Rubber Patents (Class 15/188)
  • Patent number: 11730144
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental hygiene appliance, a pad usable in such an appliance, and a method of using such an appliance. The dental hygiene appliance comprises a plurality of mushroom-shaped bristles, wherein the mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a material with Shore 00 hardness between about 50 and about 100. The mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a stipe, a pileus, and optionally a brim. The dental hygiene appliance may be a monolithic body, or comprises a monofacial pad, or bifacial pad, that is held by a dental hygiene appliance frame. The advantage of having a brim is that it offers a larger area for dental hygiene appliance to interact with the tooth surface, and the brim allows the brim to get into crevices of teeth that are too small for pileus to enter. The interstitial space between the mushroom-shaped bristles may also comprise a dentifrice composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Clean Bite, LLC
    Inventors: John Henry Gallagher, Roman Bielski, John Newport, David Joseph Stanley
  • Patent number: 11602799
    Abstract: The invention details the designs of cleaning pad assemblies for use with heating tools including for example soldering cartridges and soldering irons. The cleaning pads of the assembly are designed to effectively remove and clean the solder from heating tools during and at the end of soldering operations, and allow the collection of the removed solder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Inventor: Mitsuhiko Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11357688
    Abstract: Unique, multifunctional, ergonomic, paired, diagnostic, and treatment instruments having one or more knobs designed to simulate the digits of the human hand are provided. These instruments include a variety of curvilinear and linear tissue engaging edges and converging surfaces that facilitate the ergonomic use of these instruments on the irregular contours of the soft tissue areas of the human or animal body. These instruments for Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM), are to be used for mechanical therapy such as: breaking up soft tissue adhesions, fibrotic tissue, or calcium deposits, tissue massage, deep tissue release, acupressure, joint mobilization, and self-massage. These instruments are designed for treating more than one area of the body and may be used with humans as well as domestic and farm animals. These instruments are ergonomically designed and therefore reduce stress, strain and injury to practitioner's hands and fingers and provide enhanced patient comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: PT By Design, LLC
    Inventors: Trinda D. Metzger, Janet DeFelice
  • Patent number: 11140960
    Abstract: Most methods of hair styling requires the use of gels, electric tools, or heavy and dangerous hot-irons. The invention I made alters the structure of the teeth in combs/brushes to create friction by adding edges (of various shapes and sizes) to the teeth to rob against the hair as the hair is being combed/brushed thus causing friction and creating heat. The heat created and the force of the friction of the Designer Comb straightens the hair for all hair types but for 3 b hair and kinkier it also flattens the hair so people with afros can simply comb up the sides of their hair to get a high-top hair style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Kayvis Damptey
  • Patent number: 11140963
    Abstract: A cap for a scalp care container is capable of applying a liquid which is coupled to the scalp care container. The cap includes an upper cap provided with a plurality of bristles, and a lower cap coupled to the upper cap and fastened to the scalp care container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Inventor: Jeong Ho Jeon
  • Patent number: 11071854
    Abstract: An oral care implement having electrodes thereon. In one aspect, the oral care implement may include a handle and a head, the head having a transverse through hole defined by an upper surface and a lower surface. A first electrode and a second electrode are located on the head and operably coupled to a power source to have opposite electrical charges. At least one of the first and second electrodes may be located on one of the upper and lower surfaces of the transverse through hole. In some embodiments, the first electrode is located on the upper surface of the transverse through hole and the second electrode is located on the lower surface of the transverse through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Daniel Wainless, Patrik Johansson, Soniya Khan
  • Patent number: 11000115
    Abstract: This invention is a flexible finger toothbrush that provides traditional toothbrush bristles and is intended to be used by caregivers providing oral care to patients at bedside. Due to the difficulty in brushing another's teeth from bedside, this device allows for the caregiver to place the flexible toothbrush on her or his finger and assist the caregiver in understanding the placement of the bristles relative to the patient's teeth. Accordingly, this device enables a caregiver to consistently brush a patient's teeth at the recommended 45-degree angle, thereby providing better oral care to patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: Grace Baker
  • Patent number: 10959510
    Abstract: A toothbrush that compensates for a user's toothbrushing technique and cleans the teeth effectively is provided. The toothbrush includes a handle and a head piece. The head piece includes a base supported by a frame, and the base is made of a flexible material. The head piece includes a base having a first surface and an opposing second surface, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements disposed on the first and second surfaces of the base. The toothbrush further includes cleaning elements that extend from the base at different angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: David Hyun Jong Cho
  • Patent number: 10932891
