Abstract: The wire of an orthodontic appliance is attached at either end to a tooth by means of a lock secured to a band passed around the tooth and having a U-shaped recess into which a retaining spring is set so that when the latch holding the wire is inserted, the ends of the spring catch in notches on the latch thereby affording secure attachment and easy removal and replacement of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention relates a heated curling brush with bristles which are relatively tangle free in use. The heated curling brush of the present invention is provided with bristles which are capable of transmitting heat to the hair while at the same time avoiding the undesirable tangling resulting from use of prior art brushes.

Abstract: A palladium alloy suitable for use with both high and low thermal expansion dental porcelains without causing discoloration of the porcelains. The alloy consists essentially of 70-90% palladium, 1-8% silver, 0-5% gold, 5-16% copper, 1-8% gallium, 0.01-0.8% silicon and 0.001-0.5% grain refiners.

Abstract: An orthodontic direct bond appliance has a body with a base. The base includes a rim extending from its periphery at an angle between about 90.degree. and 170.degree. so as to define a recess for receipt of bonding material. The rim shears off any excess flash.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance which converts from a buccal tube to a bracket upon the removal of a wire insert which is partly positioned within the longitudinal slot of a bracket body and attached to the surface of the bracket.

Abstract: An electrically heated hair curler or roller suitable for use in, for example, a hair setter contains therein a self-regulating heater comprised of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistor material. The PTC is in the shape of a flat pill or disc. There are no holes in the PTC, thus enabling it to maintain its integrity under stress. There are two cup shaped heat sinks, the bottoms of which rest against the flat faces of the PTC in electrical and heat conducting contact therewith. The heat sinks are held firmly against the PTC element by electrically conductive rivets or other connectors through holes in the bottoms of the heat sinks and depressions in the circumference of the PTC. A male positive electrical contact pin extends down from the inside face of the bottom of the lower heat sink. A negative electrical contact ring is around the pin and separated therefrom by a plastic insulating sleeve.

Abstract: An electric hair dryer having a radiometer which remotely senses the infrared radiation emanating from the hair being dried and which contains a control means that causes the heating means in the dryer to turn off when the infrared radiation indicates the temperature of the hair is about 50.degree. C.

Abstract: There is disclosed massage mechanisms comprising one or more drivers having an angled socket on the end of each driver. The socket has a massage head rotatably engaged therewith by means of a post fixed essentially perpendicularly to the back of the massage head. The massage heads are generally conical in shape and can have collars around the periphery and downward from the base. The socket is angled to a degree which results in the axis of the head and the axis of the driver guide shaft intersecting at a point on the massage head or the driver. The diameter of the post on the massage head is less than the inside diameter of the socket. In operation the edges of the massage head rise and fall about 26.degree.-30.degree. in an undulating motion without imparting rotational motion while imparting a kneading, massaging action. The driver rotates at about 60-70 RPM which enables the massaging action to be synchronized to the heartbeat.

Abstract: An electrically heated, hand-held portable facial sauna appliance has a top air inlet, side air inlet, an air flow adjustment arrangement and a fan to mix ambient air with steam generated from a quantity of water contained in an internal steam generating chamber having an associated electric heater and a bottom fill opening such that the appliance must be inverted to fill the chamber with water. A water trap and overflow arrangement in the container ensures that the chamber cannot be overfilled and enables the appliance to be overturned during use without leaking. The appliance is provided with attachments in the form of a facial mask, concentrator tube, brush and sponge, each designed to fit over a steam-air mixture outlet and control the quantity of air entering through the top air inlet.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vibrating electric heating pad connected to a vibrator having a vibrating plate suspended in foam plastic in the vibrator housing and a control module with a slide switch and a transformer/rectifier. In a preferred embodiment, the vibrator is attached by velcro strips to the heating pad, and via a jack to the control module. The control module is also electrically connected to the heating pad and controls the heating pad and the vibrator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand held pan shaped, infrared hair dryer containing a perforated air diffuser which can function as an infrared reflector if the air diffuser is shiny. The air diffuser also protects a quartz tube infrared emitter. A fan rotated by a motor causes air to flow through the perforations in the air diffuser and out the air outlet in a uniform airflow. The perforations are patterned so the airflow is uniform and negative airflow is essentially avoided. The infrared radiation is emitted by a quartz tube containing a wire resistance heater.

Abstract: A roller clip having three prongs is disclosed. It comprises a u-shaped member as a first leg terminating in a first longitudinal member and a second leg terminating in a second longitudinal member. The first and second longitudinal members are parallel and the first and second legs are interconnected by an interconnecting portion. A third longitudinal member projects from the interconnecting portion and is substantially parallel to the first and second longitudinal members. The third longitudinal member terminates in an upturned end. A handle also projects from the interconnecting portion and is generally located in the plane of the u-shaped member. Preferably, the handle and the third longitudinal member are integral and form an obtuse angle therebetween. The first and second longitudinal members may be flat and a notch for latching is provided between the first leg and the first longitudinal member and between the second leg and the second longitudinal member.