Abstract: Method for manufacturing brushes, whereby bundles of fibers (12) are provided in a brush body (13), whereby this method also comprises a step whereby the far ends (2) of the fibers (3) are subjected to a processing by bringing them into contact with a processing equipment (5), characterized in that, during the aforesaid step, the fibers (3) and the processing equipment (5) are mutually put into contact whereas the fibers (3) are being held loosely together.

Abstract: A decorative piece in the form of a topper designed to seat at the base of the shaft and extending from the handle body of a powered toothbrush is provided. The topper is formed as a single molded piece on top of a base ring having a central hole that fits over the shaft and a lower skirt that mates with the handle. The base ring includes grooves or other indentations about the central hole that receive inflow from the topper when it is molded. According to one embodiment, to construct the topper, the base ring is held in place with respect to the topper mold and molten or otherwise-liquid plastic is injected into the mold so that it fills the mold cavity and thereby flows into the indentations in the base ring, thereby securing the topper to the base ring when the decorative feature hardens sufficiently. The base ring and topper can then be slid over the shaft into a final mounted position on the assembled brush.

Abstract: A power toothbrush with a drive train that is easy to manufacture, reliable in service and that enables multiple heads or other complex design or functional elements is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the power toothbrush includes a sealed case that encloses a motor with a pinion gear joined to an eccentric link. This eccentric link can be a circular rack having an eccentric pin that rides in a slot on a drive plate. The drive plate is joined to a push rod, typically constructed of metal that passes up a hollow toothbrush shaft through an elastomeric seal to a head assembly. The head assembly includes one or more moving disks that are each connected to generally circular brush heads, which project outwardly from the head assembly. One disk receives a bent end of the drive shaft in a hole located eccentrically to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is described and which includes a housing which is moveable across a supporting surface; a first electrically actuated fluid pump which is mounted in the housing, and which is operable to deliver a first stream of fluid at a pressure of at least about 150 PSI to less than about 1200 PSI; a second electrically actuated fluid pump which is mounted in the housing, and which is operable to deliver a second stream of fluid, at a pressure, of less than about 150 PSI; and an electrically actuated heater which is mounted in the housing, and which is operable to impart heat energy to the second fluid stream.

Abstract: The power toothbrush, which has a rotating brushhead movement, includes a housing with a motor mounted therein having an armature which in operation rotates through an arc of predetermined magnitude. The toothbrush also includes a brushhead mounted on a shaft which is connected to an output mass. A spring assembly couples the armature to the output mass, the spring assembly including two spring portions with a node point therebetween, wherein when the armature rotates, the brushhead moves in an opposite direction. The frequency of the movement of the armature is set equal to the resonant frequency of the spring coupling system and the output assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cleaning implement, preferably in the form of a roller mop, that includes a mop head, a shaft, and a wringer. The cleaning implement further includes a connecting link connected to the mop head and to the shaft or wringer. The mop head has a connecting side and a cleaning side thereby defining a mop axis, which axis is disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. At least a portion of the connecting link is disposed with the shaft. The mop head can include a scrubber attachment. Also inventive is the disclosed mechanism by which the scrubber attachment connects to the head of the mop. Various embodiments of mop heads can be used with the invention. A cleaning cloth can be mounted to the mop head.

Abstract: The present invention relates a cleaning implement for cleaning hard surfaces, comprising a handle connected to a mop head which is at least partially deformable, the mop head having a leading edge connected to a trailing edge, wherein the mop head comprises a first cavity, said first cavity extending from the leading edge towards the trailing edge, said first cavity forming an opening only adjacent the leading edge when said mop head is in contact with a hard surface to be cleaned, said opening having a width of between about 50% and about 100% of the entire length of the leading edge. The present invention further relates to a cleaning system for cleaning hard surfaces, comprising the cleaning implement, and a cleaning sheet removably attached to the mop head of said cleaning implement. The present invention further relates to a method of cleaning a hard surface comprising the step of wiping the surface with the cleaning system.

Abstract: An adjustable-size mop head assembly that may be used with a handle and a disposable cleaning substrate is disclosed. The mop head assembly includes a central frame section with a central portion and a lower substrate support surface configured to hold a disposable cleaning substrate. The mop head assembly also includes at least one adjunct frame section configured to be operably coupled to the central frame section and configured to move between a stored configuration, where the adjunct frame section is stored by the central frame section, and an extended configuration where the adjunct frame section extends from the central frame section to add width to the central frame section and the lower substrate support surfaces. A continuous web of disposable cleaning substrate that may be used with the adjustable-size mop head assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for abrading or polishing and reaming the terminal ends of tubing or fittings using a hand-held electrically powered device having a rotating member capable of accepting a standard shaft which has attached to it a male and female abrasive member which will polish or abrade the inside and outside of a length tubing or fitting respectively uses the same tool. Also attached to the standard shaft is a reamer for removing unwanted material from the end of the length of tubing. All of these members are attached at the same end of the standard shaft, thereby allowing all the operations to be performed at one time on each tubing or mating fitting member. In addition, the standard shaft may be connected to a clutch release mechanism allowing the tool mechanism to disengage upon the application of excessive torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered toothbrush containing a decorative facade, which facade may be permanently attached to the brush handle or may be replaceable by the user.

