Abstract: A powered toothbrush assembly (100) includes an outer housing (102, 104), a brush head (106) and a fluid nozzle (138) adjacent the brush head (106), an inner housing (122) disposed within the outer housing (102,104) and having a motor (130) which is in operative engagement with the brush head (106) to impart motion to the brush head (106) and a pump mechanism (134) disposed within the inner housing (122). The outer housing (102,104) and the inner housing (122) define a chamber (142) therebetween for accommodating a fluid.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes bristles, a bristle driving unit, an orientation detection sensor, and an electrode-based contact detection unit for detecting contact with a body. The contact detection unit includes a first detection unit for detecting contact with or proximity to a rear surface side of a brush portion. The electric toothbrush detects orientation information based on an output from the orientation detection sensor, and estimates a brushing area based on at least the orientation information. In the area estimation, in the case where the brushing area determined based on the orientation information is a dentition surface on a right buccal side or a left lingual side or a dentition surface on a left buccal side or a right lingual side, it is determined whether the brushing area corresponds to the buccal side or the lingual side based on an electric signal obtained from the first detection unit.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a handle and a cleaning head supported on one end of the handle. A vibratory source is supported on the handle and is operative to generate vibratory output. A mounting element is disposed between the handle and the vibratory source. A connecting member extends between the vibratory source and the cleaning head, and is adapted to generate motion at the cleaning head in response to the vibratory output generated at the vibratory source.

Abstract: The mouthpiece assembly includes a receptacle (12) for receiving teeth therein, with bristles (24) mounted thereon for contacting and cleaning the teeth. The receptacle and the bristles cover at least 4 cm. A drive train (20) drives the receptacle such that the bristles move substantially at right angles toward and away from the surfaces of the teeth, the drive train including a motor (22) which produces sufficient force to produce a minimum bristle tip threshold pressure of 6 Newtons per cm and a maximum of 85 Newtons per cm.

Abstract: An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.

Abstract: An electrically powered toothbrush has a body having a first end, a head opposite the first end, a neck between the first end and head, an electrical motor and a power source disposed in the body, a drive shaft operatively connected to the motor, and a bristle carrier. The head has a frame defining a recess. The shaft has a longitudinal axis of rotation and a portion offset from the axis of rotation. The bristle carrier is disposed within the recess and is pivotally secured to the frame by a laterally extending pivot member disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rotation. The bristle carrier has a receiving channel adapted to receive the offset portion. The rotation of the drive shaft causes the offset portion to engage the receiving channel of the bristle carrier thereby causing the bristle carrier to pivot about the pivot member.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle (12) and a brushhead (18) having a conductive electrode sensing element (25) therein. The toothbrush includes a driver assembly (14) for the brushhead and a sensor system (28) for measuring the capacitance between the sensing element on/in the brushhead and an electronics ground (27) in the handle of the toothbrush. A microprocessor/controller (26) is programmed to determine whether the measured capacitance is above a threshold value, which indicates that the toothbrush is near or within the mouth of the user. The microprocessor actuates the driver assembly for operation of the toothbrush when the capacitance value is above the threshold value.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a drive assembly comprising a DC motor (12) driven by a battery (15) with a rotating drive shaft (16) extending from one end of the DC motor, on which is mounted an eccentric member (20) which rotates with the drive shaft. A spring assembly (24) includes a hub member (26) at a proximal end, a mount member (28) at a distal end and a V-spring member (41) mounted to and extending therebetween. The DC motor is fixed to a rear surface of the hub member, the motor and the hub member being free to move in unison in operation of the toothbrush. The mount member is fixed in position in the toothbrush. A brushhead shaft (38) is mounted to and extends between the hub member and the mount member and extends distally from the mount member. The brushhead shaft member is offset laterally from the axis of rotation of the motor drive shaft. A brushhead assembly (42), including a set of bristles (44), is removably mounted on the brushhead shaft.

Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A paint edging apparatus includes a body having front and rear ends defining a longitudinal axis therebetween, the body receiving a paint reservoir for supplying paint to an applicator portion of the apparatus, the body including a handle extending rearwardly at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis. An urging mechanism selectively engages the paint reservoir to discharge paint therefrom. A vibrator mounted to the body and operatively connected to the paint applicator portion of the apparatus imparts an oscillatory motion to the paint applicator. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the handle for activating the vibrator, wherein a user can move the apparatus over a work surface to apply paint to the work surface and also pivot the trigger at the same time by grasping the handle with a single hand.

Abstract: Multi-directional wiping elements are disclosed. The wiping elements comprise intersecting squeegee segments that provide top wiping squeegee edges and side wiping squeegee edges. Devices utilizing the multi-directional wiping elements of the present invention can include bristles that are configured to simultaneously wipe a working surface with the wiping elements. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the multi-directional wiping elements are utilized in a toothbrush cleaning head that is configured to be operated manually or, alternatively, is motorized and is configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate and/or move according to a combination thereof.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush according to some example embodiments includes a bristle-vibrating unit that vibrates toothbrush bristles to clean a side of teeth in contact with the toothbrush bristles, a bristle direction-sensing unit detecting a direction to which the toothbrush bristles are directed in an oral cavity and a control unit automatically controlling the bristle-vibrating unit in response to the detected direction such that the vibration intensity of the toothbrush bristles when an occlusal side is brushed is weaker than the vibration intensity when a buccal side or a lingual side is brushed.

Abstract: A brush body has bristle bundles embedded in a brush head. A bristle contained in the bristle bundles includes a core which consists of a conductive member, and a sheath which consists of an insulating member and covers the core. The core is exposed at the tip portion of the bristle and functions as an electrode for passing current into the mouth. The embedding of the bristle bundles in an electrically conductive base arranged in the brush head electrically connects the core to the base.

Abstract: An elastic ring is disposed between a grip case and a trunk which is formed on an inner case of a body case to which a toothbrush head is mounted. As a result, the vibration of a motor which is contained in a motor accommodation portion of the inner case is less likely to be transmitted to the grip because of the elastic ring, and is transmitted to the toothbrush head side in a concentrated manner. Also, the tooth cleaning performance is increased, and vibration to the hand which grips the grip case is reduced to enable the user to comfortably brush the teeth.

Abstract: On a tip of a main body case is formed a cylindrical brush attachment shaft tube to which a toothbrush head (holding unit) is removably attached. In a space within the cylindrical brush attachment shaft tube is disposed a motor to which an eccentric weight generating vibration is attached. Therefore, it is possible for the tip of the toothbrush head to approach the main body case side by the length of the cylindrical brush attachment shaft tube, thereby shortening the total length of an electric toothbrush.

Abstract: The resonator assembly for a power toothbrush includes an elongated solid rod made from stainless steel, having a back assembly which includes permanent magnets which interact with an electromagnet in a drive system in the handle of the toothbrush to produce a transverse motion of the rod. A mount member is connected to the rod at a selected point along its length, and is mounted to a toothbrush housing so that the rod resonates about the mount member at a selected frequency.

Abstract: The toothbrush includes a handle portion which has a disc spring assembly driven by a solenoid coil. The upper end of a central shaft which extends from the solenoid is connected to a drive flexible membrane assembly which in operation moves back and forth under the positive action of the solenoid central shaft and the return action of the spring on the central shaft. The drive membrane acts on hydraulic fluid which extends through a stem portion of the toothbrush to the brushhead, which includes a movable brushhead membrane. The moving fluid acts on the brushhead membrane to move it.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric toothbrush. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the toothbrush handle part having a coupling device for coupling an attachment thereto, especially an attachable brush, and a drive train, especially a drive shaft, which can be driven by a drive motor, for driving the attachment. In another embodiment, the invention relates to the above attachment which especially may be an attachable brush, comprising a connecting piece that can be placed on the handle part neck of the toothbrush handle part. The toothbrush handle part comprises disengageable arresting means for arresting, blocking, and/or braking the drive train part. Advantageously, the arresting means are automatically released when the attachable brush is attached and are transferred to the arrested state when the attachable brush is removed. In the arrested state of the drive train part, the drive motor is automatically switched off.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes an elongated housing bounding a chamber with a motor disposed therein. A drive shaft is at least partially disposed within the chamber of the housing, the drive shaft being coupled with the motor such that during selective operation of the motor the drive shaft is rotated. A hub having a rotational axis about which the hub rotates is coupled with the drive shaft such that rotation of the drive shaft facilitates rotation of the hub. A cleaning head is removably coupled with the hub such that rotation of the hub causes rotation of the cleaning head. A disengaging system is movable between a first position where the cleaning head is securely engaged to the hub and a second position where the cleaning head is freely removable from the hub.

