Swivel assembly for oral irrigator handle

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 10835356
  • Patent Number
    10,835,356
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, January 25, 2017
    7 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 17, 2020
    3 years ago
Abstract
An oral irrigator handle has a handle housing with a swivel assembly for connection to a hose further connected to a fluid source. A tip for directing a focused stream of fluid is releasably connected to a first end of the handle. The swivel assembly is received within the housing and fluidly coupled to tip. The hose is connected to the swivel assembly and fluidly coupled to the tip via the swivel assembly. The swivel assembly prevents translation of rotational movement of the handle or the hose to the other.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to health and personal hygiene equipment and more particularly, to oral irrigators.


BACKGROUND

Oral irrigators are typically used to clean a user's teeth and gums by discharging a pressurized fluid stream into a user's oral cavity. The fluid impacts the teeth and gums to remove debris. Often, the oral irrigator includes a fluid supply, such as a reservoir, that is fluidly connected by a pump to an oral irrigator tip, often through a handle. To direct the fluid in a desired direction, as well as to hold the handle in a comfortable position, a user often rotates either the handle or the tip relative to the handle. However, with countertop units, a hose fluidly connecting the handle to the reservoir can become tangled, or wrapped up as the user moves the handle around to different locations and orientations with respect to the base unit. This can make it difficult for the user to use the oral irrigator as the tangles can reduce the effective length of the hose, as well as make it difficult to store the handle back in the counter top unit (e.g., in a cradle).


The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound.


SUMMARY

In one exemplary implementation, the disclosure includes an oral irrigator handle. The handle includes, a handle housing; a tip for directing a focused stream of fluid connected to a first end of the handle connected to the tip, a swivel assembly received within the handle housing between the first end and a second end of the housing and fluidly coupled to the tip, and a hose connected to the swivel assembly and fluidly coupled to the tip via the swivel assembly. The swivel assembly prevents translation of rotational movement of the handle or the hose relative to the other.


In a further implementation, the swivel assembly further includes a stationary connector keyed to the housing, a swivel connector partially received within the stationary connector and rotatable relative thereto, and a fluid seal positioned between the stationary connector and the swivel connector.


In another implementation, the stationary connector defines a cylindrical receiving cavity and an outlet port. The swivel connector defines a cylindrical disk that rotatably seats within the receiving cavity and an inlet port to which the hose is connected.


In a further implementation, the cyclindrical disk may further include a first disk portion of a first diameter; and a second disk portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The second disk portion seats against an interior wall of the stationary connector. The fluid seal seats around the first disk portion and interfaces with an interior wall of the stationary connector.


In yet another implementation, the handle housing further includes a first ledge and a second ledge each extending normally from an interior wall of the housing and each defining an aperture therethrough. The second ledge is spaced apart from the first ledge along a longitudinal dimension of the housing. A top surface of the stationary connector abuts a bottom surface of the first ledge and the outlet port extends through the aperture in the first ledge. A top surface of the second ledge abuts a bottom surface of the swivel connector and the inlet port extends through the aperture in the second ledge.


In a further implementation, the swivel connector further includes a third disk portion of a third diameter larger than the second diameter to extend as a flange and a bottom surface of the third disk portion abuts the top surface of the second ledge.


This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a rear elevation view of a handle for an oral irrigator connected to a hose for a base unit.



FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the handle of FIG. 1.



FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of the handle of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.



FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of a first shell of a handle housing for the handle of FIG. 1.



FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of a second shell of the handle housing.



FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 illustrating a tip connector of the handle.



FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a tip fitting for the handle of FIG. 1.



FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 illustrating a swivel assembly of the handle.



FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a stationary connector of the swivel assembly.



FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a swivel connector of the swivel assembly.



FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of another example of a handle with the swivel assembly with a first shell of the handle hidden to illustrate the internal components.



FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-section view of the handle of FIG. 10 taken along a line similar to line 3-3 in FIG. 1.



FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an oral irrigator including the handle of FIG. 1.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is generally related to a swivel assembly for a handle for an oral irrigator. The swivel assembly allows the hose to rotate 360 degrees relative to the handle such that, as a user moves the handle in various directions and/or rotates the handle, the hose can spin within the handle, reducing the chance that the hose will become tangled, bent, or the like. In other words, the swivel assembly prevents rotational movement of either the handle or the hose from being transmitted to the other, such that rotation of the handle does not affect the position of the hose. The swivel assembly can be positioned within the handle housing or outside the housing (e.g., beneath the handle) to allow the relative motion of the hose to the handle.


With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the handle 100 includes a main body or housing 102 and a tip 104 connected to the housing 102. A hose 106 connects the handle 100 to a fluid source, and optionally may include a connector 108 for connecting the hose 106 to the fluid source (e.g., connecting the hose 106 to a base unit). A swivel assembly 118 is connected to the housing 102 and the hose 106 and allows the hose 106 and the housing 102 to rotate relative to one another.


The housing 102 forms a main body for the handle 100 and can be configured to be easily grasped by the hand of a user. In these embodiments, the housing 102 may form a generally elongated tube. Additionally, the housing 102 may be configured to connect to a storage component of an oral irrigator base, such as a C-clamp, cutout, or the like. In one embodiment, the housing 102 includes an integrated hanging feature 110. In this embodiment, the hanging feature 110 is defined as an angled groove or slot extending at an angle into the housing 102. FIG. 3 is a cross section of the handle 100. As shown in FIG. 3, the hanging feature 110 is an upwardly angled groove that begins at approximately a mid-section of the housing 102 and is angled at approximately a 45 degree angle toward the tip 104. The angle of the hanging feature 110 can be varied depending on a desired storage angle of the tip relative to the base. (See FIG. 12 illustrating the angle of the handle 100 in the storage position.)


In some embodiments, the housing 102 may be formed as two shells 112, 114 that connect together. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate elevation views of the handle shells. With reference to FIGS. 4A, a first shell 112 defines a housing cavity 142 that extends laterally along a length of the shell 112. The top end of the first shell 112 includes a cutout defining a tip aperture 140 that extends into the cavity 142. An interior wall 150 of the first shell 112 may include one or more support features 148 defined integrally therewith. The support features 148 are configured to support various components of the swivel assembly 118 and may be modified as desired to support the components. In one embodiment, the support features 148 include upper and lower support ledges 152a, 152b formed as circular steps that extend outward from the interior surface 150 and a groove 154 defined as a slot extending into the interior surface 150 and recessed therefrom. In one embodiment, the groove 154 defines the upper support ledge 152a. In other embodiments, the upper support ledge 152a may be defined in other manners. One or more angled features 156 may be formed between the ledges 152a, 152b as frustum-shaped or tapered slots that extend into the interior surface 150. The angled features 156 may be configured to receive components of the swivel assembly 118, as well as reduce the weight of the housing 102.


A bottom end of the first shell 112 tapers toward the terminal end. The interior surface 150 angles inward to form a tapered wall 146 having an initial taper that flares out at an inflection point 158 to form the hose aperture 144.


With reference to FIG. 4B, the second shell 114 may be substantially a mirror image of the first shell 112 and configured to mate therewith. In one embodiment, however, the second shell 114 includes the hanging feature 110 and thus an upper portion of the interior surface 160 forms an angled wall. The ledges 162a, 162b, the groove 162, the angled features 166, the tapered wall 136, and the hose aperture 134 are substantially the same as those in the first shell 112.


