Abstract: A liquid supply apparatus having an internal reservoir. In one embodiment, the invention can be a liquid supply apparatus including a housing having an internal reservoir containing a fluid. A partition member may be positioned within the internal reservoir to divide the internal reservoir into a first chamber and a second chamber. The partition member may include a passageway extending therethrough and terminating as a first opening in a first surface of the partition member and as a second opening in a second surface of the partition member. A capillary member is located within the second chamber and extends from a first end to a second end. The partition member prohibits axial movement of the capillary member into the first chamber.

Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a transport belt which transports a printing medium, a cleaning tank which stores cleaning liquid, a first cleaning brush and a second cleaning brush which are contained in the cleaning tank and clean the transport belt, and a driving motor which drives to rotate the first cleaning brush and the second cleaning brush. The first cleaning brush and the second cleaning brush are driven to be rotated via a plurality of gears which include a driving gear which is provided in the driving motor and driven gears and which are provided in the first cleaning brush and the second cleaning brush.

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: An oral cleaning section for detachable connection with a handle section of an oral cleaning device is disclosed. The oral cleaning section has a connector structure for detachably attaching the oral cleaning section to the handle section. The connector structure has a first receptacle suitable for accommodating a first protrusion of the handle section in the attached state, the first receptacle having a first resilient element provided on a first circumferential side of the first receptacle arranged in a circumferential direction, the circumferential direction being defined with respect to the longitudinal extension axis of the oral cleaning section. The disclosure is also directed to an oral cleaning device that includes an oral cleaning section attached to a handle section.

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: To provide a compact manual cleaning instrument with which it is simple to collect and discharge dust, with which it is possible to clean in tight spaces, which is silent, and which is comfortable to use. A dust trapping body 3 is brought into contact with a surface to be cleaned, and the manual cleaning instrument 1 is moved back and forth, whereby dust can be trapped and collected in a dust collection chamber 37. The dust which has been collected can be discharged by opening a lid 28.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention are related to a mop and/or mop head that allows larger debris to pass over at least a portion of the mop head and into a receptacle of the mop head. In some embodiments, the mop head and the receptacle are integrally formed. The mop has debris collecting material coupled to the mop head to collect dust, dirt, and other relatively small debris as the mop moves over a floor. In one particular embodiment, the debris collecting material is a non-woven material. The debris collecting material of the mop can be connected to the mop many different ways. However, in some embodiments, the material is connected via several projections extending from a top surface of the mop head. The projections pass through apertures in the dust collecting material.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a housing, a cleaning member, such as a roller, and a pair of cleaning material sections on opposite sides of the roller. The cleaning member has a protrusion that selectively engages one of a pair of stops to prevent rotation of the cleaning member past a respective stop.

Abstract: The present invention is a device (10) for use in cleaning a fabric surface (16) of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris (20) present on the surface (16). The device (10) includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers (60, 61) disposed on an underside of the device (10) which can roll with respect to the device (10) and with respect to one another. The rollers (60, 61) are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller (60, 61) can assist in removing debris (20) picked up by the opposite roller (60, 61) and dispensing the debris (20) into a collection chamber (32) releasably positioned within a housing (11). The removal of the debris (20) from each roller (60, 61) is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening (58) in the housing (11) that contact the rollers (60, 61) and direct the debris (20) into the debris collection chamber (32).

Abstract: An eraser includes a housing (20) having a receiving chamber (21), a collection zone (23) and a plurality of reinforcing ribs (26), a mounting board (30) mounted on the housing, a cleaning member (40) mounted on the mounting board, a support bracket (50) mounted on the housing, a door (60) removably mounted on the housing to cover the collection zone, a hollow separation member (70) mounted in the housing to separate the receiving chamber from the collection zone, and a control valve (80) movable to open the separation member so as to connect the receiving chamber with the collection zone or to close the separation member so as to interrupt a connection between the receiving chamber and the collection zone, and two decorative covers mounted on the housing and each abutting the reinforcing ribs.

