Handle Mount Patents (Class 15/22.1)
  • Patent number: 10271692
    Abstract: A cleaning device for bathtubs and shower enclosures includes a tube. A power module is coupled to an upper end of the tube. A housing that defines an internal space is pivotally coupled to a lower end of the tube. The housing has a bottom face that is open. A plurality of motors is coupled to the housing and is positioned in the internal space. The motors are operationally coupled to the power module. Each of a plurality of pads is operationally couplable to and extends from a respective motor. A lower surface of the pad protrudes from the bottom face of the housing. A reservoir is coupled to the tube and is fluidically coupled to the housing. The pads are configured to rotationally cleanse a surface. The reservoir is configured to selectively release soap and water into the internal space to selectively contact the surface to be cleansed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Inventor: Roberto West
  • Patent number: 10264876
    Abstract: An oral cleaning device, which can vibrate an oral cleaning tool such as a tooth brush, a tongue brush or an interdental brush, is provided. An oral cleaning device has a supporting part (20) which supports an oral cleaning tool; a clamping fixing part (5) which is movable close to or away from the supporting part (5) and which fixes the oral cleaning tool (100) to the supporting part (20) when being moved close to the supporting part (20); and a vibrating part (30) and (31) which vibrates the oral cleaning tool (10) fixed to the supporting part (20) by vibrating the supporting part (20) or the clamping fixing part (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: DAISAKU SHOJI LTD.
    Inventor: Ippei Daisaku
  • Patent number: 10251524
    Abstract: Embodiments include a cleaning head assembly for a floor surface maintenance machine. The cleaning head assembly can include a hub (or cleaning head housing) and a pad or a brush driver, wherein the driver attaches to and aligns axially with the hub (or cleaning head housing) in a touch-free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Tennant Company
    Inventors: Leo Jason Baker, Jeremy Clinton Stoddard, Steven James Leibrandt, Justin Michael Clark, Nathan Scott Meyer
  • Patent number: 10244858
    Abstract: A personal hygiene device includes a vibrator housed in a handle. A shaft is coupled to the vibrator and extends from the vibrator to a brush head. The shaft is electrically conducting and includes one or more proximal electrical contacts in electrical contact with an electrical source and one or more distal electrical contacts in electrical contact with one or more electrical elements located in the brush head. The shaft is configured to transfer vibrational energy created by the vibrator to the brush head to vibrate the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BZL Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: BenZion Levi, Sefi Shachrur
  • Patent number: 10226314
    Abstract: An oral cavity apparatus includes a body portion having first and second ends and a grip portion situated between the first and second ends; an oral cleaning tool coupled to the first end and including a toothbrush head having a first and second groups of bristles of different firmness. The second group of bristles has an adjustable extension. An actuator is coupled to the second group of bristle and is configured to control an extension of the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles. At least one touch-sensitive (TS) sensor is mounted upon the body portion and outputs a sensor value indicative of a force applied thereto. In addition, a controller may be configured to compare the sensor value with a threshold value and actuate the actuator to extend the second group of bristles relative to the first group of bristles based upon the results of the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Berent Willem Meerbeek, Jonathan David Mason, Dzmitry Viktorovich Aliakseyeu, Sanae Chraibi
  • Patent number: 10213598
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing direct current electricity and methods for manufacturing the same. Electrodes are used to deliver a direct current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bioelectrics LLC
    Inventors: Issam Nemeh, William J. Leimkuehler, Jr., James G. Azlein, David Mandel, Leon Marucchi, Michael Keller, David Pierson
  • Patent number: 10194742
    Abstract: An applicator, also referred to as workpiece, is suitable for use with a personal care appliance. The applicator can be in the form of a dual brush head. The dual brush head includes a movable central portion having first and second independently movable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Stephen M. Meginniss, III, Richard A. Reishus, San Francisco Sabin
  • Patent number: 10200089
    Abstract: A sensor system includes one or more rotor antennas on a shaft that moves within a stator bracket one or more of around an axis of the sensor system or along the axis of the sensor system, the one or more rotor antennas configured to communicate sensed data with one or more stator antennas on the stator bracket. Each rotor antenna has a rotor signal trace disposed on an outer rotor side of a dielectric substrate of the rotor antenna and a rotor return trace disposed on the outer rotor side of the dielectric substrate, wherein the rotor signal trace and the rotor return trace are not concentric with respect to each other. The one or more rotor antennas are configured to extend one or more of radially around an outer surface of the shaft of a sensor or along the outer surface of the shaft of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yongjae Lee, Joseph Iannotti
