Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a drive unit having a support, a stator fixedly mounted at the support, and an armature spring-mounted at the support for driven linear oscillating motion along a first longitudinal direction parallel to or coinciding with an x-axis of an x-y-z coordinate system. The armature has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xa, ya, za], and a drive shaft fixedly coupled with the armature and having a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xd, yd, zd]. A first treatment head assembly, detachably connected to the drive shaft, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xt1, yt1, zt1]. A secondary mass element, spring-mounted at the support for essentially linear oscillating motion along the first longitudinal direction, has a center of gravity located in rest at a coordinate [xm, ym, zm].

Abstract: A floor nozzle for a vacuum cleaner includes a housing including a sole plate which faces a floor surface when in a working position, the sole plate having provided therein a suction opening, the suction opening being surrounded by a rear portion of the sole plate, a front portion of the sole plate, and lateral portions of the sole plate. The rear portion and the lateral portions of the sole plate are deformable.

Abstract: Endoscopic instruments, such as endoscopes, and devices and methods for cleaning endoscopic instruments are provided. A cleaning device for use with an endoscopic instrument comprises an elongate member configured for advancement through an internal lumen within the endoscopic instrument and a cleaning member removably coupled to a portion of the elongate member. The cleaning element comprises a variable pressure region shaped and configured to increase the hydrodynamic fluid friction force and fluid pressure force of a cleaner or detergent against the wall of the internal lumen of the endoscope to more effectively clean all internal surfaces of an endoscopic instrument, including crevasses, scratches or other irregularities, without further damaging these surfaces.

Abstract: An oral care implement having tooth cleaning elements and an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser. In one aspect, the oral care implement has a handle and a head coupled to the handle, an elastomeric soft tissue cleanser having a plurality of protuberances extending from a rear surface of the head, and a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending from a front surface of the head. The protuberances of the elastomeric soft tissue cleanser collectively define a convex longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one convex transverse top profile. The plurality of tooth cleaning elements collectively define a concave longitudinal side profile and comprise at least one concave transverse top profile.

Abstract: A scraper apparatus, comprising a scraper blade; a scraper blade holder; wherein the scraper blade and the scraper blade holder are rotatable relative to one another about a pivot connection formable by the scraper blade and the scraper blade holder; wherein the scraper blade has at least one scraper blade fastener; wherein the scraper blade holder has at least one scraper blade holder fastener; and wherein the at least one scraper blade fastener is fastenable with the at least one scraper blade holder fastener via the scraper blade and/or the scraper blade holder being rotated about the pivot connection.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric toothbrush, comprising: a handle; a drive element provided in the handle, an output shaft of the drive element extending out of the handle; a brush head disposed at one end of the output shaft remote from the handle and connected to the output shaft; and a stress triggering element and a stress detecting element, which are oppositely provided on surfaces of the output shaft; wherein the stress triggering element is configured for producing stress concentration at the position where the stress triggering element is located when the output shaft motions; and the stress detecting element is configured for detecting the stress at the position where the stress triggering element is located, thereby obtaining a pressure corresponding to the stress, the electric toothbrush as provided offers a simple structure for pressure detection.

Abstract: Novel cleaning implements and novel components of cleaning implements are provided. Aspects relate to a cleaning implement that includes a wringer structure that is slidable along an elongate shaft member. The wringer structure further includes a removably coupled scrubbing brush structure.

Abstract: The invention discloses an oral care device (100) comprising a head portion (102) having a protuberance (104) for engaging an interproximal region within an oral cavity. The oral care device (100) also comprises at least one sensor (108) for acquiring motion data for the oral care device, and a processor (110). The processor is configured to determine when the protuberance of the head portion engages an interproximal region in the oral cavity; and determine, based on motion data acquired by the at least one sensor as the protuberance moves between interproximal regions, a position of the head portion of the oral care device in the oral cavity. An oral care system and a method of determining a position of an oral care device in an oral cavity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A paint brush having a handle with an integrated hanger that is pivotably movable between a retracted position for stowing the hanger within a groove of the handle, and an extended position for extending the hanger outwardly from the groove to hang the paint brush on an object.

Abstract: A grill-cleaning tool has a water-absorbent layer fabricated from a material that is suitable for transferring a volume of water. A fire-resistant layer is disposed outwardly of the water absorbent layer. A scrubbing outer layer fabricated from a metallic-mesh material covers both the fire-resistant layer and the water-absorbent layer. The water-absorbent layer and the heat-resistant layer may be incorporated into a single unit or may be separate layers. Fasteners are provided for assembling the layers together to form an assembled grill-cleaning tool.

Abstract: Improvements in a cleaning brush is disclosed. The cleaning tool has both a larger and smaller cleaning feature a single size cleaning tool to try and cover all uses is obviated. With a larger cleaning head, the larger cleaning head can be optimized for the rim surfaces of a toilet. The inner detailing head retracts into the outer cleaning tool. In the retracted mode the detailing head operates with the larger outer tool and provides a cohesive flat surface for cleaning. A spring can be used to retract the detailing head. The detailing head extends from the center, side or corner of the cleaning tool and extends far enough to allow for full use of the detailing head to effectively reach corners and/or cervices. The handle and or the head can be angled to provide an optimum angle for use.

