Patents Issued in June 8, 2010
  • Patent number: PP21051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interspecific tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, moderately vigorous, hardy, and productive tree. Being self-unfruitful, the present variety requires cross pollination from an apricot, interspecific, or plum that blooms during the late season. The present variety produces a moderate bloom with an average amount of pollen to entice good bee activity to facilitate pollination. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described during the last half of July, with first picking on Jul. 21, 2008. The fruit is uniformly large in size, full red in skin color, clingstone in type, globose in shape, full red in flesh color, firm in texture, and very good in flavor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Lowell Glen Bradford
  • Patent number: PP21052
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla named ‘Dancing Snow’ that is characterized by its early spring blooming habit, its ability to re-bloom on new growth after deadheading into fall, its lacecap type inflorescences comprised of a ring of large double white flowers emerging from the central mass of smaller double white flowers, its flowers that are resistant to sun scorch, its compact growth habit, and its hardiness at least to U.S.D.A. Zones 5 to 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Toyokazu Ichie
  • Patent number: PP21053
    Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Mentha canadensis (‘Metolius’) is characterized by its unique oil chemistry and flavor profile resembling that of peppermint oil, and by its tolerance to Verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahliae) and mint rust (Puccinia menthae). DNA microsatellite marker analysis has shown that ‘Metolius’ is a distinct variety of M. canadensis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: A. M. Todd
    Inventors: Jie Liu, Deven Holmgren, Mark Morris
  • Patent number: PP21054
    Abstract: A new poinsettia plant named ‘Fismars 339’ particularly distinguished by brilliant red flower color, large, rosette-like, flat inflorescence, dark green, ovate shaped leaves, evenly branching, medium size, good shape for packing and transportation, mid season flowering and good keeping characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Syngenta Crop Protection AG
    Inventor: Katharina Zerr
  • Patent number: PP21055
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Verbena named ‘KLEVP08392’ particularly characterized by large orange-red inflorescences, good heat tolerance, and high resistance to powdery mildew, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ruijun Li
  • Patent number: PP21056
    Abstract: A new cultivar of Verbena named ‘KLEVP08383’ particularly characterized by magenta inflorescences, very early flowering, a compact, semi-trailing growth habit, and good and high resistance to powdery mildew, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Ruijun Li
  • Patent number: PP21057
    Abstract: A new Impatiens plant named ‘Silt Salm09,’ particularly distinguished by the salmon-orange flower color, rose-like flower shape, medium green foliage, about medium growth vigor, and low mounded plant habit with good branching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Goldsmith Seeds Europe B.V.
    Inventor: Jolanda Krassenberg
  • Patent number: PP21058
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium plant named ‘Duesapi’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; freely basal branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; semi-double light red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Capital Green Investments Ltd.
    Inventor: Tobias Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP21059
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium plant named ‘Duevida09’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading plant habit; freely basal branching habit; dark green-colored leaves with a distinct zonation pattern; freely flowering habit; semi-double red-colored flowers; and good garden performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Capital Green Investments Ltd.
    Inventor: Tobias Dümmen
  • Patent number: PP21060
    Abstract: A new Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA08178’ particularly distinguished by dark blue flowers, very good branching, and a mounding and trailing growth habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nils Klemm, Anita Stoever
  • Patent number: PP21061
    Abstract: A new Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA08170’ particularly distinguished by light blue flowers, a very early flowering period with continuous flowering, and a flat, trailing growth habit, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Klemm+Sohn GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Nils Klemm, Anita Stoever
  • Patent number: PP21062
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant named ‘HGP01’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; strong and vigorous growth habit; leaflets with distinctive venation and red-colored petioles; freely flowering habit; single white-colored flowers; and good garden performance
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Amazing Breeders Company B.V.
