Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Christman

Thomas A. Christman 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: 9140685
    Abstract: A breath testing apparatus is provided with on-board “Instruction Manual” tutorials incorporated in a display device installed in the device. Alternatively, on-board instructional videos can be added to various objects or processes requiring instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: QuinTron Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert John Thomas Christman, Katherine M. Ross
  • Patent number: 9011348
    Abstract: An air sampling apparatus is disclosed, including a closed loop system for extracting air to be sampled into an analysis device such as a gas chromatograph, which is further coupled to an output. The closed loop sample extraction method reduces contaminants that can otherwise be introduced into air samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: QuinTron Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Thomas Christman, Katherine M. Ross
  • Patent number: 8695149
    Abstract: Tooth cleaning devices. An embodiment of a tooth cleaning device includes: an elongated head sized to fit in an oral cavity. The elongated head having a first surface and a neck extending from the head. A first tooth cleaning element having a plurality of upstanding wiping members extends upward from below the first surface and extends radially outward from a center of the first tooth cleaning element. Each upstanding wiping member has a free outermost edge that extends upwards substantially from the first surface to the top of the wiping member. A plurality of upstanding arcuate shaped second tooth cleaning elements secured to the head and located outboard of the first tooth cleaning element are also provided. In addition, a plurality of upstanding third tooth cleaning elements are secured to the head and border an edge of the first surface. The third tooth cleaning elements have a circular cross-sectional area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 8621698
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 8444416
    Abstract: Dual valves are described herein. The dual valves have a plurality of lumens disposed within a unitary body. The dual valves can be used, for example, in personal care products such as toothbrushes and razors to dispense fluids such as dentifrice and shaving aids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman, Manfred Klawuhn
  • Patent number: 8317424
    Abstract: Oral care devices are provided that include a first component and a second component removably engaged with the first component; the first and second components having a respective fluid passageway extending therethrough, the respective passageways capable of fluid communication while the first and second components are engaged; and at least one of the first and second components including a sealing member constructed to allow fluid communication between the first and second passageways when the first and second passageways are engaged and to close the associated passageway when the first and second components are disengaged. Oral care devices are also provided that include a replaceable and refillable cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman, Jeremy Ducharme, Mark E. Farrell
  • Publication number: 20120227201
    Abstract: A toothbrush is disclosed. The toothbrush includes a head; a base member supported by a neck; a support member having a plurality of holes therein; a resilient cushion member disposed, at least in part, between the base member and the support member, the cushion member being fixed to the support member; at least one center bristle tuft extending from the support member; and two or more outer bristle tufts located at least partially around the at least one center bristle tuft. The center bristle tuft has a first shaped cross section and the outer bristle tufts have a second shaped cross section. The first shaped cross section is different from the second shaped cross section. Applying a force to the center bristle tuft and/or the outer bristle tufts causes the center bristle tuft and/or the outer bristle tufts to deflect into the resilient cushion member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: William R. Brown, JR., Thomas Christman, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Roberts, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20120226183
    Abstract: An improved evacuated air chamber having a plurality of generally flat exterior walls, a closed end, and an open end wherein the open end is provided with a resealable stopper and septum; an impervious disc may be provided between the septum and the tube interior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: QUINTRON INSTRUMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: NORBERT JOHN THOMAS CHRISTMAN, Steven D. Hamilton, Katherine M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20120150056
    Abstract: A breath testing apparatus is provided with on-board “Instruction Manual” tutorials incorporated in a display device installed in the device. Alternatively, on-board instructional videos can be added to various objects or processes requiring instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Quin Tron Instrument Company
    Inventors: Norbert John Thomas Christman, Katherine M. Ross
  • Patent number: 8166601
    Abstract: A head for an electric toothbrush includes a support member having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: William R. Brown, Jr., Thomas Christman, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Roberts, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20110179595
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Publication number: 20110173765
    Abstract: Tooth cleaning devices. An embodiment of a tooth cleaning device includes: an elongated head sized to fit in an oral cavity. The elongated head having a first surface and a neck extending from the head. A first tooth cleaning element having a plurality of upstanding wiping members extends upward from below the first surface and extends radially outward from a center of the first tooth cleaning element. Each upstanding wiping member has a free outermost edge that extends upwards substantially from the first surface to the top of the wiping member. A plurality of upstanding arcuate shaped second tooth cleaning elements secured to the head and located outboard of the first tooth cleaning element are also provided. In addition, a plurality of upstanding third tooth cleaning elements are secured to the head and border an edge of the first surface. The third tooth cleaning elements have a circular cross-sectional area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANY
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, JR., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7958589
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7941886
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7934284
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member, a resilient member extending from the support member, and a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the support member and at least partially surrounding the member. The resilient member may be cup-shaped, fan-shaped, or textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Publication number: 20100218378
    Abstract: Dual valves are described herein. The dual valves have a plurality of lumens disposed within a unitary body. The dual valves can be used, for example, in personal care products such as toothbrushes and razors to dispense fluids such as dentifrice and shaving aids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman, Mafred Klawuhn
  • Publication number: 20090318823
    Abstract: An air sampling apparatus is disclosed, including a closed loop system for extracting air to be sampled into an analysis device such as a gas chromatograph, which is further coupled to an output. The closed loop sample extraction method reduces contaminants that can otherwise be introduced into air samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: N. Thomas Christman, Katherine M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20090282628
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: THE GILLETTE COMPANY
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, JR., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Publication number: 20090172900
    Abstract: A toothbrush head comprises a first surface, a second outer surface opposite the first surface and an opening defined therebetween; a plurality of first cleaning elements extending from the first surface; and a carrier including a restricted end and a second cleaning element opposite the restricted end, the carrier movably mounted within the opening and the second cleaning element movable relative to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: William R. Brown, JR., Thomas A. Christman, Alexander T. Chenvainu, Phillip M. Braun, Karen L. Claire-Zimmet, Mark S. Meadows
  • Patent number: D777315
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QuinTron Instrument Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert John Thomas Christman, Steven D Hamilton, Katherine M Ross