Rotary Disk Patents (Class 15/28)
  • Patent number: 8381344
    Abstract: A motorized deposit removal system with a pivoting rotary head has a generally rigid tubular housing with a power source located on a first end. The power source has a speed control unit. The system has a drive assembly with a drive cable and a cable housing located within the tubular housing. The power source rotates the drive cable freely inside the cable housing. The system has a hollow pivoting member located on a tubular housing second end. The pivoting member is able to be fixed at a specific angle. A rotary head attaching member is located on the pivoting member. The head attaching member is operatively attached to the drive cable. The drive assembly passes through the hollow pivoting member. The drive assembly is flexible for allowing for pivoting of the pivoting member. The system has a head attachment located on the head attaching member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventors: Mickey Bergman, Bob Wyndle
  • Patent number: 8365335
    Abstract: The transmission according to the invention for an electric toothbrush serves for the transmission and reforming of a rotational movement provided by an electric motor into a particularly careful and effective cleaning movement of a cleaning element. The ratio of the distance between the longitudinal mid-axis of an output shaft and the longitudinal mid-axis of a drive shaft of the transmission and of the distance between the longitudinal mid-axis of a shaft driving a cam of the transmission and the longitudinal mid-axis of the cam amounts to at least 10:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Armin Baertschi, Christian Hilfiker
  • Patent number: 8359697
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head portion having bristles thereon, a neck portion, and a handle. One end of the neck portion is connected to the head portion, and the other end is connected to the handle. The axis of the bristles is substantially parallel to the axis of the neck portion. The axis of the neck portion and the axis of the handle form an angle. Accordingly, the toothbrush can be used easily for brushing, and it reduces angle limitations when cleaning the inner surface of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Jui-Chi Wang
  • Patent number: 8359693
    Abstract: An oral care device includes an electrical toothbrush with integral tongue scrapers. The device includes an electrical tooth cleaning device and an electrical tongue cleaning device operated by a single motor. Cleaning gears disposed in a head portion of the device include both bristles for cleaning teeth and nodules for scraping the surface of the tongue. The bristles protrude from a first end of the cleaning gears and the nodules are formed on an opposite second end of the cleaning gears such that rotation of the cleaning gears provides movement of both the bristles and the nodules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Wang Ken Lee
  • Publication number: 20130007969
    Abstract: A cleaning section for an electric oral hygiene device is disclosed. The cleaning section includes at least a first carrier mounted for driven rotation or oscillating rotation around a rotation axis; and at least a plurality of first cleaning elements mounted on the first carrier with their bases arranged on the vertices of a first star-shaped polygon around the rotation axis. All of the first cleaning elements are inclined in a circumferential direction such that the free end of each of the first cleaning elements is farther away in the circumferential direction than the base of the respective first cleaning element; and wherein at least one cleaning element property alternates between adjacent first cleaning elements or between clusters of first cleaning elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Georges Driesen, Bernd Trebitz, Eva Susanne Dominique Thurnay, Heidrun Schmelcher, Martin Haas, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 8341792
    Abstract: The brush head of the toothbrush has filaments that are pointed at one end and led through clearances in the bristle carrier. These filaments have a length of about 10-20 mm. The tips of the pointed filaments produce a height profile other than that of a plane and the ends of the pointed filaments that are remote from the tips are melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 8327490
    Abstract: An interdental treatment device, such as a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying an interdental treatment tool, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damping structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Hafliger, Franz Fischer, Gunther Elster
  • Patent number: 8327488
    Abstract: An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which constitutes a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (160) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (110) is provided with inner wall planes (112a and 113a) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart and magnets (121 and 123) of different magnetic poles opposing each other in the inner walls planes (112a and 113a). The movable body (160) has a center yoke (140) located between the magnets (121 and 124) through air gaps. The movable body (160) is provided with a shaft (150). The fixed body (180) has a coil (170) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the center yoke (140). The fixed body (180) movably supports the movable body (160) through elastic bodies (190).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto, Kensuke Yamada
  • Patent number: 8316496
