Abstract: An actuator (12) for a personal care appliance (10) having an eccentric core (21) to preload the actuator (12) to prevent rattling caused by detrimental reactionary forces. The eccentric core (21) includes a pole assembly (24) radially extending from a spindle 22 having at least a first set (25-1) and a second set (25-2) of pole members. The first set (25-1) has a greater length as measured from the center of the spindle 22 than the second set (24-2), reducing the magnet gap on one side of the spindle (22) to create an eccentric core and preload the actuator (12). Alternatively, the preload can be mechanically created by a set of bearings (28) disposed within housing (18) of the actuator 12, where the bearings (28) have a centerline (A3) offset from the principal axis (A1) of the housing (18).

Abstract: A suspension system (22) configured to minimize transmission of acoustic and vibrational energy in a device, comprising: (i) a rigid support (24); (ii) an operative element (16) positioned within the rigid support and comprising a drive frequency when the device is in operation; and (iii) a resilient element (26) engaging the rigid support and configured to create a resilient force against one or more degrees of freedom of vibrations generated by the operative element; wherein the natural frequency in one or more of the degrees of freedom of the suspension system, in the degrees of freedom of interest, are tuned into a narrow resonant frequency range by the suspension, and wherein the resonant frequency is less than the drive frequency.

Abstract: A suspension system (22) configured to minimize transmission of acoustic and vibrational energy in a device, comprising: (i) a rigid support (24); (ii) an operative element (16) positioned within the rigid support and comprising a drive frequency when the device is in operation; and (iii) a resilient element (26) engaging the rigid support and configured to create a resilient force against vibrations generated by the operative element in one or more degrees of freedom; wherein the natural frequency of a suspension mode in one or more of the degrees of freedom are tuned into a narrow resonant frequency range by the suspension, and wherein the resonant frequency is greater than the drive frequency.

Abstract: A directed jet mouthpiece (10) comprises at least one mouthpiece trough (12, 14) configured to fit over a front portion of a dental arch of a user's teeth. The at least one mouthpiece trough includes a buccal-side vertical member (16), a lingual-side vertical member (18) and an occlusal-side horizontal member (20) extending in between. The at least one mouthpiece trough further includes at least one fluidics inlet (22), a plurality of jet orifices (24) on both buccal- and lingual-side vertical members, and at least one fluidics path (26) disposed between the fluidics inlet and jet orifices. A plurality of directed jet orifices (28) is disposed in end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough. The at least one fluidics path (26) is further disposed between the fluidics inlet and plurality of directed jet orifices. The plurality of directed jet orifices (28) direct fluid jets rearward towards a remainder of teeth in a user's mouth beyond the end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough.

Abstract: A directed jet mouthpiece (10) comprises at least one mouthpiece trough (12,14) configured to fit over a front portion of a dental arch of a user's teeth. The at least one mouthpiece trough includes a buccal-side vertical member (16), a lingual-side vertical member (18) and an occlusal-side horizontal member (20) extending in between. The at least one mouthpiece trough further includes at least one fluidics inlet (22), a plurality of jet orifices (24) on both buccal- and lingual-side vertical members, and at least one fluidics path (26) disposed between the fluidics inlet and jet orifices. A plurality of directed jet orifices (28) is disposed in end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough. The at least one fluidics path (26) is further disposed between the fluidics inlet and plurality of directed jet orifices. The plurality of directed jet orifices (28) direct fluid jets rearward towards a remainder of teeth in a user's mouth beyond the end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough.

Abstract: An oral care device (10) with a pump assembly (12) including: a plunger assembly (52) having a rack assembly (74); a compressible spring (64) configured to exert a forward force on the plunger assembly; and a rack and pinion assembly (72) configured to exert a force on the plunger assembly opposite the forward force, wherein the rack assembly includes a plurality of rack teeth (74 a . . . 74 g) and the pinion assembly (76) includes a plurality of teeth (78) arranged around a portion of the pinion; where the plurality of rack teeth include an angled front surface (86) and an angled rear surface (87), the front surface of at least some of the plurality of rack teeth including a different angle than the rear surface, and further where at least some of the plurality of rack teeth include a pointed or rounded tip (82).