  • Patent number: 10179037
    Abstract: A brush head for performing reciprocating rotation comprises a driving wheel and a housing on which a top hole and/or a central through hole are/is distributed in a centering manner. The center line(s) of the holes and a rotation axis (L1) of a driving shaft are located at a same line, and the driving shaft penetrates through the central through hole. The fitted region of the driving shaft and the driving wheel enters the through holes distributed on the driving wheel to link the driving shaft and the driving wheel fixedly. A driven part matching a driving part is distributed on a protrusion of the brush disc on which a hollow region is formed. The driving shaft penetrates through or enters the hollow region and limits the brush disc to move. The brush disc is incapable of performing reciprocating rotation when the driving shaft is not installed or is damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Shift Electrics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoguo Dai, Zhenwu Xu, Ling Dai
  • Patent number: 10172697
    Abstract: A powered toothbrush apparatus with capacitive touch control, which includes a head portion having an oscillating tuft block driven by a motor, a handle portion, and an elastically deformable capacitive touch control panel mounted in the handle portion. In one embodiment, the control panel includes movable sensor targets each paired with a corresponding capacitance sensor electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor. Applying finger pressure on the control panel adjacent a sensor target operates to change the capacitance of the respective sensor target-sensor pair. The microprocessor detects the change in capacitance, which may be used to control the motor speed for changing the oscillation rate of the tuft block. In one embodiment, a linear array of sensor targets-sensors is provided which is activated by a sliding finger or thumb motion across the array. A related operating method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Brian Bloch, Lars Ralf Rainer Lieberwirth
  • Patent number: 10160094
    Abstract: An intelligent polishing system provides improvements to the polisher itself as well as networking capability enabling remote control and monitoring of multiple polishers. One or more electronic devices ensure that a user of the intelligent polisher operates the polisher to achieve optimum results. Such devices may include a polishing timer, a downward pressure sensor, or a tachometer to measure speed. The system may further include a memory for storing operational parameters or performance characteristics of the intelligent polisher for later downloading or retrieval. The same or a different memory may store calibration information to ensure that intelligent polisher operates within predetermined limits. Such operational parameters, performance characteristics or calibration information include RPM, polishing time, downward force or inlet air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald Lipson, Timothy P. McIsaac
  • Patent number: 10159386
    Abstract: A face cleaning apparatus includes a brush head, a case, a transmission shaft, and an eccentric wheel module. The case has a throughhole. The transmission shaft is disposed within the case and has a shaft body having an oscillating end and a protrusion extending along an axial surface. The oscillating end is disposed axially through the throughhole and connected to the brush head. The eccentric wheel module is disposed within the case and includes a motor and an eccentric wheel rotated by the motor. The protrusion is pressed against a side of the eccentric wheel and reciprocates following rotation of the eccentric wheel such that the oscillating end is driven to oscillate with respect to the case. Therefore, the face cleaning apparatus has the advantages of low vibration, low noise, increased battery life, and simple assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: CAL-COMP ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Ming-Hua Hung, Tung-Kai Tsai
  • Patent number: 10159388
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for cleaning is provided. More specifically, the present invention provides an improved apparatus having a vibratory portion adapted to a traditional scrubber apparatus such as a body scrubber. Additionally, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and method wherein the apparatus may have at least a vibratory portion adapted to fit about the body scrubber which may be activated and/or de-activated by the user. Moreover, the apparatus may include a reservoir for storage of a cleansing agent that may be dispensed from the vibratory portion to the body scrubber portion to help facilitate cleansing of the portion of the body to be cleaned. Still further, the invention may include at least a handle assembly in combination with the vibratory portion to provide a handle for use by the individual user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Inventor: Mitch Junkins
  • Patent number: 10150210