The handle 100 may also include a tip fitting 120 for securing the tip 104 to the housing 102. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the cross-section view of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the tip fitting 120. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the tip fitting 120 includes a main body 172 with a barb 170 extending downward therefrom. The main body 172 may be a hollow member, such as a cylindrical tube that defines an interior cavity 174 sized to receive the bottom end of the tip 104. The barb 170 is also hollow defining a fluid path that extends from the interior cavity 174 through the barb 170. In use, the barb 170 acts as an inlet into the interior cavity 174 such that when the tip 104 is positioned within the cavity 174, the barb 170 is in fluid communication therewith.


The tip fitting 120 may also include alignment flanges 176a, 176b that extend from the outer surface of the main body 172. In one embodiment, the alignment flanges 176a, 176b are defined as substantially rectangular protrusions with curved corners. The alignment flanges 176a, 176b engage with of the housing 102 and fit between ribs in the interior surfaces 150, 160 to secure the fitting 120 in position within the housing 102.



FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3 illustrating the swivel assembly 118. With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the swivel assembly 118 includes a stationary connector 124, a swivel connector 126, and a sealing element 128. Each of the components is discussed in turn, below.


The stationary connector 124 fluidly connects the swivel assembly 118 to the tube 116 and tip 104. The stationary connector 124 is configured to engage the interior surfaces 150, 160 of the housing 102 to remain stationary relative thereto. FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the stationary connector 124. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the stationary connector 124 includes a reception cavity 188 defined by an outer wall 186. A securing feature 180 extends from the top end of the outer wall 186. In one embodiment, the outer wall 186 is substantially cylindrical and the securing feature 180 is substantially rectangular or square shaped and the securing feature 180 extends past the outer perimeter of the outer wall 186 to define a lip for the stationary connector 124.


A connection barb 182 extends from the top surface of the securing feature 180. The connection barb 182 may include one or more gripping elements 192 to enhance the connection of the tube 116 to the barb 182. The barb 182 defines a fluid channel 190 therethrough in fluid communication with the reception cavity 188 and acts as an outlet port for fluid flowing through the reception cavity 188. The fluid channel 190 is in fluid communication with the reception cavity 188 defined by the outer wall 186.


The stationary connector 124 may also include one or more component ledges 184 or steps defined on an interior surface of the outer wall 186. The component ledges 184 are used to seat components such as the sealing member 128 or the like.


With reference again to FIG. 7, the swivel connector 126 is configured to be received within and rotate relative to the stationary connector 124. In this manner, the swivel connector 126 does not translate rotational movement to the handle, since it can rotate relative to the handle. FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the swivel connector 126. With reference to FIGS. 7 and 9, the swivel connector 126 defines a flow passage 206 that extends along the entire longitudinal length of the swivel connector 126. A bottom end of the swivel connector 126 includes a barb 202 that defines a portion of the flow passage 206 and has one or more gripping components 204 that enhance the connection between the swivel connector 126 and the hose 106. The barb 202 acts as an inlet port for fluid flow through the handle 100 from the hose 106.


In one embodiment, the main body 200 of the swivel connector 126 may be formed as a series of stacked concentric disks. For example, the top disk 210 has the smallest radius of the stack and the middle disk 209 has a diameter between those of the top disk 210 and the bottom disk 208. The axial length or thickness of each of the disks 208, 209, 210 increases between each disk, with the bottom disk 208 having the shortest thickness, the middle disk 209 having a thickness between the top and bottom disks 208, 210, and the top disk 210 having the largest thickness. As should be appreciated, the configuration of the main body 200, and specifically the disks 208, 209, 210, is variable based on the configuration of the stationary connector 124.


With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle 100 may include a tube 116 for fluidly connecting the swivel assembly 118 to the tip fitting 120. The tube 116 in some embodiments is flexible and configured to bend around the interior surface 160 of the shell 114 forming the hanging feature 110.


The assembly of the handle 100 will now be discussed with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 7. The tip fitting 120 is inserted into a top end of one of the shells 112, 114 and the jet tip 104 is inserted into the interior cavity 174 of the main body 172. The flow path of the jet tip 104 is aligned with and fluidly connected to the flow path defined through the barb 107. A first end of the tube 116 is connected to barb 170 and the second end of the tube 116 I received around the barb 182 of the stationary connector 124.


With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 7, the stationary connector 124 is inserted into one of the shells 112, 114. For example, the stationary connector 124 may be first inserted into the first shell 112 with the securing feature 180 received in the groove 154 beneath the first ledge 152a. The sealing member 128, which may be a seal cup, O-ring, or other sealing element, may be positioned around the top disk 210 of the swivel connector 126 and then the top disk 210 of the swivel connector 126 is inserted into the reception cavity 188 of the stationary fitting 124. In this embodiment, the middle disk 208 engages with one of the steps within the outer wall 186 of the stationary connector 124 and the bottom disk 208 extends beneath and engages the bottom edge 187 of the stationary connector 124. The bottom disk 208 of the swivel connector 126 seats on the top surface of the bottom ledge 152b of the shell 112. The top end of the hose 106 is then received around the barb 202 of the swivel connector 126, fluidly connecting the hose 106, the swivel connector 126, the stationary fitting 124, and the tube 116 together.


With the internal components connected together, the opposite shell 112, 114, e.g., the second shell 114 is connected to the first shell 112. The ledges 162a, 162b are aligned with the swivel assembly 118 such that they bookend the securing feature 180 of the stationary connector 124 and the bottom disk 208 of the swivel connector 126. In other words, once the shells are connected together the ledges 152a, 152b, 162a, 162b of the two shells 112, 114 clamp around the swivel assembly 118 to prevent longitudinal movement of the assembly, the stationary connector, or the swivel connector relative to the housing 102. The shells 112, 114 are then secured together, e.g., by ultrasonic welding, with adhesive, press fit, fasteners, or the like. The tip collar 111 may be connected around the outer surface of the tip 104 and seat on the top end of the housing 102 of the handle 104.


In some embodiments, once the tip 104 is connected to the housing 102, the tip 104 may not rotate relative thereto or be ejectable relative thereto. For example, the alignment features 176a, 176b of the tip fitting 120 may key to ribs on the interior surfaces 150, 160 of the housing 102 to prevent rotation and the tip 104, which is press fit into the fitting 120 may be secured correspondingly. However, in other embodiments, conventional tip fitting components and/or eject mechanisms may be used to allow the tip 104 to rotate relative to the housing 102 and allow the tip 104 to be removed from the housing 102.


With reference to FIG. 12, fluids, such as water, that are pumped by a pump 402 from a countertop oral irrigator unit 400 flow through the hose 106, into the fluid passage 206 within the swivel connector 126, into the reception cavity 188 of the stationary connector 124, into the fluid passage 190 within the barb 182 and into the tube 116. From the tube 116, fluid flows into the fluid passage in the barb 170 of the tip fitting 120 and into the tip 104 which is received therein.


