Rotary Disk Patents (Class 15/28)
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Patent number: 6523214Abstract: A rotary finishing tool, such as a buffing pad, utilizes a connector assembly for demountable attachment to a powered rotary backing plate. The finishing tool is attached to the front face of a backing disc and the rear face of the backing disc includes a first piece of the connector assembly, the second piece of which is carried by the backing plate. The first and second connector pieces include complementary driving surfaces and complementary locking surfaces which respectively interengage in response to linear movement bringing the two connector pieces together and relative radial movement between the locking surfaces which are preferably resiliently biased.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Inventor: Richard A. Kaiser
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Publication number: 20030033680Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprising a handle and an oscillating brush head which oscillates about an oscillating axis, said head comprising a rubbery cleaning element, in wherein the rubbery cleaning element is in the form of a radially-extending resilient wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Richard Huw Davies, Luca Neri
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Publication number: 20030033679Abstract: An electric toothbrush head section and method of manufacture thereof, which head section contains a movable and at least one static bristle bearing components, wherein the static bristle bearing component is interfitted about the exterior of said head section, in a fashion to reduce the seepage of liquid therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Joseph Fattori, Hui Fung Kut
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Publication number: 20030019057Abstract: Discloses a bristle head oscillation mechanism for an electrically driven toothbrush. A toothbrush bristle head is rotatably disposed at an end of an elongate housing. A drive shaft is rotatably disposed in the elongate housing and has an offset end coupled to one end of a pivot arm. The other end of the pivot arm is coupled to the toothbrush bristle head. Rotation of the drive shaft pivots the pivot arm to effect oscillation of the bristle head with respect to the elongate housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2001Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Pulse Innovations Inc.Inventor: Robert G. Dickie
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Patent number: 6510575Abstract: Electric toothbrush comprises an oscillating, bristle bearing head which comprises two or more segments which are integral with one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: January 28, 2003Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventor: Giuseppe Calabrese
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Publication number: 20030000032Abstract: An electric, motorized toothbrush includes a switch that has an “automatic” position. The “automatic” mode provides for intermittent motorized operation, which is dependent upon application of an external force. Various embodiments allow for the force to be exerted either on the toothbrush handle, such as when it is gripped by the user, or on the brush head itself—e.g., when the brush head contacts the user's teeth. A substantially hollow housing allows for placement of battery, motor, gears, and linkages to facilitate motorized movement of the brush head.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Mordechai Lev
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Publication number: 20030000031Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an electric toothbrush. The toothbrush includes a housing, an electric motor, a first transmission and a second transmission. The electric motor is connected to the housing has a motor output member for rotation about a motor output axis. The first transmission is connected to the housing, and converts rotational movement from the motor output member into rotational reciprocating movement at a first average angular speed. The second transmission is linked to the first transmission, and converts rotational reciprocating movement from the first transmission into rotational reciprocating movement at a second average angular speed about a second transmission output axis that is parallel to the motor output axis. The second transmission drives an output member to reciprocate at the second average angular speed about the second transmission output axis. A brush head is removably connectable to the output member.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Qingping Zhuan
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Publication number: 20030000033Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventors: Mordechai Lev, Roman S. Ferber
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Patent number: 6499172Abstract: An adjustable handle assembly is provided for use with a hand-held power tool, such as a polisher, to enhance control while operating on delicate surfaces of varying contours. The handle assembly includes a handle mounted to the housing of the tool in a manner that facilitates quick adjustment of the handle between various predetermined positions relative to the housing without the use of tools, turning of nuts and bolts and prolonged work stoppage. The handle assembly also includes lock members on one of the handle and the housing and lock receiving grooves on the other of the handle and housing which can cooperate with the lock members to fix the handle in one of the predetermined positions relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: WMH Tool Group, Inc.Inventor: Robert E. McCracken
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Patent number: 6490747Abstract: A electric toothbrush attachment consisting of a miswaak element. The attachment is positioned to rotate at ninety degrees from the rotation of the arm. This motion results in a circular movement of the brush element against the surfaces of the teeth. The brush element is mounted on a disk which rotates in response to rotation of arm. The brush element may be fixed to the disk by adhesive. The brush element has a conical shaped end is left in water to provide soft bristles upon use.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventor: Maged Metwally
