Special Work Patents (Class 15/210.1)
  • Patent number: 10802227
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector includes: a head that presses a cleaning unit against the optical connector; a supply reel that supplies the cleaning unit to the head; and a take-up reel that collects the cleaning unit from the head. The supply reel and the take-up reel are disposed rotatably about a common rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Nakane
  • Patent number: 10791824
    Abstract: A paint brush and method of making the same is disclosed. The paint brush includes a velutinous painting portion having a body including a cavity and an opening, an insert disposed within the body, a handle coaxial with the body, and a ferrule connecting the body to the handle to seal the insert within the body. The body includes an interior face having a rigid surface and an exterior face having velutinous members. The velutinous members include animal fur, synthetic filaments, and/or natural fibers. The method includes sewing fabric having a velutinous surface into a pocket having a cavity, positioning the pocket so the velutinous surface faces an exterior of the pocket, inserting a semi-rigid foam insert into the cavity to form a velutinous painting portion, and connecting the velutinous painting portion to a paint brush handle with a ferrule to form a paint brush having a velutinous painting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventor: John Dimitriou
  • Patent number: 10780459
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning a glass surface of an accelerator column is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes a shaft including a first end and a second end; a foam body located at the first end of the shaft; and a mounting bracket coupled to the first end of the shaft, the mounting bracket receiving the foam body. An outer circumference of the foam body includes a textured cleaning surface for contacting the glass surface of the accelerator column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Blanchard, Nevin H. Clay, Joshua R. Conahan, Christopher Lupoli
  • Patent number: 10722923
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and a hole-cleaning apparatus for cleaning machined holes before measurement. The apparatus includes a probe that is inserted into a hole, and a spool support configured to support a spool of a cleaning material. During operation, cleaning material is drawn from the spool downward along the outer surface of the probe, and cleans the machined hole. The cleaning material then passes through an opening at the lower end of the probe, moves upward through an internal passage to an opening in the upper end of the probe, and is collected on a powered take-up reel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Ian Dahl Cairns
  • Patent number: 10653288
    Abstract: A versatile flexible cleaning apparatus including a removable and reusable pad and a core having a central spine. The pad has an opening for insertion or removal of the core. A spacer provides support for the central spine. A connector is a two-part device attachable to a tool, such as the flexible cleaning apparatus, for the addition of a selected handle. A swivel having a locking feature is also attached to the connector. The connector allows for the tool to be quickly and easily converted from a handheld dusting apparatus to a floor mop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Black Tie Brands, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Batchelor, Jr., Scott Voelker
  • Patent number: 10638895
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a toilet cleaning device which comprises a handle, and a cleaning head, where the handle comprises an elongate shaft with opposite first and second ends and a longitudinal axis. The cleaning head comprises an upper surface, which connects to the second end of the handle, a lower surface opposite to the handle, and a lower rim which defines a plane, where the longitudinal axis of the elongate shaft forms an acute angle with the plane of the cleaning head, and wherein the lower surface comprises a cavity surrounded by a flange, on which flange the lower rim is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Stig Brammer Knudsen
  • Patent number: 10634857
    Abstract: A cleaning tool for cleaning an optical connector including a plurality of ferrules, including: a plurality of heads whose pressing surfaces are spanned by a cleaner, each of the pressing surfaces being for pressing the cleaner against the ferrules; a guide member that is placed sandwiched between the heads, and that guides the heads in such a manner that the heads can move rearward; and a cover that accommodates the plurality of heads and the guide member and that exposes the cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Nakane
  • Patent number: 10589308
    Abstract: A finger rest for a liquid applicator is presented. The finger rest comprises a base. The finger rest also comprises an aperture configured to receive a handle of the liquid applicator. The base is configured to rotationally align with a head of the liquid applicator at a junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph W. Kieffer
  • Patent number: 10576341
    Abstract: A system for securing cleaning surfaces onto the shoe of a golfer provides a simple, easy, and quick solution for cleaning the sand, dirt, or grass from the face of a golf club without delaying the next shot, breaking the golfer's concentration, slowing play, or any other inconveniences resulting from existing cleaning methods. The system includes two different cleaning tools, such as a brush and a buff pad, which are each secured adjacent to one another to the shoe for easy access by the club face between shots, without delay and with great cleaning effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Inventor: Robert P. Engel
  • Patent number: 10548306
