Patents by Inventor Norbert Schaefer

Norbert Schaefer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8393817
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The tootbrush includes two elements to be driven, wherein the first element is a movable brush head and the second element is a pump; an electric motor; and a device that drives the movable brush head in both directions of rotation of the electric motor and drives the pump in one direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Heil, Hansjoerg Reick, Michael Stolper, Andreas Kramp, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130029289
    Abstract: An attachment section suitable for connection to a handle section of an oral hygiene device is disclosed. The attachment section includes an attachment housing having a first coupling structure suitable for establishing a connection with a second coupling structure of the handle section; at least a functional element mounted at the attachment housing for driven movement; a motion transmitter extending in a cavity formed inside of the attachment housing, the motion transmitter being functionally connected on one end with the functional element; and a first magnetic coupling element arranged at another end of the motion transmitter, the first magnetic coupling element including at least a permanent magnet or a magnetizable element suitable for establishing a magnetic connection with a second magnetic coupling element provided in the handle section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Utsch, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130029290
    Abstract: An oral cleaning tool for an electric oral hygiene device is disclosed. The oral cleaning tool includes a housing having a head section with a head cavity for accommodating a movable oral cleaning head and a neck section with a neck cavity and a handle coupling section; a first magnetic coupling element including at least a permanent magnet or a magnetizable element being provided in the neck section for mechanical handle drive shaft connection by magnetic interaction. The first magnetic coupling element is mounted at a motion transmitter, the motion transmitter extending inside the neck cavity to the head cavity, the motion transmitter arranged so as to be movable in a linear or longitudinal direction. The motion transmitter is coupled with the oral cleaning head, the oral cleaning head arranged so as to oscillate in a rotational direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Joern Utsch, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120151698
    Abstract: A personal care device having a handle having an engagement portion and a persona care attachment are described. The personal care attachment has a housing attached to the engagement portion and a contact element carrier. The contact element carrier is movably coupled to the housing. A plurality of contact elements is arranged on the contact element carrier, and wherein the personal care attachment is driven at a frequency of between about 150 Hz to about 175 Hz and has a sound intensity level of less than about 75 dB(A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Joern Utsch, Andreas Kramp, Frank Ziegler, Benedikt Heil, Marlis Hübner
  • Publication number: 20120042742
    Abstract: A handle section of a small electric device is described that has a handle housing in which a drive unit is disposed, a first connector element extending from the housing being adapted for connection with an attachment section, the first connector element being coupled to the drive unit; a second connector element extending from the housing being adapted for connection with the attachment section, the second connector element being coupled to the drive unit, wherein the first connector element linearly reciprocates relative to the housing during operation and the second connector element linearly reciprocates relative to the housing with a 180 degrees phase shift with respect to the first connector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Joern Utsch, Uwe Schober, Frank Ziegler, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120036658
    Abstract: A personal care device having a handle having an engagement portion and a persona care attachment are described. The personal care attachment has a housing attached to the engagement portion and a contact element carrier. The contact element carrier is movably coupled to the housing. A plurality of contact elements is arranged on the contact element carrier, and wherein the personal care attachment is driven at a frequency of between about 150 Hz to about 175 Hz and has a sound intensity level of less than about 75 dB(A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Joern Utsch, Andreas Kramp, Frank Ziegler, Benedikt Heil, Marlis Hübner
  • Publication number: 20120021371
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Publication number: 20110315572
    Abstract: A storage device for tooth cleaning attachments of a tooth cleaning device is proviced. The storage device includes a storage body for storing the tooth cleaning attachments. The storage body has a storage base with at least one storage depression for receiving a tooth cleaning attachment in flat-lying alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phong Vu, Ivo Kunath, Martin Haas, Norbert Schaefer, Alexander Hilscher
  • Publication number: 20110296642
    Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a plate-shaped bristle support including mounting means for the movable mounting of the bristle support, the bristle support carrying at least two outer bristle tufts and at least two inner bristle tufts, the outer bristle tufts having a greater height than the inner bristle tufts, such that in the working surface defined by the free ends of the tufts there is formed a central depression which has a groove-shaped concave bottom curved in one direction and extending substantially straight in the direction vertical thereto. At least one of the outer bristle tufts has a chamfer on its outer lying edge of its free end close to the circumferential side of the bristle support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Michael Schmid, Norbert Schaefer, Hansjoerg Reick, Stefan Schamberg, Eva Susanne Thurnay, Rory McGarry
  • Publication number: 20110289699
    Abstract: A head portion for a mouth cleaning device is disclosed. The head portion includes an electrical connecting element; cleaning elements for cleaning teeth; and a tongue cleaning electrode for enabling a current flow into a user's tongue during use. The cleaning elements and the tongue cleaning electrode are arranged on substantially opposing sides of the head portion. The electrical connecting element on the head portion is electrically coupled to the tongue cleaning electrode for establishing an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connecting element located at a handle portion in a connected state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Vladimir Gartstein, Donald James White, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110289707
    Abstract: A head portion for a tongue cleaning device is disclosed. The head portion includes a mechanical tongue cleaning section and a tongue cleaning electrode. The mechanical tongue cleaning section includes a cleaning protrusion. The tongue cleaning electrode enables a current flow into a user's tongue during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Vladimir Gartstein, Donald James White, JR.