    Abstract: An oscillating power tool includes a drive motor producing rotary motion and an oscillating mechanism for converting the motor rotary motion to an oscillatory side-to-side movement. The oscillating mechanism includes a fork having two arms and coupled to an output spindle and includes a bearing positioned between the two arms of the fork and coupled to the drive motor. The arrangement of the fork and the bearing isolate relative rotation and translation between the components of the tool while still imparting an oscillatory motion to the output spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jeremy Rubens, Jaime Moreno Terrazas
  • Patent number: 10137054
    Abstract: The invention concerns massage device including body which contains drive mechanism, at least one type of massage head which includes massage elements, a transmission mechanism which allows the activation of the massage elements under the action of the drive mechanism, installation mechanism which are configured to be installed on and uninstall from the body at least one type of massage head. In accordance with the invention, the device includes recognition means of the type of massage head installed on the body and control mechanisms for said massage device based on the recognition of the type of massage head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Camille Giraud, Franck Mandica
  • Patent number: 10123609
    Abstract: A replacement head for an electric toothbrush has a simplified drive construction and desired bristle carrier retention. The replacement head includes a neck with a head at one end and a brush shaft disposed within the neck. An eccentric extension extends from the brush shaft parallel with the longitudinal axis and an axial extension extends parallel to the eccentric extension. The eccentric extension engages an angled slot in the bristle carrier to drive the bristle carrier. The brush shaft, including the eccentric extension and the axial extension, may be formed together as a single unitary piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan J. Dishon
  • Patent number: 10114354
    Abstract: A personal grooming appliance has an energy source, an electronic circuit comprising at least one electric load, and a first sensor for providing a first signal indicating a relevant change of a first external condition. The appliance is arranged to stay in a sleep mode in which the electronic circuit consumes at least a reduced average energy amount in comparison to an active mode and to initiate the active mode when the first signal indicating a change of the first external condition is received. The electronic circuit can be arranged to perform a welcome routine in response to a first active mode initialization and a standard routine, different to the welcome routine, in response to receiving the first signal indicating a relevant change in the first external condition after the welcome routine has been performed. The first sensor can be a light sensor, a resistance sensor, a humidity sensor, a gas sensor, or a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Simeth, Leo Faranda, Kervin Heinrich Küchler, Ralf Schupp, Thomas Hoenig
  • Patent number: 10098586
    Abstract: A bio-information acquiring terminal for acquiring bio-information includes a bath device (300). The bath device (300) is provided with a bio-information measuring unit (320) configured to measure bio-information of a user taking a bath, and a fingerprint authentication unit (303) configured to specify the user. According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily manage daily changes of the health condition of the user in his or her daily life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Koichi Kusukame, Kazuki Funase, Masayuki Kozuka
  • Patent number: 10034730
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Thomas Skaanland, Harold Robert Rowan, Kevin Arnold Miller
  • Patent number: 10033258
    Abstract: A linear actuator that can achieve downsizing with a simple configuration, and can provide stable linear reciprocation while achieving improvement in assemblability and cost reduction. In the actuator, movable member 50 faces coil 21 in the winding axis CL direction of coil 21, and in addition, includes magnet 30 magnetized in the coil-winding axis CL direction in a unipolar fashion and output shaft 60 extending in the CL direction. Elastic body 70 is disposed along the coil-winding axis CL direction and configured to deform in that direction to supports movable member 50 such that movable member 50 can reciprocate along the coil-winding axis CL direction. Elastic body 70 is fixed to fixing body 40 and movable member 50 at both ends 71 and 72 in the coil-winding axis CL direction such that central air gap CG is formed between electromagnet 20 and magnet 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsunori Okawa, Yuki Takahashi, Chikara Sekiguchi, Shigenori Inamoto
  • Patent number: 10028811
    Abstract: The system includes a reservoir for fluid; a droplet generator for creating a stream of fluid droplets from the fluid wherein the velocity of the stream of droplets is within a range of 20 meters per second to 200 meters per second and the size of the droplets is within a range of 5 microns to 200 microns. A nozzle or nozzles direct the stream of droplets to safely clean a selected tooth or teeth surface area. The specific momentum of effective fluid droplets within the stream of fluid droplets is important in safe and effective cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Bart Gottenbos, Jozef Johannes Maria Janssen, Marinus Karel Johannes Jager, Adriaan Willem Cense, Paulus Corenlis Duineveld, Jon W. Hayenga, William E. Bryant, Martijn Jeroen Dekker
  • Patent number: 10021964