During use, as the user moves the handle 100 into different angles and positions to access different areas of his or her mouth, the hose 106 can rotate freely relative to the handle to maintain a desired orientation and be free from tangles and undesired bends or creases. In particular, during use, as the user moves the handle 100 to different orientations, the hose 106, which typically is anchored to a base unit, can rotate at its connection to the handle as the swivel connector 126 rotates within and relative to the stationary connector 124. In these embodiments, the materials of the stationary connector 124 and the swivel connector 126 are selected to be low-friction so as to introduce minimal to no drag.


Alternative Embodiment


In some embodiments, the tube 116 and the stationary connector 124 may be integrally formed. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate views of another embodiment of the handle 100. With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, in this embodiment, the swivel assembly 300 includes a stationary connector 324, a swivel connector 326, and a sealing member 328, each of which may be substantially the same as the corresponding components in the swivel assembly 118. However, in this embodiment, the stationary connector 324 includes an extended tube 330 rather than a barb at its top end. The tube 330 is formed integrally with the main body of the connector 324 and is fluidly connected the reception cavity 338 formed by the outer wall 340.


In these embodiments, the tube 330 may connect directly to a tip fitting to fluidly connect to the tip 104. Additionally, as mentioned above, in this embodiment, the handle may include a pause switch assembly and tip ejection assembly. Examples of these assemblies are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/555,339 filed on 26 Nov. 2014 entitled “Oral Irrigator with Slide Pause Switch,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.


All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration only and the dimensions, positions, order and relative sizes reflected in the drawings attached hereto may vary.