    Abstract: A toothbrush for brushing the bite surface and two sides of a tooth simultaneously including a handle and three brush head connected to the handle. The head assembly includes three brushes that are rotated about 3 parallel vertical axis while the assembly itself is rotatable about an angle of at least 180° so that a single brush cleans/polishes the inner surface of the teeth in the individual's mouth as the assembly is moved from one side of the individual's mouth to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Inventor: Qasem Al-Qaffas
  • Patent number: 8302238
    Abstract: A toothbrush tip for a motorized toothbrush with a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. The first and second brush heads has different axes of rotation. The first and second brush heads are driven by an elongated shaft. The shaft engages the second brush head. Interactive gear teeth associated with each first and second brush heads allows the first and second brush heads to rotate at opposite direction, upon being driven by the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: East Coast Medical & Dental Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ladislau Biro, Howard Cohen
  • Patent number: 8291537
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Gall, Craig Saunders, John W. Spirk, John R. Nottingham
  • Patent number: 8276231
    Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: James A. Gavney, Jr., Jerry Mix, Dennis Boyle, Rickson Sun, Christopher Loew, Pascal Homero Soboll, Daniel Sung-hwe Kim
  • Patent number: 8250694
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 8225447
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating a dovetail in a dynamoelectric machine is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, at least two pads for treating, cleaning or polishing a dovetail surface, at least a pair of guide wheels for aligning the apparatus within the dovetail, and at least one motor connected to the pads. The motor is operatively configured to rotate the pads. The dovetail surface is treated, cleaned or polished by sliding the apparatus along the dovetail and activating the motor to rotate the pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dwight F. Calkins, Jr., Steven S. Mounnarat
  • Patent number: 8220097
    Abstract: A toothbrush head includes a base portion having a first surface and a pivot portion having a first cleaning element holder having a second surface, wherein the second surface is superjacent the first surface. The pivot portion also includes a second cleaning element holder and a third cleaning element holder which extend longitudinally from the first element holder. The head includes a pivot element for pivotally coupling the base portion and the pivot portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Joseph A. DePuydt, Bernhard Boland, Michael Stolper, Thomas Fritsch
  • Patent number: 8214959
    Abstract: An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which is a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (110) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (150) is provided with sidewalls (152 and 153) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart. A magnet (160) is provided in the outer yoke (150) through a non-magnetic body (170) and has different magnetic poles located opposing to the opposing inner wall planes of the outer yoke (150) through the air gaps. The movable body (110) is provided with a shaft (180). The fixed body (120) has a coil (128) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the magnet (160). The fixed body (120) movably supports the movable body (110) through elastic bodies (130).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Takahashi, Shigenori Inamoto, Yasutaka Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8209808
    Abstract: An attachment for an electric toothbrush, including a working head and coupling member mountable on a toothbrush handpiece. The coupling member includes a sleeve-shaped coupling insert with an engagement section for locking with the handpiece. The coupling insert is displaceable relative to the coupling member or an actuating member such that an axial movement of the coupling insert relative to the coupling member or actuating member produces an unlocking/locking movement of the engagement section in a direction transverse to the attachment longitudinal direction. The attachment or actuating member is first moved axially relative to a locked coupling insert until the axial relative movement releases the lock for the coupling insert and the attachment to be separated from the toothbrush handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kressner
  • Publication number: 20120151698
    Abstract: A personal care device having a handle having an engagement portion and a persona care attachment are described. The personal care attachment has a housing attached to the engagement portion and a contact element carrier. The contact element carrier is movably coupled to the housing. A plurality of contact elements is arranged on the contact element carrier, and wherein the personal care attachment is driven at a frequency of between about 150 Hz to about 175 Hz and has a sound intensity level of less than about 75 dB(A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Joern Utsch, Andreas Kramp, Frank Ziegler, Benedikt Heil, Marlis Hübner
  • Patent number: 8185993
    Abstract: The brush head of the toothbrush has filaments that are pointed at one end and led through clearances in the bristle carrier. These filaments have a length of about 10-20 mm. The tips of the pointed filaments produce a height profile other than that of a plane and the ends of the pointed filaments that are remote from the tips are melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Franz Fischer, Peter Gross
  • Patent number: 8185991