    Abstract: A device for damaging weed is provided, the device having a working tool, which is designed to damage the weed; a classification unit, which has positional data of the weed and/or which is designed to detect weeds; a localization unit, which is designed to ascertain a relative position between the working tool and the weed; and a manipulator unit, which is designed to correspondingly position the working tool as a function of the ascertained relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Amos Albert, Andreas Michaels
  • Patent number: 10457085
    Abstract: An assembly for dispensing full adhesive notes comprising: a pad comprising a plurality of full adhesive notes arranged in a dispensing stack; and a retention surface comprising a mounting face and adjacent recessed portion; wherein the adhesive on the bottommost note is adhered to the mounting face and portions of the note extend beyond the mounting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Douglas P. Bodziak, Traxton J. Turner, Gerald E. Mueller, Jordan C. DuCharme, Daniel J. Tipping
  • Patent number: 10373631
    Abstract: A method for protecting a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head using a product having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head. The organic coating is on the applicator portion of the tape, and a lubricant is on a data portion of the tape. The lubricant has a different composition than the organic coating. Another method for protecting a magnetic head includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; and storing the magnetic head. Another method includes fabricating a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head for reducing exposure of the head to oxidation promoting materials; applying the organic coating to the applicator portion of the tape; and applying a lubricant to a data portion of the tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lionel Bradshaw, Icko E.Tim Iben, Wayne Alan McKinley, Lee Curtis Randall
  • Patent number: 10263376
    Abstract: A connector cleaner having an elongate portion of material extending from a first end portion to a second end portion; a first paddle element extending from the first end portion, and wherein at least a portion of a first side surface of the first paddle element includes an abrasive element or portion; a second paddle element extending from the first end portion, wherein at least a portion of a first side surface of the second paddle element includes an abrasive element or portion, and wherein the first side surface of the first paddle element is positioned adjacent the first side surface of the second paddle element; and a singular paddle element extending from the second end portion of the elongate portion of material, and wherein at least a portion of a first side surface of the singular paddle element includes an abrasive element or portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Inventor: Alton B. Brown
  • Patent number: 10251527
    Abstract: The device includes a substantially cylindrical oblong rigid extension member having a distal end upon which is formed an articulatable jaw structure, and an opposite proximal end including a hand-operable trigger for actuating the jaw structure between open and closed positions. A collector sock made from a pliable sheet material can be mounted upon the jaw structure so that the sock enwraps the entire fan blade. The inner surface of the sock surrounding its open end includes a plush surface which can conform to uneven or embossed surfaces on the fan blades so that the sock scrapes off and captures dust and other debris from the fan blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventor: Korri L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10202744
    Abstract: A system and a tool for clearing an obstructed pipe or drain is presented. The system comprises the tool and a housing. The tool comprises a plunger and a protective sleeve with a closed end. The plunger comprises a dowel shaped flexible portion and a dowel shaped rigid handle portion, the distal end of the rigid handle portion being fixedly attached to the proximate end of the flexible portion by a connection device. The protective sleeve is comprised of a water soluble material that is configured to conform to the shape of the dowel shaped flexible portion and at least a portion of the dowel shaped rigid handle portion when the flexible portion is inserted therein, the water soluble material being chemically formulated and mechanically formed to maintain watertight integrity when submerged in water. The housing is configured to store the plunger and the protective sleeve when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Inventors: Roy C. Patterson, Darla K Patterson
  • Patent number: 10105019
    Abstract: An exemplary cleaning tool comprises a stem 4 to which is affixed a generally cylindrical wad formed from an absorbent material and an absorbent pad that is detachably connected to the opposite end of the cylindrical wad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: Myron Jerrell Moore
  • Patent number: 10053846
    Abstract: A disposable toilet plunger sheath is configured to be used along with a toilet plunger for unclogging a clogged toilet or pipe. The toilet plunger includes a plunger handle and a plunger cup coupled to an end portion of the plunger handle. The disposable toilet plunger sheath is provided to the toilet plunger to prevent the toilet plunger from being contaminated during use of the toilet plunger. The toilet plunger further includes a container formed in the plunger handle and configured to contain the disposable toilet plunger sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Inventors: Jeongwook Rim, Taewook Rim, Cheolwook Rim
  • Patent number: 9947345
    Abstract: A product according to one embodiment includes a tape having an applicator portion for applying an organic coating to a magnetic head; the organic coating on the applicator portion of the tape; and a lubricant on a data portion of the tape. The lubricant has a different composition than the organic coating. A method for protecting a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes applying an organic coating to a magnetic head using the foregoing product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Lionel Bradshaw, Icko Eric Timothy Iben, Wayne Alan Mckinley, Lee Curtis Randall