Abstract: An actuator (12) for a personal care appliance (10) having an eccentric core (21) to preload the actuator (12) to prevent rattling caused by detrimental reactionary forces. The eccentric core (21) includes a pole assembly (24) radially extending from a spindle 22 having at least a first set (25-1) and a second set (25-2) of pole members. The first set (25-1) has a greater length as measured from the center of the spindle 22 than the second set (24-2), reducing the magnet gap on one side of the spindle (22) to create an eccentric core and preload the actuator (12). Alternatively, the preload can be mechanically created by a set of bearings (28) disposed within housing (18) of the actuator 12, where the bearings (28) have a centerline (A3) offset from the principal axis (A1) of the housing (18).

Abstract: An actuator (12) for a personal care appliance (10) having an eccentric core (21) to preload the actuator (12) to prevent rattling caused by detrimental reactionary forces. The eccentric core (21) includes a pole assembly (24) radially extending from a spindle (22) having at least a first set (25-1) and a second set (25-2) of pole members. The first set (25-1) has a greater length as measured from the center of the spindle (22) than the second set (24-2), reducing the magnet gap on one side of the spindle (22) to create an eccentric core and preload the actuator (12). Alternatively, the preload can be mechanically created by a set of bearings (28) disposed within housing (18) of the actuator (12), where the bearings (28) have a centerline (A3) offset from the principal axis (A1) of the housing (18).

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle portion which includes a power drive assembly and a brushhead assembly (32) which includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the action of the power drive assembly to drive the brushhead assembly in a back-and-forth action. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The V-spring assembly and the brushhead assembly comprises a unit which moves about a pivot point at the forward end of the V-spring assembly, so that the back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion which includes a power drive system (14) and further includes a brushhead assembly (20), which includes a brushhead arm having a brush element (21) at a distal end thereof A drive train assembly (12) is responsive to a drive signal from the power assembly for converting the action of the power assembly to a motion of the brushhead assembly. A magnet (30) is secured to the rear of the drive train, with a Hall effect sensor (32) mounted within the magnetic field produced by the magnet as the toothbrush moves in operation. Pressure on the brush element produces a phase shift of the Hall sensor output. A processor (15) determines the value of the phase shift of the Hall sensor signal as pressure is applied to the brush member and produces a signal indicative of the pressure applied by using stored information (71) which relates phase shift to pressure for the particular appliance.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the movement of a power drive assembly in a back-and-forth movement. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead. A processor (65) is responsive to the output from the Hall sensor and provides an indication when the pressure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: An oral care device (10) with a pump assembly (12) comprising: a plunger assembly (52) comprising a rack assembly (74); a compressible spring (64) configured to exert a forward force on the plunger assembly; and a rack and pinion assembly (72) configured to exert a force on the plunger assembly opposite the forward force, wherein the rack assembly comprises a plurality of rack teeth (74a . . . 74g) and the pinion assembly (76) comprises a plurality of teeth (78) arranged around a portion of the pinion; wherein the plurality of rack teeth comprise an angled front surface (86) and an angled rear surface (87), the front surface of at least some of the plurality of rack teeth comprising a different angle than the rear surface, and further wherein at least some of the plurality of rack teeth comprise a pointed or rounded tip (82).

Abstract: A directed jet mouthpiece (10) comprises at least one mouthpiece trough (12,14) configured to fit over a front portion of a dental arch of a user's teeth. The at least one mouthpiece trough includes a buccal-side vertical member (16), a lingual-side vertical member (18) and an occlusal-side horizontal member (20) extending in between. The at least one mouthpiece trough further includes at least one fluidics inlet (22), a plurality of jet orifices (24) on both buccal- and lingual-side vertical members, and at least one fluidics path (26) disposed between the fluidics inlet and jet orifices. A plurality of directed jet orifices (28) is disposed in end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough. The at least one fluidics path (26) is further disposed between the fluidics inlet and plurality of directed jet orifices. The plurality of directed jet orifices (28) direct fluid jets rearward towards a remainder of teeth in a user's mouth beyond the end regions (30) of the at least one mouthpiece trough.