The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of the claimed invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims
  • 1. An oral irrigator handle comprising a handle housing having a first end, a second end, and an interior wall extending from the first end to the second end;a tip for directing a focused stream of fluid releasably connected to the first end of the handle housing;a swivel assembly received within the handle housing between the first end and the second end of the handle housing and fluidly coupled to tip, the swivel assembly comprising: a stationary connector fixed in position relative to the housing and having an outer wall defining a reception cavity, wherein a top surface of the stationary connector is engaged with a first support extending from the interior wall of the handle housing to prevent axial motion of the swivel assembly within the handle housing in a first direction; a swivel connectorrotatable relative to the stationary connector and partially received within the reception cavity such that the outer wall surrounds an outer surface of the swivel connector, wherein a bottom surface of the swivel connector is engaged with a second support extending from the interior wall of the handle housing to prevent axial motion of the swivel assembly within the handle housing in a second direction; and a hoseconnected to the swivel assembly and fluidly coupled to the tip via the swivel assembly; whereinthe swivel assembly prevents translation of rotational movement of the handle or the hose to the other.
  • 2. The oral irrigator handle of claim 1, wherein the swivel assembly further comprises a fluid seal positioned between the stationary connector and the swivel connector.
  • 3. The oral irrigator handle of claim 2, wherein the receiving cavity of the stationary connector defines an outlet port; and the swivel connectordefines a cylindrical disk that rotatably seats within the receiving cavity and an inlet port to which the hose is connected.
  • 4. The oral irrigator handle of claim 3, wherein the cylindrical disk further comprises a first disk portion of a first diameter; anda second disk portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter that seats against an interior wall of the stationary connector; and further whereinthe fluid seal seats around the first disk portion and interfaces with an interior wall of the stationary connector.
  • 5. An oral irrigator handle comprising: a handle housing comprising: a first ledge extending normally from an interior wall of the handle housing which defines an aperture therethrough; anda second ledge extending normally from the interior wall of the handle housing which defines an aperture therethrough; and further whereinthe second ledge is spaced apart from the first ledge along a longitudinal dimension of the housing;a tip for directing a focused stream of fluid releasably connected to a first end of the handle housing;a swivel assembly received within the handle housing between the first end and a second end of the handle housing and fluidly coupled to the tip, the swivel assembly further comprising: a stationary connector keyed to the housing, the stationary connector defines a cylindrical receiving cavity and an outlet port;a swivel connector partially received within the stationary connector and rotatable relative thereto, the swivel connector defines a cylindrical disk that rotatably seats within the receiving cavity and an inlet port to which the hose is connected, the cylindrical disk further comprising: a first disk portion of a first diameter;a second disk portion of a second diameter larger than the first diameter that seats against an interior wall of the stationary connector; anda fluid seal positioned between the stationary and the swivel connector and seated around the first disk portion interfacing with the interior wall of the stationary connector; anda hose connected to the swivel assembly and fluidly coupled to the tip via the swivel assembly; whereinthe swivel assembly prevents translation of rotational movement of the handle or the hose to the other;a top surface of the stationary connector abuts a bottom surface of the first ledge and the outlet port extends through the aperture in the first ledge; anda top surface of the second ledge abuts a bottom surface of the swivel connector and the inlet port extends through the aperture in the second ledge.
  • 6. The oral irrigator handle of claim 5, wherein the swivel connector further comprises a third disk portion of a third diameter larger than the second diameter to extend as a flange and a bottom surface of the third disk portion abuts the top surface of the second ledge.
  • 7. The oral irrigator handle of claim 1, wherein the handle housing further comprises an integrated hanging feature defined on a sidewall thereof.
  • 8. The oral irrigator handle of claim 1, wherein the swivel connector assembly further comprises a fluid seal positioned between the stationary connector and the swivel connector, wherein the fluid seal engages an interior step formed on an interior surface of the stationary connector.
  • 9. An oral irrigator handle configured to be fluidly coupled to an oral irrigator unit, comprising: a handle housing having a first end and a second end, the handle comprising: first shell and a second shell coupled together, wherein the first shell and the second shell together define an interior wall of the handle housing extending from the first end to the second end;a tip connected to the handle housing;a hose fluidly coupled to the tip and the oral irrigator unit;a rotational assembly received within the handle housing and fluidly coupled to the hose and the tip, the rotational assembly preventing translation of rotational movement of the handle or the hose to the other, the rotational assembly comprising: a stationary connector fixed to the housing defining a sleeve and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the tip, wherein a top surface of the stationary connector is engaged with a first support extending from the interior wall of the handle housing to prevent axial motion of the rotational assembly within the handle housing in a first direction; anda rotatable connector rotatably coupled to the housing and fixed axially within the housing, the rotatable connector defining a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and the hose, wherein the sleeve of the stationary connector is received over a portion of the rotatable connector, wherein a bottom surface of the rotatable connector is engaged with a second support extending from the interior wall of the handle housing to prevent axial motion of the rotational assembly within the handle housing in a second direction.