Abstract: A personal hygiene device has a handle and a treatment head pivotably connected with the handle. Applying a treatment force against the treatment head causes a pivoting of the treatment head relative to the handle. A sensor, such as, e.g., a Hall sensor, fixedly secured with respect to one of the handle and the treatment head, measures a measurement variable. A sensor cooperation unit defines or influences the measurement variable in dependence on the relative position of the sensor and the sensor cooperation unit, such e.g., as a sensor permanent magnet, fixedly secured relative to one of the handle and the treatment head. A spring unit defines a rest position of the treatment head when no treatment force is applied. The spring unit has a first spring constant in the treatment direction and a second spring constant in a lateral direction, the second spring constant being at least about two times higher than the first spring constant.

Abstract: A manual dusting tool incorporating a handle connected to an elongated bendable paddle member adapted for insertion into a textile sock structure for use in dusting hard-to-access surfaces. The bendable paddle member may be deformably bent in either one or two directions to adopt a curved or serpentine shape as may be desired for cleaning.

Abstract: A vibration structure of electrical toothbrush includes a shaft rod, a rocking rod, a fixing member and a vibration stem. The shaft rod has a first end and a second end. A driving power is applied to the first end to drive and vibrate the shaft rod. One end of the rocking rod is correspondingly inserted in the second end of the shaft rod. A weight block is disposed at the other end of the rocking rod. The weight block is eccentrically arranged to cause unbalance of the rocking rod to deflect from a central axis of the shaft rod. The fixing member is fitted on the rocking rod between the shaft rod and the weight block. The vibration stem is formed with an internal first space. The shaft rod is correspondingly disposed in the first space with the fixing member in contact with inner side of the vibration stem.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cleaning tool includes a frame having a first plate pivotally attached to a second plate. A biasing member is mounted between the first and second plates and urges the first plate and the second plate into a first position wherein the first plate and the second plate are co-planar. The frame is movable between the first position and a second position wherein the first and second plates are positioned at about a 90 degree angle from each other.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dental hygiene appliance, a pad usable in such an appliance, and a method of using such an appliance. The dental hygiene appliance comprises a plurality of mushroom-shaped bristles, wherein the mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a material with Shore 00 hardness between about 50 and about 100. The mushroom-shaped bristles comprise a stipe, a pileus, and optionally a brim. The dental hygiene appliance may be a monolithic body, or comprises a monofacial pad, or bifacial pad, that is held by a dental hygiene appliance frame. The advantage of having a brim is that it offers a larger area for dental hygiene appliance to interact with the tooth surface, and the brim allows the brim to get into crevices of teeth that are too small for pileus to enter. The interstitial space between the mushroom-shaped bristles may also comprise a dentifrice composition.

Abstract: A method (200) for manufacturing a brush head (10) includes: (i) positioning (210) a first end (23) of each of a plurality of bristle tufts (21) into a tuft plate (110) comprising a plurality of cavities (120) each configured to receive at least one of the plurality of bristle tufts; (ii) applying (220) a force, via a profile plate (300), to a second end (25) of the plurality of bristle tufts, wherein the profile plate comprises a predetermined shape complementary to a desired profile configuration of the bristle tufts; and (iii) applying (230) heat to each of the first ends of the plurality of bristle tufts, via a die plate (400) comprising at least one cavity (410) configured to receive at least one of the plurality of the first ends, at a temperature sufficient to at least partially melt each of the first ends into the cavity.

Abstract: An improved paint brush is disclosed. In particular, the improved paint brush includes a body portion and a handle extending therefrom. A plurality of bristles extends from the body portion, and can be held in place by a sleeve. A hook is disposed on and extends from the body portion. The underside of the hook is rounded so that a painter can place her thumb on the hook thereby obtaining a more stable grip allowing for more precise painting.

Abstract: A personal care device, such as an electric toothbrush, has a handle having a longitudinal axis and a treatment head connected to a carrier. The carrier extends within the handle and is mounted at the handle for pivoting motion around a pivot axis against a restoring spring force. A drive unit, such as a linear actuator, is mounted on the carrier, and at least one electrical connector is arranged between the handle and the carrier to convey electrical energy from an energy source fixedly mounted with respect to the handle to the drive unit. The electrical connector can be realized as an elastic metal sheet element having a spring constant for providing at least a part of the restoring spring force.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing scratches from tooth enamel configured like a toothbrush that has buffing material where the toothbrush has bristles. Configured in several different iterations so as to comprise a toothbrush shaped instrument that provides ways to attach buffing material. One iteration places the buffing material over the head. Another iteration includes a pad between the head and the buffing material in three buffing surfaces each one of flat, concave, and convex. The pad and buffing material configured severally to facilitate mating to the neck of the apparatus by known methods. The head further including an integrated head portion, pad, and buffing material in one of flat, concave, and convex shapes that attach to the neck and handle. The user places the buffing material against the teeth and moves the apparatus back and forth to buff the surfaces and smooth the enamel.