    Abstract: A wear indicator is provided, which is suitable for use with a workpiece, such as a replaceable brush head. In use, the wear indicator can provide an indication to the user recommending that the workpiece be replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Gerald Keith Brewer
  • Patent number: 10022203
    Abstract: Handpiece (1) for endodontic treatment, characterized in that it comprises an irrigation device for conveying an irrigation solution from a reservoir (10) to a head (5) for the purpose of ejecting the solution into a root canal, and in that it comprises an agitator device for setting in motion an endpiece (2) intended to penetrate inside a root canal in order to promote the action of the irrigation solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ITENA CLINICAL
    Inventor: Stéphane Simon
  • Patent number: 10022208
    Abstract: A replacement head for an oral care implement, such as a powered toothbrush, wherein the replacement head utilizes a specially designed structure for coupling the replacement head to an oral care implement body. In one embodiment, the invention can be a replacement head comprising: a head having a plurality of tooth cleaning elements mounted thereto; a tubular sleeve comprising a cavity for receiving a stem of the body, a proximal edge defining an opening into the cavity, and a distal end to which the head is coupled, the tubular sleeve comprising a locking tab for engaging an undercut surface of a locking section of a boss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignees: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY, OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD
    Inventors: Hideaki Yoshida, Takashi Torihama, Thomas Edward Mintel, Joseph E. Fattori
  • Patent number: 10022209
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric toothbrush, and more particularly, to an electric toothbrush including: a main body which includes an outer case; a cleaning body which is coupled to the main body and has a cleaning head formed at one end thereof; a vibration transmission unit which couples the main body and the cleaning body, has a vibration generator mounted thereon to generate vibration, and transmits the vibration to the cleaning body; and a vibration damping unit which is provided between the outer case and the vibration transmission unit, thereby maintaining cleaning performance of the electric toothbrush, reducing magnitude of vibration to be transmitted to a user, and improving convenience for the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Bluereo Inc.
    Inventor: Seung Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10010390
    Abstract: An oral care implement having a housing, a functional element mounted at the housing for driven oscillatory rotation relative to the housing around a rotation axis, at least one rocking lever that is on a first end pivotably supported at the housing at an essentially fixed position that is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis and the rocking lever is on a second end coupled with the functional element at a position eccentric with respect to the rotation axis such that the functional element carries the second end of the rocking lever along when it is driven into oscillatory rotation around the rotation axis, while the first end of the rocking lever is kept at its fixed position at the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 10004581
    Abstract: A vibrating toothbrush is provided with vibration-isolating zones that substantially isolate vibrations in the head and reduce vibrations transmitted to the handle without sacrificing structural integrity around the vibration-isolation zones. Such zones may generally comprise neck material that is reduced in cross-section, thinned, replaced by dampening material, or removed altogether to create transmission-inhibiting voids. The vibration-isolating zones may be further supported by the housing of the vibratory element to maintain the structural integrity around the zones and to thereby alleviating weakness conditions that might subject the toothbrush to fatigue and breakage conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Alan Vincent Sorrentino
  • Patent number: 10004580
    Abstract: The invention concerns a toothbrush head comprising a brush head housing, and a bristle carrier movable relative to the brush head housing around an axis of pivoting, the bristle carrier containing a plurality of tooth cleaning elements, wherein a first portion of bristles is arranged annularly and disposed in an outward leaning angle compared to the axis of pivoting by means of a wedge ring, and a second portion of bristles is arranged radially inwards of the first portion of bristles. The invention also concerns a method for manufacturing a toothbrush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventor: Reijo Varila
  • Patent number: 9999486
    Abstract: A spring mechanism for an electromagnetic drive unit converts or translates the movement and/or actuation of the electromagnet into a desired movement of the workpiece and enables simple and efficient tuning of the workpiece movement. The spring mechanism includes a housing, a spring connected to the housing, wherein at least a section of the spring is movable with respect to the housing, a drive shaft that includes a first end having a magnet and a second end for attachment to a workpiece, and an adjustable tuning element connecting the drive shaft to the movable portion of the spring. In one embodiment, the spring may be a flat spring, and the movable section may be a positioned between a pair of cutouts defined in the spring. In one embodiment, the adjustable tuning element is connected to the spring such that the adjustable tuning element places the movable portion of the spring under a degree of tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan J. Dishon
