Abstract: A rotatable vehicle laundry brush comprising a center shaft and a plurality of axially stacked hollow blow-molded spacers which are pinned and clamped together with felt discs sandwiched between the spacers and extending radially outwardly therefrom so as to translate in an edgewise manner when the brush rotates. The felt discs are made up from pie-shaped or rectangular brush elements the outer peripheries of which are subdivided into sample and/or compound fingers by a pattern of long and short slits. Brush elements are also provided which translate in a facewise manner. Brush material is minimized and reconstruction of the brush is made more efficient.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a drive shaft with an off-set finger. A pivotably supported wobble plate has a fork at one end and an arcuate drive gear at another end. The drive gear meshes with a gear rotatably fixed to a brush holder so that in use the brush holder is caused to oscillate. The arrangement provides more flexibility in design and in particular enables the maximum arc of oscillation to be significantly increased over similar prior art toothbrushes.

Abstract: A tongue debridement aid includes an elongated handle with tongue debridement structure disposed at one end. The tongue debridement structure has a cupped region having an endwall and first and second sidewalls contiguous with the endwall which is disposed at an obtuse angle with respect to said elongated handle and a working edge region disposed along at least the edge of the endwall and typically extends secondarily along the edges of the first and second sidewalls. In use, debris, including microorganisms, may be debrided from the dorsum of the tongue and collected in the cupped region by placing the working edge region on the back of the dorsum, applying moderate pressure and drawing the tongue debridement aid toward the tip of the tongue. The collected debris may then be rinsed away. In order to provide a comprehensive oral hygiene instrument, a fixed or detachable toothbrush head may optionally be provided at the distal end of the elongated handle.

Abstract: An interdental twisted wire brush having roughened, tapered and rounded bristle ends prepared by rotating the interdental brush both transversely to the axis of the brush and axially along its longitudinal axis, while flexing the bristles and grinding the bristle ends of the interdental brush against a flat, moving abrasive surface.

Abstract: A modular paint brush which comprises two or more brush units which are comprised of a upper section and a bottom brush section, each upper section having a top, a front, a back parallel to said front and two parallel sides with dovetail connections attached thereto. Each brush unit is matably connected to another using a series of tapered dovetail connections which insures complete contact and fit of one unit to the next. This complete contact of brush unit to brush unit insures that paint can be applied evenly and over the desired surface without streaking, for example. A handle is connected to one of the tops of one of the brush units proximate to the center of the modular paint brush.

Abstract: A sanitary brush cover system (10) for breathably isolating the bristled portion (2) of a brush (1) from contaminant particles and organisms is provided. The sanitary brush cover system (10) comprises a shroud member (20) which substantially enshrouds the bristled portion (2) of a given brush (1). The shroud member (20) includes a flexible body portion (25) formed of an air-permeable composition which is substantially impermeable to the contaminant atmospheric particles and organisms from which the bristled portion (2) is to be protected. The shroud member (20) also includes an inlet portion (30) through which bristled portion (2) of brush (1) is received. The shroud member (20) has coupled thereto adjacent the inlet portion (30) a closure mechanism (40) for selectively closing and opening the inlet portion (30) to, thereby, substantially enclose the bristled portion (2) therewithin. In one embodiment, the air-permeable composition is a fibrous fabric typically employed in forming surgical masks.

Abstract: Multilayer disposable pads for use as wipes or applicators in various applications, including the cosmetics and personal care fields and the medical field. The pads include an absorbent base pad, an impervious barrier layer attached to the base pad, and a flexible handle attached to the barrier layer in a selective attachment area to define a handle attached portion and at least one handle graspable portion. The barrier layer may be attached to the base pad by being coated over the base pad without the use of adhesives, including being fused to the base pad when they are both made of a thermoplastic material. The handle attached portion may be fused to the barrier layer in an ultrasonic bonding process, again without the use of adhesive.

Abstract: A device for recreating knockdown patterns on walls, ceilings and surfaces. The device includes approximately six foam prong fingers having exposed lengths of approximately 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 inches long arranged in a bundle, and approximately 1/4 to approximately 2 inches in diameter. One end to bundle is cinched and held within a hand grip allowing the opposite end to form a splay pattern. Including the cinch portion each of the foam prongs can be approximately 1 to 3 inches in length. The outer exposed ends of the bundle can have flat perpendicular cuts and sliced forty five degree angled cuts. An optional extension pole allows the device to be used in hard to reach areas.

Abstract: A vacuum attachment for grooming animals such as cats and dogs has a trap for receiving fleas and other matter carried by animals in their coats. The trap has a hollow body with an inlet connectable to a vacuum head and an outlet connectable to the inlet of a vacuum system. The trap body has a central barrier in the inlet providing an annular air flow inlet between the barrier and the trap body, and a filter screen adjacent the outlet to retain fleas and other matter entering the trap body through the annular air inlet.

Abstract: A self-contained swimming pool vacuum includes a submersible vacuum head having a housing including opposing symmetrical halves which attach together to define an elongate vacuum mouth at a bottom end, a discharge opening at the opposite upper ends and a thrust channel extending therebetween. A motor supported within the thrust channel when the symmetrical halves of the housing are joined together, drives a propeller to create a thrust through the housing from the vacuum mouth through the thrust channel and out from the discharge opening at the top of the housing. A catch bag, removably secured to the top discharge opening, collects debris sucked through the vacuum mouth. First and second primary wheels are rotatably mounted on opposite ends of the housing, adjacent the vacuum mouth, to provide a cantilever effect when maneuvering the vacuum head along a surface.

