Abstract: The mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece carrier member (14) having upper and lower sections which are adapted to receive the upper and lower teeth of a user. The mouthpiece carrier member has several embodiments which include side members and an intermediate member or members connecting the two side members to define the two sections. A bristle field (20) is mounted on the mouthpiece carrier member for contact with the surfaces of the teeth. The mouthpiece carrier member is moved in such a manner to produce a bristle action which has a significant axial component, resulting in the bristle tufts moving toward the teeth, contacting the teeth and moving away from the teeth, producing cleaning action on the teeth.

Abstract: A toothbrush training system for children includes an instrumented toothbrush with physics sensors, along with optional feedback elements, interacting with a dynamic audio-visual instructional program providing guidance, assessment and feedback on proper brushing procedures. The system provides instruction on tooth brushing technique in combination with monitoring and corrective feedback based on that technique in the context of an audio-visual game environment. The instructional program uses an animated character to illustrate the desired toothbrush positioning and movement for cleaning specific tooth surfaces. The content and progress of the audio-visual presentation may be dynamically altered based on data received from the toothbrush to adjust the presentation in response to a comparison of the instructional information and the actual tooth brushing movement performed by the user.

Abstract: A toothbrush drive includes a first drive component for generating a magnetic field and a second drive component driven in both a translational and rotational manner under the influence of the magnetic field. A transmission element is deflected out of a predetermined position for transmission of both translational and rotary movement of the second drive component. The deflection of the transmission element varies along its longitudinal axis. A transmission element can be deflected out of a predefined position for transmission of a translatory movement and a rotational movement of the second drive component to the brush element along a longitudinal axis of the transmission element. The deflection of the transmission element out of the predefined position is varied along the longitudinal axis of the transmission element.

Abstract: A brush head for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The brush head includes a neck connectable to a handle of the electric toothbrush, and a bristle carrier pivotally supported by a pivot support at the neck about a pivot axis extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the neck.

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: 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 apparatus may include a connection component configured to connect the apparatus to any one of a plurality of different apparatuses. A toothbrush may include at least one measurement component configured to measure a parameter of use of an oral care region, and a processor configured to change output of a first audio signal of a plurality of audio signals to a second audio signal of the plurality of audio signals based on the measured parameter. Another toothbrush may include a processor configured to receive first data from an external source component and output second data corresponding to the received first data to at least one output device in response, and the at least output device configured to output the second data from the processor.

Abstract: An oral hygiene implement is provided. The oral hygiene implement includes a housing; a movably mounted functional element; a fixation element that is secured at the housing and that essentially locks the functional element at the housing; and an axle that is supported by the fixation element. The functional element is arranged for movement around the axle and the fixation element extends through a cut-out or recess provided in a carrier element of the functional element, such that pulling the functional element out of the housing along the longitudinal axle extension direction is inhibited.

Abstract: A full mouth toothbrush for simultaneously brushing the facial, lingual, occlusal and incisal surfaces of all the maxillary and mandibular teeth is provided. The full mouth toothbrush can include a handle, a power source, a motor assembly, and a drive assembly. The full mouth toothbrush can further include a mouthpiece configured to collectively contact multiple surfaces of multiple teeth simultaneously that brushes and, thus, cleans the teeth and gums.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary toothbrush including: a handle installed with a lever; an operating rod operated together with the lever to linearly move in a length direction of the handle; a tilting member coupled to tilting guide grooves of the operating rod to thereby be tilted when the operating rod moves forward; a head part having a shaft rotatably fixed to the tilting member to thereby be tilted together with the tilting member and having bristles implanted therein; a rotation driving member connected to the operating rod and the shaft and rotating the shaft when the operating rod moves forward, thereby allowing the head part to form a T shape with respect to the handle; and a first fixing part provided between the handle and the lever and fixing the lever in a state in which the lever is rotated forward or rearward.

Abstract: A device and method for brushing all surfaces of all of a user's teeth simultaneously. The device comprises bristle strip surfaces that envelope all of a user's teeth, the bristle strips comprising bristle bundles that scrub all surfaces of a user's teeth due to a reciprocating motion of the bristle strips. To use the device, a user inserts the toothbrush bristle strips into their mouth so to engage the user's teeth. A power source, motor, and drive assembly are utilized to cause the bristles to reciprocate, cleaning all a user's teeth surfaces simultaneously.