    Abstract: A toothbrush head of an electric toothbrush, the toothbrush extending longitudinally and having a hand part, the toothbrush head including a drive rocker, a brush-head carrier coupled to the drive rocker, a main bristle carrier and an additional bristle carrier, both carriers bearing a bristle arrangement and moveably attached to the brush-head carrier and driven in oscillation by the drive rocker, and a drive-coupler affixed to at least one of the bristle carriers and coupled to the drive rocker. The head can include two separately mounted bristle carriers, supporting bristle arrangements, which are driven about different movement axes by the drive rocker to enhance the cleaning action of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kressner
  • Patent number: 8185992
    Abstract: A hand-guided device has a housing and a drive component with a drive element that is movable relative to the housing by way of a motor. A tool is releasably connectable to the drive element. In order to achieve a universal usability of the device by equipping it with various tools as well as with a different way of movement each, the drive element is eccentrically mounted in the drive component with an eccentricity and on the housing, a fixed bearing is disposed at a distance from the drive element for an optional cooperation with a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: QXR Cleaning Products GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Linsbichler, Werner Wolf
  • Patent number: 8181301
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a removable brush section having a transponder communicating with a handle portion of the toothbrush via a non-contacting inductive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjorg Reick, Martin Stratmann, Peter Trawinski, Wolfgang Vorbeck, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Christian Neyer
  • Publication number: 20120090108
    Abstract: A rotary toothbrush includes a handle member to be held by a user; a head member having bristles and connected to the handle member; a tilting member, provided on the head member, for tilting upwardly the head member at a predetermined angle; a rotating member, provided on the handle member and the head member, for rotating the head member with respect to the handle member so that the head member is arranged in a T-shape with respect to the handle member; and a driving member for driving the head member to rotate and tilt the head member. With the rotary toothbrush, a user can freely brush his or her teeth in an upward and downward direction or in a left and right direction, and bristles can come into contact with a lower portion of front teeth to prevent dental plaque from getting buildup as much as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jung Wan Woo, Jung Tak Woo, Man Joong Kim, Jong Chan Park
  • Patent number: 8141192
    Abstract: A device with two or more regions configured to clean or treat a working surface is disclosed. Preferably, the device is an oral-care device with a power cleaning head. The power cleaning head comprises two or more regions, wherein at least one of the regions is configured to move and wherein at least one of the regions comprises a squeegee element. Preferably, the regions are configured to independently rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while cleaning teeth and gums and can each include bristles, nodules, squeegee elements, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: James A Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8136192
    Abstract: A head for a denture brush that is detachably connected to a powered handle and a denture brush incorporating the same. The head includes a housing having a first set of bristles extending outwardly from a first side and a second set of bristles extending outwardly from a second side. The first and second sets of bristles are mounted such that they are movable in response to rotation of a camshaft in the head. Some of bristles on each side of the head may be linearly pulsed toward and away from the housing substantially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the head. Additionally, some of the bristles on each side of the head may be rotated about a horizontal axis that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Harrison Hygiene Inc.
    Inventors: James Harrison, Robert G. Dickie
  • Publication number: 20120042459
    Abstract: A toothbrush is proposed that includes a handle, a neck, and a head arranged along a longitudinal axis thereof. The head is open on one side and functions as a protective screen. Movable ring-shaped holders with bristles radially secured thereon are mounted in the head. The holders' butt ends are joined to one another and to the protective screen by movable seals forming a hermetical body to protect the toothbrush's drive mechanism from penetration of water and toothpaste. Two design options allow the holders for accomplishing-angular oscillatory movements, or -rotating in opposite directions about the longitudinal axis, thus ensuring bristles' movements from top to bottom along the user's teeth. The proposed design ensures a high cleaning effectiveness, water tightness, and compensation of a reactive torque of the toothbrush, which extends the service life of the toothbrush and facilitates the use thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventor: Vladimir Nikolaevich Khudoley
  • Publication number: 20120036658
    Abstract: A personal care device having a handle having an engagement portion and a persona care attachment are described. The personal care attachment has a housing attached to the engagement portion and a contact element carrier. The contact element carrier is movably coupled to the housing. A plurality of contact elements is arranged on the contact element carrier, and wherein the personal care attachment is driven at a frequency of between about 150 Hz to about 175 Hz and has a sound intensity level of less than about 75 dB(A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert Schaefer, Uwe Schober, Joern Utsch, Andreas Kramp, Frank Ziegler, Benedikt Heil, Marlis Hübner