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Publication number: 20020182991Abstract: A Vehicle Waxing/Buffing Appliance capable of having a removable/repositionable secondary handle comprises a vehicle buffing/waxing appliance and a handle. At least one adaptor to receive and hold the handle is installed in the outer plastic molded housing. Therefore the user may install or reposition the handle as desired to help in both the efficiency of the operation and the comfort of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Shinn Fu CorporationInventor: Michael Hung
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Publication number: 20020174498Abstract: A electric toothbrush structure comprises a block handle, power transmission device and blockhead; the power transmission device at least comprises a electric motor and transmission device, and the transmission consists of a outer gear, inner gear and connecting rod, the outer gear is connected to the shaft of the electric motor, and meshes with it inside the inner gear, the connecting rod is connected to the shaft of the inner gear, and a crooked shaft is disposed at the position of the connecting rod corresponding to the blockhead. The blockhead is connected to the block handle, it comprises a blockhead tube and circular head, the blockhead is used to accept the connecting rod, and circular head is pivoted to the front end of the blockhead, a groove, which is disposed at the bottom end of the circular head, is used to accept and connect with the crooked shaft of the connecting rod and driven by it to rotate left and right.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2001Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventor: Ming-Kuei Li
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Publication number: 20020166188Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush head, in particular a toothbrush head, having a bristle carrier and bristles attached thereto, which are seated in the form of tufts in holes in the bristle carrier and fastened by their ends close to the bristle carrier to the bristle carrier without anchoring, in particular by welding and/or adhesive bonding to a rear side of the bristle carrier using the method referred to as anchor-free tufting. According to the invention, at least one hole (2) in the bristle carrier (1) is divided by means of at least one transverse wall (4) into several segments and said at least one transverse wall is constructed such that the bristles seated in the segments form a common tuft (3) with a smooth and closed outer contour corresponding to the contour of the hole and are supported by the transverse wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2002Publication date: November 14, 2002Inventors: Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch
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Publication number: 20020157198Abstract: A brush tip for a motorized toothbrush has a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. A shaft has two cranks, each engaging one of the brush heads. Continuous same-direction rotation of the shaft causes the brush heads to counter-rotate about a common axis. Distal ends of the first set of bristles on the first brush head form a circular pattern and the distal ends of the second set of bristles on the second brush head form an elliptical pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Ladislau Biro, Howard Cohen
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Publication number: 20020152564Abstract: 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 moving portion rotates 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 elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor in the hollow portion, which is operatively connected to the moving portion for rotating or oscillating or reciprocating the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 24, 2002Applicant: DR. JOHNS PRODUCTS, Ltd.Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6463615Abstract: A toothbrush (1) has a cleaning member (3) equipped with a drivable bristle holder (20) for holding main bristles (21) and with a drivable interdental bristle holder (26) for holding interdental bristles (27),the interdental bristle holder (26) being coupled to a drive element (29) with the aid of a coupling element (39) and, of the coupling element (39) and the drive element (29) at the coupling element (39) is at least partly elastically deformable parallel to the longitudinal bristle direction (28) of the interdental bristles (27) held by the interdental bristle holder (26).Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Paul Gruber, Christian Mikula, Gerald Kauer, Jan Peter Elkhuizen
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Publication number: 20020138926Abstract: A head for an electric toothbrush includes a support member having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Braun GmbHInventors: William R. Brown, Thomas Christman, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Roberts, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann
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Publication number: 20020138927Abstract: The present invention relates to replaceable dental brush units useful in an electric toothbrush. In particular, the invention provides for a replaceable dental brush unit useful in an electric toothbrush that uses gear links for connecting and driving motions of bristle head by motors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Jin Po Lee, Cheng-Chieh Chiang
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Publication number: 20020138928Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a handle and a head, characterized in that the head has a rubbery cleaning element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Applicant: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.Inventor: Giuseppe Calabrese
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Patent number: 6453499Abstract: A toothbrush having a handle that can move relative to a head portion equipped with rotatable bristle assemblies. The rotation of the bristles of the bristle assemblies is effected by a manual operable drive member consisting of a rack and a plurality of mating pinions from which the bristle extend. The rack and the pinions are enclosed within a housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Inventor: Walter B. A. Leuermann
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Publication number: 20020129454Abstract: 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).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: Braun GmbHInventors: Alexander Hilscher, Hansjorg Reick, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann, Peter Trawinski, Martin Stratmann, Wolfgang Vorbeck