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.

Abstract: A brush head component connection system, applied in a personal care utensil, comprises: a brush head component and a motor bracket (11) mounted on a personal care utensil casing (13), a motor (10) disposed in the motor bracket (11), and a seal ring (12) located between the motor bracket (11) and the personal care utensil casing (13). A driving shaft of the motor (10) is disposed in holes at the center of the bottoms of the motor bracket (11), the personal care utensil casing (13) and the seal ring (12), and has an end connected to one end of an eccentric shaft (14). The other end of the eccentric shaft (14) deviates from the central position and is connected to the driving shaft connected onto the brush head component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin washing apparatus using a brushless DC motor, including: a case for the skin washing apparatus; an operation unit installed outside the case, commanding ON/OFF operation and switching operation for forward and reverse rotations in unit of a predetermined angle; power supply installed at one end of an interior of the case; a brushless DC motor installed inside the case to be operated by electric power received from the power supply as to be rotated forwardly and reversely in unit of a predetermined angle; a control unit for outputting an electrical signal for controlling forward and reverse rotations of the brushless electric motor by a predetermined angle in response to a switching signal of the operation unit; and a skin washing brush mounted on a shaft of the brushless electric motor to be rotated forwardly and reversely according to an operation of the brushless electric motor.

Abstract: A power toothbrush appliance (10) which includes a user interface assembly (24) having a hidden interface panel (26) and a method of making same, the appliance including a handle (12, 40) and a brushhead assembly (18) with a brush member (24) for cleaning teeth. The user interface assembly is structured so that when the appliance is in the off condition, the user interface panel is blank, and when the appliance is in an on condition, the indicia associated with the selected operating mode of the toothbrush is illuminated and visible to the user. The interface panel includes a first paint layer of gray or black paint (42) on a translucent handle (40). The mode indicia are etched (44) to the handle in the first paint layer. A second paint layer of white paint (46) is applied over the first layer and is light-transmitting so that when the toothbrush is on, the selected indicia are visible to the user.

Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member and a plurality of bristles or tufts of bristles extending from the support member, the bristles or bristle tufts having different lengths. The contour of the bristles may be selected to allow substantially all of the bristles to contact the dentition during brushing.

Abstract: An oral care implement is disclosed. The oral care implement includes a head section including a carrier element that is mounted for driven movement; a base section including a transmission element; and an at least partly elastically deformable neck section arranged between the head section and the base section. The transmission element is coupled to the carrier element for driving the carrier element into an oscillatory movement with an oscillation amplitude peak value. Further, the neck section is arranged as a parallel spring arrangement that deforms when a load above a first threshold load value is applied at the head section along a use direction such that the angular relationship between the head section and the base section is preserved and the head section and the base section move relatively to each other resulting in a reduction of the oscillation amplitude peak value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toothbrush that is produced by AFT and has a head part and at least one carrier element connected thereto. A front surface of the head part is formed by the top surfaces of the at least one carrier element and has a non-planar three-dimensional configuration, or is capable of assuming such a configuration during intended use. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a toothbrush.

Abstract: An oral cleaning appliance, such as a toothbrush (10) or a mouthpiece (20), includes a bristle arrangement which comprises a base member and a field of bristles for contacting and cleaning teeth, wherein the bristle field (17, 26) has bristles with a density of between 2-7%, and wherein the individual bristle filaments have a stiffness characterized by a deflection of no greater than 50% of their length for a bristle tip pressure of 6 Newtons/cm2 and a deflection reaching 50% for a bristle tip pressure of 85 Newtons/cm2.

Abstract: A rotation type toothbrush has a handle set, a brush-head set and a transmitting set. The handle set has a handle, a mounting sleeve and a positioning mount. The handle has a locating recess. The mounting sleeve is connected to the handle. The positioning mount is securely mounted in the locating recess, abuts against the mounting sleeve and has a limiting recess and a holding hole. The brush-head set is connected to the handle set and has a sliding shaft and a rotating head. The sliding shaft is movably connected to the mounting sleeve and has a connecting tube, an operating head and a through slot. The rotating head is mounted on the operating head and has a mounting board and a gear wheel. The transmitting set is connected to the handle set and the brush-head set and has a rack, a pushing block and two elastic elements.

