re PLANNING AND GUIDING METHOD AND EXCAVATION GUIDING DEVICE FOR CORRECTLY IMPLANTING ARTIFICIAL TOOTH ROOT AT PREDETERMINED SITE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A planning and guiding method and excavation guiding device correctly implant an artificial tooth root at a predetermined site, perform various excavation processes on a cortical bone section and a spongy bone section by stage-based guidance, and guide eccentric excavation of the cortical bone section and concentric excavation of the spongy bone section according to a bone pattern, such that the artificial tooth root thus implanted is not only positioned at a planned ideal site but also manifests appropriate initial stability. Full Article
re Apparatus for Applying Corrective Forces to Shape Palate By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An orthodontic apparatus for installation in a patient's mouth is disclosed. The orthodontic apparatus includes a first extension wire, a second extension wire, and a palatal archwire. Each of the first and second extension wires includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal and distal portions and the palatal archwire are manipulatable to apply corrective buccal, labial, and transverse forces on the patient's dento-alveolar complex (DAC), to correct the shape of the patient's palate. Full Article
re DENTAL ATTACHMENT PLACEMENT STRUCTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present disclosure provides methods, computing device readable medium, devices, and systems having a dental attachment placement structure. One dental attachment placement apparatus includes a body having an attachment placement surface that is to be placed on an attachment affixing surface of a tooth and wherein the attachment placement surface includes a portion that is shaped to allow placement of an attachment at a particular position on the affixing surface of the tooth and a portion of the body having a contour that is shaped to correspond with a contour of an alignment surface of a tooth and when the contour of the body and the corresponding contour is aligned, the attachment is located at the particular position and can be secured to the affixing surface of the tooth. Full Article
re DENTAL IMPLANT AND PROCESS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a dental implant with a post section that can be implanted in a jaw with a designated mounting component. A crown may be attached to the mounting component. The cmounted components are designed in multiple sections, preferably in two sections, in which a first mounted component with an attached formed first contact pin can be firmly inserted into an allocated recess in the post section, and a second mounted section with an attached formed second contact pin can be inserted into the recess in the second mounted section. Full Article
re Two- Piece Fixture Mount Assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A dental implant two-piece fixture mount includes an implant fixture-mount base portion at its distal end, and a snap-on, separate, separable top piece at its proximal end, the top-piece including an insertion-tool-engaging surface and a distal cylindrical skirt with a plurality of protrusions on the skirt's inner surface, and a distal insertion projection, the fixture-mount base portion including a separable proximal portion that includes a groove near the bottom of the separable proximal portion for engagement with the protrusions, a longitudinal through passage to receive a fixation screw for attachment of the fixture mount base portion to a dental implant, and that includes an internal, multi-sided region to anti-rotationally engage the distal insertion projection. Full Article
re RENEWABLE DENTAL IMPLANT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to an endosseous implant assembly adapted for treatment of peri-implantitis. The implant assembly comprises an implant core body configured to receive and couple with implant insert structures that potentially facilitate treatment of peri-implantitis. Full Article
re ORAL AND DENTAL CARE AND CLEANING AGENTS COMPRISING PHOSPHATE-CONTAINING AND/OR PHOSPHONATE-CONTAINING POLYURETHANE POLYMERS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s), to tooth cleaning methods using these agents, and to the use of oral and dental care and cleaning agents comprising an aqueous dispersion of a phosphate-containing and/or phosphonate-containing polyurethane polymer and anionic surfactant(s) to reduce the restaining of teeth and/or to reduce biofilm development on dental surfaces and/or to reduce the adhesion of bacteria to dental surfaces and/or to extend the antibacterial action of antibacterial substances. Full Article
re TOOL FOR TREATMENT OF INTERDENTAL SURFACES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The tool for treatment of interdental surfaces includes a strip (10) having an abrasive field (12) on at least one of its longitudinal sides (11). The field is situated at a distance (A) from the apical edge (11a) of the longitudinal side, the latter being blank between the apical edge and the field. Full Article
re DENTAL POST DESIGNED FOR IMPROVED CROWN BONDING AND REDUCED ROOT DAMAGE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A post for a dental crown is disclosed having improved structural features—including increased post strength and reduced likelihood of root fracture. In one embodiment, the post includes a quadrangle (4-way) split shank for increased compliance and root stress reduction while providing very high mechanical grip strength and pull-out resistance. In another embodiment, a shortened threaded section and a thread-free shank tip minimize the possibility of root fracture while still providing high grip strength and pull-out resistance. Embodiments also include a radiused transition from a primary thread to a secondary thread portion of the shank for stress reduction; and axial grooves, cross-axis through holes and other shape features of the post head for increased crown retention strength. Full Article