  • 10. The oral irrigator handle of claim 9, wherein the rotational assembly further comprises a fluid seal coupled a top portion of the rotatable connector that engages an interior surface of the stationary connector.
  • 11. The oral irrigator handle of claim 9, wherein the rotatable connector comprises: a main body;a top disk extending from a top end of the main body; anda bottom disk extending radially outwards from a bottom end of the main body.
  • 12. The oral irrigator handle of claim 11, wherein rotatable connector includes a fluid passage extending through the main body, the top disk, and the bottom disk.
  • 13. The oral irrigator handle of claim 11, wherein the bottom disk of the rotatable connector abuts a bottom end of the sleeve of the stationary connector.
  • 14. The oral irrigator handle of claim 11, where in the rotational assembly comprises a fluid seal received around the top disk of the rotatable connector that engages the interior surface of the stationary connector.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 62/286,792 filed on 25 Jan. 2016 entitled “Swivel Assembly for Oral Irrigator Handle,” U.S. provisional application 62/286,925 filed on 25 Jan. 2016 entitled “Reduced Form Factor Oral Irrigator,” and U.S. provisional application No. 62/416,926 filed on 3 Nov. 2016 entitled “Reduced Form Factor Oral Irrigator,” each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (671)
Number Name Date Kind
555588 Spencer Mar 1896 A
1278225 Schamberg Sep 1918 A
1452258 Smith Apr 1923 A
1464419 Gill Aug 1923 A
1480310 Smith Jan 1924 A
1498267 Hachman Jun 1924 A
1650686 Binks Nov 1927 A
1669889 Andrews et al. May 1928 A
1681320 Bergl et al. Aug 1928 A
1933454 Sidney Oct 1933 A
1940111 Austin Dec 1933 A
D93019 Hose Aug 1934 S
1977782 Roy Oct 1934 A
2107686 Bramsen et al. Feb 1938 A
2124747 Pieper Jul 1938 A
2171292 Pieper Aug 1939 A
D159872 Skold Aug 1950 S
2531730 Henderson Nov 1950 A
2595666 Hutson May 1952 A
2669233 Friend Feb 1954 A
2709227 Foley et al. May 1955 A
2783919 Ansell Mar 1957 A
2794437 Tash Jun 1957 A
2870932 Davis Jan 1959 A
2984452 Hooper May 1961 A
3089490 Goldberg May 1963 A
3096913 Jousson Jul 1963 A
3144867 Trupp et al. Aug 1964 A
D202041 Burzlaff Aug 1965 S
3209956 McKenzie Oct 1965 A
3216619 Richards et al. Nov 1965 A
3225759 Drapen et al. Dec 1965 A
3227158 Mattingly Jan 1966 A
3266623 Poferl Aug 1966 A
3297558 Hillquist Jan 1967 A
D208778 Koch Oct 1967 S
D209204 St. Clair et al. Nov 1967 S
D209395 Gilbert Nov 1967 S
D210018 Mattingly et al. Jan 1968 S
D210019 Johnson et al. Jan 1968 S
3370214 Aymar Feb 1968 A
3391696 Woodward Jul 1968 A
3393673 Mattingly et al. Jul 1968 A
3393676 Kummer et al. Jul 1968 A
3400999 Goldstein Sep 1968 A
3418552 Holmes Dec 1968 A
3420228 Kalbfeld Jan 1969 A
3425410 Cammack Feb 1969 A
3453969 Mattingly Jul 1969 A
3465751 Powers Sep 1969 A
3467083 Mattingly Sep 1969 A
D215920 McCarty et al. Nov 1969 S
3487828 Troy Jan 1970 A
3489268 Meierhoefer Jan 1970 A
3495587 Freedman Feb 1970 A
3496933 Lloyd Feb 1970 A
3499440 Gibbs Mar 1970 A
3500824 Gilbert Mar 1970 A
3501203 Falk Mar 1970 A
3502072 Stillman Mar 1970 A
3517669 Buono et al. Jun 1970 A
D218270 Soper Aug 1970 S
3522801 Robinson Aug 1970 A
3532221 Kaluhiokalani et al. Oct 1970 A
3536065 Moret Oct 1970 A
3537444 Garn Nov 1970 A
3538950 Porteners Nov 1970 A
3547110 Balamuth Dec 1970 A
3561433 Kovach Feb 1971 A
D220334 Mackey et al. Mar 1971 S
3570525 Borsum Mar 1971 A
3572375 Rosenberg Mar 1971 A
3578884 Jacobson May 1971 A
D220996 Irons Jun 1971 S
3583609 Oppenheimer Jun 1971 A
3590813 Roszyk Jul 1971 A
3608548 Lewis Sep 1971 A
D222862 Cook Jan 1972 S
3636947 Balamuth Jan 1972 A
3651576 Massa Mar 1972 A
3669101 Kleiner Jun 1972 A
3703170 Ryckman, Jr. Nov 1972 A
3747595 Grossan Jul 1973 A
3768472 Hodosh et al. Oct 1973 A
3783364 Gallanis et al. Jan 1974 A
3809506 Malcosky May 1974 A
3809977 Balamuth et al. May 1974 A
3811432 Moret May 1974 A
3820532 Eberhardt et al. Jun 1974 A
3827147 Condon Aug 1974 A
3837166 Hiraoka Sep 1974 A
3840795 Roszyk et al. Oct 1974 A
3847145 Grossan Nov 1974 A
3851643 Musy Dec 1974 A
3854209 Franklin et al. Dec 1974 A
3863628 Vit Feb 1975 A
3871560 Crippa Mar 1975 A
3874506 Hill et al. Apr 1975 A
3912125 Acklin Oct 1975 A
3921297 Vit Nov 1975 A
3943628 Kronman et al. Mar 1976 A
3959883 Walls et al. Jun 1976 A
3973558 Stouffer et al. Aug 1976 A
3977084 Sloan Aug 1976 A
4001526 Olson Jan 1977 A
4004302 Hori Jan 1977 A
4007739 Bron et al. Feb 1977 A
4013227 Herrera Mar 1977 A
4015336 Johnson Apr 1977 A
4052002 Stouffer et al. Oct 1977 A
D246667 Mackay et al. Dec 1977 S
4060870 Cannarella Dec 1977 A
4075761 Behne et al. Feb 1978 A
4078558 Woog et al. Mar 1978 A
4094311 Hudson Jun 1978 A
4108167 Hickman et al. Aug 1978 A
4108178 Betush Aug 1978 A
4109650 Peclard Aug 1978 A
4122845 Stouffer et al. Oct 1978 A
4135501 Leunissan Jan 1979 A
4141352 Ebner et al. Feb 1979 A
4144646 Takemoto et al. Mar 1979 A
4149315 Page, Jr. et al. Apr 1979 A
4154375 Bippus May 1979 A
4160383 Rauschenberger Jul 1979 A
4171572 Nash Oct 1979 A
4182038 Fleer Jan 1980 A
4200235 Monschke Apr 1980 A
4201200 Hubner May 1980 A
4215476 Armstrong Aug 1980 A
4219618 Leonard Aug 1980 A
4227878 Lohn Oct 1980 A
4229634 Hickman et al. Oct 1980 A
4236889 Wright Dec 1980 A
D258097 Wistrand Feb 1981 S
4248589 Lewis Feb 1981 A
4249899 Davis Feb 1981 A
4257458 Kondo et al. Mar 1981 A
4262799 Perrett Apr 1981 A
4266934 Pernot May 1981 A
4276023 Phillips et al. Jun 1981 A
4276880 Malmin Jul 1981 A
4302186 Cammack et al. Nov 1981 A
4303064 Buffa Dec 1981 A
4303070 Ichikawa et al. Dec 1981 A
4306862 Knox Dec 1981 A
4315741 Reichl Feb 1982 A
4319568 Tregoning Mar 1982 A
4331422 Heyman May 1982 A
4337040 Cammack et al. Jun 1982 A
4340365 Pisanu Jul 1982 A
4340368 Lococo Jul 1982 A
D266117 Oberheim Sep 1982 S
4353694 Pelerin Oct 1982 A
4363626 Schmidt et al. Dec 1982 A
4365376 Oda et al. Dec 1982 A
4370131 Banko Jan 1983 A
4374354 Petrovic et al. Feb 1983 A
4382167 Maruyama et al. May 1983 A
4382786 Lohn May 1983 A
D270000 Ketler Aug 1983 S
4412823 Sakai et al. Nov 1983 A
4416628 Cammack Nov 1983 A
4442830 Markau Apr 1984 A
4442831 Trenary Apr 1984 A
4452238 Kerr Jun 1984 A
4454866 Fayen Jun 1984 A
4512769 Kozam et al. Apr 1985 A
4517962 Heckele May 1985 A
4531912 Schuss et al. Jul 1985 A
4531913 Taguchi Jul 1985 A