Abstract: A hand-held implement for removing microbiological matter from a surface to which the matter is adhered, and storing the matter for subsequent examination, includes a sonic wave generator for producing sonic waves for breaking up a film of the microbiological matter on the surface, a swab for contact with the surface and collecting the microbiological matter, a suction producing means for drawing the microbiological matter from the swab and into the implement, and a trap in the implement for receiving and retaining the drawn biological matter for subsequent examination thereof.

Abstract: Some aspects of the present invention are related to a mop and/or mop head that allows larger debris to pass over at least a portion of the mop head and into a receptacle of the mop head. In some embodiments, the mop head and the receptacle are integrally formed. The mop has debris collecting material coupled to the mop head to collect dust, dirt, and other relatively small debris as the mop moves over a floor. In one particular embodiment, the debris collecting material is a non-woven material. The debris collecting material of the mop can be connected to the mop many different ways. However, in some embodiments, the material is connected via several projections extending from a top surface of the mop head. The projections pass through apertures in the dust collecting material.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for use in cleaning a fabric surface of dust, dirt, pet hair and other debris present on the surface. The device includes a pair of cleaning members or rollers disposed on an underside of the device which can roll with respect to the device and with respect to one another. The rollers are selectively contacted with one another such that each roller can assist in removing debris picked up by the opposite roller and dispensing the debris into a collection chamber releasably positioned within the housing. The removal of the debris from each roller is also facilitated by opposed edges of a central opening in the housing that contact the rollers and direct the debris into the debris collection chamber.

Abstract: A writing board eraser consisting of a trough-like main body with two substantially flat end panels, a hollow handle integral and perpendicular to a longitudinal side of the main body, a soft flexible erasing pad covering at least half of an oval cylinder surrounding an axel rod connected to a rotating lever, which enables rotating the erasing pad to contact a longitudinal scraping blade attached to the internal concave surface of the trough-like main body thus removing dust which then drops into the hollow handle, which includes a threaded distal end with a mating cap for removal of accumulated dust.

Abstract: A water-supplying cleaning head has a block (4) carrying a cleaning means such as bristles or an abrasive surface on the underside thereof, a threaded coupling (6) for connecting a water-supplying handle thereto and with an internal water-supplying bore defined from the coupling (6) to the underside of the block (4), a resilient connecting neck portion (10) provided between the block (4) and coupling (61) allowing limited relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A fine surgical instrument tip-cleaning device including a box-like cleaning unit that provides an outer abrasive cleaning surface and internal cleaning surfaces. The internal structure of the device consists of a transverse abrasive cleaning strut, which can be straddled by instruments such as forceps or bipolar cautery tips. The sidewalls of the cleaning box also contain abrasive cleaning lateral surfaces, which approximate the central cleaning strut. The lateral surfaces have a springiness, which permits the entrance of instrument tips into the box while maintaining constant contact of the abrasive cleaning surfaces against the instrument. In this fashion, effective removal of debris, coagulate and other substances are possible from surgical instruments even from the internal surfaces of forceps-type instruments. Easy introduction into the cleaning unit and back and forth motion of an instrument provides effective cleaning of the latter.

Abstract: A blackboard eraser including a cube having two semi-cylindrical grooves symmetrically arranged in a longitudinal direction therein, and a central brush atop an elevated surface formed between the two grooves. A longitudinal groove is defined underneath each of the send-cylindrical grooves, and equal-length side brushes, which are affixed to an inner surface of a lid, are respectively positioned in the longitudinal grooves. Two grooves are arranged adjacent to each end of the semi-cylindrical grooves, which provide for a shaft affixed to each end of a roller to dispose therein. The brushes and the rollers form the eraser, which are enclosed within a closed chamber between the lid and the two semi-cylindrical grooves. When erasing chalk dust from a blackboard, the chalk dust sticks to the rollers and is carried to the side brushes. The side brushes then wipes the dust, which falls into the closed chamber.

