Abstract: A coffee machine makes use of a valve arrangement for controlling the coupling of a water heater outlet selectively to one of two or more outlets, such as a steam delivery nozzle, a brew chamber and a water collection unit (e.g. drip tray). The valve arrangement comprises a rotatable routing element, wherein the angular position of the routing element controls the coupling of the inlet channel to one of the outlets. The rotation is driven by rotational coupling to a brew chamber motor. This coffee machine design makes use of a single valve arrangement to provide the flow control from the water heater. This provides a compact arrangement with a low component count and simple control mechanism.

Abstract: A coffee machine makes use of a valve arrangement for controlling the coupling of a water heater outlet selectively to one of two or more outlets, such as a steam delivery nozzle, a brew chamber and a water collection unit (e.g. drip tray). The valve arrangement comprises a rotatable routing element, wherein the angular position of the routing element controls the coupling of the inlet channel to one of the outlets. The rotation is driven by rotational coupling to a brew chamber motor. This coffee machine design makes use of a single valve arrangement to provide the flow control from the water heater. This provides a compact arrangement with a low component count and simple control mechanism.

Abstract: The invention provides a heater arrangement and method for heating a liquid, wherein the heater comprises a heating element, wherein the method comprises (i) heating the liquid in the heater wherein the heating element is in contact with the liquid, and (ii) applying a potential difference between the heating element and a counter electrode, wherein the potential difference has an AC component whereby the potential difference varies with an AC frequency in the range of 0.01-100 Hz and wherein the potential difference is applied with a cycle time, wherein the potential difference has a sign during a first part of the cycle time that is opposite of the sign of the potential difference during a second part of the cycle time, and wherein during one or more of the first part of the cycle time and the second part of the cycle time, the potential difference temporarily changes sign.

Abstract: A method for heating a liquid in a heater having a heating element and a counter electrode includes the acts of (i) heating the liquid in the heater by heating the heating element to a temperature in the range of 120-250° C., and (ii) applying an AC potential difference between the heating element and the counter electrode. The AC potential difference varies with an AC frequency in the range of 200-2500 Hz and has an amplitude in the range of 1-5 V, and the liquid flows in the heater between the heating element and the counter electrode.

Abstract: The mouthpiece includes an arcuate base assembly (12), comprising two side pieces (14, 16) and an intermediate center piece (18), the two side pieces (14, 16) being connected rotatably to opposing ends of the center piece (18), such that the rear ends of the side pieces move outwardly and inwardly. A flexible screw thread spindle (30) having two side portions and a front portion is connected at the free ends thereof (33, 35) to the rear ends of the side pieces of the base assembly, such that the flexible spindle member follows the arcuate shape of the base assembly. Two side carriages (40, 42) are mounted on opposing side portions of the spindle (30), the carriages having bristles (43) mounted thereon for cleaning teeth. A motor and gear box assembly (36) are mounted at the front of the appliance for moving the two carriages along the respective side portions of the spindle (30), which have opposing screw threads.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion (12 or 55) and a brushhead portion (14 or 57) with a bristle set (20 or 53) at one end of the brushhead. At least one sensor (16 or 56 is located either on the handle of the toothbrush or on the bristle set back plate (54) of the toothbrush. When the sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush, the position of the brushhead is determined by a processor (44 or 58) relative to the inside or outside surfaces of the teeth on the basis of the temperature detected by the sensor, either the outside environmental temperature or the skin temperature of the user. When the sensor is located on the bristle set back plate, the determination is made on the basis of the position of the bristle set relative to the cheek of the user.

Abstract: The invention provides a heater arrangement and method for heating a liquid, wherein the heater comprises a heating element, wherein the method comprises (i) heating the liquid in the heater wherein the heating element is in contact with the liquid, and (ii) applying a potential difference between the heating element and a counter electrode, wherein the potential difference has an AC component whereby the potential difference varies with an AC frequency in the range of 0.01-100 Hz and wherein the potential difference is applied with a cycle time, wherein the potential difference has a sign during a first part of the cycle time that is opposite of the sign of the potential difference during a second part of the cycle time, and wherein during one or more of the first part of the cycle time and the second part of the cycle time, the potential difference temporarily changes sign.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for heating a liquid (20) in a heater (100), wherein the heater (100) comprises a heating element (110) and a counter electrode (120), wherein the method comprises (i) heating the liquid (20) in the heater (100) by heating the heating element (110) to a temperature in the range of 120-250° C., and (ii) applying an AC potential difference between the heating element (110) and the counter electrode (120), wherein the AC potential difference varies with an AC frequency (f) in the range of 200-2500 Hz and has an amplitude in the range of 1-5 V, and wherein the liquid flows in the heater (100) between the heating element (110) and the counter electrode (120).