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Patent number: 6449792Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus imparting a wobbling motion to a planar surface. In one embodiment the wobbling motion is imparted to a brush which can be used to clean uneven surfaces efficiently and easily. In another embodiment the wobbling motion is imparted to a brush which can be used to clean surfaces in confined spaces and reducing the risk of scratching or marring areas in the confined spaces. In another embodiment a method of cleaning a surface using a wobbling apparatus is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Harold R. Myers
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Patent number: 6446295Abstract: An electric toothbrush comprises a handle and a head, characterised in that the head has a rubbery cleaning element.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventor: Giuseppe Calabrese
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Patent number: 6434773Abstract: A dentifrice dispensing electrical toothbrush having two replaceable oscillating brush elements. A motor, batteries and a cartridge that contains dentifrice material are housed in the toothbrush handle. A neck connects the brush head and the handle. A pair of brush elements is mounted on a pair of posts attached to the brush head in a manner that allows their free oscillation. The neck includes a flow channel for dentifrice material that is pumped from the cartridge to the spout opening at the base of one of the brush elements. The brush elements are detachably positioned on the brush head by a snap-on retention cradle and are replaceable by detachment of the retention cradle from the brush head. An oscillating motion is imparted to both brush elements by an oscillating means and a drive shaft that is positioned in the neck and connected to the motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Inventor: Youti Kuo
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Publication number: 20020108194Abstract: A bristle disk for an electric toothbrush is provided. The bristle disk has a bristle carrier and bristles arranged in tufts disposed in an outer row, a middle row and an inner row. The outer row tufts are adapted for cleaning the gingival space between the teeth and gums. The middle row tufts are adapted for cleaning the surface of the teeth. The inner row tuft is adapted for cleaning the interproximal space between the teeth.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: CONAIR CIP, INC.Inventors: Vito James Carlucci, Paul Joseph Denhup
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Publication number: 20020104177Abstract: A battery-powered washing unit is described which includes a motor drive unit driven by a DC battery pack with a yoke attached around the motor drive unit. An elongate and extendable handle is connected to the yoke for the user to grasp, and various brushes are connectable to the output shaft of the motor drive unit. Preferably the battery pack is sealed and self-contained and includes an integrated switch member at the top of the battery pack which consists of two powered positions, a low power and high power for various rotary speeds of the brush. Furthermore, the connection between the yoke and the motor drive unit consists of a locking mechanism having at least two locked positions, and a swivel position where the motor drive unit and the brush can swivel relative to the brush handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Inventors: Steve Wong, Neville Glenn, William Rakocy, David Bean
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Publication number: 20020095734Abstract: The present invention discloses the present invention discloses a toothbrush head for engaging to an automatic toothbrush base having a motor shaft for actuating a vibration. The toothbrush head includes a tubular adapter for adapting the vibrating motor shaft the tubular adapter further engaging and transferring the vibration to a swing rod. The toothbrush head further includes an off center pin engaged to the swing rod. The toothbrush head further includes a pair of parallel pins for disposing the off center pin therein and the pair of parallel pins are fixed onto a bristle plate whereby the off center pin is moved along the pair of parallel pin for generating a corresponding vibration on the bristle plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventor: Man-Kwan Wong
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Patent number: 6421867Abstract: A brush, in particular for an electrical toothbrush, having a brush head driven in at least one direction and bristles attached thereto is distinguished in that the ends of at least one portion of the bristles lie on a strip-like or spotted enveloping surface and at least those border edges of the enveloping surface formed by the bristles leading in the direction of motion of the brush head extend at an angle with respect to the direction of motion of the brush head which is different than 90°.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Coronet-Werke GmbHInventor: Georg Weihrauch
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Publication number: 20020078514Abstract: 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 reciprocates 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 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 or reciprocating the circular portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company.Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Publication number: 20020066147Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventor: Alfred Schutz
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Publication number: 20020059685Abstract: The invention is directed to a toothbrush and a toothbrush head therefor which is attachable to a handle of the toothbrush and adapted to be driven by a drive of the toothbrush. The toothbrush head possesses a carrier piece on which a spike is provided for interproximal cleaning, wherein according to the invention the spike is mounted for sliding motion in the direction of its longitudinal axis and is equipped with an overload protection device enabling the spike to retract when a predetermined load is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2002Publication date: May 23, 2002Inventor: Dieter Paffrath