    Inventor: Roger Harvey
  • Patent number: PP21063
    Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helleborus plant named ‘COSEH 710’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; long flowering period; and large light green-colored flowers with reddish pink overtones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Josef Heuger
  • Patent number: RE41367
    Abstract: A cleaning head for carpets, walls or upholstery, including a rigid, exterior, open-bottomed main body which defines the surface subjected to the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hydramaster North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy Studebaker
  • Patent number: RE41368
    Abstract: In an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) semiconductor device, a first semiconductor layer overlies a semiconductor substrate so as to sandwich an insulating layer, and second and third semiconductor layers with a different conductivity type from the second semiconductor layer are formed on the surface of the first semiconductor layer. At the interface between the first semiconductor layer and the insulating layer, a fourth semiconductor layer with a different conductivity type from the first semiconductor layer is formed. The fourth semiconductor layer includes an impurity of larger than 3×1012/cm2 so as not to be completely depleted even though a reverse bias voltage is applied between the second and third semiconductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Uemoto, Katsushige Yamashita, Takashi Miura
  • Patent number: RE41369
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes at least one semiconductor structure having a plurality of external connection portions on an upper surface, and an insulating member which is made of a resin containing reinforcing materials and arranged on a side of the semiconductor structure. An insulating film is formed on the upper surface of the semiconductor structure, except the external connection portions, and on an upper surface of the insulating member. A plurality of upper wirings each of which has a connection pad portion are located on an upper side of the insulating film and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the external connection portions of the semiconductor structure. The connection pad portion of at least one of the upper wirings is arranged above an upper surface of the insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Jobetto
  • Patent number: RE41370
    Abstract: In an adaptive transform coding system and/or and adaptive transform decoding system, coding efficiency in the case where a small number of quantized values having large absolute value are present, is improved. The adaptive transform coding system codes the small number of quantized values having large absolute values and other quantized values are coded separately. More particularly, the adaptive transform coding system includes a selector (6) discriminating the small number of quantized value having large absolute value from other quantized value, a pulse coding means for coding the small number of quantized values having large absolute values (8) and the pulse decoding means (16) for decoding the same, a coding means (7) for coding the quantized value other than those having large absolute values and a decoding means (15) decoding the same, and a synthesis means (18) for synthesizing the small number of quantized values having large absolute value and other quantized values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichiro Takamizawa, Masahiro Iwadare
  • Patent number: RE41371
    Abstract: An analog to digital converter comprises a first stage for developing a set of most significant bits from an analog input signal and for producing analog residue signals (RA, RB) corresponding to respective differences between the analog input signal and threshold values directly above and below, respectively, the analog input signal, and a second stage (AMPA, AMPB, ADC2) for developing a set of lesser significant bits from the analog residue signals (RA, RB). According to the invention, the analog residue signals (RA, RB) are reversed (CA, CB). An offset detection unit (COD, DOD) coupled to the second stage (AMPA, AMPB, ADC2) retrieves offset data representative of offset errors, and an offset correction unit (AD1, AD2, OCA, OCB) corrects the offset errors on the basis of the offset data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Hendrik Van der Ploeg, Gian Hoogzaad
  • Patent number: RE41372
    Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes: a converging section for converging a light beam and irradiating a rotating information medium with the converged light beam; a moving section for moving the converging section, thereby moving a converging point of the converged light beam in a direction perpendicular to an information surface of the information medium; a converging state detection section for generating a focus servo signal which represents a converging state of the light beam on the information medium based on reflected light or transmitted light of the light beam from the information medium; a focus servo control section for controlling the moving section based on the focus servo signal, so that the light beam reaches a predetermined converging state on the information medium; and a focus pull-in section for turning ON the control by the focus servo control section, wherein the focus pull-in section turns ON the control by the focus servo control section in a case where the focus pull-in section determin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yuu Okada, Kenji Fujiune, Katsuya Watanabe, Takeharu Yamamoto, Jun Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7730548
    Abstract: A ballistics vest pad cover (4) having at least one side that is transparent, thereby permitting a user to easily view the condition of the ballistics vest pad (3). In addition, because at least one side is transparent, a user will be able to readily determine which side should be facing towards the body. An optional label (9) may be placed on the body-face side of the cover (5) so as to provide an additional means of indicating the body-face side of the cover (5) and ballistics vest pad (7). Because the user will be able to easily view the ballistics vest pad (3), he or she will always be aware of the condition of the ballistics vest pad (3) and may replace the ballistics vest pad (3) and cover (4) as needed. As the user no longer needs to guess whether the ballistics vest pad (3) is still in good condition, lives will be saved. In addition, the number of injuries occurring from wearing the ballistics vest pad (3) incorrectly will be dramatically reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Survival Armor, Inc.