4534340 Kerr et al. Aug 1985 A
4552130 Kinoshita Nov 1985 A
4561214 Inoue Dec 1985 A
D283374 Cheuk-Yiu Apr 1986 S
4585415 Hommann Apr 1986 A
4591777 McCarty et al. May 1986 A
4592728 Davis Jun 1986 A
4602906 Grunenfelder Jul 1986 A
4607627 Leber et al. Aug 1986 A
4613074 Schulze Sep 1986 A
4619009 Rosenstatter Oct 1986 A
4619612 Weber et al. Oct 1986 A
4629425 Detsch Dec 1986 A
4636198 Stade Jan 1987 A
4642037 Fritchman Feb 1987 A
4644937 Hommann Feb 1987 A
4645488 Matukas Feb 1987 A
4647831 O'Malley et al. Mar 1987 A
4648838 Schlachter Mar 1987 A
4650475 Smith et al. Mar 1987 A
4655198 Hommann Apr 1987 A
4669453 Atkinson et al. Jun 1987 A
4672953 DiVito Jun 1987 A
4673396 Urbaniak Jun 1987 A
D291354 Camens Aug 1987 S
4716352 Hurn et al. Dec 1987 A
4749340 Ikeda et al. Jun 1988 A
4770632 Ryder et al. Sep 1988 A
D298565 Kohler, Jr. et al. Nov 1988 S
4783321 Spence Nov 1988 A
4787845 Valentine Nov 1988 A
4787847 Martin et al. Nov 1988 A
4798292 Hauze Jan 1989 A
4803974 Powell Feb 1989 A
4804364 Dieras et al. Feb 1989 A
4818229 Vasile Apr 1989 A
4820152 Warrin et al. Apr 1989 A
4821923 Skorka Apr 1989 A
4824368 Hickman Apr 1989 A
4826431 Fujimura et al. May 1989 A
4827551 Maser et al. May 1989 A
4832683 Idemoto et al. May 1989 A
4854869 Lawhorn Aug 1989 A
4861340 Smith et al. Aug 1989 A
4862876 Lih-Sheng Sep 1989 A
4869720 Chernack Sep 1989 A
4880382 Moret et al. Nov 1989 A
4886452 Lohn Dec 1989 A
4900252 Liefke et al. Feb 1990 A
4902225 Lohn Feb 1990 A
4903687 Lih-Sheng Feb 1990 A
4906187 Amadera Mar 1990 A
4907744 Jousson Mar 1990 A
4925450 Imonti et al. May 1990 A
4928675 Thornton May 1990 A
4930660 Porteous Jun 1990 A
4941459 Mathur Jul 1990 A
4950159 Hansen Aug 1990 A
4958629 Peace et al. Sep 1990 A
4958751 Curtis et al. Sep 1990 A
4959199 Brewer Sep 1990 A
4961698 Vlock Oct 1990 A
4966551 Betush Oct 1990 A
4969874 Michel et al. Nov 1990 A
4973246 Black Nov 1990 A
4973247 Varnes et al. Nov 1990 A
4973250 Milman Nov 1990 A
4975054 Esrock Dec 1990 A
4979503 Chernack Dec 1990 A
4979504 Mills Dec 1990 A
4989590 Baum et al. Feb 1991 A
4998880 Nerli Mar 1991 A
5013241 Von Gutfeld et al. May 1991 A
5013300 Williams May 1991 A
5014884 Wunsch May 1991 A
5019054 Clement et al. May 1991 A
5027798 Primiano Jul 1991 A
5029576 Evans, Sr. Jul 1991 A
5033617 Hartwein et al. Jul 1991 A
5033961 Kandler et al. Jul 1991 A
D318918 Hartwein Aug 1991 S
5046486 Grulke et al. Sep 1991 A
5049071 Davis et al. Sep 1991 A
5060825 Palmer et al. Oct 1991 A
5061180 Wiele Oct 1991 A
5062795 Woog Nov 1991 A
5064168 Raines et al. Nov 1991 A
D322314 Ohbayashi Dec 1991 S
5071346 Domaas Dec 1991 A
5082115 Hutcheson Jan 1992 A
5082443 Lohn Jan 1992 A
5085317 Jensen et al. Feb 1992 A
5086756 Powell Feb 1992 A
5086788 Castel Feb 1992 A
5095893 Rawden, Jr. Mar 1992 A
5098291 Curtis et al. Mar 1992 A
5098676 Brooks, Jr. Mar 1992 A
5100319 Baum Mar 1992 A
5117871 Gardner et al. Jun 1992 A
5125835 Young Jun 1992 A
5127831 Bab Jul 1992 A
5142723 Lustig et al. Sep 1992 A
5150841 Silvenis et al. Sep 1992 A
5172810 Brewer Dec 1992 A
5173273 Brewer Dec 1992 A
5183035 Weir Feb 1993 A
5197458 Ito et al. Mar 1993 A
5197460 Ito et al. Mar 1993 A
5199871 Young Apr 1993 A
5203697 Malmin Apr 1993 A
5203769 Clement et al. Apr 1993 A
5204004 Johnston et al. Apr 1993 A
5208933 Lustig et al. May 1993 A
5215193 Dennis Jun 1993 A
5218956 Handler et al. Jun 1993 A
5220914 Thompson Jun 1993 A
5228646 Raines Jul 1993 A
5230624 Wolf et al. Jul 1993 A
5232687 Geimer Aug 1993 A
5235968 Woog Aug 1993 A
5241714 Barry Sep 1993 A
5246367 Ito et al. Sep 1993 A
5252064 Baum et al. Oct 1993 A
D341200 Yoshimoto Nov 1993 S
5257933 Jousson Nov 1993 A
5261448 Furuya et al. Nov 1993 A
D341943 Si-Hoe Dec 1993 S
5267586 Jankavaara Dec 1993 A
5269684 Fischer Dec 1993 A
5281137 Jousson Jan 1994 A
5281139 Frank et al. Jan 1994 A
5282745 Wiltrout et al. Feb 1994 A
5286192 Dixon Feb 1994 A
5286201 Yu Feb 1994 A
5295832 Evans Mar 1994 A
5297962 O'Connor et al. Mar 1994 A
D346212 Hosl Apr 1994 S
5301381 Klupt Apr 1994 A
5302123 Bechard Apr 1994 A
5317691 Traeger May 1994 A
5321865 Kaeser Jun 1994 A
5331704 Rosen et al. Jul 1994 A
5344317 Pacher et al. Sep 1994 A
5346677 Risk Sep 1994 A
D351892 Wolf et al. Oct 1994 S
5360338 Waggoner Nov 1994 A
5368548 Jousson Nov 1994 A
5370534 Wolf et al. Dec 1994 A
D354168 Hartwein Jan 1995 S
D354559 Knute Jan 1995 S
5378149 Stropko Jan 1995 A
5380201 Kawata Jan 1995 A
D356864 Woog Mar 1995 S
5399089 Eichman et al. Mar 1995 A
D358883 Vos May 1995 S
5456672 Diederich et al. Oct 1995 A
5465445 Yeh Nov 1995 A
5467495 Boland et al. Nov 1995 A
5468148 Ricks Nov 1995 A
5470305 Arnett et al. Nov 1995 A
5474450 Chronister Dec 1995 A
5474451 Dalrymple et al. Dec 1995 A
5476379 Disel Dec 1995 A
5484281 Renow et al. Jan 1996 A
5487877 Choi Jan 1996 A
5490779 Malmin Feb 1996 A
5505916 Berry, Jr. Apr 1996 A
D369656 Vos May 1996 S
D370125 Craft et al. May 1996 S
5525058 Gallant et al. Jun 1996 A
5526841 Detsch et al. Jun 1996 A
5540587 Malmin Jul 1996 A
5547374 Coleman Aug 1996 A
D373631 Maeda et al. Sep 1996 S
5554014 Becker Sep 1996 A
5554025 Kinsel Sep 1996 A
5556001 Weissman et al. Sep 1996 A
5564629 Weissman et al. Oct 1996 A
D376893 Gornet Dec 1996 S
D377091 Scott, Sr. Dec 1996 S
5613259 Craft et al. Mar 1997 A
5616028 Hafele et al. Apr 1997 A
5626472 Pennetta May 1997 A
5634791 Matsuura et al. Jun 1997 A
5636987 Serfaty Jun 1997 A
5640735 Manning Jun 1997 A
D382407 Craft et al. Aug 1997 S
5653591 Loge Aug 1997 A
5659995 Hoffman Aug 1997 A
5667483 Santos Sep 1997 A
D386576 Wang et al. Nov 1997 S
5683192 Kilfoil Nov 1997 A
5685829 Allen Nov 1997 A
5685851 Murphy et al. Nov 1997 A
5697784 Hafele et al. Dec 1997 A
D388612 Stutzer et al. Jan 1998 S
D388613 Stutzer et al. Jan 1998 S
D389091 Dickinson Jan 1998 S
5709545 Johnston et al. Jan 1998 A
D390934 McKeone Feb 1998 S
5716007 Nottingham et al. Feb 1998 A
5718668 Arnett et al. Feb 1998 A
5746595 Ford May 1998 A
5749726 Kinsel May 1998 A
5759502 Spencer et al. Jun 1998 A
5779471 Tseng et al. Jul 1998 A
5779654 Foley et al. Jul 1998 A
5795153 Rechmann Aug 1998 A
5796325 Lundell et al. Aug 1998 A
5833065 Burgess Nov 1998 A
5836030 Hazeu et al. Nov 1998 A
D402744 Zuege Dec 1998 S
5851079 Horstman et al. Dec 1998 A
D403511 Serbinski Jan 1999 S
D406334 Rosenthal et al. Mar 1999 S
5876201 Wilson et al. Mar 1999 A
D408511 Allen et al. Apr 1999 S
5901397 Häfele et al. May 1999 A
5934902 Abahusayn Aug 1999 A
D413975 Maeda Sep 1999 S
D416999 Miyamoto Nov 1999 S
D417082 Classen et al. Nov 1999 S
5993402 Sauer et al. Nov 1999 A
6030215 Ellion et al. Feb 2000 A
