Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein. The electric toothbrush also has a head which has a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the head and handle. The head has a first bristle holder and a second bristle holder, each having a plurality of bristle tufts. The motor is operatively connected to the first bristle holder to oscillate the first bristle holder about a first axis passing through the first bristle holder generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head. The motor is also operatively connected to the second bristle holder to oscillate the second bristle holder about a second axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head. The second axis is at an end portion of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein that is operatively connected to a shaft. The detachable head has an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end may be detachably coupled to the electric toothbrush. The detachable head has a first bristle holder with a first plurality of bristle tufts disposed thereon. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of the elongate body and can oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detachable head also has a a second bristle holder disposed between the first bristle holder and the first end. The second bristle holder has a top surface and a second plurality of bristle tufts that form an acute angle with the top surface of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a cam preferably at a remote end of the shaft, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates cam describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is also driven by the shaft, for a second kind of brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a portion of the remote end and/or with one or more additional cams or cam portions included on the shaft.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.

Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein that is operatively connected to a shaft. The detachable head has an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end may be detachably coupled to the electric toothbrush. The detachable head has a first bristle holder with a first plurality of bristle tufts disposed thereon. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of the elongate body and can oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detachable head also has a a second bristle holder disposed between the first bristle holder and the first end. The second bristle holder has a top surface and a second plurality of bristle tufts that form an acute angle with the top surface of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a cam preferably at a remote end of the shaft, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates cam describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is also driven by the shaft, for a second kind of brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a portion of the remote end and/or with one or more additional cams or cam portions included on the shaft.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning tool is powered by commonly available batteries. An output shaft of the tool includes an expandable coupling, such as, for example a set of swaging cams. Torque delivery arms radiate outward from the output shaft. For example, the torque delivery arms are carried by a hub. The hub is attached to the output shaft with a pin and acts to secure a power train to a housing of the tool. The torque delivery arms are received in slots or interdental spaces associated with a cleaning head. Torque is delivered to the cleaning head with a reduced stress concentration. The cleaning tool is associated with a compact stand. The stand can be incorporated into a housing of the tool. For example, a battery compartment door can include the stand. Alternatively, the stand can be a separable item. A separable stand can accommodate a plurality of cleaning heads.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning tool is powered by commonly available batteries. Preferably a momentary switch selectively delivers power from the batteries to a motor. An output shaft of the tool includes an expandable coupling, such as, for example a set of swaging cams. Torque delivery arms radiate outward from the output shaft. For example, the torque delivery arms are carried by a hub. The hub is attached to the output shaft with a pin. The hub also acts to secure a power train including the motor and output shaft to a housing of the cleaning tool. The torque delivery arms are received in slots or interdental spaces associated with a cleaning head. Torque is delivered to the cleaning head with a reduced stress concentration.

Abstract: A pet feeding system having a support structure for supporting a feeding vessel in an elevated position. The feeding vessel is detachable from the support structure for convenient filling with foodstuff, or for use separate from the support structure. The feeding system provides a comfortable feeding position for a dog, or other such pet. Moreover, the feeding system provides a convenient internal storage compartment for storing foodstuff prior to dispensing in the feeding vessel.

Abstract: A portable, handheld envelope opening device is disclosed. The envelope opening device has a head portion and a handle portion. The head portion includes a slot defined by a pair of opposing walls and a base plate. The walls being spaced so as to guide the passage of an envelope and preferably are slightly angled to provide a tapered insertion end. A pair of rotary discs disposed within the head portion adjacent the base plate intersects in partially overlapping fashion along a centerline of said slot. The discs are spaced and positioned adjacent the base plate. The first disc includes a cutting edge, and the second disc is adapted to urge the envelope into engagement with the first cutting disc to sever a marginal edge of the envelope to expose the contents. A motor is coupled through a gearbox to the rotary discs to drive the discs. A switch is used to couple the motor to a battery power supply.

Abstract: A portable, handheld sharpener having an elongated body with loop attachments, a battery-operated DC motor with speed reducing gears and a gear plate and a rotatable sharpening unit. A pouch-shaped waste shavings receptacle detachably attached to the body provides a larger cross-sectional dimension ergonomically contoured to fit within the grip of a hand while providing increased internal space for waste shavings storage. An actuator button is molded into the receptacle and is partially circumscribed to provide a hinge-like action to engage a leaf spring connecting the battery source to the motor and also provides a momentary operation of the sharpener while in the original retail packaging. The actuator button will not operate when the receptacle is detached from the sharpener and the internal sharpening unit is exposed, thus acting as a safety feature.

Abstract: A toothbrush kit is disclosed comprising a package, a toothbrush, one or more removable end caps adapted for engaging an end of the toothbrush, and one or more emblems that may be adhesively attached to the toothbrush. Also disclosed are methods for selectively customizing a toothbrush by use and selection of components contained in the kit. Additionally disclosed are methods for manufacturing and packaging the components of the toothbrush kit. Furthermore, a strategy is disclosed for specifically tailoring the toothbrush kit for particular markets, geographic regions, or consumer groups.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having an electric motor, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has first end disposed adjacent to the neck and a second end opposite the first end. The head has a first bristle holder with a plurality of bristles disposed therein and a second bristle holder having a plurality of bristles disposed therein. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of said head. A rotating shaft is operatively connected to the electric motor and to the first moving bristle holder to reciprocate the first moving bristle holder in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the head.