Abstract: A fine surgical instrument tip-cleaning device including a box-like cleaning unit that provides an outer abrasive cleaning surface and internal cleaning surfaces. The internal structure of the device consists of a transverse abrasive cleaning strut, which can be straddled by instruments such as forceps or bipolar cautery tips. The sidewalls of the cleaning box also contain abrasive cleaning lateral surfaces, which approximate the central cleaning strut. The lateral surfaces have a springiness, which permits the entrance of instrument tips into the box while maintaining constant contact of the abrasive cleaning surfaces against the instrument. In this fashion, effective removal of debris, coagulate and other substances are possible from surgical instruments even from the internal surfaces of forceps-type instruments. Easy introduction into the cleaning unit and back and forth motion of an instrument provides effective cleaning of the latter.

Abstract: A cleaning device for the anus including a cylindrical portion comprised of a flexible material. The cylindrical portion has an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a cylindrical side wall therebetween. The closed lower end is concave defining a central alignment point.

Abstract: A fluid delivery powered toothbrush utilizes a removable/disposable neck assembly that contains a fluid reservoir, a fluid delivery system and a fluid path therein leading to a brush receptacle. No fluid is used in or passes through the toothbrush handle. Preferably a pump is located in the neck assembly and activated at the same time as the brush drive such that fluid is delivered during brushing. In one embodiment of the invention, the brush is replaced with a nozzle for providing fluid prior to or after brushing. The components for the neck assembly are disposable to minimize cross-contamination while enhancing fluid delivery to the teeth during brushing.

Abstract: The present relates to an improved structure of a multifunctional tooth-brush comprising a handle body, a bristles seat, an actuating rod, a teeth-polishing disc, a positioning peg and a spring. The bristles mounted on the bristles seat brushes the teeth when the tooth-brush is applied to the teeth in horizontal direction. The polishing disc mounted on the bristles seat polishes the teeth during the process of brushing the teeth.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush is provided with an electric motor and a driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a drive shaft having a longitudinal axis, and is adapted for frictional coupling to a drive pin mounted on a brush head portion of the electric toothbrush so as to impart a linear reciprocating motion in a direction along its longitudinal axis. The brush head portion comprises a pair of opposed bristle head portions arranged so as to present two groups of opposed bundles of bristles disposed substantially perpendicularly each to the other. Each of the groups of bundles of bristles comprises a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of bristle bundles, where the rows aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush head portion, and the columns are aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush head portion.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device comprises a rotating body 22 mounted to a rotating shaft 21 of an electric motor 14, an output shaft 11 resiliently supported via a resonance pin 25 to be swingable finely, a drive magnetic body 23 provided on the rotating body 22, and a driven magnetic body 31 provided on the output shaft 11 to face the drive magnetic body 23 so as to be out of contact therewith. The drive magnetic body 23 and the driven magnetic body 31 are composed of permanent magnets, and as the rotating body 22 revolves, a varying magnetic field is generated between the both magnetic bodies 23, 31 to cause vibration of the output shaft 11 at high speed. In this manner, there are provided a vibration generating device, which can be manufactured at low cost and efficiently transmits vibration, and an oral hygiene device using the same.

Abstract: A device and method for mechanically cleaning the surface of the root of the human tongue, the device including a cleaning head configured for entry between the soft palate and the surface of the human tongue root, and having abrasive means for mechanically removing pathological microorganisms from the surface of the tongue root, and a handle connected to the cleaning head for manipulation thereof, wherein the device has an overall maximum height at the cleaning head of no more than approximately 15 mm, and wherein the cleaning head is concavely bent. The method includes closing the lips to the rest position about the handle, so as to reduce the gag reflex and to position the handle and the cleaning head generally parallel to the tongue, and providing a relative motion between the cleaning head and the surface of the tongue root by reciprocally pivoting the cleaning head.

Abstract: The wiping device of the present invention comprises a thermoplastic sheet coupled with an optional absorbent core and an optional liquid impervious backsheet. The thermoplastic sheet defines a plurality of cavities including outwardly extending capillaries. Contained within the absorbent core for release upon demand is one or more fluids which facilitate and enhance the cleaning provided by the wiping device. As the cavities of the thermoplastic sheet are contacted with and wiped across a surface to be cleansed, the cavities collect and remove undesired material such as dirt, feces or blood. The selective release of the one or more fluids onto the surface to be cleansed further facilitates the cleaning and/or provides fragrance and/or medicaments, or the like, to the surface to be cleansed.

