Abstract: An air purifier filter system comprises an air purifier filter unit and a machine readable identifier which provides information concerning the filter unit type and performance information specific to a target pollutant to be filtered by said air purifier filter unit from a plurality of different pollutants that can be filtered by that filter unit type. This information can be used to provide an end of life prediction for the filter unit or provide advice that the filter should be changed for other reasons. This enables the user to be given advance warning, and to be given instructions when it is time to change the filter unit. The instructions to change the filter unit may be more accurate than a simple timer as they can take account of the type of filter unit and the performance information. In some examples the use history of the filter unit may also be used to predict the time when it should be changed.

Abstract: An air purifier filter system comprises an air purifier filter unit and a machine readable identifier which provides information concerning the filter unit type and performance information specific to a target pollutant to be filtered by said air purifier filter unit from a plurality of different pollutants that can be filtered by that filter unit type. This information can be used to provide an end of life prediction for the filter unit or provide advice that the filter should be changed for other reasons. This enables the user to be given advance warning, and to be given instructions when it is time to change the filter unit. The instructions to change the filter unit may be more accurate than a simple timer as they can take account of the type of filter unit and the performance information. In some examples the use history of the filter unit may also be used to predict the time when it should be changed.

Abstract: The invention provides a wearable air purification device which actively generates a propelled stream of purified air for direct delivery to a region proximal to a user's mouth or nose for their immediate inhalation. An air chamber comprises a flexible diaphragm adapted to fluctuate between two extreme positions, thereby altering the volume within the chamber and alternately sucking and blowing air into and out of the chamber. Filtration elements are arranged in said air chamber. The filtration elements are arranged so as to make fluid communication with air displaced into the air chamber and, to make fluid communication with air displaced out of said chamber so that air is cleaned as it passes both into, and out of, the air chamber. The filtration elements actively remove particulate or gaseous pollutants. Embodiments of the invention may comprise a plurality of such air chamber assemblies, arranged so as to collectively deliver a continuous flow of air to a breathing zone of the user.

Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes two extended end regions, which extend below a longitudinal edge of the middle portion of the V-spring. The free ends of the extended portions are joined by a flat cross-piece. This “closed end” region is present at both ends of the V-spring.

Abstract: A V-spring member (18) for use in a driving system for a personal care appliance has regions (34, 36) at the ends of the spring which are large enough to support a contact with an end clamping assembly, the spring member including a cross-piece (40) extending between the longitudinal edges of the spring at the end regions, such that the ends of the spring member define a closed line. End clamping assemblies (16, 24) provided for such a V-spring member include a body portion (64) having a lower support portion (66) on which the V-spring is supported and a mating clamping member (88) positioned in registry with the support portion on top of the V-spring.

Abstract: A nodally mounted spring arrangement for a drive train which is used in an electronic toothbrush which includes a housing. A V shaped spring member (15) is secured at both ends thereof, wherein the spring member has a node point (30) along a ridge line, approximately halfway along the length of the spring member. A mounting plate (26) member is fixedly connected to the node point of the spring member and also fixedly connected to the housing of the toothbrush.

Abstract: A V-spring member (18) for use in a driving system for a personal care appliance has regions (34, 36) at the ends of the spring which are large enough to support a contact with an end clamping assembly, the spring member including a cross-piece (40) extending between the longitudinal edges of the spring at the end regions, such that the ends of the spring member define a closed line. End clamping assemblies (16, 24) provided for such a V-spring member include a body portion (64) having a lower support portion (66) on which the V-spring is supported and a mating clamping member (88) positioned in registry with the support portion on top of the V-spring.

Abstract: The dental cleaning appliance includes an appliance body (30, 73) which has a bristle field housing (32, 52) and fluid within the housing. A flexible membrane (34) is positioned within the housing, or in a fluid-tight relationship (54) within an opening (60) in the housing. A fluid pressure system involving either a dual piston system (22, 24, 28) or a pump and valve system (70, 68, 68) provides pressure on the fluid, wherein the pistons move alternately, or the valves open and close alternately, in such a manner to produce alternating pressure above and beneath the membrane, moving the membrane and the bristle field toward and away from the teeth.