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 linear bearing is useful in a personal care appliance and includes an elongated center member (14) having end elements (20, 22) at each end thereof, the center member having an arm (16) with a workpiece (18) at the free end thereof. Two sets of orthogonal leaf springs (24, 38) are positioned in the vicinity of the ends of the center assembly, one end of each leaf spring in each set connected to an associated end member, the other end of each leaf spring in each set connected to a fixed-position member (26, 40), such as the housing (37) of the appliance.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is described, comprising a vibrating brush head (20) and a main unit (6) with a vibrator motor (2) for transfer of vibrating power to the brush head (20), and also a battery (9) connected to an on/off switch (7) for operation of the vibrator motor (2). The vibrator motor (2) is not rigidly secured to the main unit (6) with help of a quick coupling (Ia), and that the vibrator motor (2) is at least partially contained in a rubber covering (5) that surrounds the main unit (6).

Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool having a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position and a closed position in which the styling arm contacts the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate. The hair styling tool also includes a detector for detecting the direction of movement of the styling arm along a user's hair, the detector being in communication with the motor for causing the motor to automatically rotate the cylinder in a direction corresponding to the direction of movement of the styling arm along the user's hair.

Abstract: An electric back scrub brush that includes a support handle housing having a push button control switch disposed on an outer surface of the support handle housing, a first spur gear coupled to an output end of a motor drive shaft, the motor drive shaft is coupled to a second spur gear which is coupled at a first end of a central drive shaft disposed in a center portion of a neck and a motor energized by a battery disposed within the support handle housing and a second end of a central drive shaft is coupled to a first bevel gear. The electric back scrub brush also includes a brush support housing coupled to the support handle housing, the brush support housing includes the neck and a head and a bristle roll that is protected by a cover member disposed over the head covering the bristle roll.

Abstract: A bristle configuration providing enhanced cleaning of teeth. At least one elongated bristle tuft is formed to at least partially enclose an area, and a complementary-shaped tuft is provided in the at least partially enclosed area. The elongated tuft and the complementary tuft have angled profiles angled to a different degree, and preferably also in a different direction. A series of elongated tufts with angled profiles may be provided to form an overall bristle profile providing enhanced cleaning of teeth. In addition, one or more tufts may be provided along the elongated tufts to form another tuft pattern along the pattern formed by the elongated tufts. In one embodiment, the other tuft pattern presents a contoured bristle profile angled to a different degree from the profile of the elongated tufts along which the other tuft pattern is provided.

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: A power toothbrush includes a small electromagnetic actuator positioned within the brushhead for driving a brushhead assembly which includes a brushhead portion with bristles extending therefrom. The actuator includes a fixed lower element and a moveable upper element, with the lower and upper elements each having curved roller contacting portions at opposing ends thereof. Roller members are positioned between the roller contacting portions of the upper and lower members. At least one coil is mounted on the lower element, responsive to an alternating current energizing signal. Further, at least two permanent magnet assemblies are positioned on the upper element, having alternating polarity positions.

Abstract: A handle of an electrical appliance for personal use is disclosed. The handle includes an elongated housing for receiving functional components of the appliance; and a control unit or an electric power supply. The housing includes at least two tube-shaped housing parts connected to each other at end portions thereof. An annular sealing element is associated with the end portions to seal the interface between the housing parts. The end portions of the housing parts have substantially the same diameter such that end surfaces of the housing parts abut against each other or against the annular sealing element. A holding member extending over the interface between the housing parts and the sealing element is provided for holding the housing parts together.

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: A vibrating toothbrush comprising a handle including a body with a tubular member extending outwardly from one end. A replaceable sleeve slides over the tubular member and detachably engages the body. One or more of the sleeve, tubular member and body incorporates a vibration damping zone for reducing vibration transmission from the sleeve to the handle. The damping zone is one of a material that differs in damping properties to the material of the rest of the toothbrush; a hole defined in the one of the sleeve, tubular member and body, and a toothbrush where that hole is filled with an elastomeric material.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric toothbrush including a toothbrush plate having a cleaning brush installed thereon; a toothbrush head having a storage within which the toothbrush plate is stored; a toothbrush body that is connected to the toothbrush head and has a storage space formed therein; a flat type vibration motor that is disposed between the toothbrush plate and the toothbrush head; and a power supply unit that includes a power supply that is disposed in the storage space of the toothbrush body and supplies the vibration motor with power, a power supply switch connected to the power supply and a wire that is electrically connected to the vibration motor and the power supply switch and supplies the vibration motor with power.

