Reciprocating Tool Patents (Class 15/22.2)
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Publication number: 20080276390Abstract: An oral hygiene device having two toothbrushes connected or connectable to the end of a handle, the one or more toothbrushes providing a desirable fit about the teeth and/or gums and/or providing a desirable brushing action. An oral hygiene device hereof may provide for mechanically providing the brushing movements of the professionally recommended manual tooth-brushing method known as the “Bass” or “Modified Bass” technique to thus reduce or eliminate the element of human error associated with the brushing of a user's teeth and gums.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: CRA Labs, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Hegemann, Rob Hegemann, Jay Hegemann, Tiana L.K. Buschmann
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Publication number: 20080271271Abstract: An electric toothbrush having movable and static carriers which independently slidingly engage the receiving member of the toothbrush head within channels defined by the surfaces of the receiving member. Such carriers can be releasably removable to replace or exchange the carriers. Also disclosed is a toothbrush having a unique assembly utilizing a one-piece housing in combination with a movable bristle carrier that is engaged on a receiving member located at the distal end of the toothbrush, and a static carrier such as a brush head tip which is secured thereto. The unitary housing reduces the number of components of the toothbrush and decreases manufacturing costs. The static and movable carriers may be replaced with other carriers and allows a consumer to individually tailor the brush to provide a particular brushing configuration. An electric toothbrush having a particular assembly, bristle configuration, and drive mechanism is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: November 6, 2008Inventor: John Geoffrey Chan
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Patent number: 7441297Abstract: A motorized interdental toothbrush includes one or more wires having fixed filaments, and a gage disposed on one end portion of the wires and having an outer diameter equal to or smaller than that of the filaments for limiting the wires and the filaments to engage into the selected interdental spaces between the teeth of the user and for preventing the filaments from being inserted and engaged into the interdental spaces having a relatively smaller width and for preventing the user's gum from being injured by the greater filaments, and a moving device may be coupled to move and drive the brush device to move back and forth or in a reciprocating action and to clean the interdental space.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2007Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Inventor: Henry C. Chu
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Publication number: 20080258566Abstract: An actuator includes a shaft supported in such a manner as to make axial reciprocating movement or rotational reciprocating movement around longitudinal axis thereof, and an electricity conducting member for making contact with the shaft at a plurality of points on a circumferential surface of the shaft used as an electricity conducting path leading to other members. Further, an electric toothbrush includes the actuator as a drive power source for a brush body, and the brush body is adapted to be supplied with an electric current through the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Hiroaki Shimizu, Tomohiro Kunita, Shinichi Taniguchi, Suehisa Kishimoto, Takahiro Nishinaka
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Publication number: 20080250583Abstract: A motor-powered toothbrush has a drive generating a reciprocating rotary movement, and a toothbrush attachment element, including a holding element connected to the drive and a head for acting on a teeth of a user, the holding element obtaining the reciprocating rotary movement from the drive and transmitting it to the head so that the head performs the reciprocating rotary movement, the head having a circular outer surface, so that after cleaning one group of teeth, when a user then applies the head to another group of teeth it is not necessary to orient a portion of the head in correspondence with the other group of teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2007Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Carl Green
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Patent number: 7430778Abstract: The head of a powered toothbrush includes a first tuft block mounted for rotational oscillation about an axis generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head, and a second tuft block having fixed bristles or bristles independently movable by being mounted on an elastomeric base. The second tuft block oscillates perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head and in an in and out direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. A third stationary block may also be mounted on the head of the powered toothbrush. The bristles on the first, second, and third tuft blocks may be of various lengths, colors and stiffness, and may be mounted perpendicularly to or at an angle to the outer surface of the head.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
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Patent number: 7428766Abstract: A powered toothbrush refill head combines a typical round oscillating or primary tuft block which oscillates in a rotational manner with a secondary tuft block. The secondary tuft block may be oscillated in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly back and forth in the same direction as the handle of the toothbrush. The secondary tuft block could be in the form of a pair of side by side plates mounted on the head adjacent to the round oscillating block. The invention could also be practice where the secondary tuft block is in the form of a plurality of sets of rows of bristles mounted for back and forth movement in a direction perpendicular to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2004Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Eyal Eliav, Kyoungeun Ahn, John J. Gatzemeyer