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion (12 or 55) and a brushhead portion (14 or 57) with a bristle set (20 or 53) at one end of the brushhead. At least one sensor (16 or 56 is located either on the handle of the toothbrush or on the bristle set back plate (54) of the toothbrush. When the sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush, the position of the brushhead is determined by a processor (44 or 58) relative to the inside or outside surfaces of the teeth on the basis of the temperature detected by the sensor, either the outside environmental temperature or the skin temperature of the user. When the sensor is located on the bristle set back plate, the determination is made on the basis of the position of the bristle set relative to the cheek of the user.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion (12 or 55) and a brushhead portion (14 or 57) with a bristle set (20 or 53) at one end of the brushhead. At least one sensor (16 or 56 is located either on the handle of the toothbrush or on the bristle set back plate (54) of the toothbrush. When the sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush, the position of the brushhead is determined by a processor (44 or 58) relative to the inside or outside surfaces of the teeth on the basis of the temperature detected by the sensor, either the outside environmental temperature or the skin temperature of the user. When the sensor is located on the bristle set back plate, the determination is made on the basis of the position of the bristle set relative to the cheek of the user.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator system which includes a case (10) and a spindle (22) which extends through the case comprising a magnetizable material such as iron. The actuator further includes a pair of permanent magnet assemblies (14, 16) positioned fixedly within the casing with a longitudinal space there between, wherein the permanent magnet assemblies comprise an alternating plurality of north pole/south magnet sections (18) which extend longitudinally or circumferentially of the actuator. The actuator further includes a coil winding (24) which surrounds the spindle, positioned between the two permanent magnet assemblies. Magnetic pole assemblies (28, 30) attached to the spindle are positioned within the volume encompassed by the permanent magnet assemblies, such that an alternating drive signal produces an oscillating action of the spindle of desired frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: The mouthpiece includes an arcuate base assembly (12), comprising two side pieces (14, 16) and an intermediate center piece (18), the two side pieces (14, 16) being connected rotatably to opposing ends of the center piece (18), such that the rear ends of the side pieces move outwardly and inwardly. A flexible screw thread spindle (30) having two side portions and a front portion is connected at the free ends thereof (33, 35) to the rear ends of the side pieces of the base assembly, such that the flexible spindle member follows the arcuate shape of the base assembly. Two side carriages (40, 42) are mounted on opposing side portions of the spindle (30), the carriages having bristles (43) mounted thereon for cleaning teeth. A motor and gear box assembly (36) are mounted at the front of the appliance for moving the two carriages along the respective side portions of the spindle (30), which have opposing screw threads.

Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: —a water reservoir (16), configured to hold liquid water; —a heatable soleplate (20); —at least one water outlet opening (24); —a water atomization and distribution unit (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening; —at least one sensor (40,42), configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron and to generate a reference signal reflecting said variable; —a control unit (50), operatively connected to both the water atomization and distribution unit (30) and the at least one sensor (40, 42), and configured to control a water outflow rate of the at least one water outlet opening (24) by controlling the operation of the water atomization and distribution unit in dependence of the reference signal generated by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A power toothbrush includes a small electromagnetic actuator positioned within the brushhead for driving a brushhead assembly which includes a brushhead portion with bristles extending therefrom. The actuator includes a fixed lower element and a moveable upper element, with the lower and upper elements each having curved roller contacting portions at opposing ends thereof. Roller members are positioned between the roller contacting portions of the upper and lower members. At least one coil is mounted on the lower element, responsive to an alternating current energizing signal. Further, at least two permanent magnet assemblies are positioned on the upper element, having alternating polarity positions.

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 magnetic actuator system which includes a case (10) and a spindle (22) which extends through the case comprising a magnetizable material such as iron. The actuator further includes a pair of permanent magnet assemblies (14, 16) positioned fixedly within the casing with a longitudinal space there between, wherein the permanent magnet assemblies comprise an alternating plurality of north pole/south magnet sections (18) which extend longitudinally or circumferentially of the actuator. The actuator further includes a coil winding (24) which surrounds the spindle, positioned between the two permanent magnet assemblies. Magnetic pole assemblies (28, 30) attached to the spindle are positioned within the volume encompassed by the permanent magnet assemblies, such that an alternating drive signal produces an oscillating action of the spindle of desired frequency and amplitude.

Abstract: An iron (1), comprising: —a water reservoir (16), configured to hold liquid water; —a heatable soleplate (20); —at least one water outlet opening (24); —a water atomization and distribution unit (30), configured to atomize water from the water reservoir and to distribute the atomized water to the at least one water outlet opening; —at least one sensor (40,42), configured to monitor at least one motion dependent variable of the iron and to generate a reference signal reflecting said variable; —a control unit (50), operatively connected to both the water atomization and distribution unit (30) and the at least one sensor (40, 42), and configured to control a water outflow rate of the at least one water outlet opening (24) by controlling the operation of the water atomization and distribution unit in dependence of the reference signal generated by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The power toothbrush (10) includes a small electromagnetic actuator (24) positioned within the brushhead for driving a brushhead assembly which includes a brushhead portion (14) with bristles extending therefrom. The actuator includes a fixed lower element (26) and a moveable upper element (28), with the lower and upper elements each having curved roller contacting portions (24, 36, 46, 48) at opposing ends thereof. Roller members (52, 54) are positioned between the roller contacting portions of the upper and lower members. At least one coil is mounted on the lower element, responsive to an alternating current energizing signal. At least two permanent magnet assemblies are positioned on the upper element, having alternating polarity positions.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion (12 or 55) and a brushhead portion (14 or 57) with a bristle set (20 or 53) at one end of the brushhead. At least one sensor (16 or 56 is located either on the handle of the toothbrush or on the bristle set back plate (54) of the toothbrush. When the sensor is located on the handle of the toothbrush, the position of the brushhead is determined by a processor (44 or 58) relative to the inside or outside surfaces of the teeth on the basis of the temperature detected by the sensor, either the outside environmental temperature or the skin temperature of the user. When the sensor is located on the bristle set back plate, the determination is made on the basis of the position of the bristle set relative to the cheek of the user.

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.