    Inventor: Karen P. McCraney
  • Patent number: 7730549
    Abstract: A protective garment for an arm is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a screen layer disposed below the outer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Warrior Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: David Morrow, Matthew Winningham, Jesse Hubbard
  • Patent number: 7730550
    Abstract: A knee support has a body and two pressing strips. The body is a band having two ends, a central segment, a protecting portion, and a shockproof pad. The protecting portion is formed in the central segment of the body. The two pressing strips are formed on the outer surface of the body and each has a distal end and a connector being formed on the distal end. The distal end of the pressing strip mounted through the ring, folded back on itself and attached to the body using the connector. The body orientates and holds the knee support in position while the pressing strip presses tightly against and supports a patella of the knee. The knee support prevents discomfort associated with loss of blood and provides good shock-absorption for the knee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Pang-Ching Chiang
  • Patent number: 7730551
    Abstract: An armpit sweat absorption system comprised of a disposable absorption pad that is placed inside a pocket located under the armpit of a conventional yet modified men and women's undershirt. The pocket, located at the arm pit location serves as an “under-pocket” to contain the disposable absorption pad. The under-pocket is a simple layer of undershirt material that reinforces the under arm and has room to hold the pad. The pad material is a composite of gauze-like cotton material suitable for absorbing moisture. The combined effort of under pocket and absorption pad is meant to absorb unsightly underarm perspiration and provide garment protection from clothes fading and discoloration due to sweating and deodorant stains that tend to drain through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Jason Andrew Price
  • Patent number: 7730552
    Abstract: A pants garment has a pair of thigh leg members for covering the thigh area of a wearer. A front thigh elastic band member is provided substantially at a front side of each of the thigh leg members and extends obliquely from an upper front portion to a lower front portion of each thigh leg member. A back thigh elastic band member is provided substantially at a back side of each of the thigh leg members and extends obliquely from an upper back portion to a lower back portion of each thigh leg member. The garment also has a front and back crus elastic band members extending obliquely on crus leg members, which cover the crus areas of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Wacoal Corp.
    Inventors: Yuji Ota, Naomi Morii, Takako Fujii, Makoto Oyama
  • Patent number: 7730553
    Abstract: A torso-covering garment for playing paintball having gripping areas to enable the user to grippably contact a gripping area of the garment with the butt stock of the gun. Each gripping area comprises a pliant, non-cushioning substrate. Common embodiments of the garment are shirts, jerseys, jackets, and vests. A method of playing paintball which comprises wearing the garment of the invention, and a method of fabricating the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Dye Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Bryon Benini
  • Patent number: 7730554
    Abstract: A method of making a glove is described. The method comprises dipping a glove form into two different formulations. Each formulation comprises a carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber with different amounts of covalent and ionic cross linkers. The gloves preferably have a stress retention value of greater than 50%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Encompass Medical Supplies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Wang
  • Patent number: 7730555
    Abstract: Lower leg protective apparel, in particular protective socks, against chemical and/or biological noxiants composed of a plurality of plies, comprising an outside leg part (1) and, disposed in the interior of the outside leg part (1), a laminate (2) which comprises a flexible, windproof and water-rejecting membrane (7) which forms the outer surface of the laminate (2) and which forms at least a barrier to biological noxiants, a carbon layer (8) which is disposed underneath the membrane (7) and which comprises carbon in fibrous or particulate form, and an inner textile ply (9) which is characterized in that the outside leg part (1) is fabricated from a plurality of cuts (4, 5, 6) and in that the seams of the laminate (2) disposed in the interior of the outer leg part (1) are sealed off by a waterproof material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Texplorer GmbH
    Inventor: Gerd Hexels
  • Patent number: 7730556
    Abstract: A swimming goggle structure includes two eye masks and a centrally located nose strap. Each eye mask has an outer edge forming a head strap buckle to which a head strap is connected and an inner edge forming a projecting joint section. The joint section forms a recessed slot and is jointed to an end of the nose strap by insert molding so that the end of the nose strap wraps and engages the joint section of each eye mask to form a tightly connected structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: First Rank Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shu-Fang Chou
  • Patent number: 7730557
