Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.

Abstract: A spring mechanism for attaching to a power device drive unit includes a housing connectable to a portion of the power device and a shaft extending through the housing. One end of the shaft is coupled to a workpiece and a bottom member extends from the other end and is positioned adjacent the drive unit. The bottom member includes at least one of a ferromagnetic material and a permanent magnet. The bottom member, shaft and workpiece move upon actuation of the drive unit, and a spring extends laterally outwardly from the shaft between the shaft and the housing. The spring is affixed to one of the shaft and the housing, wherein the spring bends between a deformed position and a return position upon the movement of the bottom member.

Abstract: A device and a method for delivering UVA light to the mouth in which a photocatalytic agent is distributed in the mouth and a UVA light source is located contiguously to the head of the device so that the photocatalytic agent distributed in the mouth is efficiently activated by UVA light produced by the device. The UVA light delivery device of the invention may be, inter alia, a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, an interdental toothbrush, a denture brush, a flossing device, a dental hand tool, or a wand adapted exclusively to applying UVA light to photocatalyst coated surfaces.

Abstract: A dental hygiene system handle including a proximal grip section, a central control section, and a distal brush section, the central control section including four elastomeric lands for receiving the thumb and forefinger of a user on opposite sides of the central control section.

Abstract: A device and a method for delivering UVA light to the mouth in which a photocatalytic agent is distributed in the mouth and a UVA light source is located contiguously to the head of the device so that the photocatalytic agent distributed in the mouth is efficiently activated by UVA light produced by the device. The UVA light delivery device of the invention may be, inter alia, a toothbrush, a tongue scraper, an interdental toothbrush, a denture brush, a flossing device, a dental hand tool, or a wand adapted exclusively to applying UVA light to photocatalyst coated surfaces.

Abstract: A dental hygiene system handle including a proximal grip section, a central control section, and a distal brush section, the central control section including four elastomeric lands for receiving the thumb and forefinger of a user on opposite sides of the central control section.

Abstract: A toothbrush which is particularly well adapted for properly cleaning tooth surfaces and interproximal areas having a plurality of tufts of bristles mounted in the head of the toothbrush with the tufts cut in a series of at least two rounded peaks extending laterally across the head and in which the tufts of bristles may be arranged in at least two longitudinally disposed outer rows defining an inner area lying therebetween and at least one longitudinally disposed inner row is positioned in the inner area, with the tips of the inner row of tufts of bristles being feathered.

Abstract: A dental hygiene system handle including a proximal grip section, a central control section, and a distal brush section, the central control section including four elastomeric lands for receiving the thumb and forefinger of a user on opposite sides of the central control section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dental hygiene devices carrying dental hygiene elements and to a method for assembling them. The dental hygiene devices have two intersecting cavities, with a dental hygiene element positioned in one cavity and a plug positioned in the other cavity. The plug engages a portion of the stem, thereby locking the dental hygiene element in place in the device.

Abstract: A dental hygiene system in which a single elongated handle having a recess in its distal end receives a plurality of carrying members holding different dental hygiene elements. The carrying members have resilient portions retained in the handle recess by way of either a latching portion in a slot in the handle or by way of a frictional fit in the handle recess. A lever is positioned in the slot in the handle for releasing the carrying members with the latching portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved bristled article and more particularly to an improved toothbrush which has a tuft cavity with a cross-sectional area that decreases such that the tuft cavity is broadest at the open top end and becomes narrower toward the closed bottom end of the tuft cavity. This decrease of the breadth of the tuft cavity results in a greater packing factor in the closed bottom end portion of the cavity than in the open top end and provides higher bristle retention force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved bristled article and more particularly to an improved toothbrush which has a tuft cavity with a cross-sectional area that decreases such that the tuft cavity is broadest at the open top end and becomes narrower toward the closed bottom end of the tuft cavity. This decrease of the breadth of the tuft cavity results in a greater packing factor in the closed bottom end portion of the cavity than in the open top end and provides higher bristle retention force.