re ARCHWIRE FOR USE WITH A PASSIVE SELF-LIGATION ORTHODONTIC BRACKET By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An archwire for use with a passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a resilient main body which is received in the archwire slot, and which further has a predetermined width dimension, and a variable thickness dimension, and wherein the variable thickness dimension of the archwire can be varied so as to facilitate an adjustable application of a force to the passive self-ligation orthodontic bracket so as to achieve a clinician selectable and controllable second and third order movement of a patient's tooth. Full Article
re DENTAL IMPLANT AND SET THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a dental implant that can deal with a subsequent reduction in bone mass while reducing a burden on a patient, and a set thereof. The present invention is directed to a dental implant comprising: a first stage implant 1 that has a bottomed tubular shape, a male thread 3 formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a female thread 4 formed in an inner periphery thereof; and a second stage implant 2 that has a tip part 6 having a male thread 5 threadably engaged with the female thread 4 of the first stage implant 1 and a rear end part 7 to which an upper prosthesis is to be attached via an abutment 8, wherein the female thread 4 of the first stage implant 1 and the male thread 5 of the second stage implant 2 are tapered threads. Full Article
re Customized Dental Prosthesis For Periodontal or Osseointegration and Related Systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Custom dental prosthesis or implants each individually designed and manufactured to replace nonfunctional natural teeth positioned in a jawbone of a specific pre-identified patient are provided. An example dental prosthesis/implant includes a dental implant body having a prosthesis interface formed therein to receive an occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component. The prosthesis interface has a custom three-dimensional surface shape positioned and formed to create a form locking fit with respect to the occlusally-facing dental prosthesis component when positioned thereon. Full Article
re A METHOD FOR ANALYZING A POSITIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A DENTAL RESTORATION AND A DENTAL SUBSTRUCTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of analyzing a positional relationship between a dental restoration and a dental substructure. The method has steps of scanning a reference area and determining the shape of the dental substructure in its positional relationship to the reference area, and thereby providing a virtual dental substructure model and scanning the reference area along with scanning at least a portion of the dental restoration in fit position with the dental substructure to provide a virtual assembly model. The method further has the step of providing fitting quality information between the dental restoration model and the dental substructure model. The method utilizes superposing of further virtual models to provide the fitting quality information. The method facilitates the assessment of the quality of the fit between a dental restoration and a dental substructure. Full Article
re Casting Jig for Chair-Side Manufacture of Customizable Sculptable Anatomical Healing Caps By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Casting jigs, methods, and kits that may be used in manufacture of anatomical healing caps. A casting jig may include a body having one or more wells within the body, each well being open at a proximal end thereof and having a negative shape corresponding to an anatomical healing cuff body of a given tooth position. Each respective anatomical healing cuff body negative shape includes an asymmetrical cross-section and an irregular surface so that an anatomical healing cuff body having said shape is configured to provide substantially custom filling of at least an emergence portion of a void where a natural tooth once emerged or should have emerged from the void (e.g., in the case of a congenitally missing tooth). The casting jig may further include a socket at a distal end of each well that is configured to receive therein a dental implant or dental implant analog. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that includes a mouthpiece and an electromagnetic radiation source. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes a mouthpiece comprising a curved wall having a concave inner surface and a bite platform extending from the concave inner surface of the curved wall to a distal end, the distal end of the bite platform extending continuously in a non-interrupted manner from a first end of the bite platform to a second end of the bite platform; an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from the curved wall; and wherein the bite platform comprises a collapsible region such that the mouthpiece is alterable between: (1) a biased state in which the curved wall has a first curvature; and (2) a flexed state in which the curved wall has a second curvature that is different than the first curvature. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface and is formed of a first material. A flexible lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface so that a light emitting surface of the flexible lamp assumes a concave curvature, thereby forming a lamp assembly. A guard component is overmolded to the lamp assembly. The guard component is formed of an elastomeric material having a hardness that is less than a hardness of the first material. In one embodiment, the oral treatment device may be a teeth whitening device. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp support surface; and a lamp. When the lamp is mounted to the lamp support surface, a first contact surface of the lamp contacts a first contact surface of a first electrical contact element of the lamp support surface; and (2) a second contact surface of the lamp contacts a second contact surface of a second electrical contact element of the lamp support surface. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece may comprise a lamp support structure comprising a lamp support surface; first and second lamps, each of the first and second lamps comprising a plurality of light emitters that generate light which is emitted from a rear surface of the lamp; each of the first and second lamps mounted to the lamp support surface, thereby forming a lamp assembly, each of the first and second lamps operably coupled to a control circuit having a power source; and a lamp retaining component coupled to the lamp support structure, a lower portion of the first lamp and an upper portion of the second lamp retained between the lamp retaining component and the lamp support surface of the lamp support structure. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto a user's teeth. The oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece comprising: a lamp comprising: a flexible sheet body having a front surface and a rear surface; and a plurality of light emitting diodes embedded within the flexible sheet body that generate light which is emitted from the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The flexible sheet body comprises: a flexible lens plate formed of a biocompatible material. The plurality of light emitting diodes are printed to the front surface of the flexible lens plate, the rear surface of the flexible lens plate forming the rear surface of the flexible sheet body. The rear surface of the flexible sheet body of the lamp having a concave curvature and being exposed so as to form a light emitting surface of the mouthpiece. Full Article
re ORAL TREATMENT DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An oral treatment device that emits light onto surfaces of a user's teeth. In one aspect, the oral treatment device includes an intraoral mouthpiece. The mouthpiece comprises: a first light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's maxillary teeth, the first light emitting surface having a concave curvature; a second light emitting surface configured to emit light onto a user's mandibular teeth, the second light emitting surface having a concave curvature; the first and second light emitting surface located on opposite sides of a horizontal reference plane; the first light emitting surface inclined so that a first acute angle is formed between with the first light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane; and the second light emitting surface inclined so that a second acute angle is formed between with the second light emitting surface and the horizontal reference plane. Full Article
re METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TOOTH REGULATION WITH HEAVY FORCES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods are provided for regulating tooth movement and for maintaining or improving tissue health using heavy forces. Such methods comprise allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted. The light can have a wavelength in the range of about 585 nm to about 665 nm, or about 815 nm to about 895 nm. An apparatus useful for providing light therapy is also provided. Full Article
re ION IMPLANTATION MODIFICATION OF ARCHWIRES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques and methods for utilizing ion implantation to modify dental archwires are provided. An example of a method of ion implanting a wire target includes providing the wire target in an ion implant system, implanting ions into the wire target such that a color of the wire target material after the implanting exhibits a changed appearance from the color of the wire target material before the implanting, and removing the wire target from the ion implant system. An example of a copper-aluminum-nickel (CuAlNi) wire includes an ion implanted atomic species wherein a color of an implanted CuAlNi wire is white, off-white and/or silver and further wherein the implanted CuAlNi wire exhibits mechanical properties of an unimplanted CuAlNi wire. Full Article
re DENTAL IMPLANT ASSEMBLY AND ABUTMENT THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A dental implant assembly includes an implant, an abutment, and a fixing element. The implant is placed in the alveolar bone. The abutment is assembled to the implant and includes a tapered position-restricting part and an elastic pressing part. The tapered position-restricting part has an abutment fixing channel substantially matching the tapered position-restricting outer wall of the tapered position-restricting trench. The elastic pressing part includes the elastic pressing structures extended from the tapered position-restricting part. The fixing element includes the fixing head and the fixing rod extended from the fixing head. A tolerance allowable gap is formed between the abutment fixing channel and the fixing rod. As the abutment is assembled to the implant, the elastic pressing structures press against the position-restricting wall first to hinder the relative rotation therebetween; when an offset error exists, the tolerance allowable gap allows the fixing rod to penetrate the abutment fixing channel. Full Article