    Abstract: A nozzle (12) for an oral irrigator device (10) having a guidance tip (34) with at least one orifice (36) at one end, and a nozzle spacer assembly (58) positioned around the at least one orifice (36). The at least one orifice is configured to expel a fluid as one of a jet, a spray, or any combination thereof. The nozzle spacer assembly (58) comprises at least two pairs of pliable spacers (60) that extend from the surface (35) for ensuring that the area at an entrance of an interproximal space between two teeth are treated, and (ii) establishing an improved angle of impact of the fluid expelled from the orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Milica Kovacevic-Milivojevic, Bart Gottenbos, Marco Baragona, Sergei Shulepov, Valentina Lavezzo, Guido Antonius Theodorus Adriaensen
  • Patent number: 10743646
    Abstract: An oral care implement that includes a head having tooth cleaning elements including at least one conical tuft of bristles. The conical tuft of bristles defines a cavity that has a transverse cross-sectional area that increases with distance from the head. The tooth cleaning elements may also include one or more arcuate cleaning elements that at least partially surround the conical tuft. The tooth cleaning elements may also include multi-height bristle tufts along lateral sides of the head. Furthermore, the head may have two conical tufts such that one of the conical tufts is oriented at a smaller acute angle relative to the head than the other conical tuft and/or one of the conical tufts is taller than the other conical tuft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Kenneth Waguespack, Robert Moskovich, Andreas Wechsler, Joachim Storz
  • Patent number: 10506869
    Abstract: A cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus and processes for streamlining cleaning, drying, and/or storing cosmetic brushes are described. The cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus may include elevated elements to aid in cleaning and drawing out make-up, dirt, debris, etc., in the fibrous heads of cosmetic brushes. The cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus may include draining mechanisms for removing excess water resulting from the cleaning process. The cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus may include an elevated wall that follows a contour of the cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus for retaining water within the elevated wall of the cosmetic cleaning apparatus and/or securing cosmetic brushes for drying and storing cosmetic brushes. The cosmetic brush cleaning apparatus may include one or more additional drying elements for drying and/or storing the cosmetic brushes. The cosmetic brush cleaning system enables users to deep clean cosmetic brushes efficiently and conveniently dry and/or store the cosmetic brushes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HCT GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: Cindy Sean Yuei Lim, Michelle Wong, Nadine Yiang
  • Patent number: 10413376
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a dental device that is configured to be worn on a user's finger, and inserted into the mouth of a patient. The dental device may be comprised of rigid and/or semi-rigid materials, wherein when dental device is inserted between an upper set and lower set of the patient's teeth, the dental device may maintain the patient's mouth in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Inventor: Reza Arzegar
  • Patent number: 10368625
    Abstract: An applicator for applying creams, lotions, medicine, etc. to the body of a user. There is a sleeve coupled to a textured platform and/or reservoir. The sleeve is shaped and sized to friction fit to a pair of adjacent fingertips of a user and thereby to allow the user to beneficially apply, by fingertip control, fluid/cream/powder/etc. products. The textured platform includes an indented front portion, a reservoir, that is coupled to and/or integral to the sleeve such that when the sleeve is disposed over a pair of fingers, the indented front portion extends forward from the pads of the fingertips. There is also a tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventors: Debi Byrnes, Eric Paul Rose
  • Patent number: 10349734
    Abstract: An adjustable brush treatment device has a flexible attachment between two lobes or textured portions. Each portion has a textured surface adapted for rinsing or cleaning cosmetic brushes, and an opposite surface adapted for placement of the device in a working area with the textured surfaces presented for engagement with a brush head or applicator. A tab or coupling member is provided for coupling the device about a user's hand, with the textured surfaces presented on opposite sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Practk LLC
    Inventors: Simone Rodrigues Oliveira Xavier, Rene Xavier Filho
  • Patent number: 10327981
    Abstract: The massaging device comprises a telescopic handle, a threaded connection, and a plurality of heads. The threaded connection attaches a head selected from the plurality of heads to the telescopic handle. Each of the plurality of heads further comprises a massaging surface. The differences between each of the plurality of heads is defined by differences in the massaging surface. The person places the massaging surface on the portion of the body that requires therapeutic pressure or kneading. The plurality of heads of massaging device pivots allowing the angle of the massaging surface to be changed relative to the body of the person. Each of the plurality of heads is interchangeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Inventor: Nancy Ayotte
  • Patent number: 10285494
    Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a shell including a handle portion and an applicator portion opposite the handle portion. The fluid dispenser includes a handle connected to the handle portion of the shell, and an applicator connected to the applicator portion of the shell. The applicator includes a base portion, a plurality of nodules extending from the base portion away from the handle portion of the shell, and at least one dispensing orifice. An interior cavity is formed between the applicator and the shell, where the at least one dispensing orifice provides selective fluid communication into the interior cavity through the applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Helen Lho
  • Patent number: 10213064
    Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Filip Sedic
  • Patent number: 10206848
