Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet having first and second sidewalls and an interior mullion extending therebetween, wherein the first and second sidewalls and the interior mullion define a plurality of interior compartments. First and second stanchions define vertical structural members of the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The first stanchion includes a first medial flange that extends partially into the interior mullion. The first medial flange defines a first hinge attachment point, and a distal end of the first medial flange is positioned proximate a first hinge.

Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet having first and second sidewalls and an interior mullion extending therebetween, wherein the first and second sidewalls and the interior mullion define a plurality of interior compartments. First and second stanchions define vertical structural members of the first and second sidewalls, respectively. The first stanchion includes a first medial flange that extends partially into the interior mullion. The first medial flange defines a first hinge attachment point, and a distal end of the first medial flange is positioned proximate a first hinge.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The needle guide is suitable for delivery of a needle at a shallow angle into a patient during imaging analysis. Thus, the needle guide is well suited to the controlled collection of biopsy tissue or other sample material near the surface of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing toothbrushes is provided that includes a molding unit for substantially simultaneously molding toothbrush bodies, an element that removes toothbrush bodies from the molding unit, a tufter for securing tufts of bristles to toothbrush bodies to form toothbrushes, and a transport for automatically moving toothbrush bodies from the removal element to the tufter. A process for forming toothbrushes is also disclosed.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The needle guide is suitable for delivery of a needle at a shallow angle into a patient during imaging analysis. Thus, the needle guide is well suited to the controlled collection of biopsy tissue or other sample material near the surface of a patient.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a mold that includes a first cavity defining a toothbrush body, a first injection unit in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second cavity, and a second injection unit also in fluid communication with the first cavity. An apparatus is also provided that includes a mold that includes a first cavity defining a toothbrush body, a second cavity defining a toothbrush body, where the first cavity and the second cavity define substantially identical toothbrush bodies, a first injection unit in fluid communication with the first cavity and a second injection unit incapable of being in fluid communication with the second cavity.

Abstract: An oral brush includes a) a body that includes a polymer composition that includes polypropylene and has a melt flow rate of at least about 10 g/10 min, and b) bristles extending from the body.

Abstract: A method for making an oral brush body using an injection molding apparatus includes injecting polymer into a mold cavity at a pressure no greater than about 250 psi and in an amount sufficient to fill the cavity. The injection molding apparatus includes a mold that includes a cavity defining at least a portion of an oral brush body, and an injection unit in communication with the cavity and capable of injecting a polymer into the mold cavity at a pressure no greater than about 250 psi and in an amount sufficient to fill the cavity.

Abstract: The composite brush mold includes a) a metallic component that includes a pattern of holes extending from a first surface of the metallic component to a second surface of the metallic component, the holes being configured to receive tufts that include at least one bristle, and b) a plastic component that includes a pattern of fingers that correspond to the pattern of holes, the fingers extending into the holes to form end walls.

Abstract: The composite brush mold includes a) a first component that includes a pattern of holes extending from a first surface of the first component to a second surface of the first component, the holes being configured to receive tufts that include at least one bristle, and b) a second component that includes a pattern of fingers that correspond to the pattern of holes, the fingers extending into the holes to form end walls.

Abstract: A toothbrush has an elongated handle with bristles disposed at one end extending outwardly from one surface of the handle. The handle is formed of a semi-rigid plastic material having a pair of flanges disposed on the surface opposite that of the bristles for controlling the flexure at various points along the handle length and a softer material is formed onto that portion of the handle containing the flanges to provide a soft grip for the user.

Abstract: A toothbrush has an elongated handle with bristles disposed at one end extending outwardly from one surface of the handle. The handle is formed of a semi-rigid plastic material having a pair of flanges disposed on the surface opposite that of the bristles for controlling the flexure at various points along the handle length and a softer material is formed onto that portion of the handle containing the flanges to provide a soft grip for the user.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a continuous dental floss brush comprising alternating portions of thread sections which do not stretch significantly under tension and brush sections which stretch under slight tension, includes the step of coating at least the thread sections of a reverse twisted high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof. The thread sections of the yarn are thereafter heated to vaporize solvent therefrom while the yarn is maintained under a tension of from 0.15 to 1N. In the humidifier assembly, having a housing which defines a humidifier zone, the brush sections of the yarn are exposed to a mixture of steam and gas, the steam and gas mixture having a temperature of from 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a continuous dental floss brush comprising alternating portions of thread sections which do not stretch significantly under tension and brush sections which stretch under slight tension, includes the step of coating at least the thread sections of a reverse twisted high tenacity nylon yarn with a solution of polymer in a volatile solvent, the polymer being selected from nylon, polyurethane and mixtures thereof. The thread sections of the yarn are thereafter heated to vaporize solvent therefrom while the yarn is maintained under a tension of from 0.15 to 1N. In the humidifier assembly, having a housing which defines a humidifier zone, the brush sections of the yarn are exposed to a mixture of steam and gas, the steam and gas mixture having a temperature of from 130.degree. C.

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacturing a continuous floss brush comprises steps of first applying a polymer solution at a repeated preselected distance interval to a continuous length of floss yarn under tension and solidifying the polymer while the floss yarn is under tension to produce a continuous floss product of yarn sections which stretch under slight tension separated by thread sections which do not significantly stretch under tension. The floss yarn is treated to expand the yarn sections to form brush sections. The passage of a predetermined number of segments comprising thread and brush portions is determined while the continuous floss brush is under substantially zero tension using a optical detector. Finally, a length of the continuous floss segments containing the predetermined number of segments comprising thread and brush portions is cut for packaging.

Abstract: An bipolar electrosurgical instrument especially designed especially for use in freeing and rerouting of the internal mammary artery during coronary bypass surgery. It comprises a rigid pen-like handle having appropriate cut and coag control switches mounted thereon and a bendable tubular extension projecting from the distal end of the handle member. Mounted on the distal end of the extension is a blade holder designed to contain an ultrasonic transducer as well as the proximal end of the blade itself. The blade comprises a ceramic substrate having a pattern of metallization thereon defining a bipolar cutting gap along the side and end edges of the blade and a bipolar coagulating gap located inwardly from the side and end edges. A cable is used to join the implement to an electrosurgical generator and the individual wires in the cable extend through the pen-like body, the tubular extension and into the blade holder where electrical connections are made to the electrodes on the blade itself.