Patents by Inventor Robert J. Downs

Robert J. Downs 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: 20030104341
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system including a thermally conductive mouthpiece that carries a teeth whitening agent and that is connected to a thermally-chargeable heat sink. The system controls the flow of thermal energy from the heat sink in order to provide thermal activation of whitening agent. The system may include a catalytically-enhanced teeth whitening device for receiving the whitening agent and promoting enhanced teeth whitening by the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may be used with or without the application of supplemental heat or light for further augmenting whitening reactions of the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may include a substrate that may be fabricated from a catalytic agent useful for enhancing tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent. Alternatively, the substrate may be covered, coated, impregnated or otherwise contacted by a catalytic agent in an amount effective to enhance tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs
  • Publication number: 20030068601
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs
  • Publication number: 20030036037
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system including a thermally conductive mouthpiece that carries a teeth whitening agent and that is connected to a thermally-chargeable heat sink. The system controls the flow of thermal energy from the heat sink in order to provide thermal activation of whitening agent. The system may include a catalytically-enhanced teeth whitening device for receiving the whitening agent and promoting enhanced teeth whitening by the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may be used with or without the application of supplemental heat or light for further augmenting whitening reactions of the whitening agent. The teeth whitening device may include a substrate that may be fabricated from a catalytic agent useful for enhancing tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent. Alternatively, the substrate may be covered, coated, impregnated or otherwise contacted by a catalytic agent in an amount effective to enhance tooth whitening by the teeth whitening agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs
  • Patent number: 6497575
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020172919
    Abstract: A teeth treatment system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a heat-activated teeth treatment agent positioned in the mouthpiece such that the agent contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the agent is activated by heat to treat the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs, Anthony J. Cipolla
  • Publication number: 20020068260
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a thermocatalytically activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated by heat, metal surface catalysis, and water or saliva to whiten the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs
  • Publication number: 20010046654
    Abstract: A teeth whitening system includes a heating module, a mouthpiece thermally connected to the heating module such that heat can be transferred to the mouthpiece, and a heat-activated whitening gel positioned in the mouthpiece such that the gel contacts a user's teeth, whereby when heat is transferred from the heating module to the mouthpiece, the gel is activated and whitens the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventors: Peter D. Zavitsanos, Robert J. Downs