    Abstract: A beauty instrument capable of imparting a massaging effect to skin. A beauty instrument is configured such that a pair of balls is supported at the tip of a handle. The balls are positioned at a distance from each another, and are capable of rotating around respective axes thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MTG Co., ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10045672
    Abstract: A cleaning arrangement for a rotatable cleaning member of a vacuum cleaner nozzle, the cleaning arrangement being configured and adapted to at least loosen debris entangled to the rotatable cleaning member and comprising a cleaning element configured to selectively engage and disengage the rotatable cleaning member in the course of operating a cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Henrik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9968181
    Abstract: A cleaning system is adapted to clean a surface and includes a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. Bristles are formed within the second side. Bumps are formed within the first side. Finger holes are formed between the first side and the second side at the third side. An opening is formed between the first side and the second side at the fourth side. In one embodiment, fingers are inserted into the finger holes, enabling a user to clean the surface with two different textures with the housing over the user's fingers. This enables fingertip control on either the brush side or the bump side. In one embodiment, fingers are inserted into the slotted side to enable a user to clean the surface with two different textures with the housing in the palm of the user's hand. This enables greater pressure onto the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventor: Lisa Nomura-Rodgers
  • Patent number: 9913529
    Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Erwin Tomm
  • Patent number: 9889065
    Abstract: A skin cleanser includes a surface, such as a silicone surface, with at least one textured portion for transmitting vibrational tapping to the skin. The skin cleanser includes at least one oscillating motor for generating the tapping motion to the skin. The textured portion includes touch-points or a wave that transmit the tapping motion to skin in contact with the textured portions. The touch-points may include thicker and thinner formations of the touch-points to provide firmer or softer vibrations to the skin. The touch-points are within about 0.5 to 2.5 mm in diameter. One configuration includes multiple oscillating motors configured to provide different vibration frequencies at around 50-300 Hertz and operable simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Filip Sedic
  • Patent number: 9775477
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner nozzle having a rotatable member for picking up particles from a surface to be cleaned, and an external cleaning apparatus for removing articles entangled to the rotatable member. The nozzle includes a support surface provided on a radially projecting member of the rotatable member, and a cleaning member provided on the external cleaning apparatus. During rotation of the rotatable member, the cleaning member co-operates with the support surface to remove entangled articles from the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget Electrolux
    Inventor: Henrik Eriksson
  • Patent number: 9578956
    Abstract: A tooth brush device having bristle touch-points composed of a polymer material (e.g., silicone) provides improved biofilm removal from teeth. The tooth brush device comprises a head with an apex, a base opposite the apex, a front surface, and a back surface opposite the front surface. The front surface of the head includes bristle touch-points arranged along rows. The rows are arranged orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the head extending from the apex of the head to the base of the head. Each of a plurality of the bristle touch-points is a single solid elongate structure extending from the head and is composed of a polymer material. The device further includes a neck coupled to the base of the head and a handle coupled to the head via the neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventor: Filip Sedic
  • Patent number: 9510663
    Abstract: A push broom head includes a body including an upper face, a lower face, a front face, a rear face, and left and right end faces. A plurality of sweeper bristles project outwardly from the lower face. A handle mounting block portion includes a socket adapted to receive an associated broom handle. The handle mounting block portion is located between left and right portions of the body. The body includes a plurality of open pockets defined in the upper face on both the left and right portions of the body. Each of the pockets opens through the upper face of the body and comprises a bottom wall. Each of the pockets defines a depth between the upper face of the body and the respective bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Erwin Tomm
  • Patent number: 9357837
    Abstract: A toothbrush featuring a graspable elongated handle defining a longitudinal axis, the handle comprising a neck region adjacent an end of the handle and a head disposed at the end of the handle. The head is carrying flexible bristles that extend outward from an outer surface of the head. The outer surface of the head is axisymmetric. The bristles are distributed about the head such that bristles extend in each of several radial directions, including from opposite sides of the head. At least some of the bristles are extending so as to overlay the longitudinal axis in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Carlon Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Alan Henderson
  • Patent number: 9339359
    Abstract: The invention relates to an applicator instrument for applying dental compounds. The applicator instrument comprises an instrument head with a support structure and with a plurality of projections formed on the support structure. The projections are elastic and, in relation to a height extent, have less stiffness than the support structure. Between them, the projections enclose a receiving space for the dental compound. According to the invention, the projections have a planar configuration and, in relation to a width extent, are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The greatest diameter of the instrument head is between 2 mm and 3 mm. With the applicator instrument according to the invention, it is easier to apply the dental compound in dosed amounts and to spread the dental compound across the surface that is to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Gilltec GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Fritze, Jochen Heinz, Philipp Rolle