  • Patent number: 9907573
    Abstract: A hand-held skin-treatment apparatus includes a deformable cover enclosing a longitudinally-extending volume. The cover has an exterior surface with a selected surface roughness. An elongated rigid support member is arranged within the volume. A compliant member is disposed within the volume and at least partly between the support member and the cover, so that the cover is held substantially stationary with respect to the compliant member. Another apparatus includes an elongated flexible support member. A tip protrudes transversely from a distal end of the support member and a handle is attached to the proximal end. An elongated compliant member is attached to the support member along the length of the compliant member. A cover encloses the tip, part of the compliant member, and a corresponding part of the support member, and has lower surface roughness over a dorsal side than over a ventral side of the support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Beautiful—Bod LLC
    Inventor: John Chapin
  • Patent number: 9897378
    Abstract: A cosmetic sponge drying and storage container has a plurality of components, including at least a first component and a second component, the first component being moveable with respect to the second component to position the container in at least an open condition and a closed condition. At least one of the first component or said second component is perforated with perforations. A cosmetic sponge may be placed within the container when in the open condition and the perforations provide at least 10% ventilation when the container is in the closed condition. Preferably, both the first and second components are perforated to provide for cross-ventilation. In addition, a base may be provided to support the first and second components, and most preferably the base may be perforated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NYC Designed Inspirations LLC
    Inventor: Samantha Palmer
  • Patent number: 9895042
    Abstract: A remover cover is detachably attached to an attraction head equipped at one end of a substantially rod-shaped remover. The attraction head includes a magnetic force generating surface adapted to generate a magnetic force. The cover includes a cover body shaped like a bag and adapted to cover the remover from a tip of the attraction head to at least the magnetic force generating surface, and a holding portion installed by extending from an open end of the cover body. The cover body is configured to allow itself to be turned inside out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MTG Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9888824
    Abstract: A holder for a cleaning pad or the like can include a base and one or more features to inhibit damage to a surface adjacent a surface being cleaned. For example, the holder can include a lip extending downwardly from an edge of the base along one or more sides to inhibit the pad from being coupled to the holder so that the pad extends beyond the edge of the base. The holder can also include one or more contacting features extending outwardly from the base on the side(s) including the lip to space the base and lip from the adjacent surface during use. The contacting features can be one or more wheels horizontally disposed on a top surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Inventor: Tomas Spangberg
  • Patent number: 9802769
    Abstract: A device for stacking a plurality of partially connected labels into a plurality of partially connected pads of labels comprises a robot arm having at least one vacuum source configured to selectively supply a vacuum force. The device also includes a plate coupled to the robot arm and a flexible pad coupled to the plate and including a plurality of apertures configured to direct the majority of the vacuum force through the flexible pad to a surface of the plurality of partially connected labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Electronic Imaging Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Browning, Gene Bethards, Scott Aten, Brian LeFevre, Patrick Cross
  • Patent number: 9795257
    Abstract: A wall-mountable hands-free back washer that allows users to wash and exfoliate their backs without using their hands. The back washer is mounted on a shower wall or bathtub wall by a support panel that attaches to a shower or bathtub wall. The support panel may be permanently for removably attached to the wall. Sponges are attached to the support panel. The sponges can be loofah sponges or any other suitable type of sponge or exfoliating device. The sponges are mounted on the support panel such that a user only has to lean back against the back washer and move up-and-down or side-to-side to clean the user's back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Inventor: Minnie D. June
  • Patent number: 9782867
    Abstract: The water jet reaming tool can avoid the need to replace a toilet (17). The curved handle (19) allows the user to stay at arm's length away from the difficult removal of mineral deposits (13) which prevent sufficient clean water (14) to flush the toilet. A reamer element (12) stands ready at the other end of the handle (19) to enter a clean water jet (15) under the toilet inner rim (16). The user views (11) the water jet (15) and the point 26 via lines of sight (18) from the reflection in the metal mirror (30) attached to the reamer element (12). The user's wrist motions cause the handle (19) to rotate the reamer element (12) and grind the mineral deposits (13) to dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Gordon Leo Hintz
  • Patent number: 9782046
