Patents by Inventor Robert J. Ripich

Robert J. Ripich 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: 11083477
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained vacuum tongue cleaning device uses a removable cleaning head so that different heads can be used with different users. The device includes a debris and saliva separator that removes the debris and saliva from the vacuum flow. This separator is carried by the cleaning head in order to minimize required cleaning of the base of the device. The base carries a vacuum pump, a power supply, a switch, and an inlet that allows the power supply to be recharged. The device is configured for emergency use in an oral surgeon's office wherein vacuum flow is required during surgeries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BIO-LIFE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Patent number: 11083478
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a tool head defining a trough that delivers the vacuum flow from an inlet to the inner surface disposed above a working edge for efficient removal of debris. The trough has a defined rear wall giving it a defined width. This allows the vacuum flow to be directed to where it is needed to remove debris. One configuration of the device has a head that defines a liquid distribution channel with an outlet disposed in front of the working edge with a supply of liquid being removably in fluid communication with the liquid distribution channel. The liquid supply being a bulk supply or a hand held bottle with a supply tube extending down the handle of the device. Another configuration of the device includes vacuum control openings controlled by the user's finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BIO-LIFE INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Publication number: 20190223896
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a tool head defining a trough that delivers the vacuum flow from an inlet to the inner surface disposed above a working edge for efficient removal of debris. The trough has a defined rear wall giving it a defined width. This allows the vacuum flow to be directed to where it is needed to remove debris. One configuration of the device has a head that defines a liquid distribution channel with an outlet disposed in front of the working edge with a supply of liquid being removably in fluid communication with the liquid distribution channel. The liquid supply being a bulk supply or a hand held bottle with a supply tube extending down the handle of the device. Another configuration of the device includes vacuum control openings controlled by the user's finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Patent number: 10188414
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a tool head defining a trough that delivers the vacuum flow from an inlet to the inner surface disposed above a working edge for efficient removal of debris. The trough has a defined rear wall giving it a defined width. This allows the vacuum flow to be directed to where it is needed to remove debris. One configuration of the device has a head that defines a liquid distribution channel with an outlet disposed in front of the working edge with a supply of liquid being removably in fluid communication with the liquid distribution channel. The liquid supply being a bulk supply or a hand held bottle with a supply tube extending down the handle of the device. Another configuration of the device includes vacuum control openings controlled by the user's finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Publication number: 20180280047
    Abstract: A portable, self-contained vacuum tongue cleaning device uses a removable cleaning head so that different heads can be used with different users. The device includes a debris and saliva separator that removes the debris and saliva from the vacuum flow. This separator is carried by the cleaning head in order to minimize required cleaning of the base of the device. The base carries a vacuum pump, a power supply, a switch, and an inlet that allows the power supply to be recharged. The device is configured for emergency use in an oral surgeon's office wherein vacuum flow is required during surgeries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Publication number: 20160228137
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a tool head defining a trough that delivers the vacuum flow from an inlet to the inner surface disposed above a working edge for efficient removal of debris. The trough has a defined rear wall giving it a defined width. This allows the vacuum flow to be directed to where it is needed to remove debris. One configuration of the device has a head that defines a liquid distribution channel with an outlet disposed in front of the working edge with a supply of liquid being removably in fluid communication with the liquid distribution channel. The liquid supply being a bulk supply or a hand held bottle with a supply tube extending down the handle of the device. Another configuration of the device includes vacuum control openings controlled by the user's finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Patent number: 9265513
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a debris retention feature that helps the user remove debris from the tongue. In one embodiment, the feature is a suction system that removes the debris from the working area of the device. In another embodiment, the feature is a recess positioned adjacent the working edge such that the debris will collect in the recess. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tongue cleaning device having a working edge that is concave with respect to the tongue. Other embodiments of the invention provide flexible handle and head designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Biocurv Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, Wesley C. Koontz
  • Patent number: 7029484
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a debris retention feature that helps the user remove debris from the tongue. In one embodiment, the feature is a suction system that removes the debris from the working area of the device. In another embodiment, the feature is a recess positioned adjacent the working edge such that the debris will collect in the recess. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tongue cleaning device having a working edge that is concave with respect to the tongue. Other embodiments of the invention provide flexible handle and head designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Biocurv Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Ripich
  • Publication number: 20020128673
    Abstract: A tongue cleaning device includes a debris retention feature that helps the user remove debris from the tongue. In one embodiment, the feature is a suction system that removes the debris from the working area of the device. In another embodiment, the feature is a recess positioned adjacent the working edge such that the debris will collect in the recess. Another embodiment of the invention provides a tongue cleaning device having a working edge that is concave with respect to the tongue. Other embodiments of the invention provide flexible handle and head designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower, Wesley C. Koontz
  • Patent number: D438305
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower
  • Patent number: D479605
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower
  • Patent number: D487803
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower
  • Patent number: D494272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower
  • Patent number: D500135
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Biocurv Medical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, James W. Bower
  • Patent number: D635672
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Ripich
  • Patent number: D635673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Ripich
  • Patent number: D635674
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Robert J. Ripich
  • Patent number: D742006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Patent number: D764664
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord
  • Patent number: D771813
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Ripich, David J. Boord