Abstract: A cleaning implement is disclosed which is of the all-in-one type. It has a substrate structure that delivers impregnated cleaning liquid to the window being cleaned, a squeegee to drive used cleaning liquid off the window, and an absorbent to collect the used liquid. A single block of substrate structure can provide the applicator, scrubbing, and collecting functions, as well as filter and reprocess used cleaning liquid for further use. The substrate may be replaced separately from the squeegee, or may be replaced as a unit with the squeegee.

Abstract: A cleaning tool, which in some instances may be a mop, for use in cleaning a surface is provided. The cleaning tool includes a frame and a primary cleaning member that is carried by the frame. The primary cleaning member is configured for removing generally smaller size particles from the surface that is cleaned. A secondary cleaning member is included and is also carried by the frame. The secondary cleaning member is configured for removing generally larger size particles from the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A sand rake which serves two purposes: 1) raking the sand in a bunker to provide a smooth sand surface; and 2) efficient and safe removal of the sand trapped or lodged on or near the soles of a player's golf shoes. The dual purpose sand rake may be used to conveniently clean the player's shoes before stepping foot on the putting green, thereby reducing the amount of sand and other debris tracked onto the green, or, alternatively, before the player attempts another shot, thereby enhancing the player's footing. The sand rake removes the need for the player to walk to the next tee box or wait until the round is finished to clean his or her shoes. Moreover, the sand rake removes the need for the player to tap his or her shoes with the golf club to clean his or her shoes, thereby eliminating the risk of injury to the player's ankle or foot as well as damage to the shoes.

Abstract: A cleaning pad is provided that is disposable into a toilet after cleaning. Also provided is a laminated body of cleaning pads, and a cleaning tool that holds the cleaning pad or the laminated body of cleaning pads. A cleaning pad is formed in such a manner that an intermediate layer containing water-degradable pulp is interposed between two layers of water-degradable nonwoven fabric or water-soluble pulp paper, and the cleaning pad comprises a cleaning composition. A laminated body of cleaning pads is provided by forming cleaning pads in layers, and a cleaning tool holds the cleaning pad or the laminated body of cleaning pads.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a substance to a keratinous surface may include a stem and an applicator member associated with a distal end of the stem. The stem may include a portion extending around at least part of the applicator member. The portion may have a proximal end and may extend from the proximal end toward the distal end of the stem. The proximal end of the portion may either be distal to a proximal end of the applicator member or located at substantially the same position as the proximal end of the applicator member. The portion may be configured to be deformed at least in part in response to deformation of the applicator member during application of the substance to the keratinous surface.

Abstract: A motorized cleaning/polishing device includes a housing and a carrier with a detachable cleaning/polishing attachment. The housing contains a rechargeable battery, motor and flex mount having flexible pillars to which the carrier is mounted. The carrier is also coupled to the motor drive shaft via an eccentric element and bearing. The carrier may have a foam layer with hook fasteners adhered to its underside for removably attaching any one of various attachments to the carrier. Cleanser is impregnated in the attachment. The device is particularly suited to orbit in the 3000 to 10,000 OPM range.

Abstract: A squeeze mop head construction includes a squeeze housing with a separate and separable sponge assembly that includes catch members positioned in a manner which ensures retention of the sponge assembly by the squeeze housing, and which further ensures that lateral side-to-side movement of the sponge assembly is precluded.

Abstract: A cleaning implement is provided for cleaning surfaces with a cleaning substrate. The cleaning implement includes a handle connected via a universal joint to a mop head. A portion of the universal joint forms a handgrip which allows a user to hold the mop head independently from the handle. The cleaning implement has a quick-disconnect mechanism which includes a male element located at a distal end of the handle and a female element located on the universal joint and which allow a user to easily disconnect the handle from the mop head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: A cleaning implement is provided for cleaning surfaces with a cleaning substrate. The cleaning implement includes a handle connected via a universal joint to a mop head. The mop head includes a bumper pad, which is made of a deformable and nonabsorbent material. The bumper pad can be deformed in the Z direction and within the X-Y plane. The cleaning implement can also include a motor for causing a portion of the mop head to move relative to the handle.