    Abstract: The back scrubbing device is an absorbent textile that is adapted for use in cleaning the back of an individual person. Specifically, the back scrubbing device is formed with a plurality of knobs that provide a scrubbing surface that can be used to remove soil and other extraneous matter. The back scrubbing device comprises a first cloth, a first handle, and a second handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Inventor: Tony Torres
  • Patent number: 9706894
    Abstract: A multi-function multi-use rag system and method integrating a variety of substantially planar sheets in a unitized application context is disclosed. The system/method physically integrates a stack of cleaning rags or other materials that may be of different types and have different functional characteristics. These rags are attached together at their outer periphery via sewing or other fastening means. A peripheral segment of the rag stack that is not attached to other layers may allow the stack to be everted to configure one set of a plurality of inner surfaces to form the outer surfaces of the rag stack system. Eversion of the rag stack thus permits formation of a number of different outer surface combinations that is equal to twice the number of stacked rags. Incorporation of internal stack barrier layers in some embodiments allows isolation of individual layers within the rag stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Inventor: Madison Mark Jones
  • Patent number: 9666217
    Abstract: A sequential storage media system may include a head for reading or writing data to sequential storage media and a controller communicatively coupled to the head. The controller may be configured to control winding of a tape comprising sequential storage media and cleaning media between reels of a cartridge comprising the tape in order to clean a head of a sequential storage media system by passing the cleaning media over the head, after cleaning the head of the sequential storage media system, monitor a bit error rate of input/output communication between the head and the sequential storage media, and repeat the cleaning and the monitoring steps responsive to the bit error rate exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Dina Eldin, Randy M. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 9636833
    Abstract: Bagel dough removal tongs for removing bagel dough from a substantially half-toroid-shaped bagel half, the tongs comprising: a first tong member having a first leg terminating distally in a first end; a second tong member having a second leg terminating distally in a second end, the first and second legs being joined at a proximal hinge opposite the distal first and second ends, the hinge being configured to bias the first and second legs outwardly in an at rest configuration of the tongs wherein the first and second ends are spaced apart and to selectively allow flexing of the first and second legs inwardly in an operative configuration of the tongs wherein the first and second ends are shifted closer together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Independent Ink, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Brucker, Rita M. Brucker, Nadeepuram K. Ranganathan
  • Patent number: 9572477
    Abstract: A handheld dishwashing device for cleaning dishes and utensils includes a handle, a clean water tube for receiving and transferring a pressurized flow of heated water, a soap tube for receiving and transferring a flow of soap, a first and second clean water discharge port in fluid flow communication with the clean water tube, a trigger for selectively operating the flow of water to the first and second clean water discharge ports, at least one cleaning head component, a soap discharge port in communication with the soap tube for emitting the soap onto the cleaning head component, a cleaning head extension bar, and a rinse extension bar being structured and disposed for pivotal movement relative to the handle for holding the cleaning head component, thereby allowing for selective use of one of either the top or bottom sides of the cleaning head component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: David Burhans
  • Patent number: 9447591
    Abstract: A tool for finishing an outside corner comprises a handle and a V-shaped blade coupled to the handle. The V-shaped blade has a pair of planar blade surfaces which each extend from a vertex thereof. A retaining mechanism releasably retains a sponge against the surfaces of the V-shaped blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Robert McKay
  • Patent number: 9318362
    Abstract: A die bonder comprises a movable bond collet for holding an electronic device, and a platform which comprises a cleaning surface for cleaning the bond collet when the bond collet contacts the cleaning surface. The die bonder also comprises a cleaning agent supply, wherein the cleaning agent supply is operative to provide a cleaning agent to the cleaning surface to facilitate the cleaning of the bond collet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: ASM TECHNOLOGY SINGAPORE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Mei Po Leung, Wing Yin Lee, Chi Ming Chong
  • Patent number: 9301655
    Abstract: A hands free washing assembly for washing a user's back includes a primary frame that may be coupled to a support surface. A coupler is coupled to the primary frame. The coupler engages the support surface so the primary frame is retained on the support surface. A plate is selectively operationally coupled to the primary frame. A user rubs the user's back on the plate so the plate scrubs the user's back. A secondary frame is operationally coupled to the primary frame. The secondary frame retains the plate on the primary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Curtis Coleman
  • Patent number: 9258985