6038960 Fukushima et al. Mar 2000 A
6039180 Grant Mar 2000 A
6047429 Wu Apr 2000 A
D424181 Caplow May 2000 S
D425615 Bachman et al. May 2000 S
D425981 Bachman et al. May 2000 S
6056710 Bachman et al. May 2000 A
D426633 Bachman et al. Jun 2000 S
6089865 Edgar Jul 2000 A
6116866 Tomita et al. Sep 2000 A
6120755 Jacobs Sep 2000 A
6124699 Suzuki et al. Sep 2000 A
D434500 Pollock et al. Nov 2000 S
6159006 Cook et al. Dec 2000 A
6164967 Sale et al. Dec 2000 A
D435905 Bachman et al. Jan 2001 S
D437049 Hartwein Jan 2001 S
6193512 Wallace Feb 2001 B1
6193932 Wu et al. Feb 2001 B1
6199239 Dickerson Mar 2001 B1
6200134 Kovac Mar 2001 B1
D439781 Spore Apr 2001 S
6217835 Riley et al. Apr 2001 B1
D441861 Hafliger May 2001 S
6233773 Karge et al. May 2001 B1
6234205 D'Amelio et al. May 2001 B1
6237178 Krammer et al. May 2001 B1
6238211 Esrock May 2001 B1
6247929 Bachman et al. Jun 2001 B1
6280190 Hoffman Aug 2001 B1
D448236 Murray Sep 2001 S
6293792 Hanson Sep 2001 B1
D449884 Tobin et al. Oct 2001 S
D453453 Lun Feb 2002 S
D455201 Jones Apr 2002 S
D455203 Jones Apr 2002 S
6363565 Paffrath Apr 2002 B1
D457949 Krug May 2002 S
D464799 Crossman et al. Oct 2002 S
6468482 Frieze et al. Oct 2002 B1
6475173 Bachman et al. Nov 2002 B1
6485451 Roberts et al. Nov 2002 B1
6497375 Srinath et al. Dec 2002 B1
6497572 Hood et al. Dec 2002 B2
6502584 Fordham Jan 2003 B1
D470660 Schaber Feb 2003 S
6558344 McKinnon et al. May 2003 B2
6561808 Neuberger et al. May 2003 B2
D475346 McCurrach et al. Jun 2003 S
D476743 D'Silva Jul 2003 S
6589477 Frieze et al. Jul 2003 B1
6602071 Ellion et al. Aug 2003 B1
6632091 Cise et al. Oct 2003 B1
D482451 Page et al. Nov 2003 S
6640999 Peterson Nov 2003 B2
6647577 Tam Nov 2003 B2
6659674 Carlucci et al. Dec 2003 B2
6669059 Mehta Dec 2003 B2
D484971 Hartwein Jan 2004 S
6681418 Bierend Jan 2004 B1
D486573 Callaghan et al. Feb 2004 S
6689078 Rehkemper et al. Feb 2004 B1
6699208 Bachman et al. Mar 2004 B2
6719561 Gugel et al. Apr 2004 B2
D489183 Akahori et al. May 2004 S
6739782 Rehkemper et al. May 2004 B1
6740053 Kaplowitz May 2004 B2
D490899 Gagnon Jun 2004 S
D491728 Jimenez Jun 2004 S
D492996 Rehkemper et al. Jul 2004 S
6761324 Chang Jul 2004 B2
6766549 Klupt Jul 2004 B2
D495142 Berde Aug 2004 S
D495143 Berde Aug 2004 S
6779216 Davies et al. Aug 2004 B2
6783004 Rinner Aug 2004 B1
6783505 Lai Aug 2004 B1
6796796 Segal Sep 2004 B2
D498643 Pryor Nov 2004 S
6814259 Foster et al. Nov 2004 B1
D499885 Xi Dec 2004 S
6835181 Hippensteel Dec 2004 B2
D500599 Callaghan Jan 2005 S
6837708 Chen et al. Jan 2005 B2
6884069 Goldman Apr 2005 B2
6902337 Kuo Jun 2005 B1
6907879 Drinan et al. Jun 2005 B2
D509585 Kling et al. Sep 2005 S
D513638 Pan Jan 2006 S
D515215 Wang Feb 2006 S
D522652 Massey Jun 2006 S
7080980 Klupt Jul 2006 B2
D529661 Schmidt Oct 2006 S
D530010 Luettgen et al. Oct 2006 S
7117555 Fattori et al. Oct 2006 B2
D532570 Vizcarra Nov 2006 S
7131838 Suzuki et al. Nov 2006 B2
D533720 Vu Dec 2006 S
D538474 Sheppard et al. Mar 2007 S
D548334 Izumi Aug 2007 S
D550097 Lepoitevin Sep 2007 S
D553980 VerWeyst Oct 2007 S
7276035 Lu Oct 2007 B2
7314456 Shaw Jan 2008 B2
D565175 Boyd et al. Mar 2008 S
7344510 Yande Mar 2008 B1
D565713 Gao Apr 2008 S
7367803 Egeresi May 2008 B2
D574952 Boyd et al. Aug 2008 S
D577198 Jimenez Sep 2008 S
D577814 Seki et al. Sep 2008 S
D581279 Oates Nov 2008 S
7455521 Fishburne, Jr. Nov 2008 B2
7469440 Boland et al. Dec 2008 B2
D585132 Pukall Jan 2009 S
D588262 Pukall Mar 2009 S
7500584 Schutz Mar 2009 B2
D590492 Powell Apr 2009 S
D592748 Boulton May 2009 S
D595136 Canamasas Puigbo Jun 2009 S
D601694 Rocklin Oct 2009 S
D601697 Sobeich et al. Oct 2009 S
D603708 Handy Nov 2009 S
D608430 Slothower Jan 2010 S
7670141 Thomas et al. Mar 2010 B2
7677888 Halm Mar 2010 B1
D613550 Picozza et al. Apr 2010 S
D621949 Seki et al. Aug 2010 S
D622928 Griebel Sep 2010 S
D623376 Griebel Sep 2010 S
D625406 Seki et al. Oct 2010 S
7814585 Reich Oct 2010 B1
D629884 Stephens Dec 2010 S
7857623 Grez Dec 2010 B2
7862536 Chen et al. Jan 2011 B2
7959597 Baker et al. Jun 2011 B2
D640872 Nanda Jul 2011 S
D648539 Wai Nov 2011 S
D651409 Papenfu Jan 2012 S
D651805 Hay Jan 2012 S
D653340 Goerge et al. Jan 2012 S
8113832 Snyder et al. Feb 2012 B2
D655380 Taylor Mar 2012 S
D658381 Gebski May 2012 S
D658538 Korzeniowski May 2012 S
8220726 Qiu et al. Jul 2012 B2
D666912 Kawai Sep 2012 S
8256979 Hilscher et al. Sep 2012 B2
D668339 Luoto Oct 2012 S
D669169 Washington et al. Oct 2012 S
8297534 Li et al. Oct 2012 B2
D670373 Taylor et al. Nov 2012 S
D670958 Picozza et al. Nov 2012 S
D671637 Gebski et al. Nov 2012 S
D672018 Bucher Dec 2012 S
8366024 Leber et al. Feb 2013 B2
8403577 Khoshnevis Mar 2013 B2
8403665 Thomas et al. Mar 2013 B2
8408483 Boyd et al. Apr 2013 B2
D686311 Mori Jul 2013 S
D694378 Bates Nov 2013 S
D694398 Taylor Nov 2013 S
D700343 Liu Feb 2014 S
D702819 Garland Apr 2014 S
D702821 Garland Apr 2014 S
D707350 Woodard Jun 2014 S
D709183 Kemlein Jul 2014 S
D714929 Kim et al. Oct 2014 S
D714930 Kim et al. Oct 2014 S
D717412 Bucher Nov 2014 S
D717427 Kim Nov 2014 S
D718855 Kim et al. Dec 2014 S
D723387 Fath Mar 2015 S
D725770 Kim et al. Mar 2015 S
D731640 Kim et al. Jun 2015 S
D735305 Obara Jul 2015 S
D740936 Kim et al. Oct 2015 S
D745329 Ong Dec 2015 S
D746975 Schenck Jan 2016 S
D747464 Taylor Jan 2016 S
D754330 Kim et al. Apr 2016 S
D756122 Taylor May 2016 S
D764051 Wang Aug 2016 S
D766423 Kim et al. Sep 2016 S
D772396 Kim et al. Nov 2016 S
D772397 Kim et al. Nov 2016 S
D774651 Kaib Dec 2016 S
D776253 Li Jan 2017 S
D782326 Fath Mar 2017 S
D782656 Au Mar 2017 S
D786422 Au May 2017 S
20020090252 Hall et al. Jul 2002 A1
20020108193 Gruber Aug 2002 A1
20020119415 Bailey Aug 2002 A1
20020152565 Klupt Oct 2002 A1
20030060743 Chang Mar 2003 A1
20030098249 Rollock May 2003 A1
20030204155 Egeresi Oct 2003 A1
20030213075 Hui et al. Nov 2003 A1
20040045107 Egeresi Mar 2004 A1
20040076921 Gofman et al. Apr 2004 A1
20040122377 Fischer et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040126730 Panagotacos Jul 2004 A1
20040209222 Snyder Oct 2004 A1
20050049620 Chang Mar 2005 A1
20050064371 Soukos et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050101894 Hippensteel May 2005 A1
20050102773 Obermann et al. May 2005 A1
20050144745 Russell Jul 2005 A1
20050177079 Pan Aug 2005 A1
20050271531 Brown et al. Dec 2005 A1
20060008373 Schutz Jan 2006 A1
20060010624 Cleland Jan 2006 A1
20060026784 Moskovich et al. Feb 2006 A1
20060057539 Sodo Mar 2006 A1
20060078844 Goldman et al. Apr 2006 A1
20060079818 Yande Apr 2006 A1