Abstract: An oral cleaning section is disclosed. The oral cleaning section includes a first carrier having a cleaning side on which at least a first cleaning element is mounted and a second side opposite to the cleaning side, a second carrier having a cleaning side on which at least a second cleaning element is mounted, at least one aperture being formed in the first carrier such that the aperture extends from the cleaning side to the second side, with the second cleaning element extending through the aperture. The second carrier is arranged underneath the first carrier such that the cleaning side of the second carrier is underneath the second side of the first carrier and laterally extends beyond the aperture in at least a first direction. The first carrier and the second carrier are arranged for relative movement to each other.

Abstract: A whole mouth toothbrush with an elongate hollow handle portion, and attached U shaped brush retaining portion. The housing holds an electric motor, a battery power supply, a microprocessor, a printed circuit board and an on-off switch. A primary drive belt connects the motor shaft to a first brush spindle. A plurality of secondary drive belts connect the first brush spindle to the remaining brush spindles. Each spindle terminates in a rotating brush head. Upper brush heads brush the user's top teeth and the lower spindles brush the user's bottom teeth. The microprocessor is programmed to cause the brush retaining shafts to cycle back and forth from a clockwise rotation to a counter clockwise rotation.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, a brush head, and a neck extending between the body and the brush head. The toothbrush also has a massaging element, a plurality of bristles, and a plurality of massaging tips. The brush head has a front face and a rear face. The massaging element is disposed on the rear face of the brush head, while the plurality of bristles and the plurality of massaging tips extend from the front face.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a central longitudinal axis is disclosed. The electric toothbrush has a brush head having a bristle roll shaft with a plurality of bristle tufts radially and outwardly disposed thereon, thereby forming a bristle roll covered by the cover member. The bristle roll shaft, the horizontal drive shaft and the central drive shaft are operatively connected by a belt and pulley system and a bevel gear system, causing the bended or angle feature of the toothbrush head. The central drive shaft and the horizontal drive shaft cause a one-way forward rotating motion of the bristle roll. This rotating motion and direction simulates the brushing technique recommended by most dentists to the conventional manual toothbrush users.

Abstract: The dental cleaning appliance includes an appliance body (30, 73) which has a bristle field housing (32, 52) and fluid within the housing. A flexible membrane (34) is positioned within the housing, or in a fluid-tight relationship (54) within an opening (60) in the housing. A fluid pressure system involving either a dual piston system (22, 24, 28) or a pump and valve system (70, 68, 68) provides pressure on the fluid, wherein the pistons move alternately, or the valves open and close alternately, in such a manner to produce alternating pressure above and beneath the membrane, moving the membrane and the bristle field toward and away from the teeth.

Abstract: The brush according to the invention has a bristle carrier, which is produced by injection moulding, and bristles, which are produced from a bristle material likewise by injection moulding. The bristle carrier is provided with at least one distributing channel for the bristle material. The bristles are formed integrally with the bristle material in the distribution channel.

Abstract: An oral-care brushing implement having a circumferential bristle arrangement secured to a cushioned surface head with an annular guard to facilitate effective, efficient, and safe use by a user with impaired dexterity and/or skill, and an ornamental appearance to incentivize use by the user.

Abstract: One embodiment of an actuator system for a power dental cleaning appliance to produce a tapping motion of bristle tufts in a dental cleaning appliance includes a plurality of piston elements (16) mounted in a brushhead for movement away from and then toward the brushhead (12). Bristle tufts (20) are positioned on the piston elements and move sequentially against and away from the teeth to produce a cleaning action. A low frequency fluid pressure action (40) in the range of 1-6 Hz maintains conformity of the bristle tufts in a low frequency sequence against the teeth, while a higher frequency fluid pressure action (42) in the range of 100-300 Hz moves the bristle tufts at that frequency to produce a tapping bristle action on the teeth to produce cleaning. In another embodiment, an actuation system includes an elongated actuator member (52) made of elastic material which expands and contracts about its longitudinal axis at a selected frequency by fluid pressure.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a product includes a motor and a switch for automatically rotating and/or oscillating an applicator head. By virtue of having a motor with a throttling gear, the applicator is capable of rotating and/or oscillating at controlled frequencies during application of cosmetic, medicinal, or other products to a surface.