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Patent number: 7421753Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has an elongated body including a handle, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. A first bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles and a second bristle carrier having a plurality of bristles are disposed on the head and each of the first and second bristle carriers have an opening. An electric motor is operatively connected to a shaft, wherein operation of the electric motor moves the shaft in an orbital motion and wherein the shaft is operatively connected to the first and second bristle carriers to move the first and second bristle carriers.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: The Procter and Gamble CompanyInventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Patrick William Brown, Donald Clarence Fuchs, Jr., Douglas Alan Gall, Trevor Leslie Jackson, Jeffrey Michael Kalman, Mark Louis Vitantonio
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Publication number: 20080178401Abstract: Toothbrushes are provided which have various features that may include one or more tooth cleaning elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, one or more gum treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes, and/or one or more soft tissue/tongue treating elements having a variety of shapes and sizes.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2008Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: The Gillette CompanyInventors: Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, William Ralph Brown, Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Chris Blain, Jens Uwe Stoerkel, Ulrich Pfeifer, Gerhard Schaefer
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Patent number: 7404226Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a brush head with bristles fixed thereto, a reciprocating bar, an actuator that moves the reciprocating bar back and forth, an actuator receiving recess, an engaging device that engages the brush head with the reciprocating bar so that the brush head moves relative to the reciprocating bar in either penetration mode or polishing mode and a selection device that places the engaging device either in the penetration mode or the polishing mode. The reciprocating bar is protruded from the handle and received in the actuator receiving recess. The brush head moves together with the reciprocating bar in the polishing mode. The brush head is free to move relative to the reciprocating bar within a predetermined distance in the penetration mode. The longitudinal axis of the brush head is inclined from the longitudinal axis of the handle with a predetermined angle.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Inventor: Soo Woong Lee
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Publication number: 20080172813Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2007Publication date: July 24, 2008Inventor: Alan Sorrentino
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Patent number: 7398575Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed comprising a body, a head, and a neck extending therebetween. A motor, drive train, and one or more batteries impart motion to the collection of movable bristles. A spring component is provided in the drive train that is configured to absorb excessive loads that would otherwise be transmitted to the motor. Reducing or eliminating application of such excessive loads on the motor extends battery life.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Inventor: John Geoffrey Chan
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Patent number: 7392562Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Bernard Boland, Georges Driesen, Michael Dröβler, Norbert Schaefer
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Patent number: 7373684Abstract: This device is used to clean and dry lens of eyewear. The entire device is contained in one unit and will provide the appropriate motion or movement to accomplish the cleaning of the eyewear using brushes and drying pads.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Inventor: Warren L. Smith
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Publication number: 20080083075Abstract: A toothbrush head assembly for use with an electric toothbrush power handle includes a housing having a longitudinal direction, an oscillating member which oscillates reciprocally in the longitudinal direction, and a brush which oscillates rotatably about a longitudinally extending axis. The brush preferably includes twin brushes. Several mechanisms translate the reciprocal motion of the oscillating member into rotational motion of the brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2006Publication date: April 10, 2008Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
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Patent number: 7340794Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed. The electric toothbrush includes a body having an interior hollow region for retaining one or more motors, batteries, and drive mechanisms. The toothbrush includes multiple bristle carriers. Each of the bristle carriers undergoes some type of movement and is driven by the one or more motors and drive mechanisms. Various combinations of movement of the bristle carriers are described. And, numerous drive train mechanisms are disclosed for achieving the noted motions.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Patrick W. Brown, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 7328474Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a drive part, a driver, a brush part and a vibration-absorber. The drive part includes a drive shaft provided to be lineally movable and a brush part detachably attached to one end of the drive shaft. The driver is configured to apply reciprocal force to the drive shaft to reciprocally lineally move the drive shaft. The vibration-absorber is connected to the drive shaft via a second spring to be lineally movable along the drive shaft. A weight ratio of a weight of the vibration-absorber to a weight of the drive part is at least 0.9 and at most 1.1.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2003Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Takahiro Nishinaka, Hidekazu Yabuuchi, Hiroki Inoue, Tomio Yamada
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Publication number: 20080028548Abstract: The brushhead includes a brushhead member which includes a bristle field, the brushhead member being adapted for cleaning teeth as part of a power toothbrush, wherein the brushhead in operation moves in a reciprocating action. In one embodiment the brushhead includes a rim member which extends around at least a substantial portion of the brushhead, the rim member extending around the entire bristle field and having an upper edge which is lower than the top of the bristles. The rim member has a different flexibility than the bristles so that the movement of the rim member and the bristles is out of phase during operation of the toothbrush, which results in fluid from the bristles being directed toward the teeth during operation of the toothbrush.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2004Publication date: February 7, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Scott E. Hall, Kevin A. Miller, Joseph W. Grez, Ronald C. Lilley
