Abstract: A cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device is disclosed. The cleaning section includes at least a first carrier mounted for driven rotation or oscillating rotation around a rotation axis; and at least a plurality of first cleaning elements mounted on the first carrier with their bases arranged on the vertices of a first star-shaped polygon around the rotation axis. All of the first cleaning elements are inclined in a circumferential direction such that the free end of each of the first cleaning elements is farther away in the circumferential direction than the base of the respective first cleaning element; and wherein at least one cleaning element property alternates between adjacent first cleaning elements or between clusters of first cleaning elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the penetration of tooth cleaning elements into a simulated gingival pocket. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tooth shaped member, wherein at least a portion of the tooth is transparent to light; a gum member positioned on a first side of the tooth shaped member; a simulated gingival pocket created between the gum member and the tooth shaped member; and an imaging device configured to obtain a plurality of images related to the gingival pocket, and bristle penetration into the gingival pocket.

Abstract: A cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device is disclosed. The cleaning section includes at least a first carrier mounted for driven rotation or oscillating rotation around a rotation axis; and at least a plurality of first cleaning elements mounted on the first carrier with their bases arranged on the vertices of a first star-shaped polygon around the rotation axis. All of the first cleaning elements are inclined in a circumferential direction such that the free end of each of the first cleaning elements is farther away in the circumferential direction than the base of the respective first cleaning element; and wherein at least one cleaning element property alternates between adjacent first cleaning elements or between clusters of first cleaning elements.

Abstract: A cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device having a handle section includes a first end adapted to be connected to the handle section; a second end remote from the first end, the second end including a carrier mounted for rotation or oscillation around a rotation axis; and a plurality of cleaning elements mounted on the carrier, the cleaning elements being arranged in at least an inner band and an outer band. The inner band includes a plurality of first cleaning elements having a first color and a plurality of second cleaning elements having a second color. The outer band includes a plurality of third cleaning elements having a third color and a plurality of fourth cleaning elements having a fourth color. The cleaning elements of the inner band and the cleaning elements of the outer band have a Color Contrast (?E) of from about 85 to about 140.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assessing the penetration of tooth cleaning elements into a simulated gingival pocket. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a tooth shaped member, wherein at least a portion of the tooth is transparent to light; a gum member positioned on a first side of the tooth shaped member; a simulated gingival pocket created between the gum member and the tooth shaped member; and an imaging device configured to obtain a plurality of images related to the gingival pocket, and bristle penetration into the gingival pocket.

Abstract: A method for measuring the efficacy of a dental care product with respect to plaque removal on the teeth of a volunteer, comprising the steps: a) requesting selection of a plaque index system on a display device; b) requesting selection of a model tooth to be examined and display of the selected model tooth on the display device; c) requesting input of the plaque data on the model tooth displayed on the display device according to the selected plaque index. d) repeating steps b) and c) for a predetermined number of teeth; and e) determining the percentage amount of plaque for each tooth by calculating the ratio of the area covered with plaque to the tooth surface, wherein the area covered with plaque is calculated according to the selected plaque index.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filter bag (10) consisting of filter paper for producing brewed beverages such as coffee or tea, comprising a holding space (17) for holding a substance, such as coffee grinds or tea leaves, and being made up of a folded filter sheet blank (1) having two filter sheet sides (11, 12). The filter sheet sides (11, 12) are of essentially identical shape and size, having one bottom edge (13) and two side edges (22, 24 and 23, 25). The side edges (22, 24; 23, 25) diverge upwards and include at their upper ends top edges (14, 15) for forming a filling opening (30), with the bottom edge (13) and the side edges (22, 24; 23, 25) of the two filter sheet sides (11, 12) being either connected with each other in a positive engagement relationship, in which case they form bottom and/or side strips (37 and/or 28, 29) in this area, or connected with each other in one integral piece in these areas, in order to form a filter bag (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for preparing hot beverages, comprising a water tank (1) which can be filled with water (23) and a brewing unit (6) which can be filled with an ingredient (9) such as ground coffee or tea leaves. The water (23) is heated and supplied to the brewing unit (6) for extraction. After the extraction process, the hot beverage (24) flows into a container (8). The machine for preparing hot beverages includes a device (10, 11) for sensing the amount of water and ingredients. The device (10, 11) sends corresponding electric signals to an electronic evaluation device (14). The electronic evaluation device (14) indicates the detected strength of the hot beverage on an indicator instrument (17). The degree of strength may be varied by this arrangement in conformity with a user's taste. Further, only that amount of ingredients required for the desired strength of the beverage is used.