  • Patent number: 9179764
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a tongue-mounted cleaning article for caring for the teeth and gums having an elongated body defining an inner cavity formed in the configuration of the tongue for receiving and accommodating the tongue, and a slot for receiving and accommodating the frenulum on the undersurface of the tongue; an open end sized to permit insertion of tongue; and a closed end being narrower than the open end and configured in the shape of the tip of the tongue, the closed end comprising a plurality of pyramidal protuberances or bristles disposed over a portion or entirety of its surface, wherein the pyramidal protuberances or bristles project outwardly for cleaning the teeth and gums by appropriate movement of the tongue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Inventor: Adel Elseri
  • Patent number: 8997299
    Abstract: A tooth cleaning device comprising a handle, and a pad coupled to the handle, wherein the pad has a front face, a back face and a plurality of side walls. There are a plurality of different areas disposed on the front face of the pad comprising a first area comprising a first set of protrusions, in a substantially semi-spherical shape, and a second area comprising a second set of protrusions in a substantially conical shape. There is also a third area of protrusions formed as a substantially conical shape, and a fourth area of protrusions formed as a substantially semi-spherical shape. The device can be formed as a pad which collapses voluntarily under pressure. The pad can be made from any suitable material such as any type of rubber or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Gruber, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Gruber, Edward Kozloski
  • Patent number: 8959696
    Abstract: An oral care implement, such as a toothbrush. In one aspect, the invention is an oral care implement comprising a handle and a head. A plurality of tooth cleaning elements may extend from a front surface of the head, which is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart segments formed of a rigid material, wherein the plurality of segments include a cruciform segment integrally formed with and extending from a distal end of the handle, a first pair of segments located on opposite sides of a longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, and a second pair of segments located on opposite sides of the longitudinal portion of the cruciform segment, the first pair of segments located on an opposite side of a transverse portion of the cruciform segment from the second pair of segments. The segments of the first and second pairs are flexibly connected to the cruciform segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Wen Jin Xi, Liu Yu, Jian Rong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8887344
    Abstract: A sweeping device and method of manufacturing a silicone sweeping device. The sweeping device is made of silicone and includes: a silicone block with internal chassis; a plurality of downwardly silicone elongated bristles; and an upwardly projecting member containing a handle-receiving member with a cavity. The method of manufacturing a silicone sweeping device includes: providing a hard heat resistant chassis; providing a hard heat resistant cone with internal screw thread; drilling a hole into the center of the chassis; providing protective coating to the chassis; providing primer coating to the chassis; inserting the hard cone heat resistant tube as the handle receiving hole into the hole in the chassis; providing a mold including a mold cavity; placing the chassis into the mold cavity; processing the silicone in the mold into a final product; and applying secondary heat treatment in the oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Bachar, Dror Bachar
  • Patent number: 8850649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cleaning tool, a cleaning sheet and method of removes debris, lint, or hair from a variety of surfaces. The cleaning tool is provided with a first array of stems and a second array of stems, wherein the first array of stems are smaller and more densely included on a cleaning surface of the cleaning tool. The larger stems are able to loosen and pull deeply embedded hair from loose fabric surfaces, while the smaller stems are able to capture and retain the loosened hair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Lloyd S. Vasilakes, Shaelyn D. Benson
  • Patent number: 8806693
    Abstract: An oral care implement or toothbrush 100 includes a head 104, a tooth cleaning element region 116 and a tissue cleaning element region 114. The tissue cleaning element region 114 includes a plurality of flexible, angled projections 120. The projections 120 are configured to flex from an at-rest position to a substantially flat position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pushed into the mouth. The projections 120 are also configured to flex to a substantially upright position when the tissue cleaning element region 114 is in contact with the tongue and is pulled out of the mouth. This arrangement aids in preventing debris from being pushed into the mouth and in removing debris from the mouth and tongue. The flexible projections 120 may be used in conjunction with rigid projections 122 having a generally vertical configuration to aid in removing debris from the mouth and in engaging the cheek to improve saliva production during brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Thomas Boyd, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Joe Vazquez, Ian Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8806695
