Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a circuit arrangement for determining the quantity of the material cut by an electrically powered cutting tool. According to the present invention, the fluctuations of the current consumed by a drive motor are detected, filtered and evaluated. By a comparison with a reference value, it is possible to determine the soiling of the cutting tool with cut residues. The invention is particularly suitable for use in shaving apparatus.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a radiation thermometer including a radiation sensor and an ambient temperature sensor, the method including the steps of using a first radiation standard having a known temperature T.sub.S (1) and with the ambient temperature sensor at a first ambient temperature T.sub.U (1), using the radiation thermometer to read the temperature of the first radiation standard and while doing so, measuring a first output signal U(1) of the radiation sensor; using a second radiation standard having a known temperature T.sub.S (2) and with the ambient temperature sensor again at the first ambient temperature T.sub.U (1), using the radiation thermometer to read the temperature of the second radiation standard and while doing so, measuring a second output signal U(2) of the radiation sensor; and calibrating the radiation sensor and the ambient temperature sensor by using the values obtained for U(1) and U(2) and without using a value for T.sub.

Abstract: Dry-shaving apparatus comprises a drive provided in a housing (1) and at least two parallel shaving units (13, 14, 15), each having a respective outer cutter (16, 17, 20), an inner cutter (21, 22, 34) and at least one biasing element (31, 32, 33, 45). In order to improve contact with the face during use, the biasing element (31, 32) of one shaving unit (13, 14 15) has a characteristic which differs from that of the biasing element (33) of a further shaving unit (13, 14, 15), which characteristic is such that under the effect of a force applied externally to the shaving units (13, 14, 15), motion can be performed by said one of the shaving units (13, 14, 15) relative to the further shaving unit (13, 14, 15).

Abstract: An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus in which a cleansing implement is coupled to a drive sleeve and adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The coupling is effected by a resilient member, in particular a spring which includes a slip coupling and/or a buffer zone. Under normal conditions, the slip coupling provides a non-rotative connection between the drive sleeve and the cleansing implement. However, in the event of the cleansing implement seizing in an interproximal space, for example, the slip coupling will slip, thus avoiding potential damage. The buffer zone acts to prevent displacement of the cleansing implement--although intended by the user--in cases where, for example, the cleansing implement is positioned against a tooth surface rather than against an interproximal space.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric circuit configuration (1) for an electrical load, in particular for an electric hair dryer, a fan heater or the like. The circuit configuration (1) comprises two heating resistors (2, 6) in parallel arrangement, of which the second heating resistor (6) is equipped with a serial switch (5). The two heating resistors (2, 6) may be connected to an a.c. source. Furthermore, provision is made for a d.c. fan motor (11) connected to one of the two heating resistors (2) via a rectifier circuit (7). The rectifier circuit (7) includes two rectifiers (8, 9) in antiparallel arrangement having connected to their junction (10) one of the connecting points of the d.c. fan motor (11). The other connecting point of the d.c. fan motor (11) is connected to the second heating resistor (6) which is equipped with the serial switch (5).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (24) for an electric toothbrush (20) in which a handle section (22) is connectible with the brush section (24). A bristle carrier (44) of a circular disk shaped configuration is arranged at the end of the brush section (24) remote from the handle section (22) and has on its upper side bristle tufts (46, 60, 62, 72, 74) disposed on one central ring (54) and one outer ring (56). The bristle carrier (44) is mounted on the brush section (24) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (50) in an alternating oscillating fashion from a central position (58). The axis of rotation (50) is aligned at approximately right angles to a longitudinal center line (52) of the brush section (24). In use of the electric toothbrush (20), an improved cleaning action is accomplished in that the outer ring (56) of the bristle carrier (44) is set with tufts (60, 62) of bristles of different lengths.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic switched-mode power supply for supplying power to an electrical energy-absorbing device from an AC or DC voltage source of different voltage levels, with a primary switched-mode flyback converter which includes a transformer having its secondary winding connected in series with the electrical energy-absorbing device and a first diode, while its primary winding is connected in series with the collector-emitter circuit of a first transistor having its base connected to the one end of the secondary winding of the transformer through a feedback capacitor, the base of the first transistor being further connected to the one pole of the input voltage source, wherein several feedback capacitors are provided which, during the transformer discharge cycle, are connected to the secondary winding of the transformer, acting as parallel-connected capacitors, and which, during the transformer charge cycle, are connected to a branch comprising the base-emitter circuit of the first tr