Abstract: A toothbrush can include a handle and a head. At least one bristle can be attached to the head. The toothbrush can also have an illumination member, an illumination circuit and an activation device. A pliant base on the handle can be used to activate the activation device to initiate the illumination circuit.

Abstract: A device for converting a rotating mod on into a reciprocating notion comprises a rotatable shaft carrying a first cylindrical element, an embedded cam groove of the first cylindrical element, a second rod element constrained to move back and forth and forth, and a cam follower carried on the second rod element. The cam follower may be engaged in the embedded cam groove of the first cylindrical element so that as the rotatable shaft rotates, the cam follower transmits the movement dictated by the embedded cam groove profile thereby causing the second rod element to move back and forth transmits power. There is also disclosed an mascara applicator assembly; an first electric toothbrush assembly comprising such a device, and an second electric toothbrush assembly comprising such a device.

Abstract: An oral care implement that rotates about a longitudinal axis. In one aspect, the invention can be an oral care implement comprising: a head; a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and having a flat base surface; a mechanical vibratory device operatively connected to a power source, the mechanical vibratory device comprising an eccentric imparting movement to the head when activated; and wherein the flat base surface is oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the handle so that the oral care implement can stand in a self-supporting upright orientation on a horizontal flat surface, and wherein when the oral care implement stands in the self-supporting upright orientation and the mechanical vibratory device is activated, the oral care implement rotates about the longitudinal axis while maintaining the self-supporting upright orientation.

Abstract: A brush for applying a powdered cosmetic composition, comprising: a tuft of synthetic hairs comprising at least two groups of hairs having, at their free ends, cross-sections of different surface area; and a handle supporting the tuft of hairs from a connecting portion of the hairs, characterized in that the groups of hairs have, in cross-section, the same surface area along their connecting portion.

Abstract: The brushhead (14) includes a neck portion (15) which connects at a proximal end thereof to a handle portion (12) of a power toothbrush (10). At the distal end of the neck portion is a brush member (16, 28) which includes a bristle base plate (18, 34) and a bristle field (20, 36) mounted thereon. An eccentric (30) is mounted for spinning action on the bristle base plate, positioned in the midst of the bristle field. An eccentric bristle field (38) is mounted on the eccentric. The motion of the brush member produced by a toothbrush drive assembly creates a spinning motion of the eccentric and the eccentric bristle field mounted thereon, resulting in additional oral cleaning action.

Abstract: The brushhead (24) is part of a power toothbrush (10) which includes a handle portion (12) with a drive shaft (14) having a wedge-shaped free end (40) and a circumferential recess (36) in the external surface (35) adapted to receive a portion of a helical spring Member (32). The brushhead includes a hollow neck portion (28) to receive the drive shaft. The hollow part of the neck portion includes a circumferential recess (38) in its interior surface (37) which is in registry with the recess on the drive shaft when the brushhead is operatively positioned on the handle, wherein the hollow portion includes a wedge-shaped recess (44) at the distal end thereof which receives in a mating relationship the wedge-shaped end of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An oral care implement (100), comprising an oral care region (124,127) attached to a body (125), a portion (126) of the body being configured for gripping by a user; a memory configured to store a plurality of audio signals from an external signal source; at least one measurement component configured to measure a parameter of use of the oral care region (124,128); and a processor configured to change output of a first audio signal of the plurality of audio signals to a second audio signal of the plurality of audio signals based on the measured parameter from the at least one measurement component.

Abstract: An oral hygiene implement comprising having a handle, head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head is described. The head has a plurality of cleaning elements and/or massaging elements attached to the head. The oral hygiene implement also has a force sensor and an output source. The output source provides a plurality of output signals which correspond to a plurality of conditions to a user.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush includes a handle having a neck. A head is mounted to the neck and has a first surface and an opposed second surface. At least one fixed tuft block is mounted to the head in a fixed orientation and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A movable tuft block is flexibly connected to each fixed tuft block and has a plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly away from the first surface. A drive assembly is operably connected to the movable tuft block to move the movable tuft block with respect to each fixed tuft block.