re Method and Apparatus for Generation of 3D Models with Applications in Dental Restoration Design By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and apparatus are provided for generating computer 3D models of an object, by registering two or more scans of physical models of an object. The scans may be 3D scans registered by a curve-based registration process. A method is provided for generating a 3D model of a portion of a patient's oral anatomy for use in dental restoration design. Also provided are scanning workflows for scanning physical models of an object to obtain a 3D model. Full Article
re METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BLANK AND DENTAL RESTORATION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a blank from a ceramic material, wherein at least two layers of ceramic material of different compositions are filled into a die layer-by-layer and after filling of the layers they are then pressed and sintered, wherein after filling of a first layer this is structured on its surface in such a way that the first layer, viewed across its surface, differs in its height from region to region, and then a layer with a composition that differs from the first layer is filled as a second layer into the mold. Full Article
re POP-A-DENTURE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention is a pre-made set of temporary dentures with various sizes of an elastomeric material which provides a satisfactory physical appearance. Full Article
re TORQUE CONVERTER WITH AN EMBOSSED COVER FOR RECEIVING A CARRIER PLATE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 25 May 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a first indentation; an impeller shell fixedly secured to the cover; at least one impeller blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly secured to the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch including a first carrier plate fixedly secured to the cover and including a first protrusion disposed in the first indentation and a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the first carrier plate. Full Article
re Fluid Driving Device, Motor Assembly and Friction Clutch Thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fluid driving device, a motor assembly and a friction clutch thereof are disclosed. The friction clutch includes: a fixing member fixed on a rotary shaft; a connecting member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, wherein when the rotary shaft starts rotating, an axial distance between the connecting member and the fixing member changes such that a friction force between the fixing member and the connecting member increases until the connecting member rotates synchronously with the fixing member; a loading member slidable disposed on the rotary shaft, the loading member and the connecting member being circumferentially positioned; and a restoring member configured to reduce an amount of change of the axial distance between the fixing member and the connecting member when the rotary shaft stops rotating. Full Article
re ZERO BACKLASH PRE-DAMPER TO MAIN DAMPER ATTACHMENT SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A driven damper assembly, comprises a first main-damper cover plate comprising an inclined portion. The inclined portion comprises a notch. A first plane passes through the first pre-damper cover plate. A second plane passes through the first main-damper cover plate and is parallel to the first plane. The notch comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is not parallel to the second wall. The inclined portion extends away from the second plane at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the second plane and less than ninety degrees away from the second plane. The first pre-damper cover plate comprises a tab with a first portion extending outwardly at an angle greater than zero degrees away from the first plane and less than ninety degrees away from the first plane, wherein the tab engages the notch at the first wall and the second wall. Full Article
re Dual Layer Sintered Metallic Clutch Friction Facing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for forming a friction facing comprises placing a bonding powder mix in to a die, and placing a performance powder mix in to the die. Pressing the performance powder mix and the bonding powder mix creates a compact. Sintering the compact forms a friction facing. A clutch disc assembly can be formed. A clutch disc can comprise a mounting hole for securing a friction facing and a backer plate can comprise a pass-through hole. A mounting mechanism joins the mounting hole to the pass-through hole. The mounting mechanism comprises a head-height for a portion of the mounting mechanism that is mounted near the sintered compact. The bonding layer comprises a thickness corresponding to the head-height of the mounting mechanism. Full Article
re CLUTCH PACK WITH ROBUST HYSTERESIS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A hysteresis device assembly comprises a first spacer plate, a second spacer plate, a stack plate, and a hub. The hub engages the second spacer plate. The hysteresis device assembly further comprises a tabbed washer comprising a tab. The tab engages the first spacer plate and the stack plate. Full Article
re FREQUENCY DYNAMIC ABSORBER FOR TORSIONAL VIBRATION DAMPER OF HYDROKINETIC TORQUE COUPLING DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper. Full Article