Abstract: The power toothbrush includes a handle (12) and a workpiece assembly (18) which includes a brushhead (20) at a forward end thereof. The toothbrush further includes a drive assembly (14) which includes a DC motor (26) having a rotating output shaft (41) and a mounting assembly (28) for flexibly mounting the motor to the handle. The drive assembly includes a torsion spring member (64), an eccentric member (52), a coupling member (44) for connecting the rotating output shaft of the motor to the rear end of the eccentric and a hub member (62) forward of the eccentric, wherein the other end of the eccentric extends to and is mounted to the hub member. The torsion spring extends between the motor mount and the hub member. In operation, the rotating eccentric excites a desired resonant mode in the torsion spring, resulting in a sweeping back and forth action of the workpiece assembly and the brushhead.

Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.

Abstract: An electric-electronic toothbrush carries a brush driven to vibrate, and arranged to flow an electric current into a user's oral cavity for promoting removal of tooth plaque. The electric-electronic toothbrush has a shaft driven to vibrate along and/or about an axis of the shaft, and a battery supplying the electric current. The shaft is electrically conductive to flow the electric current into a brush electrode of a brush head. The shaft is electrically connected to the battery by way of an extendible electrically conductive coupler within the handle. The electrically conductive coupler has its one end secured to the shaft, and the other end to an electrically conductive member connected to one of poles of the battery, so as to absorb the vibration of the shaft. The handle is provided on its outer peripheral surface with a touch electrode.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device includes a head, a first bristle field, and a second bristle field. The head includes a first head portion and a second head portion. The first bristle field extends from the first head portion. The second bristle field extends from the second head portion. The first bristle field and second bristle field are controllably movable between a first configuration for providing a first cleaning operation and a second configuration for providing a second cleaning operation.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

Abstract: A head for a toothbrush has a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The transverse axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The head includes a first cleaning element carrier and a second cleaning element carrier. The second cleaning element carrier is asymmetrically fixed to the head such that the second cleaning element carrier can move relative to the head about the transverse axis of the head.

Abstract: A portable electric toothbrush is disclosed. The portable electric toothbrush includes: a main body having a switch; a brush head having a plurality of bristles and connected to one end of the main body; a holding portion connected to the other end of the main body; a charging circuit configured in the main body; a chargeable battery coupled to the charging circuit; a control circuit coupled to the switch; a motor coupled to the control circuit; and an USB interface coupled to the charging circuit, whereby providing electricity to the chargeable battery, thereby achieving the purpose of charging.

Abstract: Provided is a motorized cleaning brush arranged to provide vibratory cleaning action. The motorized cleaning brush includes a head including bristles projecting therefrom, a body portion having a battery compartment therein, and a neck portion extending between and coupling the head and the body portion. The brush further includes a motor disposed in the brush and in electrical communication with the battery compartment and an offset weight coupled to an axle of the motor and configured to impart vibratory motion to the bristles when the motor is activated. Additionally, the brush includes a first button disposed on the body portion and electrically coupled to the motor, the first button being configured to activate the motor in a first manner in response to a user selection of the first button.