    Abstract: A cleaning device for cleaning the back side of a panel with a control member and a cleaning member, which is separate from the control member and which has a base member and two blades disposed thereon. The control member and the cleaning member interact magnetically through the panel, so that the cleaning member disposed on the back side of the panel can be guided along the panel while pressing the cleaning edges of both blades on the back side of the panel by means of the control member disposed in a manner corresponding to it on the front side of the panel. The two blades may be of different lengths and, by suitable geometry and arrangement of the blades or of magnetic elements, the shorter of the two blades exerts a greater pressing force on the panel with its cleaning edge than does the longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TUNZE Aquarientechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Tunze, Axel Tunze
  • Patent number: 9226628
    Abstract: A flushable tool for cleaning a toilet bowl has an elongated water soluble handle, one end of which carries a water soluble cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventor: Payton A. Morrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9204777
    Abstract: A duster including a sleeve and one or more fibrous bundles attached to the sleeve. The sleeve is constructed to include one or more channels within the interior of the sleeve for receiving prongs of a duster handle. The fibrous bundles are attached to the surface of the sleeve or through the sleeve. The channels within the sleeve may include one or more narrowing areas to facilitate retention of the prongs within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: EZ Products of South Florida, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Joseph M Colangelo
  • Patent number: 9174248
    Abstract: The device for cleaning at least one medical hearing unit includes an earpiece, and a space for receiving the earpiece, the space having at least one seat receiving the earpiece and an orifice with a cavity underneath. There is a circulator for a liquid within the space to contact the earpiece. The cavity includes an outlet for flow or aspiration of liquid, an opening opposite, and, below each orifice, a directing device to guide the liquid towards and under each orifice, as far as the outlet, in such a way that liquid flows across the earpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: MG DEVELOPMENT
    Inventor: José Antonio Gil
  • Patent number: 9174323
    Abstract: Polishing and cleaning techniques are combinatorially processed and evaluated. A polishing system can include a reactor assembly having multiple reaction chambers, with at least a reaction chamber including a rotatable polishing head, slurry and chemical distribution, chemical and water rinse, and slurry and fluid removal. Different downward forces can be applied to the polishing heads for evaluating optimum process conditions. Channels in the polishing pads can redistribute slurry and chemical to the polishing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Van Berkel, Aaron T. Francis, Frank C. Ma, George Mirth
  • Patent number: 9055852
    Abstract: A floor cleaning tool is disclosed. The floor cleaning tool comprises a mop head including a perimeter, a working surface and back surface, opposite the working surface. The working surface includes a contact surface and a recessed surface. The contact surface is on a portion of the working surface for making contact with the surface to be cleaned. The contact surface includes a first capturing edge and a second capturing edge. The recessed surface is on a portion of the working surface and includes a first side surface recessed from the first capturing edge of the contact surface and a second side surface recessed from the second capturing edge of the contact surface. The entire contact surface is nonlinear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Tuman, Robert J. Maki, Lloyd S. Vasilakes, Byron E. Trotter, Scott D. Gullicks
  • Patent number: 9055807
    Abstract: The wedge-shaped paintbrush is a paintbrush with characteristics ideal for trim work. The wedge cross-sectional shape creates a narrow trailing edge, resulting in a fine line for working close to corners and other edges. The wide leading edge acts as a storage location for paint due to its large quantity of bristles. The synergistic result is a paintbrush that has the narrow trailing line of a trim brush, but with the paint-carrying capacity of a larger brush. This allows the novice, who lacks the ability to control the large number of bristles in a larger brush, to effectively cut in a room in a short period of time, minimizing the quantity of times he must reload the brush with paint, or wipe off areas unintentionally painted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: James C. Dale
  • Publication number: 20150143648
    Abstract: A housing for a mobile device (4) comprises a pouch (1) or case including cleaning material arranged to clean the surface of the mobile device (4) as it is slid into or out of the housing. Shock-absorbing material (5) may be provided between the cleaning material (3) and the pouch (1) or case. The pouch may be reversible for use as a cleaning pad or mitt, and may include a pocket (6) for holding the mobile device when the pouch is reversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Derek Batey
  • Patent number: 9032582
    Abstract: A cleaning implement for cleaning a ceiling fan blade is provided. The cleaning implement includes a frame, a single cleaning cloth, and gripping portion. The frame has an open end and a closed end opposite the open end so that the frame defines a fan blade receiving opening. The opening receives the ceiling fan blade therein when the ceiling fan blade has a width that is smaller than, equal to, or larger than a width of the first fan blade receiving opening. The single cleaning cloth is removably disposed on the frame so that a cleaning surface of the single cleaning cloth can contact at least one surfaces of the ceiling fan blade. The gripping portion is connected to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Unger Marketing International, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr., David Quinlan, Jeffrey T. Mulreed, Paul H. Adams
