Abstract: An automatic shut-off and indication device for an electric heating appliance is provided which includes: a sensor (2) for sensing usage of the appliance and for providing a usage-signal (US) indicating a non-usage of the appliance; a switch (10) for off-switching a heater (12) of the appliance in response to a switching signal (SS) derived from the usage-signal (US); a sensor (4) for sensing orientation of the appliance and for providing an orientation signal (OS) for indicating different orientations of the appliance; a selector (18) for activating an indicator (22) in response to the switching signal (SS), the indicator (22) signaling the off-switching of the heater (12); and an indication timer (8) for providing a time delay between off-switching the heater (12) and activating the indicator (22), which time delay is dependent on the orientation signal (OS). The shut-off of the heater (12) is signalled to the user by the indicator (22).

Abstract: A steam iron with an indicator for indicating calcification is provided in which the iron is provided with a timer for measuring an accumulated time of use of the steam iron, and an actuator for activating the indicator when the accumulated time exceeds a predetermined threshold level. The timer measures the time of use of the steam iron, the accumulated time of use being indicative of the amount of scale deposited in the steam chamber and steam vents. When the accumulated time of use exceeds a threshold the calcification indicator is activated to warn the user that a self-clean action is to be performed. The time of use measurement may be obtained by accumulating the time of use only during steam generation, or it may be obtained by correcting the accumulated time of use with a weighting factor which depends on the steaming rate.

Abstract: A personal-care apparatus comprises a load (LD) and a switch (SW), which load (LD) and which switch (SW) are coupled in series between a first (1) and a second (2) supply terminal for receiving an alternating voltage, the personal-care apparatus further comprising a rectifying circuit (RC) for converting the alternating voltage into a direct voltage, and a safety circuit (SC), which is coupled between a third (3) and a fourth (4) supply terminal for receiving the direct voltage and which comprises a capacitive sensor (CS) for the detection of the presence of a part of a human body in the proximity of the personal-care apparatus, the safety circuit being adapted to control the switch (SW) in response to said detection.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided which comprises a housing (100) provided with an electric motor (110) and with an electronic circuit (120) for controlling the electric motor (110), and a suction tube (200) coupled to the housing (100) and comprising a grip (210) with a remote control circuit (220) for controlling the electronic circuit (120), which control circuit (220), in order to provide ease of operation without any disturbances, comprises a capacitive sensor (CS) for detecting the presence of a part of a human body in the proximity of the grip (210), which detection enables the electronic circuit (120) to be controlled by the remote control circuit (220).