  • Patent number: 8052627
    Abstract: A dental cleaning system for providing a liquid jet for a mouth rinse includes a nozzle member, a nozzle attachment coupled to the nozzle member to define an axially extending chamber, a liquid duct configured to supply pressurized liquid to the chamber, a pressure piece disposed within the chamber, and a nozzle outlet extending out of the chamber and configured to discharge a cleaning jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Oswald Gromer, Andreas Kramp, Michael Sauer, Michael Stolper, Norbert Schaefer, Karl Herzog
  • Publication number: 20110247154
    Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a substantially plate-shaped bristle support carrying a bristle field, the bristle field having a main axis extending substantially perpendicularly to the bristle support and including a plurality of bristles defining with their free ends a flat or concave working surface to be put onto the teeth to be cleaned; driving and/or transmitting means for driving the bristle support using a reciprocating poking motion along a poking axis and an oscillatory rotational motion about an axis of rotation; and connecting means for connecting the bristle support with a toothbrush handpiece such that a brush head longitudinal axis extends substantially parallel to a toothbrush handpiece longitudinal axis in connected condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Michael Schmid, Norbert Schaefer, Hansjoerg Reick, Stefan Schamberg, Eva Susanne Thurnay, Rory McGarry
  • Publication number: 20110239391
    Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a bristle support having mounting means for the movable mounting of the bristle support and a plurality of bristle tufts arranged on the bristle support in at least one outer ring and one middle ring, the middle ring being nested within the outer ring and having a central area. The outer ring includes outer bristle tufts having an elongated tuft cross-section, which outer bristle tufts are mounted on opposing sides of the outer ring. The middle ring includes at least two middle bristle tufts that each have a cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the outer bristle tufts and a central area including at least one bristled section that consists of two center bristle tufts having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the middle bristle tufts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Michael Schmid, Norbert Schaefer, Hansjoerg Reick, Stefan Schamberg, Eva Susanne Thurnay, Rory McGarry
  • Publication number: 20100289448
    Abstract: An induction charging device for charging an energy accumulator of a mobile electric device is provided. The device includes a coil for energy transmission; and a control for energy transmission. The control is connected to a capacitor with a modifiable capacitance, and the capacitor is designed such that its capacitance changes as a function of whether the mobile electric device is in a charging position or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Jung, Thomas Hohmann, Alexander Hilscher, Joachim Lepper, Winfried Ziemann, Peter Trawinski, Norbert Schaefer, Leo Faranda
  • Publication number: 20100284728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a small electrical appliance, for example an electric toothbrush (1), with two elements to be driven and with an electric motor (10). The small electrical appliance has a device (16.1; 16.2; 16.3) that drives the first and/or the second element depending on the direction of rotation of the electric motor (10). The first element to be driven can be a movable brush head (2), and the second element to be driven can be a pump (7, 14) for conveying a care agent to the brush head (2) from a reservoir, wherein the device (16.1, 16.2, 16.3) drives the brush head (2) in both directions of rotation of the electric motor (10), but drives the pump (7, 14) only in one direction of rotation of the electric motor (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Benedikt Heil, Hansjoerg Reick, Michael Stolper, Andreas Kramp, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20100278582
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electric toothbrush (1) comprising a handle part (2) and an attachment part (3), e.g. a bristle head (4). Preferably, the bristle head (4) can be driven by a first drive unit (6.1) encompassing a first electric motor (7.1). A reservoir (8.1) for a care substance is connected to a duct (11.1) extending into the bristle head (4) by means of a pump (10.1) which can be driven by a second drive unit (6.2) encompassing a second electric motor (7.2). The first and the second electric motor (7.1, 7.2) are powered by a disposable or a rechargeable battery (12). A housing (16) of the handle part (2) is subdivided into a first and a second chamber (19, 20) by means of a liquid-tight partition (17) that extends in the longitudinal direction of the handle part (2). The first and the second drive unit (6.1, 6.2) and the disposable or rechargeable battery (12) are arranged in the first chamber (19) while the reservoir (8.1) and the pump (10.1) are disposed in the second chamber (20). The pump (10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Uwe Bielfeldt, Christof Miltenberger, Peter Schaefer, Norbert Schaefer, Michael Sauer
  • Publication number: 20100269276
    Abstract: A small electrical appliance is provided. The small electrical appliance includes a switch element having an on position and an off position that can be activated by a user; an indicator element having a first function and a second function; and a control unit for monitoring the switch element and for controlling the indicator element. The small electrical appliance includes a first operating condition and a second operating condition. And the control unit activates the indicator element to indicate the first function when the small electrical appliance is in the first operating condition and the switch element is in the off position, and the control unit activates the indicator element to indicate the second function when the small electrical appliance is in the first operating condition and the switch element is in the on position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Leo Faranda, Alexander Hilscher, Frank Stefan Skopp, Frank Mueller, Norbert Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20100175206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a valve coupling (1.1) having a discharge part (2.1) and a receiving part which can be coupled to the discharge part and which has a valve function which, in the coupled state, allows the transmission of a fluid or paste-like material from the discharge part to the receiving part. In the decoupled state, the discharge part and the receiving part are closed in a fluid-tight manner. The discharge part has a discharge valve, and the receiving part (3.1) has a receiving valve. The coupling or decoupling results in an opening or closing of the valves and is carried out by elastic deformation, wherein, in the case of coupling, the valves are opened only when the discharge part is connected to the receiving part in a fluid-tight manner, and in the case of decoupling, the valves are closed before the fluid-tight connection is broken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Sauer, Norbert Schaefer, Martin Haas, Ivo Kunath, Michael Stolper
  • Patent number: 7690067
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush attachment adapted to be attached to and detached from a shaft of a handle of an electric toothbrush, including a bristle area, a brush shank and a plug-on part disposed in the brush shank, wherein the plug-on part includes a first spring element and a second spring element which act on the shaft when the brush attachment is plugged onto the shaft. This establishes a connection without play between the brush attachment and the shaft, enabling relatively high vibration frequencies to be transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Erik Eisenkolb, Reiner Engelmohr, Hansjörg Reick