  • Patent number: 8087116
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for driving the head of an electric toothbrush. The mechanism includes a cam 20 rotatably driven by a motor 10 and an elongate transfer mechanism 30 having a receiver 40 for receiving the cam at one end and a mechanism for transferring oscillatory motion to a toothbrush head 60 at the other end thereof. Cam 20 has a projecting head 23 which is received in a substantially rectangular aperture 41 of the receiver 40. The long side of the substantially rectangular aperture has a length equal to or greater than the diameter of the circular motion of the projecting head 23, the short side has a length less than the long side of the rectangular aperture. Thus, in use, circular motion of the projecting head of the cam is converted into oscillatory pivoting motion of the transfer member 30 by action of the projecting head 23 against the short sides of the substantially rectangular aperture 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hayco Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Gregory Clegg Spooner, Hoss Vong
  • Publication number: 20110283470
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 8056176
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karen Lynn Claire-Zimmet, William Ralph Brown, Jr., Alexander Timothy Chenvainu, Chris Blain, Jens Uwe Stoerkel, Ulrich Pfeifer, Gerhard Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8020238
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Eyal Eliav, Kyoungeun Ahn, John J. Gatzemeyer
  • Patent number: 8015649
    Abstract: An interdental treatment device, such as a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying an interdental treatment tool, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damping structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Trisa Holding AG
    Inventors: Peter Hafliger, Franz Fischer, Gunther Elster
  • Patent number: 7992244
    Abstract: In a first embodiment an electric toothbrush having a housing containing an electric motor, the motor being drivingly connected to a first brush head rotatably mounted on an end of the toothbrush remote from the motor and adjacent to at least one other rotatable brush head. In a second embodiment a packaged electric toothbrush including a “try me” facility for remotely testing the operation of the toothbrush, which “try me” feature comprises a two-sided metal strip such as aluminum foil, separated by a dielectric material, respective sides of the strip being connected at one end to respective parts used to operate the electric toothbrush and the other end of the strip being folded over and including a centrally disposed aperture onto which is a bendable metal connector such that upon bending or pressing of the connector the two sides of the strip are electrically connected together to temporarily operate the toothbrush whilst still in its packaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Inventor: Frank J. Prineppi
  • Patent number: 7987545
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Horst Mannebach, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7985073
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and a device for cleaning teeth wherein a variety of cleaning tools are coupled to a common handle section for the individual cleaning of teeth. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric dental cleaning device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, as well as said cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section detects a coding provided on the respective cleaning tool attached. In dependence upon the respective coding detected, various functions of the dental cleaning device are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Horst Mannebach, Hansjörg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7979939
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dental cleaning device. It relates in particular to a handle section of an electric toothbrushing device, with a coupling section for coupling various cleaning tools thereto, a drive mechanism for driving the coupled cleaning tool, and a control device for controlling the drive mechanism. The invention further relates to such cleaning tools. According to the invention the handle section includes an electronic interlock device which is deactivated by an encoded interlock canceling element on the cleaning tool only when the cleaning tool is coupled to the handle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjorg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
  • Patent number: 7975341
    Abstract: An oral care instrument, such as a motorized toothbrush, which activates upon exposure to the oral environment of the user, is described. The electrical conductivity of saliva, optionally mixed with toothpaste and water, may be utilized to complete an electrical circuit that powers a motorized device within the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Heng Cai, Thomas James Boyd
  • Patent number: 7963253
    Abstract: A grooming device for an animal has a rotating member with at least one pair of opposing connection members configured to interact with the receiving areas of a flex member. The receiving areas are configured to permit the connection members to move to enable the flex member to move from a parallel plane with the rotating member to a non-parallel plane. The flex member is maintained spaced from the rotating member through the use of springs placed between the two members forming a compression area. The curry ribs are at substantially right angles to, and affixed to, at least a portion of the exterior periphery of the flex member. The curry ribs can be removable from the flex member or permanently secured to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventor: Carey A Bauknecht
