the brush shank, wherein the plug-on part includes a first spring element and a second spring element which act on the shaft when the brush attachment is plugged onto the shaft. This establishes a connection without play between the brush attachment and the shaft, enabling relatively high vibration frequencies to be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Erik Eisenkolb, Reiner Engelmohr, Hansjorg Reick
  • Publication number: 20030154568
    Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Georges Driesen, Michael Drossler, Norbert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 6497458
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet
  • Patent number: 6475553
    Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles) can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of TEFLON® fibers, KEVLAR® fibers, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Gillette Canada Company
    Inventors: Gordon G. Guay, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Georges Driesen, Rainer Hans
  • Patent number: 6354305
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hair styling appliance comprising a handle portion and a heating portion with a preferably dome-shaped heating zone for heating and styling hair, and a cooling portion with a cooling zone for cooling the hair thus styled, wherein the difference in temperature between the surface temperatures of the heating zone and the cooling zone amounts to at least 80 kelvin and, more particularly, 100 kelvin. The present invention also relates to a method of styling hair, especially using a hair styling appliance with the above-mentioned features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Janouch, Heinz Kern, Peter Ruppert, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20020004965
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in crosssection, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet
  • Patent number: 6327736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) suitable for use in a brush (4) or the like, and in particular in a toothbrush. The bristle (1) is made of a plastic material and includes preferably a circular area of cross-section. When viewed in cross-section, the bristle (1) includes two sections (2, 3) with different properties. These sections (2, 3) are not in concentric relative arrangement. As a result, the bristle (1) curves along its longitudinal axis. The curvature produces an improved cleaning action of the brush (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Mingchih M. Tseng, Helge Zimmet, Scott Batson, Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans
  • Publication number: 20010038914
    Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that flocked or textured materials (e.g., for use as dental floss, or toothbrush bristles) can be manufactured without using adhesives to secure the short fibers or texture particles to the base material, or substrate. The flocked or textured materials are formed by thermally or chemically softening a preformed substrate (e.g., sheets, fibers, or filaments made of Teflon™, Kevlar™, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, or other plastic), then treating the softened substrate with short fibers or texture particles. Alternatively, the short fibers or texture particles can be applied during the formation of the substrate (e.g., in an extrusion, melt-blowing, die casting, weaving, or drawing process).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Applicant: Canada corporation
    Inventors: Gordon G. Guay, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Georges Driesen, Rainer Hans
  • Patent number: 6299443
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device (1) for cleaning teeth and gums, which is provided with a liquid container (2) that is joined by way of a liquid supply conduit (7) to an inlet (8) of a pump (9) adapted to be driven by an electric motor (10). The pump, when activated, draws a liquid (3) from the liquid container (2) to the inlet (8). Still further, an air supply conduit (13) is provided which is connected to the liquid supply conduit (7) for the purpose of admixing air to the drawn liquid (3). According to the invention, at least a section (15) of the air supply conduit (13) is arranged at a level above a maximum possible level (14) of the liquid (3). This prevents the escape of liquid (3) from the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Gerstner, Michael Sauer, Norbert Schaefer, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 6245032
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a jet nozzle (1) for a handle section of an oral irrigator. The jet nozzle (1) is provided with a nozzle head (2) having a discharge port (18) from which a liquid in the form of a single jet is dischargeable. The nozzle head (2) receives therein an impeller (6) rotary about an axis of rotation (4). The impeller (6) includes a bore (15) disposed at an angle (22) to the axis of rotation (4). The bore (15) is intended to direct the liquid to the discharge port (18). In operation, the impeller (6) executes a rotary motion about the axis of rotation (4). This creates a single jet exiting from the discharge port (18) and revolving on the surface of a cone. With this revolving single jet, a superior cleaning effect is accomplished in the cleansing and care of teeth and gums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Sauer, Norbert Schaefer, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 6141819
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (12) for a toothbrush, in particular for an electric toothbrush, which is made of plastic and includes several filaments (13, 14, 15) joined together. The filaments (13, 14, 15) are wound or braided and joined together as a result of the action of chemical agents. This results in a firm bond between the filaments (13, 14, 15), and any cavities between the filaments (13, 14, 15) are reliably avoided. Overall, a toothbrush results which, in addition to having a high cleaning effect, offers bacteria or other germs no possibility of infiltration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6139319
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a jet nozzle (1) for a handpiece of an oral irrigator, which has a nozzle head (2) in which a feed line (4) runs. The feed line (4) opens into an outlet orifice (5) from which a liquid can emerge in the form of a single jet. A constriction (6) is provided in the feed line (4). The constriction (6) acts to produce a large number of microfine gas bubbles. The microfine gas bubbles are better suited to penetrate deep into subcrestal pockets in order to kill anaerobic bacteria which have settled there by the supply of oxygen, hence treating and curing inflammations of the gums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Sauer, Norbert Schaefer, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 6094769
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a bristle (1) for a toothbrush, in particular for an electric toothbrush, which is comprised of a monofilament (2) made of plastic. The monofilament (2) is of a non-circular cross-section, is twisted about its longitudinal axis, and is fixed as a result of the action of chemical agents. In this manner, the bristle (1) is provided with a three-dimensionally structured surface which effects an improved cleaning action, in particular with regard to the removal of plaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Ahmet Cem Firatli, Rainer Hans, Norbert Schaefer, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Patent number: 5993402
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an oral irrigator for the care and cleaning of teeth and gums, which is provided with a pump (1) adapted to be driven by an electric motor. The pump (1) has an inlet (2) connected in particular to a liquid reservoir and provided with an inlet valve (8), an outlet (3) connected in particular to a jet nozzle and provided with an outlet valve (21), as well as a pump cylinder (5) connected to the inlet (2) and the outlet (3). The pump cylinder (5) has a piston (4) reciprocating therein, whereby liquid can be drawn from the inlet (2) into the pump cylinder (5) following which the drawn liquid can be delivered from the pump cylinder (5) to the outlet (3). The inlet valve (8) includes a pressure relief valve (13) through which liquid can be delivered from the pump cylinder (5) to the inlet (2) in the event of excess pressure building up. It is thus sufficient to provide on the jet nozzle only a shut-off valve (25) for shutting off the water pumped to the jet nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Braun AG
    Inventors: Michael Sauer, Norbert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5691293
    Abstract: A stable, dual-function, phosphate-, metasilicate- and polymer-free low alkali detergent tablet containing: (a) from 5 to 50% by weight of a sodium citrate; (b) from 1 to 60% by weight of anhydrous sodium carbonate; (c) from 1 to 60% by weight of sodium hydrogen carbonate; (d) a bleaching agent selected from the group consisting of sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium percarbonate and mixtures thereof; (e) from 0.5 to 4% by weight of tetraacetyl ethylenediamine; (f) from 0.1 to 2% by weight of protease; (g) from 0.1 to 2% by weight of amylase; and (h) from 3 to 10% by weight of water, all weights being based on the weight of the tablet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien
    Inventors: Hans Kruse, Hans-Josef Beaujean, Norbert Schaefer, Juergen Haerer
  • Patent number: D501084
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Georges Driesen, Reiner Engelmohr, Erik Eisenkolb, Hansjörg Reick, Duy Phong Vu
  • Patent number: D504569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Norbert Schaefer, Reiner Engelmohr, Erik Eisenkolb
  • Patent number: D611712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Stoerkel, Georges Driesen, Michael Schmid, Uwe Jungnickel, Norbert Schaefer, Hansjoerg Reick