Patents by Inventor Robert F. Smith

Robert F. Smith 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: 12318719
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 12096898
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20240252026
    Abstract: A backbone for use in an endoscope can include a plurality of links of which adjacent pairs are interconnected with each other. Each of the plurality of links can include an inner link segment and an outer link segment. One of the inner link segment and the outer link segment can include a pivot member and a socket. The other of the inner link segment and the outer link segment can include a locking member and a recess. The pivot member of a first link of the plurality of links can be received into the socket of a second link of the plurality of links. The locking member of the first link can be received into the recess of the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Applicant: Biomerics, LLC
    Inventors: David P. Hornak, John J. Franchi, Xiao Wu, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 12048404
    Abstract: A mop pad, a flat headed mop, and a surface cleaning system is provided. The mop pad comprising a cleaning layer configured to remove contaminants from a surface being cleaned. A backing layer is coupled to the cleaning layer, the backing layer having a fastener configured to couple the backing layer to a mop head. At least one insert member coupled between at least one of the backing layer and the cleaning layer, the at least one insert being arranged adjacent an end of the mop pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 12042109
    Abstract: A method of using a flat headed mop is provided. The method includes cleaning a surface with the mop pad, then rotating the mop head into the folded position at a instance with a biasing member coupled to a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly being disposed between the mop head and a mop pole. Next, inserting the mop head into a first fluid to remove contaminants from the mop pad, then inserting the mop head into a wringing assembly to remove at least a portion of the first fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Joseph K. Patterson, Robert F. Smith, William Harrington
  • Publication number: 20240225406
    Abstract: A surface cleaning tool includes a handle body having a first longitudinal axis and a head configured to receive a wiper blade. A plane extending through a center of the head, parallel to the wiper blade, includes a second longitudinal axis of the head. The head is movable along a path of movement relative to the handle body. An orientation of the plane of the head remains constant relative to the longitudinal axis as the head moves along the path of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon M. Temple, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, William Harrington, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 12023797
    Abstract: A reaching and grabbing tool is provided. The tool includes a trigger assembly having at least one trigger and a handle. A jaw assembly is provided having at least one jaw operably connected to the at least one trigger to move the at least one jaw. A hinge assembly is disposed between the trigger assembly and the jaw assembly, the hinge assembly being selectively lockable between an operating position and a folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, James M. Buckley, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Publication number: 20240148217
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a wringing assembly. A blade including a first angled portion is provided for that is adjacent a plurality of first openings for compressing the flat headed mop as it is inserted in the wringing assembly to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second angled portion is provided for adjacent a plurality of second openings for compressing the flat headed mop as it is withdrawn from the wringing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, William Harrington, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20240123379
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 11911720
    Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Paul H. Adams, Stephen P. Huda, James M. Buckley, John Anthony Triunfo, Joseph K. Patterson, Michael T. La Tulippe, Robert Camp, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: 11896180
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system having a flat headed mop is provided. The system includes a bucket having a plurality of compartments. At least one compartment is provided for cleaning the flat headed mop to remove dirt and debris accumulated during use. A second compartment is provided for recharging the mop pad with water or a cleaning solution. At least one wringing device is operably coupled to one of the plurality of compartments. The at least one wringing device having an extractor element to remove at least a portion of water or cleaning solution from the mop pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, William Harrington, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20240032767
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning and conditioning assembly is provided that includes a pole having a lower section and an upper section; an adjusting device securing the upper and lower sections to one another in a telescoping manner; a tool depending from the lower section; a conditioning agent dispensing device depending from the lower section; a trigger depending from the upper section; and a telescoping trigger assembly operatively connecting the dispensing device to the trigger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, JR., Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 11849835
    Abstract: Cleaning devices are provided that have a surface with areas that provide different cleaning states. The areas of different cleaning states are connected to one another by a deflection member that provides tactile and/or audible feedback to the user when transitioning between the different cleaning states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: William Harrington, James M. Buckley, Robert F. Smith, Paul Adams
  • Publication number: 20230404353
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams
  • Patent number: 11806647
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for purifying a fluid is provided. The fluid purification device includes a tank, a cover and a release assembly. The tank having a hollow interior. The cover is sealingly coupled to the tank. The release assembly is pivotally coupled to the cover, the release assembly having a relief valve fluidly coupled to the hollow interior, the release assembly being movable between a first position and a second position, the relief valve being movable between an operating position, a released position and a non-operational position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen P. Huda, Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith, Qinxue Zhuo, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 11759084
    Abstract: A hard surface cleaning and conditioning assembly is provided that includes a pole having a lower section and an upper section; an adjusting device securing the upper and lower sections to one another in a telescoping manner; a tool depending from the lower section; a conditioning agent dispensing device depending from the lower section; a trigger depending from the upper section; and a telescoping trigger assembly operatively connecting the dispensing device to the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, John A. Triunfo, Jr., Paul H. Adams, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: 11759085
    Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith, Joseph K. Patterson, Paul H. Adams
  • Publication number: 20230234213
    Abstract: A reaching and grabbing tool is provided. The tool includes a trigger assembly having at least one trigger and a handle. A jaw assembly is provided having at least one jaw operably connected to the at least one trigger to move the at least one jaw. A hinge assembly is disposed between the trigger assembly and the jaw assembly, the hinge assembly being selectively lockable between an operating position and a folded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Robert F. Smith, James M. Buckley, Joseph K. Patterson
  • Patent number: D1015668
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith
  • Patent number: D1143442
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2026
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: William Harrington, Robert F. Smith