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Patent number: 6381795Abstract: This invention is a brush part for an electrical toothbrush with a housing (40) that can be connected to a handle (30). This housing has a vertical drill hole (49) and a horizontal drill hole (46); an axle (3) that can be connected to a shaft (2) of the handle (30). This axle can be fit into the vertical drill hole (49) such that it is still turnable. A brush head (80) that can be fit into the horizontal drill hole (46) such that it is turnable; Transfer elements (17, 86) to transfer the rotation of the axle (3) onto the brush head (80). The brush head (80) is set in the horizontal drill hole (46) via a lockable sleeve bearing resulting in a corresponding axial fixation, and/or the axle (3) is set in the vertical drill hole (49) via a lockable sleeve bearing (35, 44, 88).Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Inventors: Raimund Hofmann, Jorg Hofmann
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Patent number: 6374447Abstract: A hand manipulated cordless rechargeable powered washing system powered by an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. The washing system includes an apparatus that is lightweight, self contained and submersible. The motor is a high speed motor having dual planetary reduction gear set to reduce the output to a low rpm high torque drive. The DC motor is powered by a rechargeable stick battery on the housing or on a handle attached to the housing. Interchangeable brushes can be used with different bristle arrangements. The handle is an elongated wand type handle having a U-shaped yoke at one end pivotally connected to the motor housing and includes a lock mechanism engaging a portion of the motor housing to lock the motor housing in rigid predetermined angular relation to the longitudinal axis of the wand type handle to enable a non-concentric, non-perpendicular bristle brush to be rigidly associated in a desired angular relation to the handle.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Inventors: Joseph M. Armbruster, Sue B. Armbruster
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Patent number: 6371294Abstract: 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 moving portion rotates 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6367108Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (2) for an electric toothbrush (1), having a carrier tube (4) to which is fitted a bristle carrier (5) comprising a plurality of bristles (6). The carrier tube (4) is adapted to plug onto a mount (7) of a hand piece (3) of the electric toothbrush (1). Provision is made for spring elements (14) arranged between the carrier tube (4) and the mount (7). Noises and vibrations are thereby reduced when the electric toothbrush (1) is in the activated condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Braun GmbHInventors: Thomas Fritsch, Hansjörg Reick
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Publication number: 20020038485Abstract: An electronic toothbrush comprising: a brush head portion having a bristle portion, to be inserted into an oral cavity, for washing teeth; and a holder portion to be exposed outside the oral cavity, an n-type semiconductor is provided so as to be capable of receiving external light; and a battery is provided so as to be capable of superposing an electric potential on the n-type semiconductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2000Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Yoshinori Nakagawa, Takahiro Ikejiri
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Publication number: 20020039720Abstract: A motorized, reusable toothbrush and method of using the same. The toothbrush includes a housing with a handle portion, a neck portion and a head portion. At least one of the portions is constructed of a polymeric material, the housing being a one-piece unit. A brush head is rotatably and detachably mounted to the head portion, the brush head having ultra-soft bristles, and a variable, high speed motor being provided for effecting rotation of the brush head. The neck portion has a bend generally within a range of 110° and 130° relative to the handle portion for orienting the brush head generally at a right angle for engagement of a user's teeth. A fixed drive shaft and gear assembly couples the motor to the brush head for effecting rotation thereof. A replaceable, alkaline-based DC power source is provided for operation of the motor, power control being effected by a variable speed power control device which actuates rotation of the brush head in at least two power settings.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2001Publication date: April 4, 2002Inventors: Alvin J. Marx, Kenneth A. Tarlow
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Patent number: 6363565Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush arrangement for use in a toothbrush having an electric drive mechanism for causing oscillation of the brush arrangement relative to a motion axis (43). It comprises a bristle carrier (41) and a plurality of upstanding bristles anchored to the bristle carrier and grouped in clusters (44, 45). The brush arrangement has bristles or bristle tufts (45) disposed in a spaced relationship to the motion axis (43) and inclined at an angle of inclination of about 6°, for example, in the direction of the motion axis. The brush arrangement is particularly suited for the cleansing of interproximal areas and for the removal of dental plaque, being suitable to particular advantage for utilization in connection with toothbrushes permitting both a rotary motion about the motion axis and a vibrating reciprocating motion in the direction of the motion axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Braun GmbHInventor: Dieter Paffrath
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Publication number: 20020035761Abstract: The invention is directed to a brush section (2) for an electric toothbrush (1), having a carrier tube (4) to which is fitted a bristle carrier (5) comprising a plurality of bristles (6). The carrier tube (4) is adapted to plug onto a mount (7) of a hand piece (3) of the electric toothbrush (1). Provision is made for spring elements (14) arranged between the carrier tube (4) and the mount (7). Noises and vibrations are thereby reduced when the electric toothbrush (1) is in the activated condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: Braun GmbHInventors: Thomas Fritsch, Hansjorg Reick