    Abstract: A chemical protective garment or ensemble is disclosed that comprises a impermeable, protective cooling laminate having a water-holding layer for holding and evaporating liquid, and a chemical barrier. The water-holding layer has a water-holding capacity of at least about 5% wt., and the suit is designed to retain sufficient liquid to provide cooling to a wearer upon evaporation of the liquid from the suit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Courtney, William J. Gorak, Gregory D. Culler, Christopher S. Weyl
  • Patent number: 7730558
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a treatment apparatus for excrement of a rest room wherein sludge is able to be separated and incinerated via a simplified process without a vacuum drying of excrement that is transferred from a storage tank, whereby continuous treatment of excrement is possible, resulting in an increase in excrement treatment efficiency and capacity while achieving a reduction in maintenance costs. Also, in the present invention, water contained in excrement is able to be purified with a high efficiency, whereby the purified water can be reused as wash water of a toilet or directly drained without a separate post-treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Mirae Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chon-u Choe
  • Patent number: 7730559
    Abstract: A toilet seat is provided for mounting on a toilet bowl (1) and is configured to be placed in communication with a mechanical air extraction system. The toilet seat includes a seat (4) that can be applied in a sealed manner on the toilet bowl. The toilet seat (4) has an air inlet (6) at the front and an air outlet (7) at the rear. The outlet (7) is connected by ducts (8, 9, 10) to the air extraction system (14, 15). A cover (11) is hinged in proximity to the seat (4). The cover (11) is configured to prevent the toilet bowl (1) from being flushed when the cover (11) is in the open position and seals the front air inlet (6) when the cover is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Alain-Dominique Gallizia
  • Patent number: 7730560
    Abstract: The present invention provides an odorless toilet comprising an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent; a seat having at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port; a fan having a fan inlet and a fan exhaust, the fan inlet connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet, wherein when the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity through at least one intake port and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent, wherein the exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange, wherein the adapter ring has an opening through the center to allow unobstructed passage of waste matter from the toilet horn to a sewer pipe when the toilet is flushed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Viktor Markaj
  • Patent number: 7730561
    Abstract: A used water removal system for a stand-alone hand-wash sink station having a vertically elongated used water storage tank and within which a vertically elongated, fresh water tank is positioned. A sink basin disposed above the used water storage tank drains used water into the used water storage tank. A water line conveys water from the fresh water tank to a faucet located above the sink basin. An inverted, vertically elongated, U-shaped tube is arranged within the station alongside the fresh water tank. One end of the tube opens into the used water storage tank near its lower end. The second end of the tube opens to the outside of the station. The curved bight of the tube is located at a height that is above the maximum height of the used water within the used water storage tank. Water may be rapidly removed from the tank by temporarily applying suction to the second end of the tube to siphon used water through the tube and out of the used water storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: PolyJohn Enterprises Corporation
    Inventor: Jamie Phillip Kostelyk
  • Patent number: 7730562
    Abstract: A patient support for supporting a patient is provided. The patient support includes a frame and a deck. The deck includes first and second ends and longitudinal sides extending therebetween. The deck also includes a first portion and a second portion that is configured to extend laterally from the deck to widen the deck. An actuator is coupled to the deck and configured to move the second portion relative to the first portion between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Hornbach, Gregory W. Branson
  • Patent number: 7730563
    Abstract: A head support system that has a fixation arc system that is adjustable both vertically and horizontally and is mounted to a patient support structure. The fixation arc system is positionable adjacent to, and provides lateral support for, the patient's head. A pin support is connected to, and extends from the fixation arc system. A pin is adjustably mounted to the pin support and contacts the patient's head to provide a lateral fixation thereof. The pin has a centerline that is rotatable about two axes of motion substantially perpendicular to the pin centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignees: Integra LifeSciences Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick Sklar, Charles E. Dinkler, II, Kevin R. Easton
  • Patent number: 7730564