re TORSIONAL VIBRATION REDUCTION DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A torsional vibration reduction device that is provided inside of a fluid power transmitting device that has a driving side member that generates a fluid flow, and a driven side member that is driven by the fluid flow, includes a rolling element configured to move in a reciprocating manner according to a variation in torque; a retaining member that has a rolling chamber configured to house the rolling element in a manner that enables the rolling element to move in a reciprocating manner; and a housing configured to shield the rolling element and the rolling chamber from fluid inside of the fluid power transmitting device. The retaining member is enclosed and fixed inside the housing, and the housing is fixed to the driven side member. Full Article
re POWER EQUIPMENT DEVICE WITH REMOVABLE ATTACHMENTS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The disclosed technology relate to a device and system that include an outdoor power equipment power unit or cart configured to releasably couple a number of different interchangeable attachments or work implements to a common power unit, where some attachments include and/or require operator presence control, while other attachments do not include and/or require operator presence control. The outdoor power equipment power unit includes a power transfer coupling member operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to transfer rotational power to the associated attachment; and an operator presence actuation member operatively coupled to the operator presence control member, the operator presence actuation member configured to rotate in response to user actuation of the operator presence control member. Full Article
re REVERSE INPUT BLOCKING CLUTCH By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In a locking type reverse input blocking clutch, smooth finished surfaces having no directionality are formed, by barrel polishing, on surfaces brought into contact with rollers while rotation is being transmitted from the input side to the output side, i.e. an inner peripheral cylindrical surface of an outer ring and a surface of a lid portion opposed to the rollers. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the rollers and the outer ring and between the rollers and the lid portion, without the need to reduce the forces of springs for pushing the rollers into narrow portions of wedge-shaped spaces. This in turn makes it possible to reduce the torque necessary to transmit rotation from the input side to the output side, while maintaining high locking performance. Full Article
re Emulsions for fibreglass binder systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention relates to an aqueous anti-dusting formulation for use in combination with a binder in the manufacture of fiber wool insulation, the formula comprising: a) oil; b) polyvinyl alcohol; and c) water. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a glass or mineral fiber product with the anti-dusting formulations and to products of the process. Full Article
re Cationic microfibrillated plant fibre and manufacturing method for same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST The present invention provides a novel cationized microfibrillated plant fiber and a method for manufacturing the same. A cationic microfibrillated plant fiber that is cationically modified with a quaternary-ammonium-group-containing compound, and that has an average diameter of 4 to 200 nm. Full Article
re Method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for treating laundry in a clothes dryer having a rotating drum defining a treatment chamber that includes applying a treating chemistry, which may include a treating chemistry that benefits from uniform distribution, on the laundry and drying the laundry after the applying of the treating chemistry. Full Article
re Self-contained and wireless device for a washing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a self-contained and wireless monitoring device (10) for use in a washing machine (1) to indicate shortage of detergent in said washing machine. The monitoring device comprises a sensor (13) arranged to monitor detergent concentration in washing liquid (5) of said washing machine and to provide an alarm signal (A) when said monitored detergent concentration is below a target value. The monitoring device is capable of floating in said washing liquid and comprises signalling means (11) for indicating said shortage of detergent in response to said alarm signal. The invention further relates to a package containing such a monitoring device and a method for indicating shortage of detergent. Full Article
re Thiophene azo dyes and laundry care compositions containing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT This application relates to thiophene azo dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such thiophene azo dyes, processes for making such thiophene azo dyes, and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The thiophene azo dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. These thiophene azo dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. The thiophene azo dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions. Full Article
re Metal free acid dyes, methods for the production thereof and their use By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to dyes of the formula (I) in which R1 to R10, D1 and D2 are defined as given in claim 1, a process for preparing them, and their use for dyeing and printing hydroxyl- and/or carboxamido-containing materials. Full Article
re Soft tissue having reduced hydrogen bonding By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile. Full Article