Abstract: A coffee maker and a method of preparing coffee in which steam is applied to the coffee grinds prior to passing hot water through the coffee grinds. The coffee maker includes a controllable outlet valve disposed within a fluid path, between a water reservoir and a flow-through heater. In a first position, the outlet valve has a flow opening dimensioned sufficiently small that water exiting the outlet valve evaporates completely in the flow-through heater. In a second position, the outlet valve has a flow opening dimensioned sufficiently large that water exiting the outlet valve is heated in the flow-through heater without appreciable development of steam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a filtering device, a filter element therefor and a method of manufacturing the filter element (28) from filter paper. The filter element (28) has a receiving cavity (76) to be filled with extractable materials such as coffee grounds or tea leaves. Following contact with hot water, the extractable materials deliver extractive substances to the water, resulting in a brewed beverage that is drained from the filter element (28). During this process, the filter element (28) is held by the filter support (1) by way of a supporting member which includes a rim (39) formed on the filter element (28) and having a bearing surface (40), and a supporting surface (24) formed on the filter support (1). The rim (39) of the filter element (28) is reinforced mechanically by providing the filter paper with exposed pleats (42, 51, 52) which cooperate with corresponding elevations (115) and recesses (79) formed on the supporting surface (24) of the filter support (1).

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 carafe (10) for carrying a beverage, with a vessel (12) formed in particular from glass and having at its opening an upper rim (26) upon which a plastic ring structure (28) is seated. Because the thermal expansion of plastics is about 20 times greater than that of glass, the seat of the plastic ring (28) on the vessel (12) may work loose due to the effect of changing temperatures to which the carafe (10) is exposed as when hot or cold beverages are filled in. In order to ensure a consistently firm seat also at varying temperatures, it is proposed in the invention that the plastic ring structure (28) be provided with inner (30, 36) and outer (38) detent means rearwardly engaging inner (20) and outer (24) undercuts of the vessel (12).

Abstract: A smoothing iron has a water reservoir with a water discharge valve and drip valve. The water discharge valve includes a motion-dependent weight for inhibiting the passage of water from the water reservoir to the steam chamber of the iron when the iron is in a position of rest. When the valve is opened by the pressing motion, water is passed around the valve and through a water conduit to the drip valve which allows passage of the water to the steam chamber. To increase the degree of responsiveness of the water discharge valve, the weight is connected to a sealing body by a connecting rod.

Abstract: A fixedly positioned hot plate, particularly for use with a coffee maker, has an upper surface for receiving a container of liquid to be maintained at a constant temperature. An electric heating device arranged underneath the hot plate includes a plate member movable between a first position in biased engagement with the underside of the hot plate and a second position spaced therefrom to vary the heat exchange rate therebetween. Secured to the underside of the plate member is a metallic sheathed heating having a water heating pipe soldered to the periphery thereof. A temperature sensitive element, e.g. U-shaped bimetal, thermally coupled to the heating device has a first portion connected to a downwardly dependent stud secured to the underside of the hot plate and extending freely through a bore in the plate member an a second portion secured to the plate member.

Abstract: An ironing device which comprises an unheated soleplate, a fan, and a discharge port in the soleplate. The fan generates an air stream which is conveyed via the discharge port between the soleplate and a textile material. A large surface and supporting air cushion is developed between the soleplate and the textile material.