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.

Abstract: An electric folding toothbrush in accordance with the present invention includes a handle and a power supply contained within the handle, an arm movably joined to the handle and having bristles disposed at one end thereof, a motor mechanism contained within the arm and operable to move the bristles when activated, and includes the ability to supply power to the motor mechanism when the toothbrush is in an outstretched position. The ability to supply power to the motor mechanism is accomplished with a first electrical contact in communication with the power supply and positioned in the handle, and a second electrical contact in communication with the motor mechanism and positioned in the arm such that when the arm and the handle are in the outstretched position the first and second electrical contacts make an electrical connection such that power from the power supply operates the motor mechanism.

Abstract: An appliance for applying a lotion, such as a sunscreen, to the skin includes a housing, from which a soft pad extends, and a elongated handle. The pad, which includes a flat application surface, is rotated by a motor in the handle about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the flat application surface. The surface of the pad may be formed of a porous material or of a solid elastomeric material having a texture providing spaces for holding lotion.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a handpiece, a bristle holder which is arranged on a head portion of the handpiece and is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the bristle holder, and a drive mechanism for the bristle holder. The drive mechanism includes a motor which is arranged on the handpiece, and a transmission member which transfers a driving motion from the motor to the bristle holder. A drive rocker is provided as transmission member, and is arranged to rock in multiple axes and is driven by the motor such that it approximately traverses a double conical path.

Abstract: A scrubbing device for facilitating scrubbing of a surface. The scrubbing device includes a base member being designed for being gripped by a hand of a user. A brush member is rotatably coupled to the base member. The brush member is designed for engaging a surface whereby the brush member is for scrubbing the surface. A motor assembly is positioned in the base member. The motor assembly is operationally coupled to the brush member whereby the motor assembly is for rotating the brush member with respect to the base member to facilitate scrubbing of the surface. The base member being sealed whereby the base member is designed for inhibiting water from contacting the motor assembly and damaging the motor.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush has a neck extending in a longitudinal direction, a head at a remote end of the neck, a handle at a proximal end of the neck, an electric motor located within the handle, and a tuft block mounted to the head in a manner allowing pivotal oscillation about a tuft block axis that is normal to the longitudinal direction of the neck. A primary rocker arm extends longitudinally within the handle and/or neck and pivots about a primary rocker arm axis that is parallel to the tuft block axis. A proximal end of the primary rocker arm is driven by the electric motor. A secondary rocker arm extends longitudinally within the neck and pivots about a secondary rocker arm axis that is parallel to the tuft block axis. A distal end of the secondary rocker arm drives the tuft block and a proximal end of the secondary rocker arm is driven by the primary rocker arm.

Abstract: A toothbrush includes a support member mounted on a first shaft in the head of the toothbrush. A carrier member is mounted on a second shaft to the support member. The support member is eccentrically mounted so that when its first shaft is rotated the carrier member is moved in an orbital path during the rotation of the support member. The carrier member is freely mounted on its second shaft so that during this orbital movement the carrier member rotates in a random manner. Cleaning elements such as bristles extend outwardly from the carrier member.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to neck. The head includes a first carrier that is coupled to the head and is operatively connected to a first drive for moving the first carrier in a first direction. The first carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members, or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. The head also includes a second carrier that is coupled to the head and is in selective engagement with a protrusion extending in a recess defined by the first carrier to impart movement in a second direction. The second carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the first carrier oscillates in a rotational direction and the second carrier moves in a direction parallel to the head.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to the neck. The handle portion is adapted to receive a single battery therein in a tight fitting arrangement. The head includes a base, and one or more carriers coupled to the base. At least one of the carriers is operatively connected to a drive for moving the one or more coupled carriers in respective directions. The one or more carriers have bristles, elastomeric cleaning members, or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-part single-use toothbrush system includes an electric toothbrush such as a rotary electric toothbrush, a plurality of disposable toothbrush heads, some with one or more tooth-cleaning/preserving substances sufficient for a single use, and each with a connector for attachment to and detachment from the electric toothbrush, a dispenser for holding and dispensing such disposable toothbrush heads, and a plurality of sealed single use capsules each containing a brush head and one or more tooth-cleaning/preserving substances.

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 (FIG. 4).

Abstract: A power tool in accordance with the invention includes a housing having a handle connected to the housing in at least one position and extending about the rear of the housing with first and second end portions positioned at least in part off the sides of the housing such that the handle allows an operator a range of locations about the housing to facilitate an effective two-handed grip to maintain control over the power tool. The power tool may include an actuator, such as a switch, to regulate power supplied to the tool's motor, and may automatically shift to deactivate the power tool when an unintentional impact above a predetermined magnitude is received by the power tool. The power tool may also include a recess for maintaining an accessory tool and may be designed so that it is both statically and dynamically balanced in order to provide a balanced tool both at rest and during operation, and in order to reduce the amount of vibration experienced by an operator during use of the tool.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A toothbrush distal end for attachment to a handle of a mechanical toothbrush; the distal end comprising: a head; a neck having a proximal end and a distal end; a drive shaft having a driving bevelled gear fixed to distal end thereof; a brush consisting of a bristle array on a brush back plate, and a movement; the head being fixedly attached to the distal end of the neck; the neck being fixedly couplable to the handle and the drive shaft being couplable to a driving means; the neck being hollow and serving as a sleeve for the drive shaft; the drive shaft being rotatingly drivable about its axis within the neck, by the driving means; wherein the movement is situated within a cavity in the head and is connected to the brush back plate, for moving the brush back plate along an eccentric orbital path with respect to the head when driven by the driving means via the rotating drive shaft.