  • Patent number: 9980795
    Abstract: An ultrasonic toothbrush having spatially extended functionality to treat various oral diseases in addition to removing plaque and treating gingivitis is disclosed. In addition to the ultrasonically activated bristles, the toothbrush incorporates a multi directional ultrasound transducer system, which spatially irradiates the oral cavity with ultrasonic pressure waves, operational to loosen plaque, to remove periodontal bacteria from teeth and gums, and to simultaneously treat and destroy disease causing bacteria and bacterial chains on the inside surfaces of cheeks and lips, providing relief from Recurring Aphthous Stomatitis, Lichen Planus, and Mucositis. Various configurations are disclosed, including user removable and replaceable brush heads, ultrasound treatment heads, and a system of protecting the vibrating exposed ultrasound transducer from contacting the teeth of the user. A motorized version featuring sonic frequency orbital vibration brush head and bristle tufts is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Robert T. Bock Consultancy LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 9980796
    Abstract: An ultrasound applicator having spatially extended functionality to treat various oral and dental diseases. The applicator incorporates a multi directional ultrasound transducer system, which spatially irradiates the oral cavity with ultrasonic pressure waves, operational to simultaneously treat and destroy disease causing bacteria and bacterial chains on the gums and the inside surfaces of cheeks and lips, providing relief from Gingivitis, Recurring Aphthous Stomatitis, Lichen Planus, and Mucositis. A motorized version featuring sonic frequency orbital vibration of the applicator is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT T. BOCK CONSULTANCY LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 9941830
    Abstract: The current application is directed to various types of linear vibrational modules, including linear-resonant vibration modules that can be incorporated in a wide variety of appliances, devices, and systems to provide vibrational forces. The vibrational forces are produced by linear oscillation of a weight or member, in turn produced by rapidly alternating the polarity of one or more driving electromagnets. Feedback control is used to maintain the vibrational frequency of linear-resonant vibration module at or near the resonant frequency for the linear-resonant vibration module. Both linear vibration modules and linear-resonant vibration modules can be designed to produce vibrational amplitude/frequency combinations throughout a large region of amplitude/frequency space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Resonant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robin Elenga, Brian Marc Pepin, Glen Tompkins
  • Patent number: 9929621
    Abstract: A spring mechanism for an electromagnetic drive unit converts or translates the movement and/or actuation of the electromagnet into a desired movement of the workpiece and enables simple and efficient tuning of the workpiece movement. The spring mechanism includes a housing, a spring connected to the housing, wherein at least two sections of the spring are movable with respect to the housing, a drive shaft that includes a first end having a magnet and a second end for attachment to a workpiece, and at least two tuning elements connecting the drive shaft to the movable portion of the spring. At least one of the tuning elements is adjustable. In one embodiment, the spring may be a flat spring, and the movable sections may each be positioned between a pair of cutouts defined in the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ranir, LLC
    Inventors: Bryan J. Dishon, Kevin J Kollar
  • Patent number: 9913386
    Abstract: An electronic subassembly for a personal care product with a housing defining a chamber having an open end. A first circuit board having a rigid end is positioned within the chamber and a flexible portion is positioned outside the chamber. A second circuit board is positioned within the chamber. The second circuit board has a connector dimensioned to receive the rigid end of the first circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Gillette Company LLC
    Inventors: Juergen Behrendt, Norbert Broemse, Yvonne Scholl, Klaus Heubach, Fred Schnak
  • Patent number: 9907634
    Abstract: A multi-function charging coil bobbin (90) for a power toothbrush (10) configured to improve the durability of the toothbrush and to simplify the assembly process. The coil bobbin (90) provides a bridge spring (98) for tolerance mitigation and shock protection, and also provides a coil winding surface (92) such that the bobbin (90) can be wound prior to final assembly. The coil bobbin (90) may be unitary in structure for low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Lane Evan Kleppen
  • Patent number: 9882986
    Abstract: An apparatus that monitors the brushing history of a user is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus, such as a toothbrush, may capture brushing data when a user is brushing teeth, and store the captured brushing data in a database of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Anish Patel
  • Patent number: 9844260