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Patent number: 7313840Abstract: An induction liquid pump includes a power unit and a circulation unit that are oppositely mountable to a tank with a plurality of fixation units. The liquid pump power unit includes a power induction unit to produce a variable magnetic field. The submersible liquid pump circulation unit includes an impeller unit to agitate or induce liquid flow in response to the variable magnetic field. A magnetic scrubber includes a power unit and a pad unit. The scrubber power unit produces a variable magnetic field in response to supplied power. When the scrubber power unit is held against a first surface of a tank, the scrubber pad unit is held oppositely against a second surface of the tank. The scrubber pad unit moves in response to the variable magnetic field to scrub the second surface of the tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Inventor: Charles E. Watkins
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Patent number: 7313838Abstract: A motorized cleaning/polishing device includes a housing and a carrier with a detachable cleaning/polishing attachment. The housing contains a rechargeable battery, motor and flex mount having flexible pillars to which the carrier is mounted. The carrier is also coupled to the motor drive shaft via an eccentric element and bearing. The carrier may have a foam layer with hook fasteners adhered to its underside for removably attaching any one of various attachments to the carrier. Cleanser or polish can be impregnated in the attachment wet or dry, or it can be contained in a perforated or water dissolvable packet sandwiched between the carrier and the attachment. A removable scrub brush can also be attached to the carrier so that its bristle head orbits in front of the device. The device is particularly suited to orbit in the 2,500 to 10,000 OPM range.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: David C. Long, Edward L. Paas, John R. Wietfeldt
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Patent number: 7315098Abstract: A linear oscillator and an electric toothbrush capable of emitting a low noise and of being assembled compact are provided. The linear oscillator, which reciprocates a shaft in an axial direction thereof, includes a plunger movable together with the shaft in the axial direction of the shaft, an elastic member for applying an axially acting resilient force to the plunger, an electromagnetic driving unit operable to reciprocate the plunger in the axial direction of the shaft at a resonant frequency when an alternating current is supplied thereto, and a fixing member restricting rotation of the plunger about an axis thereof within a predetermined angle. The electric toothbrush includes the linear oscillator and a brush head attached to the shaft for use in brushing teeth.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiro Kunita, Yoshihiro Kitamura, Hidekazu Yabuuchi, Hiroki Inoue, Masayuki Suzuki, Tomohiro Izumi, Tomio Yamada, Katsuhiro Hirata, Yasushi Arikawa, Yoshitaka Ichii
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Publication number: 20070294847Abstract: An elongate neck of a toothbrush extends askew to an elongate handle which encloses a rotary motor. At the end of the neck is a head to which brush blocks are mounted for movement relative to the head. The transmission includes a driving member and a driven member for transmitting torque from the motor, the driving member rotating about a driving member axis, and the driven member rotating about a driven member axis. A crankshaft mounted to the head converts rotation of the driven member to movement of a brush block, the driven member axis is skewed or offset relative to the driving member axis, and the driving member and the driven member are connected by a helical spring flexible coupling. One brush block rotates in an oscillating manner and a pair of brush blocks oscillate, in a linear manner, 180 degrees out of phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: WONG'S SPRINGS INDUSTRIAL LIMITEDInventor: Thomas Hai Wang
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Patent number: 7258747Abstract: A method of using an electric stainbrush for cleaning inanimate surfaces is provided. The electric stainbrush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein, a head having a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. First and second bristle holders are associated with the head. The first bristle holder oscillates or rotates. The second bristle holder reciprocates in generally the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the head but does not rotate or oscillate. The motor is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: James Charles Vago, Stephen Allen Jacobs, Paul Amaat Raymond Gerard France
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Patent number: 7225494Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein, a head having a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the handle and the head. First and second bristle holders are associated with the head. The first bristle holder oscillates or rotates. The second bristle holder is reciprocates in generally the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the head but does not rotate or oscillate. The motor is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Inventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Wang Ping, Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
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Patent number: 7219384Abstract: A powered toothbrush is disclosed wherein portion of the toothbrush head is movable about a hinge. The movable portion of the head reciprocates about that hinge through the interaction of a flexible extension of that portion containing a slot. Movable within the slot is an offset end of a rotating drive shaft connected to the power source in the toothbrush. Translation of rotation movement of the drive shaft to reciprocating movement of the hinged head is achievable in a manner that the power source is not stalled or burned out if movement of the toothbrush head is prevented or limited.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventor: Douglas Hohlbein