20070077810 Gogel et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070082316 Zhadanov et al. Apr 2007 A1
20070082317 Chuang Apr 2007 A1
20070113360 Tsai May 2007 A1
20070199616 Chotenovsky Aug 2007 A1
20070202459 Boyd et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070203439 Boyd et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070254260 Alden Nov 2007 A1
20080189951 Molema et al. Aug 2008 A1
20080213719 Giniger et al. Sep 2008 A1
20090070949 Sagel et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090082706 Shaw Mar 2009 A1
20090124945 Reich et al. May 2009 A1
20090163839 Alexander Jun 2009 A1
20090188780 Watanabe Jul 2009 A1
20090281454 Baker et al. Nov 2009 A1
20100010524 Barrington Jan 2010 A1
20100015566 Shaw Jan 2010 A1
20100190132 Taylor et al. Jul 2010 A1
20100239998 Snyder et al. Sep 2010 A1
20100261134 Boyd et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100261137 Boyd et al. Oct 2010 A1
20100326536 Nan Dec 2010 A1
20100330527 Boyd et al. Dec 2010 A1
20110027749 Syed Feb 2011 A1
20110076090 Wu et al. Mar 2011 A1
20110097683 Boyd et al. Apr 2011 A1
20110139826 Hair et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110144588 Taylor et al. Jun 2011 A1
20110184341 Baker et al. Jul 2011 A1
20110307039 Cornell Dec 2011 A1
20120021374 Cacka et al. Jan 2012 A1
20120045730 Snyder et al. Feb 2012 A1
20120064480 Hegemann Mar 2012 A1
20120077145 Tsurukawa Mar 2012 A1
20120141952 Snyder et al. Jun 2012 A1
20120179118 Hair Jul 2012 A1
20120189976 McDonough et al. Jul 2012 A1
20120266396 Leung Oct 2012 A1
20120277677 Taylor et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120277678 Taylor et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120279002 Sokol et al. Nov 2012 A1
20120295220 Thomas et al. Nov 2012 A1
20130140382 Eley Jun 2013 A1
20130295520 Hsieh Nov 2013 A1
20140106296 Woodard et al. Apr 2014 A1
20140193774 Snyder et al. Jul 2014 A1
20140259474 Sokol et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140272769 Luettgen et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140272782 Luettgen et al. Sep 2014 A1
20140352088 Wu Dec 2014 A1
20140356810 Novak Dec 2014 A1
20150004559 Luettgen et al. Jan 2015 A1
20150147717 Taylor et al. May 2015 A1
20150173850 Garrigues et al. Jun 2015 A1
20150182319 Wagner et al. Jul 2015 A1
20160100921 Ungar Apr 2016 A1
20160151133 Luettgen et al. Jun 2016 A1
20170114495 Date Apr 2017 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (40)
Number Date Country
851479 Sep 1970 CA
655237 Apr 1986 CH
201691300 Jan 2011 CN
201754925 Mar 2011 CN
204049908 Dec 2014 CN
1466963 May 1969 DE
2019003 Nov 1971 DE
2409752 Sep 1975 DE
2545936 Apr 1977 DE
2714876 Oct 1978 DE
2910982 Feb 1980 DE
0023672 Jul 1980 EP
0515983 Feb 1992 EP
2556954 Jun 1985 FR
2654627 May 1991 FR
838564 Jun 1960 GB
1182031 Feb 1970 GB
2018605 Oct 1979 GB
55086451 Jun 1980 JP
55148553 Nov 1980 JP
56090220 Jul 1981 JP
S56-115927 Sep 1981 JP
2-134150 May 1990 JP
06035569 Feb 1994 JP
10094747 Apr 1998 JP
2002532148 Oct 2002 JP
3140756 Mar 2008 JP
2009-39455 Feb 2009 JP
20120126265 Nov 2012 KR
102072661 Feb 2020 KR
WO95016404 Jun 1995 WO
0035403 Jun 2000 WO
WO0110327 Feb 2001 WO
WO04021958 Mar 2004 WO
WO04039205 May 2004 WO
WO2004060259 Jul 2004 WO
WO2004062518 Jul 2004 WO
WO2008070730 Jun 2008 WO
WO2008157585 Dec 2008 WO
WO2013124691 Aug 2013 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (24)
Entry
US RE27,274 E, 01/1972, Mattingly (withdrawn)
The Right Tool, Electron Fusion Devices, Inc., 2 pages, at least as early as Feb. 1991.
Japanese Packaging, 2 pages, at least as early as Dec. 2002.
Japanese Instruction Brochure, 20 pages, at least as early as Dec. 2002.
Brochure: Woog International, “You have a 98% chance of getting gum disease. Unless you read this.”, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 5 pages, Feb. 1987.
Brochure: Woog International, “We put the control of home dental care back into the hands of the professional”, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 2 pages, Feb. 1987.
Brochure: Woog International, “Products at a Glance: Home Dental Care System” Woog Orajet, 3 pages, at least as early as Dec. 18, 1998.
Website: http://www.just4teeth.com/product/Panasonic/Panasonic_Portable_Irrigator.htm, 2 pages, at least as early as Jun. 20, 2003.
Website: http://www.videodirectstore.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=EW1′..., 2 pages, at least as early as Jun. 20, 2003.
Website: http://products.consumerguide.com/cp/family/review/index.cfm/id/18742, 2 pages, at least as early as Jun. 20, 2003.
Website: http://www.racekarteng.com/images/walbroparts.gif and http://www.muller.net/mullermachine/docs/walbro1.html, 4 pages, at least as early as Jun. 20, 2003.
European Search Report, EPO Application No. 07250799.9, dated Jul. 5, 2007.
European Search Report, EPO Application No. 07252693.2, 14 pages, dated Apr. 28, 2008.
European Examination Report, EPO Application No. 07250799.9, dated Feb. 5, 2009.
International Search Report, Application No. PCT/US2010/028180, 2 pages, dated May 18, 2010.
International Search Report, PCT/US2010/060800, 2 pages, dated Feb. 11, 2011.
International Search Report, PCT/US2011/052795, 10 pages, dated Jan. 17, 2012.
Waterpik SinuSense Website: http://www.insightsbyapril.com/2012/03/waterpik-natural-remedy-for-sinus.html, 8 pages, retrieved on May 31, 2012.
Website: https://www.waterpik.com/about-us/, 3 pages.
Waterpik WP 350W Oral Irrigator. Dentist.net. Copyright date 2013. Date accessed: Mar. 30, 2017, 2 pages <http://www.dentalhoo.com/waterpik-wp350.asp>.
iPik Portable Oral Irrigator. AliExpress. Date reviewed: Oct. 5, 2016. <https://www.allexpress.com/...e-Oral-Care-Product-Nasal-Irrigator-Tooth-Flosser-Water/1525541997.html?aff_platform=aaf&cpt=1490913714609&sk=yfAeyJa&aff_trace_key=c5a300c4f02e46d08c042f5292e1762f-1490913714609-07517-yfAeyJa>, 18 pages.
Brite Leafs Professional Portable 2-in-1 Nasal Sinus & Oral Irrigator. Brite Leafs. Copyright date 2012, <http://www.briteleafs.com/product6.html> , 1 page.
AliExpress. Date reviewed: Jan. 12, 2017. <https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Cordless-Water-Floss-Portable-Oral-Irrigator-Dental-Water-Flosser-Waterpic-Whatpick-Dental-Water-Pic-Whater-Pick/32769416341.html?spm=2114.40010308.4.75.Owuzfj>.
Office Action dated Feb. 7, 2020, in Japanese Application No. 2018-538645 and English Translation, 10 pages.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20170209246 A1 Jul 2017 US
Provisional Applications (3)
Number Date Country
62286792 Jan 2016 US
62286925 Jan 2016 US
62416926 Nov 2016 US