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a head with a soft tissue cleaner disposed on a second side thereof. In one embodiment, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle and having a first side and a second side; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements attached to the first side of the head; and a soft tissue cleaner disposed on the second side of the head, the soft tissue cleaner including a first portion comprising a plurality of projections and a second portion comprising a plurality of bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Robert Moskovich, Douglas Hohlbein, Bruce Russell
  • Patent number: 8800091
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprising tooth cleaning elements and a tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head and a handle; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head; a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material positioned within the receiving cavity, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a base surface that is flush with the second face of the head and a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8776302
    Abstract: An oral care implement has a head and a first tooth cleaning element. The first tooth cleaning element has a generally convex end surface such that dentifrice applied to the head is adapted to be directed towards a distal cleaning surface of the head. The oral care implement can also include a gum massaging element extending from a peripheral side of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Armin Baertschi, Martin Zwimpfer, Robert Moskovich
  • Patent number: 8763194
    Abstract: An oral care implement such as a toothbrush includes a head and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements supported by the toothbrush head. The tooth cleaning elements preferably include an elastomeric polishing element defining an elevated dentifrice retaining recess spaced above the toothbrush head for holding dentifrice. In one embodiment, the recess may be configured as an annular groove. Preferred embodiments of the recess include a partially or completely closed bottom portion to support and minimize loss of dentifrice during brushing. In some embodiments, the polishing element may be collectively formed from a plurality of Y-shaped polishing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Andreas Wechsler, Joachim Storz, Raimund Klausegger
  • Patent number: 8745807
    Abstract: An apparatus and method that efficiently scrubs and massages a surface without the need for a washcloth and effectively inhibits growth of mold and bacteria. The apparatus is designed to fit within a human hand to facilitate ease in use. The material that the apparatus is made from can be quick drying and antibacterial. The apparatus can be used on both humans and animals for grooming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: Donald Varner, Thomas L. Palecki
  • Patent number: 8732900
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner lint brush accessory system having a lint brush and cradle. The lint brush has longitudinally opposed handle and brush portions. The brush portion has a brush material adapted to remove fibrous substances from a surface to be cleaned. The cradle has a chamber opening leading to a chamber. The chamber extends in the longitudinal direction and is adapted to longitudinally receive at least the brush portion of the lint brush, the chamber has at least one brush cleaning pad adapted to engage the brush material and remove the fibrous substances from the brush material. The chamber further includes an air outlet spaced from the chamber opening. The air outlet is selectively connectable to a vacuum passage of a vacuum cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Niederman, Thomas Josefsson, John C. Morphey, Brian Wang Sun
  • Patent number: 8677541
    Abstract: An oral care implement may include a base portion sized for insertion into an oral cavity and a plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements extending from the base portion, wherein each of the plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements comprises an edge, wherein at least one of the edges comprises a micro edge, and wherein the plurality of flexible, elastomeric elements comprises an element density of less than about 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Stephen Meadows, Jose Tadeo Vergara de Castro, Mark Edward Farrell, William Ralph Brown, Jr., Eric V. Borges, Long Sheng Yu
  • Patent number: 8631534
    Abstract: The invention includes a toothbrush including a toothbrush handle and a toothbrush head having an end proximal a toothbrush handle, an end distal to the toothbrush handle, a dorsal surface for holding at least one toothbrush bristle, a ventral surface opposite the dorsal surface, first and second sides disposed between the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the toothbrush head, and a plurality of gum cushions disposed on each of the sides of the toothbrush head, where the height of the respective gum cushions tapers from the proximal end of the toothbrush head to the distal end of the toothbrush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Fresh, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen John Blanchard, Bethann O'Malley, Justin McDonough
  • Patent number: 8595887
    Abstract: A multipurpose brush has an ergonomically formed, substantially plate-shaped and elastically deformable brush body with a substantially flat top side and a substantially flat bottom side and curved side edges. Elastic, substantially conical grooming elements are arranged at the bottom side. At the top side of the brush body there are tooth-like combing elements. The grooming elements serve to deeply treat the fur of an animal to be brushed and the combing elements serve to comb out and smooth the fur. Design and arrangement of the grooming and combing elements are chosen such that grooming and combing effects of different strengths result depending on the direction in which the brush is passed over the fur. The brush can also be used as clothes brush or for upholstered furniture or carpets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Werner Hiltmann
  • Patent number: 8584301
    Abstract: A dental device including an elongated handle and a tip portion formed at a distal end of the handle and tapering to a tip end. A plurality of bristles is integrally molded with the tip end from a flexible polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Denbur, Inc.