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Patent number: 7197784Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a casing having a handle and a neck extending from the handle. A motor is situated within the handle and has an output shaft with an eccentric cam on it. A tuft block is located at a remote end of the neck. A rocker arm extends longitudinally within the neck and has a proximal end driven by the cam, and a distal end driving the tuft block. A resilient bushing is sealed within the neck and intermediate-portion of the rocker arm extends through it in sealed manner to allow pivoting of the rocker arm across the bushing.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Truly Electronics Manufacturing LimitedInventor: James Pong Chun Wong
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Patent number: 7124462Abstract: A toothbrush for the use of fingers to brush the teeth of infants or young children. While fingers work better than the traditional stick-type toothbrush in maneuvering around inside the mouth, the lack of vibrating/rotating in the bristle portion greatly diminished the flexibility of human fingers. Present invention provides the small-scale motion needed to rotate or otherwise move the bristle piece connected, by a flexible yet rigid cord, to a driving member, so that the brushing youngsters teeth are made more effective, resulting in better oral hygiene for infants and young children.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Inventor: Jen-Feng Lee
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Patent number: 7124461Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein at a first end of the toothbrush. The toothbrush also has a head at a second end, the head having a longitudinal axis, the head also having a first bristle holder with a plurality of bristle tufts and a second bristle holder with a plurality of bristle tufts. The motor is operatively connected to the second bristle holder to move the second bristle holder in a side-to-side direction with respect to the head. The motor is also operatively connected to the first bristle holder to oscillate the first bristle holder about an axis passing through the first bristle holder and generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
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Patent number: 7120960Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a brush head which is mounted in a movable manner, and a drive for producing an oscillating operating movement in the brush head. The drive includes a cyclically movable drive part and a follower part. The follower part is biased against the drive part so that the follower part follows the drive part's cyclic drive movement. A sensor determines the brush head's contact pressure by sensing the extent of coupling between the follower part and the drive part, and determining the contact pressure of the brush head based on the extent of coupling.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2002Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjörg Reick
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Patent number: 7117555Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered toothbrush with two moving bristle bearing parts, the first such part is disc-shaped and rotates or oscillates back-and-forth, the second such part is coupled to the brush head by an elastomeric material, such that the second section can be moved either by the force of brushing or by selective engagement with the drive mechanism of the toothbrush.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, John J. Gatzemeyer, Eyal Eliav
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Patent number: 7065821Abstract: A powered toothbrush provides movement of cleaning elements which replicate the preferred method of cleaning teeth, namely up-and-down movement on the surface of the user's teeth. This preferred movement is obtained by translating rotational movement of a motor, first into reciprocation movement within the toothbrush through the interaction of a cam follower and helical tracks, and then translation of the reciprocating movement into oscillating movement of the cleaning elements through a limited arc. The translation of rotational to reciprocating movement is achieved through interaction of a cam follower in a helical track. The translation of reciprocating movement to oscillating movement is achieved through reciprocating movement of a volute through a mating groove in the head of the toothbrush.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, Alan Vincent Sorrentino
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Patent number: 7024718Abstract: A brushing head can be attached to or formed integrally with an electric toothbrush handle. The brushing head includes a casing, a rotary drive shaft extending within the casing and having a radially offset crank portion. A linear guide track extends in a direction across the drive shaft. A tuft block is mounted to the casing and interacts with the offset crank portion and the guide track to reciprocate linearly upon rotation of the drive shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Inventor: J Y Chu
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Patent number: 7007331Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush includes a handle having a motor disposed therein and a head having one or more moving bristle holders, wherein the one or more moving bristle holders are operatively connected to the motor. A neck disposed is between the handle and the head. The handle has a viewing window and a movable viewing surface disposed there beneath, wherein at least a portion of the viewing surface is visible through the window. The viewing surface is mechanically coupled to the motor so that rotational output of the motor causes movement of the viewing surface. The viewing surface may be directly or indirectly coupled to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Nicola Mills Davics, Frank Delmar Macaulay, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 7007332Abstract: A powered toothbrush is disclosed wherein portion of the toothbrush head is movable about a hinge. The movable portion of the head reciprocates about that hinge through the interaction of a flexible extension of that portion containing a slot. Movable within the slot is an offset end of a rotating drive shaft connected to the power source in the toothbrush. Translation of rotation movement of the drive shaft to reciprocating movement of the hinged head is achievable in a manner that the power source is not stalled or burned out if movement of the toothbrush head is prevented or limited.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventor: Douglas Hohlbein
