Patents by Inventor Robert Schaefer

Robert 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).

  • Publication number: 20210112964
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Norbert SCHAEFER, Thomas FRITSCH, Andreas KRAMP, Andreas LARSCHEID, Marc KUNZ, Robert SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 10940980
    Abstract: A two-part disposable, stackable and recloseable lid for a container holding a beverage. The lid has a dome configuration for higher volume beverages. The lid has a drinking aperture and an a moveable arm with a plug to seal the drinking aperture. The lid has a recess for storing the plug end of the arm when the drinking aperture is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Lidworks, Co
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Ugo Mazzarolo
  • Patent number: 10893746
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Thomas Fritsch, Andreas Kramp, Andreas Larscheid, Marc Kunz, Robert Schäfer
  • Patent number: 10881193
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle, a treatment head, and a motor carrier disposed in the handle. The motor is pivot-mounted against at least one spring element arranged between the handle and the motor carrier. The motor has a stator portion fixedly mounted at the motor carrier and an armature portion spring mounted at the motor carrier to allow a motion relative to the motor carrier. The armature portion is coupled with a drive shaft connected with the treatment head for transferring motion thereto, wherein an external treatment force acting on the brush head leads to pivoting of the motor carrier relative to the handle. The motor has a motor permanent magnet and a coil for providing an alternating electromagnetic field interacting therewith to excite an oscillating motion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Martin Haas, Andreas Kramp, Robert Schäfer
  • Publication number: 20200407134
    Abstract: A two-part disposable, stackable and recloseable lid for a container holding a beverage. The lid has a dome configuration for higher volume beverages. The lid has a drinking aperture and an a moveable arm with a plug to seal the drinking aperture. The lid has a recess for storing the plug end of the arm when the drinking aperture is being used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Lidworks, Co.
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Ugo Mazzarolo
  • Publication number: 20200345130
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit having a support, a stator fixedly mounted at the support, and an armature spring-mounted at the support for driven linear oscillating motion along a first longitudinal direction parallel to or coinciding with an x-axis of an x-y-z coordinate system. The armature has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xa, ya, za], and a drive shaft fixedly coupled with the armature and having a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xd, yd, zd]. A first treatment head assembly, detachably connected to the drive shaft, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xt1, yt1, zt1]. A secondary mass element, spring-mounted at the support for essentially linear oscillating motion along the first longitudinal direction, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xm, ym, zm].
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Norbert SCHAEFER, Uwe SCHOBER, Robert SCHÄFER, Matthias PASCHOLD, Tobias SCHWARZ
  • Patent number: 10688674
    Abstract: A personal care product having a handle is provided. The handle has a handle resting plane and at least one docking magnet positioned within an end portion. The docking magnet has an axis of polarity that intersects the handle resting plane at an included angle of less than 35 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Christoph Zegula, Matthias Paschold, Christian Litterst, Judith von Dahlen
  • Publication number: 20200146715
    Abstract: An introducer system for use with a navigation probe. The introducer system has an introducer and a probe retainer configured to selectively connect to the introducer. The probe retainer includes a receiver configured to receive a navigation probe shaft and limit movement of the navigation probe shaft in the lateral direction. A first clamp and a second clamp are connected to the receiver with the receiver located between the first clamp and the second clamp. Each of the first clamp and the second clamp is selectively engageable with respective portions of the introducer sidewall to hold the receiver at a fixed location relative to the introducer. The receiver, the first clamp, and the second clamp are configured to provide a visual path through the probe retainer and into the introducer passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10587177
    Abstract: A linear motor includes an armature mounted for driven linear oscillation substantially along a longitudinal direction; a secondary mass mounted for linear oscillation substantially along the longitudinal direction; and a coupling unit for coupling the armature and the secondary mass. The coupling unit includes at least two coupling spring assemblies and at least a coupling element, the coupling spring assemblies being arranged in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and being spaced apart from each other, and the coupling element being fixedly connected with the coupling spring assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Schober, Frank Ziegler, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10543016
    Abstract: An introducer system for use with a navigation probe. The introducer system has an introducer and a probe retainer configured to selectively connect to the introducer. The probe retainer includes a receiver configured to receive a navigation probe shaft and limit movement of the navigation probe shaft in the lateral direction. A first clamp and a second clamp are connected to the receiver with the receiver located between the first clamp and the second clamp. Each of the first clamp and the second clamp is selectively engageable with respective portions of the introducer sidewall to hold the receiver at a fixed location relative to the introducer. The receiver, the first clamp, and the second clamp are configured to provide a visual path through the probe retainer and into the introducer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190320786
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a handle and a treatment head mounted for movement relative to the handle against a spring force when a treatment force is applied in at least one treatment direction onto the treatment head. A treatment force measurement unit for determining the applied treatment force includes a capacitive force senor having a first electrode fixedly mounted with respect to the handle and a second electrode mounted at a distance from the first electrode. The second electrode is movably mounted with respect to the handle. A spring unit is arranged between the first and the second electrode. A control circuit determines at least one parameter indicative of the capacitance between the first and second electrodes, wherein the second electrode is mechanically coupled with the treatment head and is arranged to be moved relative to the first electrode when the treatment force is applied at the treatment head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Robert SCHÄFER, Felix MERTEN