    Inventor: Fari Maissami
  • Patent number: 8549693
    Abstract: A tooth cleaning device comprising a handle, and a pad coupled to the handle, wherein the pad has a front face, a back face and a plurality of side walls. There are a plurality of different areas disposed on the front face of the pad comprising a first area comprising a first set of protrusions, in a substantially semi-spherical shape, and a second area comprising a second set of protrusions in a substantially conical shape. There is also a third area of protrusions formed as a substantially conical shape, and a fourth area of protrusions formed as a substantially semi-spherical shape. The device can be formed as a pad which collapses voluntarily under pressure. The pad can be made from any suitable material such as any type of rubber or plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Gruber, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Gruber, Edward Kozloski
  • Patent number: 8533894
    Abstract: A scalp washing device includes a base and projections for washing projected from a brush surface of the base. Each of the projections includes a root portion on a side of the base having a circular shape in cross-section, a middle portion including a tip surface having a flattened shape in cross-section, and at least a pair of conical tip projections each having a tip chamfered to have a curved surface and provided on the tip surface. The middle portion has a cross-sectional shape changing from a circular shape to a flattened shape from a side of the root portion to a side of the tip surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Watanabe, Keiji Yoshii
  • Patent number: 8528145
    Abstract: An oral care implement includes a head, a tooth cleaning element region and a tissue cleaning element region. The tissue cleaning element region includes a plurality of flexible, angled projections. The projections are configured to (1) flex from an at-rest position to a substantially flat position when the tissue cleaning element region is in contact with the tongue and is pushed into the mouth, and (2) flex to a substantially upright position when the tissue cleaning element region is in contact with the tongue and is pulled out of the mouth. This arrangement aids in preventing debris from being pushed into the mouth and in removing debris from the mouth and tongue. The flexible projections may be used in conjunction with rigid projections having a generally vertical configuration to aid in removing debris from the mouth and in engaging the cheek to improve saliva production during brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Thomas Boyd, Douglas J. Hohlbein, Joe Vazquez, Ian Nicholson
  • Patent number: 8523888
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleanser is provided to effectively cleanse the soft tissue of the mouth with comfort and a reduced risk of injury to the user. In one construction, a projection is formed of a combination of a hard material and a soft material. The rigid material provides stability for cleaning debris from the tongue or other tissue while the soft material provides comfort and a reduced risk of injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8522386
    Abstract: An oral care implement comprising tooth cleaning elements and a tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head and a handle; a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a first face of the head; a receiving cavity formed into a second face of the head opposite the first face; and a soft tissue cleanser formed of an elastomeric material that is injection molded into the receiving cavity to bond the soft tissue cleanser to the head, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a plurality of projections extending beyond the second face of the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas J. Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 8500766
    Abstract: An oral care implement with a soft tissue cleaner. The inventive oral care implement comprises different kinds of soft tissue cleaners that offer expanded in-mouth cleaning. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head having a structural body having a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface; a basin formed into the rear surface of the structural body, the structural body comprising a protuberance extending upward from a recessed floor of the basin, the basin surrounding the protuberance; a first cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue located within the basin, the protuberance of the structural body extending through a central hole of the first cleaner; and a second cleaner formed of a resilient material for cleansing soft oral tissue, the second cleaner located on the protuberance of the structural body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eduardo Jimenez, Michael Rooney, Robert Moskovich, Jacob Pringiers, Luca Casini, Joachim Storz, Raimund Klausegger
  • Patent number: 8484789
    Abstract: Toothbrushes are provided which have various features that may include one or more tooth cleaning elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, one or more gum treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or one or more soft tissue/tongue treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, William Ralph Brown, Jr., Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Chris Blain, Jens Uwe Stoerkel, Ulrich Pfeifer, Gerhard Schaefer