Abstract: An actuator (12) for a personal care appliance (10) having an eccentric core (21) to preload the actuator (12) to prevent rattling caused by detrimental reactionary forces. The eccentric core (21) includes a pole assembly (24) radially extending from a spindle (22) having at least a first set (25-1) and a second set (25-2) of pole members. The first set (25-1) has a greater length as measured from the center of the spindle (22) than the second set (24-2), reducing the magnet gap on one side of the spindle (22) to create an eccentric core and preload the actuator (12). Alternatively, the preload can be mechanically created by a set of bearings (28) disposed within housing (18) of the actuator (12), where the bearings (28) have a centerline (A3) offset from the principal axis (A1) of the housing (18).

Abstract: A flowable medium distribution device (10) comprises a chamber (12), a distribution member (30), a dispensing membrane (24,40,68,72) and bristles (36). The chamber (12) is configured to contain the flowable medium (62). The distribution member (30) includes an aspect (32,34) from which the flowable medium is to be dispensed. The dispensing membrane (24,40,68,72) is disposed on the aspect of the distribution member for dispensing the flowable medium on at least one surface to be treated. The dispensing membrane comprises a plurality of uni-directional dispensing outlets (26,46,70,74), operable between (a) normally-closed and (b) open positions. The bristles (36) extend from the dispensing membrane and are for contacting with the surface to be treated.

Abstract: The adaptive system includes a power toothbrush (10) which determines bristle force or pressure applied by the user against the teeth. The toothbrush includes a processing system (28) for comparing the determined force with a threshold value of excessive force and a threshold adaptive value which is below the excessive force threshold but serves as a warning for the user. The system is capable of raising the initial adaptive value threshold (64) following the user exceeding the adaptive value for a selected number of brushing events and then further for decreasing the adaptive value (66) back toward the initial adaptive value when the increased adaptive value is not exceeded for a selected number of brushing events, thus providing the ability to encourage/coach the user toward a brushing force which is below the threshold adaptive level and into a safe region of operation.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a sensor system for determining pressure on the teeth by a direct force measurement such as displacement, and a system for determining pressure on the teeth by a dynamic load measurement system, such as phase shift. These different pressure results are combined with peak-to-peak bristle motion values of Hall effect output values and compared to a table to obtain a more accurate value of bristle pressure against the teeth and to raise, lower or maintain the trigger threshold of excessive pressure accordingly.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a brushhead arm (36) and a brush element (38) at a distal end thereof. A V-spring assembly (14) converts the movement of a power drive assembly in a back-and-forth movement. A mounting member (55) at the rear end of the V-spring assembly provides a base for a magnet (56). The back end of the V-spring assembly is displaced in accordance with pressure applied to the brush member. A Hall effect sensor (58) is mounted within the changing magnetic field produced by the magnet as the rear end of the V-spring assembly is displaced due to pressure on the brushhead. A processor (65) is responsive to the output from the Hall sensor and provides an indication when the pressure exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: The adaptive system includes a power toothbrush (10) which determines bristle force or pressure applied by the user against the teeth. The toothbrush includes a processing system (28) for comparing the determined force with a threshold value of excessive force and a threshold adaptive value which is below the excessive force threshold but serves as a warning for the user. The system is capable of raising the initial adaptive value threshold (64) following the user exceeding the adaptive value for a selected number of brushing events and then further for decreasing the adaptive value (66) back toward the initial adaptive value when the increased adaptive value is not exceeded for a selected number of brushing events, thus providing the ability to encourage/coach the user toward a brushing force which is below the threshold adaptive level and into a safe region of operation.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a sensor system for determining pressure on the teeth by a direct force measurement such as displacement, and a system for determining pressure on the teeth by a dynamic load measurement system, such as phase shift. These different pressure results are combined with peak-to-peak bristle motion values of Hall effect output values and compared to a table to obtain a more accurate value of bristle pressure against the teeth and to raise, lower or maintain the trigger threshold of excessive pressure accordingly.