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Patent number: 6988290Abstract: A remotely actuated surface cleaning device employs an inner component having a resiliently flexible body with a plurality of embedded magnets and a cleaning element to engage a surface to be cleaned. An outer housing containing an electric motor moves a support disc containing an operably like plurality of magnets to those embedded in the body. The inner and outer components are placed oppositely adjacent on the surface to be cleaned thereby supporting the inner component with respect to the outer component by magnetic attraction. Operation of the motor moving the second support disc causes the sympathetic motion of the first support disc and body thereby rapidly moving the cleaning element across the surface to be cleaned.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventors: Duard W. Enoch, III, Harry Linden
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Patent number: 6983507Abstract: An electrically-driven toothbrush has a brush holder that is arranged to rotationally vibrate and carry a number of bristles interspaced with arcuate membranes. The membranes serve to aid cleaning of the teeth and to polish the teeth surfaces during use of the toothbrush.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventor: Gregory McDougall
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Patent number: 6964076Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush includes a housing, an electric motor, a first transmission and a second transmission. The electric motor is connected to the housing has a motor output member for rotation about a motor output axis. The first transmission is connected to the housing, and converts rotational movement from the motor output member into rotational reciprocating movement at a first average angular speed. The second transmission is linked to the first transmission, and converts rotational reciprocating movement from the first transmission into rotational reciprocating movement at a second average angular speed about a second transmission output axis that is parallel to the motor output axis. The second transmission drives an output member to reciprocate at the second average angular speed about the second transmission output axis. A brush head is removably connectable to the output member.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Inventor: Qingping Zhuan
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Patent number: 6948209Abstract: An electric toothbrush is disclosed having a flexible neck. Particular degrees of lateral, rearward, and forward flexibility of a brush head with respect to the handle of the toothbrush are achieved by utilizing polymer blends.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventor: John Geoffrey Chan
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Patent number: 6938294Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered toothbrush with two moving bristle bearing parts, the first such part is disc-shaped and rotates or oscillates back-and-forth, the second such part is coupled to the brush head by an elastomeric material, such that the second section can be moved either by the force of brushing or by selective engagement with the drive mechanism of the toothbrush.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, John J. Gatzemeyer, Eyal Eliav
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Patent number: 6892412Abstract: The head of a powered toothbrush includes a first tuft block mounted for rotational oscillation about an axis generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the head, and a second tuft block having fixed bristles or bristles independently movable by being mounted on an elastomeric base. The second tuft block oscillates perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the head and in an in and out direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. A third stationary block may also be mounted on the head of the powered toothbrush. The bristles on the first, second, and third tuft blocks may be of various lengths, colors and stiffness, and may be mounted perpendicularly to or at an angle to the outer surface of the head.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
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Patent number: 6892413Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a cam preferably at a remote end of the shaft, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates cam describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is also driven by the shaft, for a second kind of brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a portion of the remote end and/or with one or more additional cams or cam portions included on the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
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Patent number: 6889401Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a tuft block having bristles wherein the tuft block is moved in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. A second tuft block having bristles is a vibrating section which is moved in and out in a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the head. If desired, the head may also include a fixed section with fixed bristles. The movement of the first tuft block may be an oscillating rotational movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Joseph Edward Fattori, Robert Moskovich
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Patent number: 6851150Abstract: A block head structure for an electric toothbrush. The structure can be slipped over and connected to a driving end on the block handle of an electric toothbrush of different style. The structure includes a block head sleeve, a set of bristles, a driving axle bush and a connecting portion. The driving axle bush has an excavated section corresponding to the position of the driving axle. A bridge-like member is provided above the excavated section. When the driving axle is slipped into the axle hole, the inner side of the bridge-like member is elastically expanded outwardly by abutment and pressing of a driving surface on the driving axle, so that a reaction force is generated to forcedly press the driving surface. The driving axle bush is driven by the driving axle to move the set of bristles to rotate rightwards and leftwards repeatedly.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Inventor: Cheng-Chieh Chiang
