Abstract: Embodiments of apparatus for reusable drinking straw cleaning include a flexible central brush and a plurality of external brushes supported by a hand-held handle. The flexible central brush is passed into one end of a drinking straw and the drinking straw is drawn down into concentrically disposed external brushes. The drinking straw is withdrawn, reversed and the process is repeated. A handle or central bore provides external brush pressure onto the straw when it has been drawn into contact with the external brushes. After both ends of the reusable drinking straw are cleaned, the reusable drinking straw is withdrawn from the assembly and placed in a sterilizing solution or dishwasher, and dried. The flexible central brush is replaced without disassembly of the apparatus. Embodiments provide a support stand to receive and hold the assembly in a vertical position from the bottom of a wash sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool cleaning apparatus including: a cleaning unit (100), at least one hydraulic system for circulating a liquid between at least one liquid inlet (103) and at least one liquid outlet (104) and through a filtration device of the cleaning unit (100), a pump suitable for forcing the circulation of water between the liquid inlet (103) and the liquid outlet (104) and through the filtration device, drive and guide means for moving the cleaning unit, and means for controlling said drive and guide means. The pool cleaning apparatus includes at least one debris detection means placed in the hydraulic system of the cleaning unit (100).

Abstract: The invention is hand tool and methods of use therefor for removing excess mastic and other debris from spacing between tiles. The device has a polygonal body, with a single projection extending from each side. Each projection has a different width and/or length, and is sized to fit in the spacing between adjacent tiles. Methods of installing and/or renovating and/or repairing tile with the hand tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scrubbing device is disclosed, and includes a body and a driving shaft, wherein the body is provided with a sealing mechanism configured to seal a connection portion between the driving shaft and the body. The sealing mechanism includes a sealing member sleeved on the driving shaft. The sealing member has an end that is attached, sealed, and connected to a sidewall of the body. The driving shaft is sleeved with a first sealing ring made of a rigid material and a second sealing ring made of a soft material. The first sealing ring and the second sealing ring are both in contact with an inner wall of the sealing member.

Abstract: A self-propelled object-gathering apparatus includes a chassis, a drive system coupled to the chassis and configured to traverse the apparatus over a surface, and a control system coupled to the chassis. The control system is programmed to detect a bounded operational area, and to guide the apparatus within the bounded operational area. The apparatus also includes a receptacle coupled to the chassis, and a sweep assembly coupled to the chassis and rotatable with respect to the chassis. The sweep assembly is configured to transfer objects from the surface into the receptacle by mechanical action on the objects in response to rotation of the sweep assembly.

Abstract: A cleaning module adapted to clean a socket style ferrule or a pin style ferrule of a connector includes a tip assembly extending from a housing comprising a tip adapted to receive a cleaning media. A retractable alignment sleeve sized to surround the pin style ferrule has a larger outer diameter than an inner diameter of a socket opening and moves along the tip assembly when the first end presses against a surface of the connector. A sleeve spring engages with a portion of the tip assembly and a first end of the retractable alignment sleeve. The tip assembly includes a block movably secured within a portion of the housing. A main spring may be engaged with the housing and engaged with an end portion of the block, wherein the sleeve spring has both a spring constant and total compressive force that are lower than that of the main spring.

Abstract: The handheld cleaning apparatus provides a handheld cleaning apparatus comprising a removable handle, abrasive particles, angled edges, open channels, and a flexible yet durable surface for scouring. The invention creates an abrasive, or “sanding,” cleaning apparatus that is better suited for cleaning dirty surfaces than a traditional cleaning sponge. The handheld cleaning apparatus retains the abrasive outer shell of a sanding sponge but is much more flexible and water permeable than current sanding sponges. To this end, the handheld cleaning apparatus comprises open channels, or “blow holes,” that promote water flow through the sponge and give the sponge flexibility. The size and the number of the channels vary by the material or density of the sponge. The handheld cleaning apparatus, additionally, contains a handle that is removably attached, which enables the consumer the ability to connect one or more cleaning apparatuses together to form the desired shape and form of the cleaning apparatus.

Abstract: An outer elastomeric layer forms a nonogonal-shaped hollow tube for a finger toothbrush to be used by an adult caregiver to brush a child's teeth. The toothbrush has a first, rigid portion with a rigid inner lining configured to receive a middle phalange of the caregiver's finger and a second, flexible portion configured to receive a distal phalange of the caregiver's finger. The rigid inner lining may further comprise extensions and depressions to spread the pressure from a child's bite. The second, flexible portion may allow for better tactile response when the toothbrush is in the mouth of a child.

Abstract: The present invention provides a handheld sweeping and mopping structure, comprising a handle and a body shell, wherein a sweeping and mopping module, a water tank module, a driving module, a garbage collection module, a control module and a power supply module are provided inside the body shell. The handheld sweeping and mopping structure of the present invention can sweep the floor and also mop the floor, has higher efficiency and better effect than the conventional sweeping and mopping mode; and meanwhile, a disposable garbage box which is convenient to replace is used, and it is unnecessary to clean the garbage box repeatedly.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes a bristle bundle and a handle. The handle has a tubular structure and includes a straight part and a bent part, and the bent part is located at the end of the straight part. The bristle bundle is detachably placed in the tubular structure of the handle, and one end of the bristle bundle extends out of the bent part.