    Abstract: A pillowcase display has a skirting attached to and forming the hem of a pillowcase, with a number of display apertures passing through the skirting, the skirting includes a number of fabric pieces which may be any size, shape or color, with co-aligned apertures. The apertures can incorporate an elastomeric material, for placing the display items through, so that a figure such a doll or plush toy can be displayed with the head outside the pillowcase and the body within the pillowcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Merideth Eastridge Moore
  • Patent number: 7730565
    Abstract: An apparatus has segments connected end-to-end so as to form a flexible tube, a base connected to a first segment of the segments, a clamp connected to the base for mounting the base, and a tensioning mechanism for tensioning the segments. A scope adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. An extremity adapter can be connected to a last segment of the plurality of segments. The clamp can mount the base to a mayo stand of a multi-purpose gurney. The clamp can also mount the base to a rail of a multi-purpose gurney.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Marcos V. Masson
  • Patent number: 7730566
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gelastic cushion. The gelastic cushion is made from a conventional gelastic composition. The gelastic cushion has a structure having a first wall that defines an opening area and buckles when a force is applied to the first wall. When the first wall buckles a predetermined amount, a second wall, interconnected to the first wall, also buckles. The second wall decreases the chance that the first wall bottoms out. Bottoming out increases the pressure on the patient (a.k.a., the force) overlying the gelastic cushion. That increased pressure is undesirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Gaymar Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Roland E. Flick, Joel T. Jusiak
  • Patent number: 7730567
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for vertically lifting an end of a horizontally disposed mattress which includes an elongated member being disposed beneath the mattress and movable by way of a handle which is disposed on and secured to one end of the elongated member between a resting position wherein the elongated member is disposed coplanar with a bottom surface of the mattress and a lifting position wherein the elongated member is disposed generally perpendicular to the bottom mattress surface for lifting the end of the mattress in the vertical direction. The handle is releaseably secured to the end of the end of the elongated member for ease of securing the handle to an opposed end of the elongated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Arthur W. Jaeger
  • Patent number: 7730568
    Abstract: A method of operating a fabric treatment appliance comprises a steam generation step and a steam generator cleaning step. In the steam generator cleaning step, a chamber of the steam generator can be flushed by introducing a volume of liquid into the chamber greater than the internal volume. The steam generator cleaning step can also involve thermally shocking scale formed within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nyik Siong Wong, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan, Anthony H. Hardaway, Joel A. Luckman
  • Patent number: 7730569
    Abstract: A head portion of a nodally mounted rotating toothbrush is removable from a handle portion, which has a driving system therein. The head portion includes a spring assembly, having two spring sections, the spring assembly having a node point between the two ends and a nodal mount member at the node point which is connected to a cover member of the head portion. A driving assembly is arranged to drive the first spring section, the second section rotating in an opposing direction from the first spring section, the second spring section having a drive shaft extending therefrom, upon a free end of which a brushhead is mounted. When the head portion is removed from the handle, the spring assembly is removed therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Grez, John W. Pace, Bruce E. Taber, Duane B. Kutsch
  • Patent number: 7730570
    Abstract: A body scrubbing apparatus for facilitating cleaning of areas of a body not readily accessible when the user is bathing. The body scrubbing apparatus includes a handle member being designed for being gripped by a hand of the user. A head member is coupled to the handle member whereby the head member is designed for being positioned opposite the hand of the user when the handle member is being gripped by the user. A scrubbing member is selectively mounted to the head member. The scrubbing member is designed for scrubbing against the user for facilitating cleaning of the user when the scrubbing member is mounted to the head member. The scrubbing member is selectively replaced when the scrubbing member is removed from the head member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Anthony L. Billups
  • Patent number: 7730571
    Abstract: A bracket assembly for use with cleaning implements such as push brooms has a handle connector for mounting a handle and a plate with a pair of depending flanges that are inserted into the broom head. The bracket assembly may be removably secured to the broom head with a fastener such as bolt and nut to provide an attachment mechanism having sufficient strength to withstand repeated sweeping motion. The removable bracket allows the arrangement of the handle and broom head to be reversed so that both faces of the broom head and bristles can be used interchangeably for sweeping. The removable bracket can be used with cleaning implements having heads of various dimensions and shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: The Libman Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Libman