Abstract: The invention is directed to a toothbrush having a brush section 20 comprising a bristle carrier 22 and bristles 24 fixedly secured thereto, with the brush section 20 being provided with components made of silver. Separate structures 28 are provided for fixedly securing the bristles 24 in their proper location in the bristle carrier 22, which separate structures 28 are made of a material with oligodynamic action.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electic coffee machine and a filter element (1) therefor. The coffee machine includes a filter element (1) for taking up ground coffee (12) that is supported by a filter housing. A brewing head (2) is provided above the filter element (1) and has one or a plurality of outlet openings (3) from which water (14) heated by an electric water heater flows into the element (1) in order to extract the coffee. According to the present invention, the filter element (1) includes on its outside top edge (9) an annular collar (10) which extends at an angle relative to the edge (9). The filter element (1) is made of filter paper. Disposed below the annular collar (9) is a securing device (28) which bears the filter element (1) and on which the filter element (1) is supported in a substantially cantilevered manner. In this way, the filter element and the coffee machine are easier to handle. In addition, brewing results are improved and the dripping time is reduced.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dry shaving apparatus comprising a casing (7) formed by face walls (1, 2) and narrow sidewalls (3, 4, 5, 6), an electric driving mechanism for at least one cutter assembly (S), at least one control switch (20), and a guard member pivotally mounted on the casing (7) and having a cap portion (18) of an essentially U-shaped configuration for protecting the shaver assembly, wherein the cap portion (18) with at least one guard wall (16, 17) extending parallel to the face walls (1, 2) is pivotally mounted on at least one of the face walls (1, 2) of the casing (7) by means of a rotary joint, and the control switch (20) is actuatable only when the cap portion (18) and the guard wall (16, 17) are in a pivot position in which the shaver assembly (S) is released.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a lid (2) for closing a processing container (1). Provided in the processing container (1) is a spigot (4) for receiving a rotary processing tool (5) for comminuting food materials. The processing tool (5) has at its free end close to the lid (2) a first coupling member (18) adapted to be coupled to a second coupling member (17) of a driven shaft (10) when the lid (2) is placed on the processing container (1) for closing. The driven shaft (10) extends outwardly through a bore (9) in the lid (2) and has at its outer free end a third coupling member (27). The third coupling member (27) is adapted to be coupled to a fourth coupling member (33) of a drive shaft (31) of an electrically powered drive mechanism, in particular a hand-held mixer or immersion blender. An annular space (23) is formed between the outer diameter of the section (21) of the driven shaft (10) extending through the bore (9) and the bore (9).

Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit configuration for the detection of an excess temperature due to a current flow, in which a first resistor arrangement is thermally coupled to a second resistor arrangement, the resistance value of the second resistor arrangement producing a thermistor action. The current to be evaluated is flown through at least the first resistor arrangement. The first resistor arrangement is comprised of at least one SMD resistor, and the second resistor arrangement of at least one SMD resistor that acts as a thermistor. The second resistor arrangement is electrically connected to at least one contact surface of the printed circuit board which is electrically connected to the at least one SMD resistor of the first resistor arrangement.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush (1) is described which incorporates a handle (2) and a brush attachment (3). The handle (2) houses an electric motor (8). Protruding from the handle (2) is a shaft (20), which is coupled to the electric motor (8). The brush attachment (3) can be mounted on the handle (2). The brush attachment (3) supports a bristle head (26) which can be coupled to the shaft (20), and from which protrude a multiplicity of bristles (4). In the operating mode, the bristle head (26) describes a rotary motion (49) and a stroke motion (50), with the frequency of the stroke movement (50) being higher, and preferably substantially higher, than the frequency of the rotary movement (49.) The stroke movement (50) provides a poking action of the bristles (4), which serves to loosen plaque from dental surfaces. The rotary movement (49) serves to wipe away plaque loosened from the dental surfaces.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (1) for an electric toothbrush which includes a mounting tube (2) in which a shaft (7) rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (3) and driveable in an oscillatory or rotary fashion is received. Further, the brush section (1) includes a bristle carrier (11) which is pivotally mounted on an angled end (19) of the shaft (7) configured as crankshaft and which, in operation of the electric toothbrush, is set in a rotary motion (26) about the transverse axis (14) by a pin (23). The angle (20) formed by the longitudinal axis (3) and the angled end (19) of the shaft (7) serves the added function of causing the bristle carrier (11) to perform a pivotal motion (27) about an axis (28).

Abstract: A method of determining and displaying the charge status of a storage battery of a battery-operated appliance, such as a razor. A time-based charge status is calculated, based at least in part on the cumulative operating time of the appliance since recharging. The battery terminal voltage is also monitored. The time-based charge status is displayed until the battery voltage indicates a low voltage condition, at which point a low-charge alert indicator is displayed only if the time-based charge status is below a predetermined level (i.e., if the cumulative operating time is above a predetermined level). Methods of detecting battery aging, and for accounting for periods of excessive current flow, are included.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush (1) in which a timing element (13) is provided whose purpose it is to indicate to a user the end of at least one cleaning period when the electric toothbrush (1) is activated. Still further, means (12) coupled to the timing element (13) are provided to enable the user to trigger the beginning (T4) of the cleaning period (PZD2). The effect thereby achieved is that the end (T2) of a cleaning period (PZD1) does not automatically start the beginning (T4) of the next cleaning period (PZD2), but that this particular beginning (T4) of the next cleaning period (PZD2) is freely selectable by the user.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an electric toothbrush which includes a timing circuit (7) serving to signal to a user the expiration of a first period (T1), that is, the expiration of the optimum brushing time, following activation of the electric toothbrush. Further, an On/Off switching device (4) is provided which is controllable by the timing circuit (7) and by means of which the electric toothbrush can be turned on and off. The timing circuit (7) controls the On/Off switching go0 device (4) such that following expiration of the first period (T1) the electric toothbrush is turned on and off repeatedly within a second period (T2). As a result, the user of the electric toothbrush "senses" directly the end of the first period (T1), that is, the end of the optimum brushing time, from the variation in the operating mode of the electric toothbrush.