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.

Abstract: An actuator assembly and packaging feature for an electric toothbrush is disclosed. The actuator assembly includes a positionable member accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. The actuator assembly further includes a spring member retained within the interior of the toothbrush body which urges a cam member against the underside of the positionable member. The positionable member defines an aperture extending through its midsection within which is disposed a depressible member. The depressible member has an outer end which is also accessible along the outer surface of the toothbrush body. Upon pressing the depressible member, the cam member and spring are urged against an electrical circuit provided within the body of the toothbrush which is used to selectively operate a motor and drive mechanism to move one or more sets of bristles.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a handle, a support rotatably coupled to the handle for rotation by a drive motor mounted in the handle and a cleaning element mountable on the support. The cleaning element a flexible mat fixed about the support or about a core mountable on the support. An auxiliary cleaning element attachment may be mounted on the end wall of the support. A liquid container may be mounted in the support or used to form the support to dispense fluid to the cleaning element disposed about the support.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush with a handle and a brush member having a brush head, individual cylindrical bristle holders with tufts of bristles held rotatably in the brush head. They are set into an oscillatory rotating movement by means of a connecting rod executing a reciprocating sliding movement and simultaneously an oscillatory movement about its longitudinal axis, with transverse grooves, disposed therein. In addition, a bristle holder plate in the brush head is held so as to oscillate about a shaft running in the longitudinal direction of the toothbrush. Thus, during the oscillatory movement of the bristle holders the bristle holder plate swivels back and forth in synchronism with the connecting rod.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush is provided and includes a handle portion having a neck formed at one end and a head coupled to the neck. The head includes a base, and a first carrier that is coupled to the head and is operatively connected to a first drive for moving the first carrier in a first direction. The first carrier has bristles, elastomeric cleaning members, or a combination thereof extending outwardly therefrom. The head also includes a second carrier that is coupled to the head and includes an upstanding elastomeric element disposed along an upper surface thereof. The elastomeric element has a first end that is coupled to the head and a second end that engages the first carrier so that the movement of the first carrier in the first direction is translated into movement of the elastomeric element in a second direction.

Abstract: A light emitting toothbrush is provided that includes three light emitting diodes, each having a different primary color. A battery is provided as a power source, and a control circuit is used to control the diodes. The control circuit is configured to sequentially or simultaneously power some or all of the diodes, and it can be configured to vary the power to each diode, thereby providing an almost infinite spectrum of colors of light. A switch is actuated when the brush head contacts an operator's teeth, thereby activating the diodes. A package is provided that allows a potential purchaser to apply a force to the brush head and activate the lights while the toothbrush is still in the package. The control circuit can be configured to control the diodes to provide signals to the operator and/or provide aesthetically pleasing light.

Abstract: An motorized electric toothbrush (10) includes a removable brush head (16) and a switch (12) that allows the toothbrush (10) to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head (16) contacts the operator's teeth, a second switch (20) is automatically actuated and the motor (14) engaged. The brush head (16) is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or allow use of the toothbrush (10) by multiple users.

Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein. The electric toothbrush also has a head which has a longitudinal axis, and a neck disposed between the head and handle. The head has a first bristle holder and a second bristle holder, each having a plurality of bristle tufts. The motor is operatively connected to the first bristle holder to oscillate the first bristle holder about a first axis passing through the first bristle holder generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the head. The motor is also operatively connected to the second bristle holder to oscillate the second bristle holder about a second axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the head. The second axis is at an end portion of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A brush section for use in a powered toothbrush, and a powered toothbrush utilizing the brush section are provided. The brush section has a generally disk shaped carrier from which extends at least one finger that has oral care elements, i.e., bristles and elastomeric cleaning members, extending outwardly therefrom to provide increased contact area between the oral care cleaning elements and oral gingival tissue for enhanced massaging thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld power tool including: a main housing, a rear handle mounted on the main housing and a handle connected to the main housing. A base portion of the main housing has a buffing member in the basal plane. The handle comprises two oppositely disposed side handle members and a front handle joined between the front end portions of the two oppositely disposed side handle members. The two oppositely disposed side handle members tilt (ie are non-parallel) with respect to the basal plane. The present invention has the advantage that during buffing of a workpiece, the operator's wrists need bend to only a small degree to accommodate the non-parallel disposition of the buffing member leading to labour efficiency and reduced wrist tiredness.