  • Patent number: 10433636
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle, a treatment head mounted for relative movement of at least a portion thereof with respect to the handle against a restoring force when a treatment force is applied in at least one direction onto the treatment head, a treatment-force-measurement unit for determining the applied treatment force comprising a light-emitting element, a light-sensitive element, and a light-changing element arranged at least partly in the light path between the light-emitting element and the light-sensitive element, wherein the light-changing element and at least one of the light-emitting element and light-sensitive element are arranged to be moved relatively to each other when at least the portion of the treatment head is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Jannik Scheele, Martin Haas, Norbert Schaefer, Robert Schäfer, Sven Alexander Franke, Uwe Schober, Ingo Vetter, Frank Ziegler
  • Patent number: 10376258
    Abstract: A surgical introducer system having a sidewall that forms an introducer passage, and a probe receptacle located at the distal end of the introducer. The probe receptacle has an inner surface having a first lateral size at a proximal receptacle end and a second lateral size in the lateral direction at the distal receptacle end, and the first lateral size is greater than the second lateral size. The inner surface receives the distal tip of a navigation probe and restricts movement of the distal probe tip in the lateral direction, and the sidewall is spaced from the navigation probe shaft to allow the shaft to move in the lateral direction within the passage when the distal probe tip is positioned in the probe receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Vycor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20190223856
    Abstract: A surgical introducer system having a sidewall that forms an introducer passage, and a probe receptacle at the distal end of the introducer. The probe receptacle begins at a proximal end and terminates at a distal end with the proximal receptacle end being between the distal receptacle end and the proximal introducer end. The receptacle's inner surface tapers continuously from the proximal end to the distal receptacle end, with the lateral size being greater at the proximal receptacle end. The inner surface receives the distal tip of a navigation probe and restricts movement of the distal probe tip in the lateral direction, and the sidewall is spaced from the navigation probe shaft to allow the shaft to move in the lateral direction within the passage when the distal probe tip is positioned in the probe receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: David Cantor, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10351308
    Abstract: A two-part disposable, stackable and recloseable lid for a container holding a beverage. The lid has a dome configuration for higher volume beverages. The lid has a drinking aperture and an a moveable arm with a plug to seal the drinking aperture. The lid has a recess for storing the plug end of the arm when the drinking aperture is being used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: LidWorks, Co.
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Ugo Mazzarolo
  • Publication number: 20190125068
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Norbert SCHAEFER, Thomas FRITSCH, Andreas KRAMP, Andreas LARSCHEID, Marc KUNZ, Robert SCHÄFER
  • Publication number: 20190125067
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle, a treatment head, and a motor carrier disposed in the handle. The motor is pivot-mounted against at least one spring element arranged between the handle and the motor carrier. The motor has a stator portion fixedly mounted at the motor carrier and an armature portion spring mounted at the motor carrier to allow a motion relative to the motor carrier. The armature portion is coupled with a drive shaft connected with the treatment head for transferring motion thereto, wherein an external treatment force acting on the brush head leads to pivoting of the motor carrier relative to the handle. The motor has a motor permanent magnet and a coil for providing an alternating electromagnetic field interacting therewith to excite an oscillating motion of the drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Norbert SCHAEFER, Martin HAAS, Andreas KRAMP, Robert SCHÄFER
  • Patent number: 10035273
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electric appliances for personal care, in particular electric shavers, comprising a magnetic linear drive unit having first and second drive components supported for linear displacement relative to each other and adapted to magnetically interact with each other, wherein a drive support is provided for supporting the drive unit onto a mounting structure. The drive support supporting the drive unit onto a mounting structure of the installation environment is adapted to provide for at least one axis of rotation for at least one of the drive components of the drive unit allowing said at least one drive component to rotate relative to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Braun GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Ring, Bernhard Kraus, Robert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20180212466
    Abstract: A personal care product system is provided. The personal care product system has a stand that has a first stand permanent docking magnet. A stand inductive charging coil is also positioned within the stand. A handle that has a first handle permanent docking magnet is removably mounted to the stand. A handle inductive charging coil is positioned within the handle. A handle flux guiding member is in close proximity to a surface of the first handle permanent docking magnet to direct a magnetic field away from the inductive charging coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Klaus Heubach, Jian Wang, Norbert Broemse
  • Publication number: 20180206611
    Abstract: A personal care product stand is provided. The stand has a base having a resting plane and a center axis. A handle receiving portion configured to hold a handle is defined by a top surface of the base. At least one permanent docking magnet is positioned within a cavity defined by the base. The permanent docking magnet is positioned at least 10 mm from the center axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Schaefer, Christoph Zegula, Matthias Paschold, Christian Litterst, Judith von Dahlen