Abstract: A toothbrush with scraping bristles has a plural number of bristle clusters crisscrossly mounted on a block head. The tip of the bristle clusters has a contour mating with dental area. In the block head, there are provided with a scraping bristle stem which has a plural number of movable scraping bristles normally extendable out of the block head for moving to and fro in the gingiva sulcus to scrape off tartars formed on teeth surface. A plural number of spaced and triangle scraping flakes may be disposed on each scraping bristle to enhance the effect of scraping tartars and dental plaque formed in the inter-gingiva-sulcus. The toothbrush may be used manually or be driven electrically.

Abstract: A manually operated toothbrush which will move up and down at the same time when moving to and fro, includes a head provided with bristles at a front end thereof and being cylindrical in shape at a rear end thereof, the rear end having a curved groove formed with a circular recess, an elongated tubular handle having a cylindrical cavity at a front end thereof adapted to receive the rear end of the head, the handle having a circular through hole aligned with the circular recess and a drain hole at a rear end thereof, a compressed spring fitted within the handle, a T-shaped pin having a circular projection at the upper end and a smaller circular protuberance at the lower end, the T-shaped pin extending through the circular through hole of the handle and the curved groove of the head to join the handle and the head together, whereby the toothbrush will move up and down at the same time when the toothbrush is moving to and fro as desired.

Abstract: A motor-driven toothbrush including a brush head disposed at an angle to the brush handle wherein the brush head partakes of rotary or arcuate motion, wherein the handle includes a flexible or articulated section permitting the brush head and an end portion of the handle to deflect with respect to the remainder of the handle as the brush head engages the teeth. The elastic section may be a flexible portion or may be a bellows-like member. The drive for the brush head extends through the elastic section and to the brush head. The flexible section permits the brush head to tilt angularly through an angle either greater or less than 90 degrees with respect to the axis of the brush handle. The brush head is attachable to a separate handle having a drive device.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for computer pointer devices having a standard ball contacting input rollers has an abradant ball mounted to a rotary shaft in a manner that the abradant ball may be brought into contact with rollers of the pointer device with the standard ball removed, the position of the abradant ball such that rotating the shaft will rotate the abradant ball in a manner that the abradant ball will both abrade and turn the rollers. The cleaning apparatus may be a hand-held device, built into a free-standing housing, or into a housing as a part of another computer housing, such as a computer or display. In some cases there is a variable speed drive with user settable speed, and in some cases there is a vacuuming system for removing abraded matter from a pointer device while cleaning takes place.

Abstract: An improved oral brush is provided that includes crimped bristles. The oral brush includes a body and, extending from the body, a plurality of crimped bristles. One such oral brush is an electric toothbrush, with a brush head having a preferred arrangement of tufts of crimped and straight bristles that are flexed by cyclic motions of the brush head toward and away from the tooth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable electric cleaning device to clean various household items. The cleaning device comprises a housing, a motor, a cleaning module, and a battery set. The housing has a handle and a chassis. The motor is installed in the chassis of the housing and comprises a rotating axle. The cleaning module has a cleaning head for cleaning various home appliance and home environment, and a connecting end installed on the rotating axle. The battery set is installed in the housing for driving the motor so as to rotate the cleaning module.

Abstract: The hand-held implement has a fixed motor and a hand-held appliance part on which a tool is mounted. The hand-held appliance part is connected to the fixed motor via a driving shaft and a Bowden cable only. The hand-held appliance part has a slide, moving which operates the Bowden cable. The fixed motor is thereby switched on and off and controlled, its output being adjusted according to the amount of draft applied to the Bowden cable. To produce high torque, the hand-held appliance part incorporates a worm gear pair wherein the driving shaft leading to the appliance part drives a worm that engages with a worm wheel, the driven axle of which projects from the housing, enabling a large number of different tools to be mounted on the driven axle.