Abstract: One embodiment of an actuator system for a power dental cleaning appliance to produce a tapping motion of bristle tufts in a dental cleaning appliance includes a plurality of piston elements (16) mounted in a brushhead for movement away from and then toward the brushhead (12). Bristle tufts (20) are positioned on the piston elements and move sequentially against and away from the teeth to produce a cleaning action. A low frequency fluid pressure action (40) in the range of 1-6 Hz maintains conformity of the bristle tufts in a low frequency sequence against the teeth, while a higher frequency fluid pressure action (42) in the range of 100-300 Hz moves the bristle tufts at that frequency to produce a tapping bristle action on the teeth to produce cleaning. In another embodiment, an actuation system includes an elongated actuator member (52) made of elastic material which expands and contracts about its longitudinal axis at a selected frequency by fluid pressure.

Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. A mounting plate is connected between a node point along the V-shaped spring member and the housing of the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes opposing slots on opposite sides of the node point, the slots extending in an axial direction, creating an integrated torsion bar node spring, while reducing stress in the vicinity of the nodal point.

Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes two extended end regions, which extend below a longitudinal edge of the middle portion of the V-spring. The free ends of the extended portions are joined by a flat cross-piece. This “closed end” region is present at both ends of the V-spring.

Abstract: One embodiment of an actuator system for a power dental cleaning appliance to produce a tapping motion of bristle tufts in a dental cleaning appliance includes a plurality of piston elements (16) mounted in a brushhead for movement away from and then toward the brushhead (12). Bristle tufts (20) are positioned on the piston elements and move sequentially against and away from the teeth to produce a cleaning action. A low frequency fluid pressure action (40) in the range of 1-6 Hz maintains conformity of the bristle tufts in a low frequency sequence against the teeth, while a higher frequency fluid pressure action (42) in the range of 100-300 Hz moves the bristle tufts at that frequency to produce a tapping bristle action on the teeth to produce cleaning. In another embodiment, an actuation system includes an elongated actuator member (52) made of elastic material which expands and contracts about its longitudinal axis at a selected frequency by fluid pressure.

Abstract: The dental cleaning appliance includes an appliance body (30, 73) which has a bristle field housing (32, 52) and fluid within the housing. A flexible membrane (34) is positioned within the housing, or in a fluid-tight relationship (54) within an opening (60) in the housing. A fluid pressure system involving either a dual piston system (22, 24, 28) or a pump and valve system (70, 68, 68) provides pressure on the fluid, wherein the pistons move alternately, or the valves open and close alternately, in such a manner to produce alternating pressure above and beneath the membrane, moving the membrane and the bristle field toward and away from the teeth.

Abstract: A V-spring member (18) for use in a driving system for a personal care appliance has regions (34, 36) at the ends of the spring which are large enough to support a contact with an end clamping assembly, the spring member including a cross-piece (40) extending between the longitudinal edges of the spring at the end regions, such that the ends of the spring member define a closed line. End clamping assemblies (16, 24) provided for such a V-spring member include a body portion (64) having a lower support portion (66) on which the V-spring is supported and a mating clamping member (88) positioned in registry with the support portion on top of the V-spring.

Abstract: A nodal-mounted spring arrangement for an electronic toothbrush includes a V-shaped spring member secured at both ends so that it can operate in out-of-phase torsion mode along the axial dimension thereof. A mounting plate is connected between a node point along the V-shaped spring member and the housing of the toothbrush. In one embodiment, the V-shaped spring member includes opposing slots on opposite sides of the node point, the slots extending in an axial direction, creating an integrated torsion bar node spring, while reducing stress in the vicinity of the nodal point.