  • Patent number: 7730572
    Abstract: An inter-dental brush is provided with a handle that accepts a cartridge housing continuous inter-dental brush feedstock. Used, worn out brush is cut off by a slidable cutter provided on an angled portion of the handle. Fresh inter-dental brush is fed out from the continuous inter-dental feedstock by turning a knob on the handle. The protrusion length of the inter-dental brush is controlled by the number of turns. The knob is connected to a gear that pushes against the feedstock, driving the brush through an aperture in the angled portion of the handle. Within the cartridge, the feedstock is removably attached to one swivel and is wrapped around a second swivel. The swivels have a brake that produces a taut feedstock as the brush is fed out. The cartridge may contain a single roll with a brake instead of a pair of swivels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Roger E. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7730573
    Abstract: The dipstick fuel squeegee of the present invention includes an elongated, rigid but lightweight base with foot pegs on either end and is long enough to span the opening of most large tanks. The base has a midsection into which first a wiper member and then a securing member are releasably attached. There are openings in the midsection, the wiper member, and the securing member which are vertically aligned. The openings of the midsection and the securing member are approximately equal in size while the opening in the wiper element is smaller. The wiper element is made of a flexible, resilient material and substantially centered over the opening in the seat. During use, a dipstick is inserted through the three openings of the squeegee, the user secures the squeegee by standing on the foot pegs, and the wiper member dislodges any liquid adhering to the dipstick as the user raises it through the squeegee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Larry Snyder
  • Patent number: 7730574
    Abstract: An apparatus for the cleaning and washing of objects includes a flexible inner lining that extends over a hand and wrist or arm of a user so as to provide a gap intermediate the exterior of at least a portion of the hand and the interior of the inner lining. A preferred material for the inner lining is fabricated neoprene, rubber, or latex. An outer lining extends over at least a portion of the inner lining and is adapted for a cleaning, polishing, or dusting operation. A preferred material for the outer lining includes cotton fibers. The apparatus is available in either a “gloved” version with fingers or in a “mitt” version that accommodates a plurality of fingers. Both versions, preferably, include a thumb area as well. A first seal surrounds the apparatus around the wrist or arm of the user and is tightened to restrict the inflow of a fluid into the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Eric Anthony Cox, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7730575
    Abstract: The invention relates to a structure for a hand trowel handle with adjustable rotational angle on the grasping section. The hand trowel is composed of a blade, a connecting section and a grasping section. The connecting section uses its base to connect with the tongue on the blade. The structure for the grasping section with adjustable rotational angle features mainly in the radial toothed rings at the front end of the grasping section and at the supporting end of the connecting section. When the grasping section is worn on the shaft in the center if the radial toothed ring of the connecting section, the grasping section can be tightened or loosened through the adjustment knob, the spring and the shaft in the accommodating hole. Thus, the rotational angle between the grasping section and the shaft can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Chin-Chen Huang
  • Patent number: 7730576
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a computer mouse cleaning apparatus for providing a cleaning mechanism including a cylindrical tube, a compressible rubber boot, a brush, and power source to allow a person to clean the inner portion of a computer mouse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Daniel E. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7730577
    Abstract: A control handle assembly (200) includes a rigid handle (202) for grasping by the operator to steer a walk-behind mobile machine (10) and a control portion (220) moveable relative to the handle (202) to control a function of the machine (10). A flexible extension (238) extends between the handle (202) and the control portion (220) and over the separation defined thereby. The flexible extension (238) flexes when pushed or pulled by the operator's hands and particularly when the flexible extension is engaged with both the control portion (220) and the handle (202) and when the operator's hand extends into the separation therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nilfisk-Advance, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Wood
  • Patent number: 7730578
    Abstract: An eraser to cap a pencil includes a top and a base, with a projection extending between them. The projection helps to secure the top and base together by fitting into and filling a mating cavity within either or both of the top and base. The base has a cavity open at the bottom of the base, sized and shaped to receive the used or unused portion of an original pencil eraser, if any, and the ferrule on the pencil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Curren