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Patent number: 6845537Abstract: The present invention discloses the present invention discloses a power toothbrush that includes a body portion 105. An elongated level arm 102 extends from one end of the body portion to a toothbrush head 101 disposed at a distal end of the toothbrush. The toothbrush head includes a plurality of brush bristles. The elongated lever arm 102 is mounted on a vibrating pivot 104 driven by rotational DC motor engaging and pushing a set of permanent magnets attached to a two-arm fork rotating along the lever arm 102. In a preferred embodiment, the DC motor drives a three-leg permanent magnets each disposed at a 120-degree phase from each other for driving the two-arm fork for generating a vibration that three-times the frequency of the DC motor's rotational frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Inventor: Man-Kwan Wong
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Patent number: 6836918Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided a cam mechanism and a crank mechanism in the handle. The cam mechanism comprises a cam, mounted on a rotary shaft of a motor via a frame; and a slave unit making a reciprocating movement, defined within the handle and engaged with the cam. The crank mechanism comprises a crank, mounted concentrically with the brush head; a link rod, jointed with the crank; and a block, defined within the brush body and engaged with the slave unit. Therefore, the structure of the electric toothbrush of the present invention is simplified, thus its cost can be reduced accordingly. In addition, the brush head of the present invention can be formed star shape or be inclined to improve the area of contact for super cleaning and be convenient for removing the deposit on the teeth.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Inventor: Ying Kau Wong
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Publication number: 20040221405Abstract: A reciprocating wire brush is provided with a shank portion to which is attached metal bristles, the shank portion being adapted to be received by and secured to a reciprocating saw chuck in the same manner as a traditional reciprocating saw blade, and the device being useful in cleaning metal or other surfaces for which a manually operated wire brush would be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2003Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventor: William Manfredi
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Patent number: 6813793Abstract: A powered toothbrush to provide oral hygiene having a brush section with a first bristle carrier that is powered and driven to rotate in a first path of motion. A second bristle field including a plurality of brush elements extends from a base support of the brush section. An extension member having an end attached to the first bristle carrier and extending outwardly therefrom and at least partially into the second bristle field is also provided on the brush section whereby the extension moves upon movement of the first bristle carrier in the first path of motion to move the second bristle field in a second path of motion. The bristle fields may include a variety of elastomeric and/or non-elastomeric bristles to provide cleaning, polishing, whitening and stimulation to the teeth and gums.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2002Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventor: Eyal Eliav
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Publication number: 20040200016Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has an elongate body having a handle, a head, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The body has an interior chamber with a motor. A shaft is operatively connected to the motor. A first movable bristle carrier is disposed on the head. The shaft is operatively connected to the first bristle carrier to impart motion thereto. The first bristle carrier has a first composite tuft formed from a plurality of closely spaced bristle tufts and a plurality of second bristle tufts. The second tufts have a height that is greater than a height of the first composite tuft. The bristles of the first composite tuft having free ends and the bristles of the second tufts having free ends.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: John Geoffrey Chan, Wang Ping
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Publication number: 20040194238Abstract: An adjustable toothbrush having a plurality of interchangeable bristle mount settings that facilitate more direct contact with the various teeth geometries. The adjustable toothbrush preferably has at least three selectable surface variations or configurations comprising a flat surface, an inverted/concave surface, and a radial/convex surface. The adjustable toothbrush comprises a brushing surface defined by a plurality of bristles, a bristle mount, at least one adjustment key, hollow brush casing and adjustment mechanism wherein the bristles are secured to the mount and the mount engages the adjustment mechanism. The bristle mount is flexible to accommodate manipulation of its shape by the adjustment mechanism. Depending on the setting, the adjustment mechanism raises the mount to create the radial version, lowers the mount to create the inverted version or leaves the mount stationary for the flat version. The three configurations are selected and engaged by a tactile control.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2004Publication date: October 7, 2004Inventor: Robert P. Letendre
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Patent number: 6795993Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprised of a handle and a neck; the handle containing a swing link connected to a motor and a cell cabinet; the neck also containing a crank to drive a brush head and another swing link abutted to its counterpart in the handle characterized by that a rotor being inserted to the motor shaft; a U-shape member inserted to the swing link in the handle; the U-shape member being engaged by friction due to reciprocal impact from the rotor thus to drive the swing link in the neck; and the crank further driving the brush head to execute lateral swing at an angle of thirty degrees to achieve the optimal tooth brushing effect.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Inventor: Yuan Huang Lin