Abstract: A brushhead for a toothbrush having a particular bristle configuration which includes a plurality of bristle tufts arranged in three columns and nine rows, wherein the distal end two adjacent rows and the proximal end two adjacent rows and an intermediate row have longer bristles than the remaining bristle tuft rows. The distal, intermediate and proximal bristle tuft rows all have pointed tips (in the lateral direction) and beveled outside edges at the top portion thereof. The shorter bristle tuft rows also have beveled outside edges. The shorter bristle tuft rows between the distal and intermediate rows have angled top surfaces in addition to the beveled outside edges.

Abstract: A household appliance of the type in which a cleaning, polishing, or massaging effect is obtained by a rotating head or tool is improved by splitting the cleaning, polishing, or massaging head or tool into concentric or parallel multiple heads or tools arranged for coaxial or side-by-side differential motion.

Abstract: A toothbrush providing a radiation source of selected optical range, having the radiation source built into a cavity in the handpiece of the toothbrush. The brush head may be transparent and the bristles may be transparent. Various combinations of scattering, transparent and reflective properties of the brush head, the type of radiation source, and bristle transparency allows selected influence directly on different field and tissues of the oral cavity. Radiation wavelength is selectable to provide treatment to both the soft tissue of the oral cavity and to the teeth. Selected radiation penetrates the pulp of the tooth to stimulate and enhance calcium transport to the dentine and enamel of the tooth to prevent and treat cavities.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a circular portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The circular portion rotates or oscillates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The circular portion includes stiff bristles and the static portion includes soft bristles. The stiff bristles are recessed with respect to the soft bristles. The elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor in the hollow portion, which is operatively connected to the circular portion for rotating or oscillating the circular portion. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary and continuous operation of the toothbrush. A worm gear and a pair of step gears are located in the hollow portion. The motor is operatively connected to the worm gear and the step gears are operatively connected to the worm gear and to each other.

Abstract: A hand held toothbrush with multiple levels of bristles on a rotary pad. When the user manually pushes the brush, there is a force created which propels the bristles to catch the irregular surface of the teeth, gaps, and pockets, causing the rotary pad to turn. The bristle's pattern is designed specially to improve the rotary pad to circular more effectively. The advantage of this invention is that even though the user operates the toothbrush in left and right movement, the bristles on rotary pad, converts left and right motion into circular motion.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a handle, a brush head and a shank which connects the handle to the brush head. A rotary motor is arranged in the handle and drives an unbalanced mass. The unbalanced mass driven by the motor is supported on one side or on both sides in the shank close to the brush head and is driven via an extended drive shaft, preferably an intermediate shaft, by the motor.

Abstract: A hand held cleaning apparatus with a housing, a motor, and a cleaning attachment operably connected to the motor. The housing is sized and shaped to provide two primary hand holding positions. The housing has a handle section allowing a user to grasp the housing therearound and thereby provide the first hand holding position. The housing also has a head section with a top surface having a curve to be matingly received on a user's palm and thereby provide the second hand holding position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (1) for an electric toothbrush which includes a mounting tube (2) in which a shaft (7) rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (3) and driveable in an oscillatory or rotary fashion is received. Further, the brush section (1) includes a bristle carrier (11) which is pivotally mounted on an angled end (19) of the shaft (7) configured as crankshaft and which, in operation of the electric toothbrush, is set in a rotary motion (26) about the transverse axis (14) by a pin (23). The angle (20) formed by the longitudinal axis (3) and the angled end (19) of the shaft (7) serves the added function of causing the bristle carrier (11) to perform a pivotal motion (27) about an axis (28).