Abstract: A toothbrush head includes a base portion having a first surface and a pivot portion having a first cleaning element holder having a second surface, wherein the second surface is superjacent the first surface. The pivot portion also includes a second cleaning element holder and a third cleaning element holder which extend longitudinally from the first element holder. The head includes a pivot element for pivotally coupling the base portion and the pivot portion.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush contains a plurality of bristles attached to a bristle carrier which rotates 360 degrees continuously. The electric toothbrush can assist in the correct brushing of teeth in humans. The electric toothbrush includes reloadable batteries with reverse polarity and an electric motor which connects to the bristle holder, wherein actuation of an activating means causes the bristle holder to rotate 360 degrees continuously.

Abstract: An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which is a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (110) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (150) is provided with sidewalls (152 and 153) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart. A magnet (160) is provided in the outer yoke (150) through a non-magnetic body (170) and has different magnetic poles located opposing to the opposing inner wall planes of the outer yoke (150) through the air gaps. The movable body (110) is provided with a shaft (180). The fixed body (120) has a coil (128) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the magnet (160). The fixed body (120) movably supports the movable body (110) through elastic bodies (130).

Abstract: A sensor-responsive toothbrush that can adjust its output or operation depending upon information received by one or more sensors incorporated in the toothbrush or as selected by a user. The information typically relates to certain conditions or the presence of particular substances or agents within or outside of the oral cavity. The sensor-responsive toothbrush also includes one or more responsive output components that provide a responsive output in response to the sensed information. A method of providing an oral care benefit, comprising steps of: activating a toothbrush comprising a sensor; detecting a sensor input with the sensor; and initiating a responsive output from the toothbrush in response to the sensor input.

Abstract: A button assembly for displaying an illuminated symbol has a locking ring and a solid light guide positioned within and spaced apart from the locking ring. The light guide has a top surface for displaying an illuminated symbol and a bottom surface with a light receiving member having a refracting surface with a first lens member for receiving and directing light to the top surface of the light guide. A resilient sealing member interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The resilient sealing member is mounted on the locking ring and interconnects the locking ring and the light guide. The sealing member has an unsupported portion that facilitates movement of the light guide relative to the locking ring.

Abstract: An attachment for an electric toothbrush, including a working head and coupling member mountable on a toothbrush handpiece. The coupling member includes a sleeve-shaped coupling insert with an engagement section for locking with the handpiece. The coupling insert is displaceable relative to the coupling member or an actuating member such that an axial movement of the coupling insert relative to the coupling member or actuating member produces an unlocking/locking movement of the engagement section in a direction transverse to the attachment longitudinal direction. The attachment or actuating member is first moved axially relative to a locked coupling insert until the axial relative movement releases the lock for the coupling insert and the attachment to be separated from the toothbrush handpiece.

Abstract: A cleaning section of an oral hygiene device is disclosed. The cleaning section includes a cleaning element carrier mounted for oscillatory rotation around a carrier rotation axis; a gear unit arranged for being coupled to a drive shaft of a handle of the oral hygiene device, which drive shaft defines a drive shaft rotation axis in an attached state, and the gear unit further having an actuation element for transferring motion from the drive shaft to the cleaning element carrier during operation. The carrier rotation axis is parallel to the drive shaft rotation axis and is disposed at a distance to the drive shaft rotation axis.

Abstract: An oral care implement with an oral care region having cleaning elements for engaging oral tissue and a body for gripping the implement including a handle with a front and a removable faceplate is described. The removable faceplate may be transparent or translucent and may also include design features. The faceplate may provide protection to a user inscription surface on one of the surfaces of the handle which is may be configured to receive user indicia that may later be removed and further indicia provided.

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).

Abstract: In one embodiment, an oral-care system is provided. The oral-care system includes an electric toothbrush having a motor, a power source in electrical communication with the motor, and a bristle holder operatively connected to the motor. A display is in data communication with the electric toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral care implement includes a display and/or a plurality of other lighted regions, together with an element for inducing motion in a head region. The display and/or lights are used to provide instructions to the user regarding a periodically-performed oral care regimen. The motion-inducing element can be pulsed or otherwise selectively activated to signal different intervals in the regimen. Upon successful conclusion of the oral care regimen, the lights and/or display and the motion-inducing element are used to provide a game or other entertainment to the user.

Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle and head. The handle includes a neck with first upper and lower tabs and a first lug therebetween and second upper and lower tabs and a second lug therebetween. The head includes a main body portion and a generally cylindrical connection member that has bottom, outer and inner surfaces and a central opening, and a first lower protrusion that includes first and second inclined surfaces extending inwardly from the inner surface, a first slot defined in the bottom surface and the inner surface, a first lower notch defined in the inner surface, and a first opening defined in the inner surface above the first lower protrusion. The first slot and the first lower notch are disposed on opposite sides of the first lower protrusion, the first lower tab is positioned in the first lower notch and the first lug in the first opening.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided, the electric toothbrush having a housing, with a drive that is elastically mounted on the housing by means of a spring device and can be moved in an oscillatory fashion in at least one plane of motion, and with a transmission element that is connected to the drive and serves for transmitting the driving motion to a brush head.

Abstract: A replaceable brush head for a powered toothbrush and a toothbrush incorporating the same. The brush head includes a body having a bore extending therethrough and a driveshaft extending through the bore and rotatable about a longitudinal axis. A first bristle block is disposed in the body and is operatively engaged with the driveshaft. A second bristle block is disposed in the body and is operatively engaged with the first bristle block. Rotation of the driveshaft produces a first type of motion in the first bristle block and the motion of the first bristle block produces a second type of motion in the second bristle block.

Abstract: The ultrasonic oral cleaner has a head including an ultrasonic oscillator disposed inside a base provided with an operating portion, the base is made of a flexible material, and the base is provided with the operating portion made of the flexible material and having a smooth top surface as an ultrasonic emitting surface.

Abstract: A toothbrush provides a head with bristles, a neck and a handle. An eccentrically rotational weight is engaged for rotation with a motor. The motor and weight are disposed within the handle. The handle, neck and head each have a different intensity of vibration. The toothbrush houses an electrical circuit, which includes a processor and at least two LEDs (light emitting diodes) at least one of which illuminates the neck and optionally also the head and the ends of the bristles attached to the head. At least two of the LEDs in the circuit are capable of emitting different colored light with respect to each other. The at least two LEDs are switched on for a predetermined time in a predetermined sequence under the control of the processor.

Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral care implement is disclosed. The oral care implement includes a housing; a carrier element mounted for movement relative to the housing; and a locking assembly for preventing separation of the carrier element from the housing. The locking assembly includes a first locking element being supported at the housing at a first support location and a second support location and engaging into a first aperture or recess of the carrier element. The first and second support location lie offset to a rotation axis (R) of the carrier element.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.

Abstract: An electrical toothbrush includes an electrical toothbrush main body including a drive source of a brush; an orientation sensor configured to detect an orientation of the electrical toothbrush main body; and a controller configured to switch an operation mode of the electrical toothbrush according to a result of comparing an orientation value, which is a value calculated from an output of the orientation sensor, and a threshold value set in advance. A threshold value used for switching determination from an operation mode to an operation mode, and a threshold value used for switching determination from the operation mode to the operation mode are set to different values.

Abstract: Unique dental care devices, systems and methods for cleaning teeth and oral tissue comprises an oscillating tooth brush with dual opposing brush heads, adapted to clean teeth and sulcus area. The devices are capable of brushing a set of opposing upper and lower teeth of the mouth simultaneously. The devices, once inserted and positioned into the mouth to clean a pair or a set of opposing upper and lower teeth, can be maneuvered inside the mouth cavity from one side of the mouth to the other to clean all the teeth without requiring removal from the mouth and repositioning.

Abstract: An electric motor for an electric appliance having a rotor, a stator, and a coil for the generation of a magnetic field. The motor has a first magnet arrangement having a first permanent magnet which, by interaction with a magnetic field generated using the coil, generates a force for the excitation of a rotary movement of the rotor. A second magnet arrangement may also be provided which has at least one second permanent magnet is arranged such that a translatory oscillatory movement of the rotor is effected by the Lorentz force acting in the field of the second permanent magnet on the conductors of the coil through which current flows.