Abstract: A toothbrush with fluid directing drive assembly is provided. The toothbrush may include a handle including an end surface, a brush shaft extending from the end surface of the handle, a drive assembly positioned within the handle and causing the brush shaft to oscillate upon actuation of a motor, a brush tip removably coupled to the brush shaft and positioned adjacent to the end surface of the handle, and a fluid passage defined within the drive assembly within the handle. The brush tip may include a fluid conduit therein. Oscillation of the brush shaft may cause the entire brush tip to oscillate correspondingly. Fluid may be transported through the drive assembly and to the fluid conduit of the brush tip by the fluid passage.

Abstract: A quick release paint roller system; the quick release paint roller system includes a paint roller assembly including a paint roller frame having a first-bracket-arm having a first-retaining-pin, a second-bracket-arm having a second-retaining-pin, a handle, a first-endcap, a second-endcap, a locking mechanism, and a user-control including a finger actuated release button. The paint roller frame allows a hosted paint roller to be removed in a hands-free manner without direct, manual contact with the paint roller, thus eliminating mess, waste, and inconvenience that would ordinarily result with standard manual brush removal.

Abstract: An oral care implement body to which a replacement head can be detachably coupled. In one embodiment, the oral care implement body includes a gripping portion having a shoulder, a stem extending from the shoulder along a longitudinal axis, and a boss protruding from an outer surface of the stem. The boss may have a locking rib section having an undercut surface that is axially spaced from the shoulder and a positioning rib section extending from the locking rib section to the shoulder. The undercut surface may circumferentially protrude from a first side surface of the positioning rib section. The locking rib section may extend along a first rib axis and the positioning rib section may extend along a second rib axis, the first rib axis oriented obliquely to the second rib axis.

Abstract: A cleaning swab device and method for cleaning a fluid coupling or connector. The device includes a generally elongate cylindrical tubular swab body, and a channel formed at an end thereof to define at least one cleaning finger for insertion into a housing and/or port of the connector to remove residual fluids, clean and disinfect the connector. The cleaning device optionally further includes a guide stem or plunger configured to extend through the tubular body of the swab, having a plug at one end for sealing debris out of a lumen of the connector during cleaning.

Abstract: A rectangular-shape three-section one-layer golf towel consists of a face section which cleans golfer's face/hands, a grip section which cleans club grips, and a club section which cleans golf club heads/golf balls. Among the three sections, the grip section is located between the face section and the club section. There are two one-inch wide connecting seams in the golf towel to separate the three sections. The three sections could have different color and could be made from different fabrics. Also, a small slit sewn in the middle of the golf towel on one edge is used to hang the golf towel on the golf bag. Such multi-functional golf towel could have different sizes.

Abstract: A toothbrush with a handle having a base and a head and defining a cavity positioned between the base and the head. The toothbrush also includes a plurality of bristles attached to the head of the handle, a green light configured to flash for a first period of time and a red light configured to flash for a second period of time. The toothbrush also includes a switch coupled to the handle for activating the green light, and a circuit for automatically activating the red light after expiration of the first period of time.

Abstract: A coupling mechanism for an electric toothbrush includes a handle coupling portion and a refill coupling portion structured and configured to engage one another, thereby providing a secure connection between the handle and the refill. The handle coupling portion has a coupling stem disposed at one end of the handle and a coupling pin protruding from the stem. The coupling stem has outer walls terminating at a free end thereof. The refill coupling portion has a tubular structure having refill walls and an interior space for receiving therein the coupling stem, and a pair of mutually opposite and resiliently deformable cantilevered arms disposed in the interior space, each of the arms terminating with a coupling surface for engaging the coupling pin of the handle coupling portion.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush, including a refill connectable to a handle via a coupling device. The handle has a drive mechanism, and the refill has a brush head and a motion transmitter functionally connected to the brush head for driving it. The handle has a coupling stem terminating with a free end and including a coupling pin extending from the stem. The refill includes a generally tubular portion formed by refill walls defining an interior space for accepting the coupling stem of the handle. The coupling device comprises a pair of mutually opposite and resiliently deformable cantilevered arms disposed adjacent to the refill walls in the interior space of the refill. Each of the cantilevered arms terminates with a coupling surface for engaging the stem's coupling pin for secure and disengageable connection between the handle and the refill.

Abstract: A manual defrosting implement utilizes a handle having an attachment means capable of being removably secured to a resealable bag. The bag is capable of retaining a unit of hot liquid therein. A user manipulates the implement on an area where there is an accumulation of snow, frost, or ice for subsequent removal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rotating electric toothbrush comprising: a main body having a receiving space formed therein, a driving means received in the interior of the main body and providing a rotational force, a toothbrush handle having one end detachably coupled to the driving means, and receiving a rotational force of the driving means to be rotated, a support means coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the other end of the toothbrush handle and having plate-shaped support bodies made of a ductile material and radially formed to be spaced apart from each other, and a plurality of toothbrush bristles implanted between the support bodies.