Abstract: An electric toothbrush (1) is described which incorporates a handle (2) and a brush attachment (3). The handle (2) houses an electric motor (8). Protruding from the handle (2) is a shaft (20), which is coupled to the electric motor (8). The brush attachment (3) can be mounted on the handle (2). The brush attachment (3) supports a bristle head (26) which can be coupled to the shaft (20), and from which protrude a multiplicity of bristles (4). In the operating mode, the bristle head (26) describes a rotary motion (49) and a stroke motion (50), with the frequency of the stroke movement (50) being higher, and preferably substantially higher, than the frequency of the rotary movement (49.) The stroke movement (50) provides a poking action of the bristles (4), which serves to loosen plaque from dental surfaces. The rotary movement (49) serves to wipe away plaque loosened from the dental surfaces.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus having a housing, a battery, a motor, an output drive shaft and a movable cleaning section. The connection between the drive shaft and the cleaning section provides linear reciprocating motion of a portion of the cleaning section. In another embodiment orbital motion is provided. In another embodiment rotational motion and linear motion are provided. In another embodiment the user can switch between two types of motion.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric toothbrush (1) in which a timing element (13) is provided whose purpose it is to indicate to a user the end of at least one cleaning period when the electric toothbrush (1) is activated. Still further, means (12) coupled to the timing element (13) are provided to enable the user to trigger the beginning (T4) of the cleaning period (PZD2). The effect thereby achieved is that the end (T2) of a cleaning period (PZD1) does not automatically start the beginning (T4) of the next cleaning period (PZD2), but that this particular beginning (T4) of the next cleaning period (PZD2) is freely selectable by the user.

Abstract: A sonic toothbrush and method produces acoustic pressure. A predetermined bristle tip velocity is generated under applied load. A predetermined acoustic pressure is produced under applied load. A predetermined shear stress is produced and predetermined mechanical power is produced. Bacterial and microbial plaque under the gumline and in pockets is dislodged without physical contact between the plaque surface and bristle tips.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an electric toothbrush which includes a timing circuit (7) serving to signal to a user the expiration of a first period (T1), that is, the expiration of the optimum brushing time, following activation of the electric toothbrush. Further, an On/Off switching device (4) is provided which is controllable by the timing circuit (7) and by means of which the electric toothbrush can be turned on and off. The timing circuit (7) controls the On/Off switching go0 device (4) such that following expiration of the first period (T1) the electric toothbrush is turned on and off repeatedly within a second period (T2). As a result, the user of the electric toothbrush "senses" directly the end of the first period (T1), that is, the end of the optimum brushing time, from the variation in the operating mode of the electric toothbrush.

Abstract: A water-powered brush is composed of a handle, a bristled head, and a flexible tubular body located between the handle and the bristled head. The bristled head is provided with an impeller and a centrifugal member capable of actuating the bristled head to move back and forth on the surface of an object at such time when the impeller is driven by water.

Abstract: A shower unit is disclosed, including a compressor for producing high-pressure air for used with a water supply; a rotator driven by the high-pressure air; an injector positioned near the rotator to inject tap water; and a cleaning unit driven directly by the rotator. The inventive shower unit also includes a grip portion having the rotator and the injector, a switch for operating the rotator, and a valve for controlling the flow of the water sprayed through the injector.

Abstract: In a toothbrush (1) comprising a stationary part (10) and a brush holder (24) which is movable with respect to the stationary part (10), and comprising a spring (48) which acts between the stationary part (10) and the brush holder (24), a link-motion device (49) is arranged between the stationary part (10) and the brush holder (24), in addition to the spring (48), in order to obtain a desired force characteristic, which link-motion device (49) is loaded by the spring (48) and comprises a link-motion follower (51) and a link-motion surface (50) having two link-motion surface portions (52, 53), the two link-motion surface portions (52, 53) adjoining one another by an edge-like transition portion (54).

Abstract: Electric toothbrush comprising means for locating dental plaque An electric toothbrush comprises means (1, 22) for emitting excitation radiation towards teeth (10), means (2, 24) for detecting luminescence return radiation emitted by affected tooth areas, optical fibre means (4a, 4b, 4c) for guiding the excitation radiation, and electrical means (14, 15) for imposing a brushing rhythm. The optical fibre means pick up a narrow beam of return radiation and guide it to the detection means (24) which comprise filter means (40, 42) for extracting at least one useful signal component from a noise component, the useful signal component being in synchronism with the brushing rhythm, the detection means (24) converting the useful signal into a location signal (44) revealing the affected areas.

Abstract: A multi-purpose cleaner incorporates a vibration generator selectively controlled by a switch. The vibration generator vibrates a dual sided cleaning head to provide superior cleaning action. A pivotal joint and rotatable extension member provide the dual sided head with freedom of motion in three dimensions. The dual sided cleaning head includes releasable cleaning surfaces that can be selectively changed according to any desired cleaning application.