    Abstract: A power toothbrush includes a handle having a driving system therein. The driving system is responsive to two drive signals. One drive signal produces a clinically effective cleansing action for the teeth, while the other drive signal is arranged to produce audible sounds from the toothbrush which are cognitively stimulating or relaxing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Thomas Jackson Sayles
  • Patent number: 9839284
    Abstract: A dental cleaning appliance includes a handle, and a cleaning tool detachably connected to the handle. The cleaning tool includes a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid. The fluid reservoir is connected to, and extends around, the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Dunning Follows, William John Bex-Russell, Timothy Nicholas Stickney, Stephen Benjamin Courtney, Peter David Gammack
  • Patent number: 9833871
    Abstract: A sander especially suited for sanding curved surfaces. The sander has an elongate body and a grinding plate movably attached thereto. A power unit drives the grinding plate. At least two lever beams are attached to the elongate body. Each of the lever beams has two opposite ends. The grinding plate is attached to ends of lever beams using flexible connecting elements to allow the grinding plate to move relative to the sander body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Inventor: Petr Fron{hacek over (e)}k
  • Patent number: 9827078
    Abstract: An ultrasonic toothbrush having spatially extended functionality to treat various oral diseases in addition to removing plaque and treating gingivitis is disclosed. In addition to the ultrasonically activated bristles, the toothbrush incorporates a multi directional ultrasound transducer system, which spatially irradiates the oral cavity with ultrasonic pressure waves, operational to loosen plaque, to remove periodontal bacteria from teeth and gums, and to simultaneously treat and destroy disease causing bacteria and bacterial chains on the inside surfaces of cheeks and lips, providing relief from Recurring Aphthous Stomatitis, Lichen Planus, and Mucositis. Various configurations are disclosed, including user removable and replaceable brush heads and ultrasound treatment heads. A motorized version featuring sonic frequency orbital vibration brush head and bristle tufts is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT T. BOCK CONSULTANCY LLC
    Inventor: Robert T. Bock
  • Patent number: 9827080
    Abstract: A head structure of a brush appliance comprises a frame movably connected with a head driving shaft, driving bristle retainers connected with and driven by the head driving shaft, and driven bristle retainers which and the driving bristle retainers are alternatively arranged with each other. In the head structure, the driven bristle retainers are driven by the driving bristle retainers from the frame in a constrained mode and move around a respective motion axis. The driving bristle retainers have protrusions. The driven bristle retainers have bevel surfaces which correspondingly cooperate with the protrusions. At least one driven point on at least one of bevel surfaces is closer to the driving bristle retainers than a contact point or a contact line or a contact surface of the at least bevel surface and the corresponding protrusions. Thereby the driven bristle retainers are driven by the driving bristle retainers in the moving process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SHIFT ELECTRICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoguo Dai, Zhenwu Xu
  • Patent number: 9806591
    Abstract: A linear motor is disclosed. The linear motor includes an armature mounted for driven linear oscillation substantially along a longitudinal direction; a secondary mass mounted for linear oscillation substantially along the longitudinal direction; and a coupling unit for coupling the armature and the secondary mass. The coupling unit includes at least two coupling spring assemblies and at least a coupling element, the coupling spring assemblies being arranged in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and being spaced apart from each other, and the coupling element being fixedly connected with the coupling spring assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Uwe Schober, Frank Ziegler, Robert Schaefer
  • Patent number: 9788926
    Abstract: A personal hygiene implement comprises an axle that extends along a first longitudinal axis; a movable functional element comprising a base comprising a first side and an opposing second side, a first pillar extending from the first side of the base, wherein the first pillar comprises a piston chamber that is fluidly connected to a discharging through-hole, and at least one cleaning element extending from the second side of the base; and a fixation element comprising a piston which extends orthogonally to the first longitudinal axis; wherein the movable functional element is capable of rotatably oscillating around the axle, and the piston chamber engages with the piston to form a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Sven Alexander Franke, Alexander Franz Doll, Robert Florian Schütz
  • Patent number: 9787167
    Abstract: An oscillating motor suitable for use with a personal care appliance is provided. The oscillating motor is configured with a reduced motor envelope as compared to conventional motors in order to be suitable for personal care appliances with smaller handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Joseph Eric Skidmore
  • Patent number: 9757209