Abstract: A powered toothbrush include a head containing a rotating or oscillating first bristle carrier and also containing a second bristle carrier movably connected to the head, which second bristle carrier may include elastomeric walls for enhanced cleaning and may include a weakened section to permit it to at least partially collapse during a brushing motion to couture to the teeth in use for enhanced cleaning.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a body portion and a head including a motor, a moving portion, a handle, and a gear arrangement between the moving portion and the motor. The moving portion rotates, oscillates and/or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The moving portion can include stiff bristles and massaging tips and the static portion can include soft bristles and massaging tips. The body portion houses the motor. A switch is operatively connected to the motor to provide momentary or continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the gear arrangement includes a shaft, a worm gear and a pair of step gears. In another embodiment the gear arrangement includes a plurality of gears and at least one swivel arm for drive the moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.

Abstract: A detachable head for use with an electric toothbrush is provided. The electric toothbrush has a handle with a motor disposed therein that is operatively connected to a shaft. The detachable head has an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end opposite said first end. The first end may be detachably coupled to the electric toothbrush. The detachable head has a first bristle holder with a first plurality of bristle tufts disposed thereon. The first bristle holder is located at the second end of the elongate body and can oscillate about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The detachable head also has a a second bristle holder disposed between the first bristle holder and the first end. The second bristle holder has a top surface and a second plurality of bristle tufts that form an acute angle with the top surface of the second bristle holder.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a handle, a bristle head and a neck extending from the handle to the bristle head. A drive shaft extends through the neck to the bristle head. A motor is situated within the handle and has a pair of spaced recesses and an output shaft situated between the recesses. A reduction gearbox receives torque from the output shaft of the motor and transmits it to the drive shaft at a reduced speed. The gearbox has a base plate having a pair of projections extending into the recesses of the motor, a cover plate fixed to the base plate and at least one gear set between the base plate and the cover plate to transmitting torque from the motor to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An motorized electric toothbrush includes a removable brush head and a switch that allows the toothbrush to be used in an “automatic” mode. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, such that when the brush head contacts the operator's teeth, a switch is actuated and the motor is engaged. The brush head is easily removed for replacement when the bristles become worn or to allow use of the toothbrush by multiple users.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising an elongated body portion and a head including a static portion and a moving portion, a handle, and an angled shaft between the head and the handle. The portion of the toothbrush containing the head is detachably connected to the portion of the toothbrush containing the handle. A shaft within the head is selectively connectable to a mating shaft within the handle by a cooperating notch and peg assembly biased into a locking position by a spring member disposed to bias the head shaft into the desired position.

Abstract: A scraper for removing debris from the floor of an animal stall is provided with a first motorized drum, a second motorized drum, a cable extending between the first and second drums, a scraper and a switch tripper carried by the cable. The switch tripper actuates a switch in communication with the first motorized drum to stop and reverse direction of the scraper and cable.

Abstract: A cleaning tool having a clamp-on handle assembly. The clamp-on handle assembly includes a slidable locking element which can be moved from an open position, wherein the handle assembly can be placed over a handle portion of the cleaning tool, to a locked position wherein the locking element clamps the handle assembly securely onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool. Advantageously, no external tools or fastening implements are required to secure the handle assembly to the handle portion of the cleaning tool. The handling assembly allows the user to use the cleaning tool to reach elevated areas or other areas that would be difficult to reach with the user holding directly onto the handle portion of the cleaning tool.

Abstract: A hand-held motorized household cleaning apparatus that includes a housing, a battery located in the housing, a motor located in the housing and connected to the battery, an output drive shaft connected to the motor, a cleaning attachment coupled for movement with the output drive shaft and a liquid delivery system with a pressurized reservoir. A flexible adapter is also provided.

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.

Abstract: An electric toothbrush having a cam disc mounted at the free end of a toothbrush shaft and which engages between two follower pins of a bristle carrier disc. The form of the cam disc is approximately elliptical. This causes it to impart a reciprocating motion to the bristle carrier disc when the toothbrush shaft is driven in rotation.

Abstract: Power toothbrushes are provided having toothbrush heads that move in a substantially random manner when in use and in contact with a user's teeth.

Abstract: An In-Situ Landing Light Cleaning Apparatus is disclosed. Also disclosed is an apparatus that permits the user to easily and thoroughly clean landing light lenses without the need for their removal and transportation to a remote cleaning machine. The apparatus has a cylindrical arrangement of brush bristles directed inwardly from a cylindrical substrate. The cylindrical substrate may be attachable to a conventional power drill or other rotating power tool by a shaft such that the cylinder can be power-rotated. The cylindrical brush member having the brush bristles is detachable so that new bristles can be installed when wear and tear mandates it. The cylindrical substrate further has a closed top end portion having a flat bristle brush insert for cleaning the top surface of the lenses.