  • Patent number: 9032583
    Abstract: A traction-enhancing cleaning kit for allowing sports players to clean and dry the soles of their court shoes while in-play. The cleaning kit comprises a gellified shoe cleaning fluid (3), and a shoe-attachable cleaning and drying device (1) comprising a gel-absorbent cleaning/drying cartridge (2) removably secured by hook-and-loop to a carrier platform (4), which is in turn secured along the forefoot of the sneaker by its laces. The cartridge (2) includes an encapsulated viscose rayon microfiber panel (20) backed by a moisture-impermeable layer (30), and held captive in a plastic frame (10). The frame (10) includes a raised wiping lip (114) surrounding the panel (20). In use, the player need only swipe one foot over the top of the cleaning and drying device (1) attached to the other foot, brushing the sole. One swipe wets and squeegees dry, and the process is repeated for the other foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Steve McLaughlin, Seth McLaughlin
  • Publication number: 20150128997
    Abstract: A cleaning device and methods for cleaning medical devices, in particular, stethoscopes, is provided. In one aspect, the cleaning device includes a housing defining an interior chamber and configured to mount a wipe device, the housing including an aperture configured to receive a medical device, and a wipe device mounted within the interior chamber and including at least two rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Zoran Lesic
  • Patent number: 9021650
    Abstract: A lint and fuzz ball removing device is disclosed comprising at least one blade attached to an easily grasped and maneuvered body allowing for the quick removal and or detangling of lint, hair and pill balls. The blade surface is entirely covered with particle removing hooks or finger-like projections, including a plurality of flat surfaces, and edges of the blade, allowing for the quick and easy removal of lint, hair, fuzz and pill balls of any shape and size, across broad surfaces or hard to reach areas of clothing and fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Chester S. Lew
  • Patent number: 9021649
    Abstract: A cleaning assembly including a disposable cleaning implement having a cleaning element mounted to a fitment having an elongated post. The cleaning assembly includes an elongated maneuvering wand having a handle portion and a distal implement attachment end thereof. A gripping mechanism is coupled to the wand attachment end, and is configured to releasably grip the fitment post to mount the cleaning implement. The gripping mechanism and the maneuvering wand cooperate to substantially limited pivotal movement of a longitudinal axis of the fitment post, relative a longitudinal axis of the gripping mechanism to not more than about 0 degrees to about 25 degrees when the fitment post is subjected to forces radial to the longitudinal axis of the fitment post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: The Clorox Company
    Inventors: Douglas J. Minkler, Russell E. Bell
  • Patent number: 9015894
    Abstract: An extendable applicator device which allows a user to apply soap, lotion, medication, or various other substances to areas of the body which may be difficult to reach. The device can function as a traditional scrubbing or application device but may also be extended so that the user's back, shoulders, or other areas can be addressed as well. Exemplary embodiments use an elastic member that can elongate to allow an extended reach. Other embodiments use a locking mechanism or a retracting assembly to allow the device to extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: TaDa Investments LLC
    Inventor: David Abraham
  • Patent number: 9015891
    Abstract: A device for cleaning drinking glasses, including inner and outer cleaning aids extending substantially upright adjacent each other to cleaningly engage an outside and an inside respectively of a wall of a drinking glass inserted between the cleaning aids. The outer cleaning aid includes at least one foam body of which a body portion, over at least a part of the height of the device, extends into a free area of a smallest circle enclosing a non-circular cross section of the inner cleaning aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Aquafox Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Martijn Schaaper, Bauke Jan Bokma de Boer
  • Publication number: 20150101137
    Abstract: Provided herein are cleaning apparatuses for electronic devices, such as computers, smart devices, laptops and cameras. The cleaning apparatuses comprise cleaning members having, for example, a cleaning pad and/or brush or other cleaning member and a container or housing on or in which the cleaning member is contained and/or stored. The cleaning apparatuses each comprise a mount to removably secure the apparatus to the electronic device. The mounts may comprise a hot shoe mount, a strap slide, a clip mount, or a slottable member configured for a port or slot on the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Ye Xu
  • Publication number: 20150096140
    Abstract: An improved wipe for a laparoscope or other optical device subject to fogging comprises a top outer layer of microfiber cloth, a bottom outer layer, and absorbent material disposed between the top and bottom outer layers. The bottom layer may include an adhesive layer exposed by a release layer. The absorbent material may be a sponge or foam pad, including an open-cell foam pad. Alternatively, the absorbent material may include a plurality of absorbent fabric layers, with at least the outermost layer being a microfiber cloth layer. A sponge or foam tape may be disposed between the absorbent fabric layers and the bottom outer layer. The wipe may be a square shape with dimensions on the order of 2 to 4 inches on a side and a thickness in the range of ? to ½ inches. The article may further include a radiopaque thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: John Temple