Abstract: A rotary floor machine having a base, a pole handle, a pole structure, a handlebar, a trigger bar, and a lock-out device. The pole handle is pivotally secured to the base and is movable between a vertical position and a rear angular position. The pole structure is secured to the pole handle. The handlebar is secured to the pole structure so as to be substantially perpendicular to the pole handle. The trigger bar controls the starting and stopping of the rotary floor machine and is mounted to the handlebar so as to be movable between proximate and distal positions relative to the handlebar. The trigger bar starts the rotary floor machine when in the proximate position and stops the rotary floor machine when in the distal position. The lock-out device has an element that is movable between a blocking position and an un-blocking position in response to movement of the pole handle between the vertical position and the rear angular position.

Abstract: A feed accelerator system for use in a centrifuge, the system comprising a conveyor hub rotatably mounted within a rotating bowl, the hub including an inside surface and an outside surface. At least one feed slurry passageway is disposed between the inside surface of conveyor hub and the outside surface of the conveyor hub, and at least one helical blade having a plurality of turns is mounted to the outside surface of the conveyor hub. A vane apparatus is associated with the passageway and is disposed between two adjacent turns of the helical blade. The vane apparatus may include an inwardly extending baffle and/or an outwardly extending accelerator vane. Alternatively, a U-shaped channel may be associated with the passageway, the U-shaped channel including a plurality partitions attached to the discharge end of such channel so as to form a plurality of discharge channels and a flow directing and overspeeding vane disposed within each channel, each vane having a different forward discharge angle.

Abstract: An improved toothbrush is provided with a flexible neck to avoid damage to teeth and gums due to excessive brushing pressure. The toothbrush has a bush head made of a semi-rigid material to adequately support bristles, and a handle and neck made of an elastic material. The elastic material of the handle is comfortable in the users hands. The elastic material of the neck provides the flexibility to avoid damage due to excessive brushing pressure exerted by the user on the handle. The flexible neck is reinforced by semi-rigid arms formed integral with and ending from the semi-rigid material of the brush head. The reinforcing arms are connected by a web with spaced-apart openings. The web openings are provided to receive a portion of the elastic material of the neck to further secure the neck and the handle to the brush head.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a floor traveling head with wheels and an elongate handle pivotably connected to the head. The head has two motors; one connected to an impeller and one connected to a rotatable brush. The head has rechargeable batteries therein for supplying electricity to the motors and a three position electrical switch. All working components of the vacuum cleaner, including an air filter and dust/dirt collection cup, are in the floor traveling head. The handle has no working components thereon.

Abstract: A mascara brush having a core bent into a looped or eyetype configuration is disclosed. The twisted wire core is bent by approximately 180.degree. to form a oblong, oval rectangular or figure eight configuration having an internal reservoir adapted to receive mascara for transferring to the eyelashes.

Abstract: A bath scrubber comprises an elastic webbed tube, two first lashing members and one second lashing member. The webbed tube has a periphery which is pleated continuously in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the webbed tube. The first lashing members are secured respectively to both ends of a first radial direction of the webbed tube. The second lashing member is secured to the periphery of the webbed tube such that the second lashing member is perpendicular to the first radial direction of the webbed tube so as to enable the webbed tube to form two expanded integral parts of different sizes.

Abstract: A golf ball washer and conditioner is disclosed. The golf ball washer and conditioner is portable and may be carried by the golfer on a golf cart. The golf ball washer and conditioner is constructed from insulated material so that the golf balls can be kept warm during cold weather.

Abstract: A roller brush retainer including a retention structure for preventing a paint roller's tube brush from sliding off the roller. The paint roller includes a handle, a roller, a tube brush, and in one embodiment of the invention the retaining structure includes a retaining groove and a retaining ring. In use, the tube brush is slid onto the roller of a paint roller and the retention structure is mounted on the roller by spring biased action. The retainer means is used to securely and effectively hold the tube brush onto the roller and therefore prevent accidental disengagement and mess.

Abstract: A new and improved cleaning and storage system for a body cavity aspirator instrument includes a holder having a narrow mouth configuration for receiving an aspirator instrument therein for temporary storage purposes between periods of non-use. An inlet disposed in a base portion and spaced apart from a distal end of the holder permits the admittance of a cleaning agent in a sufficient volume into the base portion of the holder to clean the instrument according to the novel method of cleaning. A wiper cap disposed over the mouth of the holder, helps wipe the instrument of residual fluids when being inserted and removed from the holder. A mounting arrangement permits the holder to be supported from any convenient surface in close proximity to a patient/user.

Abstract: Sweeping devices for utility vehicles with a rotatingly driven bristle roller have been known, which are covered on the top side by a protective housing and in front of which a feed screw extending in parallel to the bristle roller is arranged, and the feed screw is arranged, drivable by a motor, in a sweepings collection housing, which is provided with a rear charging opening and with a discharge opening at the end of the screw, wherein the sweepings collection housing has an obliquely downwardly directed baffle plate with a flexible bottom plate under its charging opening. To improve the mode of operation and the sweeping performance, especially at higher speeds of travel, the bristle roller is driven at such a speed of rotation that in the area located between it and the charging opening of the sweepings collection housing, it generates an air flow, which continues into the discharge opening of the sweepings collection housing, which is designed as a feed cup and a flow channel at the same time.