    Abstract: Described are compositions and methods for the removal of zinc-oxide eugenol-based temporary cements or root canal filling materials from a variety of surfaces including surfaces inside the oral cavity, such as teeth, as well as surfaces of objects located outside of the oral cavity, such as instruments and prostheses. In certain compositions, the resin-dentin bond between permanent cements and collagen-containing surfaces can be increased. The compositions are non-toxic, can be used inside the oral cavity, and do not require special disposal procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Essential Dental Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Guzman, Jeffrey Wan
  • Patent number: 9750587
    Abstract: A power toothbrush appliance (10) and a method for tuning a brushhead assembly system (41) thereof. The appliance includes a handle portion (16), a drive assembly and a brushhead assembly system (41). The drive assembly includes a DC motor (34) and an eccentric coupling (46) which drives the brushhead assembly system by means of a yoke mechanism. The brushhead assembly system includes a beam portion (50) which moves laterally about a pivot (47). A brushhead (12) is attachable to and removable from a distal end of the beam. The beam is tunable by changing the stiffness thereof, or the length thereof, or the cross-sectional moment thereof, in order to control the resonant frequency of the brushhead assembly system relative to the drive frequency of the appliance to maintain the amplitude of the brush member within a range of 1.0-2.5 mm, preferably 1.75 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Ahren Karl Johnson, Scott Robert Wills, Tyler G. Kloster
  • Patent number: 9748038
    Abstract: In a contactless power supply mechanism, a power receiving unit for supplying power to an electric device includes a secondary coil and a power supplying unit for supplying power to the power receiving unit includes a primary coil. The primary coil includes a primary core formed of magnetic material and a length of winding wire wounded around the primary core. The secondary coil includes a bar-shaped secondary core formed of magnetic material, a length of winding wire wounded around the secondary core and a magnetic sheet attached to at least one of end faces of the secondary core. The magnetic sheet includes a close-contact portion placed in close-contact with the end face of the secondary core and a curved portion which extends outwards from the close-contact portion beyond an outer edge of the end face and whose normal line has a portion un-parallel with an axial direction of the secondary core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Hosiden Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Sato, Hiroshi Ema
  • Patent number: 9737179
    Abstract: A facial cleansing brush structure includes an outer casing, a brush head assembly, and a brush head drive device. The outer casing has a brush head installation chamber. The brush head assembly includes a brush head and a brush head retaining member. The brush head has an installation baseplate and at least two elastic limit arms. The brush head and the brush head retaining member are skillfully designed to complete the assembly of the brush head and the brush head retaining member. The assembly is simple, easy and stable. On the premise that the facial cleansing brush is small in size, the brush head has a large cleansing area to enhance the cleansing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Shen Zhen Cosbeauty Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ziran Fang, Wanfu Huang
  • Patent number: 9724181
    Abstract: The present disclosure is concerned with an oral hygiene implement having a longitudinal axis, a carrier element mounted for driven movement, a motion transmitter that has a first end for transferring a drive force to the carrier element, which first end is provided at a position being offset from the longitudinal axis, and the motion transmitter has a second end positioned essentially on on the longitudinal axis or is arranged for being positioned essentially on the longitudinal axis during operation, wherein the motion transmitter has a first coupling part comprising the first end, which first coupling part essentially extends along a centre axis arranged at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a second coupling part comprising the second end, which first coupling part is fixedly connected with a first connecting portion of an elastic pivot element that allows that the first coupling part and the second coupling part can pivot with respect to each other at least in a first pivoting plane span
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Jörn Utsch, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 9700211
    Abstract: A dental apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus includes a handle including a power button configured to place the dental apparatus in on/off configurations. A controller is housed within the handle and includes a mouth detection module and a tooth anomaly module. Electrical circuitry is in operable communication with the mouth detection module and tooth anomaly module and is configured to emit a low intensity excitation light having a first frequency and a high intensity excitation light which may have a second frequency. The low intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of tooth material and the high intensity excitation light is utilized to detect the presence of a tooth anomaly or to treat a dental condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Richard Simons, Steven Charles Deane