re Active moisture removal in a laundry treating appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber for receiving laundry and configured to perform one or more cycles of operation and method for actively dehumidifying the treating chamber of a laundry treating appliance to retard or eliminate the adverse effects of moisture-laden laundry remaining in the treating chamber or moisture remaining in the treating chamber or other areas of the laundry treating appliance. Full Article
re Method and apparatus for redistributing an imbalance in a laundry treating appliance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus and method for detecting an imbalance in the laundry load and effecting a redistribution of the imbalance by reducing the rotational speed of the treating chamber such that part of the load may redistribute while part of the load remains satellized, without ceasing rotation, and increasing the rotational speed back to a spin speed after redistribution. Full Article
re Treating lignocellulosic materials By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process of covalently modifying a lignocellulosic material is provided. The process includes oxidizing a lignocellulosic material having hydroxyl groups with an oxidant to oxidize at least a portion of the hydroxyl groups to carboxylic acid groups, optionally activating the carboxylic acid groups with an activating agent to form activated carboxylic acid groups, and reacting the carboxylic acid groups or the activated carboxylic acid groups with a first nitrogen-containing reagent selected from amino acids, peptides, or protected derivatives thereof to provide a treated lignocellulosic material. The treated lignocellulosic materials thus prepared displays resistance to degradation. Full Article
re Process of using metal-coated nanofibres By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to metal coated nano-fibres obtained by a process that includes electrospinning and to the use of said metal coated nano-fibres. The process is characterised in that a polymer nano-fibre with functional groups providing the binding ability to a reducing reagent is prepared by electrospinning at ambient conditions. Then this is contacted with a reducing agent, thereby opening the epoxy ring on the surface of polymer nano-fibre and replacing with the reducing agent and the reducing agent modified film is reacted with metal solution in alkaline media. Finally the electrospun mat is treated with water to open the epoxy rings in the structure and crosslinking the chains to provide integrity. Full Article
re Modified cellulose fibers and cellulose composite thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An object of the invention is to provide cellulose fibers which can give a cellulose composite that renders high transparency, a reduction in linear expansion coefficient, and a high modulus of elasticity possible. The invention relates to: a process for producing modified cellulose fibers which includes a modification reaction step of reacting cellulose with an aromatic compound in an organic acid to thereby modify the cellulose with an aromatic-ring-containing substituent; cellulose fibers modified with aromatic-ring-containing substituent; a dispersion of the cellulose fibers; and a cellulose fiber composite obtained from the same. Full Article
re Method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed herein is a method of controlling drainage of wash water remaining in a washing machine. The method includes draining wash water from a tub to an outside of the washing machine, supplying wash water into the washing machine after the draining wash water, and re-draining the wash water to the outside of the washing machine after the supplying wash water. Full Article
re Washing machine and control method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A washing machine and a control method thereof to achieve washing performance using bubbles without damage to fiber structures of functional clothes. When a washing course of functional clothes is selected, a motor is frequently rotated at a period of a predetermined time or less, causing the clothes to uniformly adsorb the water. Thereafter, bubbles are generated and applied to the clothes. A drive operation rate of the motor is raised stepwise to wash the clothes to which the bubbles have been applied, so as to effectively remove sweat, contaminants, or the like contained in the clothes. Full Article
re Process for obtaining an aged or faded effect on garments made of cashmere By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A process obtains an aged or faded effect on garments made of protein fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk. Granules of inert materials, which are particularly light in order not to damage very fine fibers, are introduced into a tumbler. The garments were previously treated with a chemical product commonly referred to as “dye retardant” for inhibiting dyeing of the fabric. The tumbler is pre-arranged so that the chemical product does not migrate through holes or openings. Raw confectioned garments that are to be treated, such as jerseys or outerwear, are introduced into the tumbler. The garments are extracted from the tumbler at the end of migration of the chemical product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments by the granules and steamed in an autoclave to fix the chemical process of the product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments. The garments are then dyed with a specific selection of dyes that must be defined each time according to the desired result. Full Article