  • Patent number: 7958588
    Abstract: A variable speed tooth polishing system including a tooth polisher with multiple polishing head capability, in order to provide therapeutic treatment to gums and guard against undesired exposure to potentially hazardous fluids present during routine dental cleansing and polishing, such as polishing paste, tooth paste, blood, and salivary excretions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventor: Theresa Luz Ukaj
  • Patent number: 7958589
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7954191
    Abstract: A toothbrush includes a head having a prophylaxis polishing cup closely surrounded by cleaning elements in the form of a bristle ring extending above the upper surface of the cup. Alternatively, the cups could be in the form of arrays of densely packed cleaning elements. The area formed by these configurations retains toothpaste on the toothbrush during use. Additional cleaning elements may be arranged about the periphery of the toothbrush head. The toothbrush may be a powered toothbrush wherein the cups and/or bristle rings rotate, oscillate or reciprocate to better clean teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventor: Douglas Hohlbein
  • Patent number: 7954192
    Abstract: The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Thomas Mintel
  • Patent number: 7937792
    Abstract: A scrubbing device includes a support member, a battery, and a yoke coupled to the support member. A yoke arm from the yoke is coupled to a head assembly via a cam lock. The cam lock allows the head assembly to move or be fixed in relation to the yoke assembly. The head assembly further includes an electric motor coupled to the battery, the electric motor coupled to an output member. The output member is coupled to a scrubbing accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Munn, Chan Tung Sung Nicholas
  • Patent number: 7934284
    Abstract: Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. The toothbrush heads include a support member, a resilient member extending from the support member, and a plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the support member and at least partially surrounding the member. The resilient member may be cup-shaped, fan-shaped, or textured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Phillip M. Braun, William R. Brown, Jr., Alexander T. Chenvainu, Thomas A. Christman
  • Patent number: 7917984
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a handle having an electric motor, a head, a rotating shaft, and a neck extending between the handle and the head. The head has a first and second bristle holders, each having a plurality of bristles, wherein the second bristle holder is located between the handle and the first bristle holder. The second bristle holder is movably mounted on the head with a laterally extending pivot member. The rotating shaft is operatively connected to the first and second bristle holders to cause a first movement of the first bristle holder and to move the second bristle holder in a rocking motion about the pivot member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, Douglas A. Gall, Patrick W. Brown
  • Patent number: 7913345
    Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method and system of a light bulb changing tool may comprise a gripper having a gripping side and an attaching side, the gripper having a flexible shape; an attachment point disposed on the attaching side; and a polymer disposed on the gripping side. In embodiments, a method and system of a vehicle cleaning tool may comprise a rotational arbor; and a gear head adapted to rotate the rotational arbor, wherein the gear head is adapted to couple to a power head having a quick-release connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Umagination Labs, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Dayton, Sung Park, Mark R Florence
  • Patent number: 7900309
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: John J. Gatzemeyer, Eduardo Jimenez
  • Patent number: 7884336
    Abstract: Sponge sanitizing enclosure with a front cover, a rear cover, an inner back plate, a base housing, a push plate, a push button, a UV lamp, electronics to support the UV lamp, a battery power supply, a translucent sponge, and a hinge member. The front and rear cover each being dish shaped and forming a hollow housing and being joined at their base by the hinge member. The inner back plate forms a bisection of the front cover and the rear cover. The UV light is located between the rear cover and the inner back plate. The front cover includes a centrally located aperture that accepts the push button which is fixedly attached to the push plate. The space between the push plate and the inner back plate accommodates the translucent sponge. The base housing encloses the electronics and the battery power supply that support the UV lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: Brent Gibson
  • Patent number: 7877832
    Abstract: An electrically powered toothbrush comprising a handle which contains an electric motor and power supply, a head part connected to the handle to be driven in motion by the electric motor by a transmission means between the motor and the oral head part. The head part is flexibly and resiliently connected to the handle such that the head part can move resiliently under pressure of the oral hygiene part against a tooth surface. The motor is moveably mounted within the handle and the assembly of motor and transmission means is pivotally connected to the handle at a pivot point between the brush head and the motor. Suitably the handle is in two parts with a flexible connection between the parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Reinbold
  • Patent number: D661712
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyasu Muraoka, Hiroshi Itoh