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Patent number: 6360395Abstract: An electric toothbrush having an elongated body having a handle portion, a head portion, and an elongated intermediate portion disposed between the handle portion and the head portion. The head portion includes a static bristle portion and a moving bristle portion. The static bristle portion and the moving bristle portion are disposed along a common longitudinal axis relative to the head portion. The head portion and intermediate portion are dimensioned for disposition in a human user's mouth for brushing of teeth. A motor is disposed in the handle portion and operatively connected to the moving bristles for moving the moving bristles.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Publication number: 20020032941Abstract: 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 reciprocates 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 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 or reciprocating the circular portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2001Publication date: March 21, 2002Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Publication number: 20020029988Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6349442Abstract: A brush tip for a motorized toothbrush has a first brush head and a second brush head. The second brush head encircles the first brush head. Means are provided for differently accelerating the first and second brush heads in response to motion produced by the toothbrush motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1999Date of Patent: February 26, 2002Assignee: Advanced Prosthetic Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Howard Cohen, Ladislau Biro
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Publication number: 20020020645Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a body portion and a head. The head includes a static portion and a moving portion. The moving portion rotates or reciprocates about an axis normal to a longitudinal axis of the head. The elongated body portion is hollow and further includes a motor and a gear arrangement, which is operatively connected between the motor and the moving portion for rotating or oscillating or reciprocating the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A switch connected to the motor and battery provides momentary and continuous operation of the toothbrush. In one embodiment the toothbrush comprises a plurality of gears and swivel arms which move the brush head moving portion in a rotating, oscillating or reciprocating manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6347425Abstract: An electrically driven toothbrush having a rotatable drive shaft with an end, off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and lodged in a boring in a bristle carrier, which bristle carrier is orbitally secured within a socket in the toothbrush head. When the drive shaft rotates, the end describes a circle and drivingly engages the bristle carrier to actuate the bristle carrier in a three dimensional reciprocating side-to-side and rocking up-and-down motion.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive CompanyInventors: Joseph Fattori, Kenneth Waguespack
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Publication number: 20020017474Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6343396Abstract: A tooth cleaning device having (a) a tooth cleaning head, including: (i) a housing with sides that straddle the tooth along both long faces and defining a longitudinal axis extending between the sides thereof and along the long faces; (ii) gears affixed along respective inner surfaces of the sides of the housing; (iii) tooth cleaning elements affixed along the inner side of the gears and being operatively spaced apart from one another, along the longitudinal axis of the tooth cleaning head, to form a gap therebetween; and (iv) a drive mechanism including: a drive shaft affixed to the inner surfaces of the sides of the housing and spanning the housing, a drive wheel connected to the drive shaft, and transfer gears affixed near ends of the drive shaft and aligned with the gears; and (b) a handle connected to the tooth cleaning head, wherein as the tooth cleaning device travels along a row of teeth, the drive wheel rotates along the biting surface of the teeth, thereby rotating the drive shaft and the transfer gType: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Inventors: Marius Simovitz, Zeev Sade, Eran Front
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Patent number: 6338176Abstract: A hand-held rotary brush is provided with a handle, a brush head having a hollow space, a tuft of bristles mounted onto a rotary device which is loosely set within the hollow space of the brush head. When the user manually pushes the brush, a frictional force is created which propels the bristles to catch the irregular surface of the teeth, gaps, causing the rotary device to turn to a circular rotating motion. The construction of the rotary brush can be improved by configured the rotary device with tracks and grooves, which sets within matched grooves and tracks of the hollow space to create a rotating path, that allows the rotary device to rotate within the hollow space of the brush head.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1999Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Inventors: Lee Y. Smith, Paul A. Smith
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Publication number: 20010054561Abstract: An electric toothbrush includes a head having a moving portion, a handle, and shaft between the head and the handle. An body portion is hollow and further includes a motor operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A battery is located within the hollow section for powering the motor. A First switch, operatively connected to the motor provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. Optionally, a second switch provides for continuous operation of the toothbrush. The first switch can be operated while the toothbrush is in a toothbrush package, such as, for example, a plastic blister pack. A consumer can momentarily observe the operation of the toothbrush before purchasing the toothbrush. The consumer cannot operate the second switch and is thereby prevented from leaving the toothbrush in a battery draining operational mode for extended periods of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2001Publication date: December 27, 2001Inventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John R. Nottingham, John Osher, John W. Spirk, Douglas A. Gall
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Patent number: 6311837Abstract: A package for an article incorporating an on/off switch having a momentary-on position and a continuously-on position is disclosed. The package includes a cover such as a blister-type cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement formed in the cover proximate the switch. The recess arrangement prevents the switch from being slid into the continuously-on position while permitting the switch to be depressed into a momentary-on position. The recess arrangement includes a first recess positioned directly over the switch, and a second recess positioned directly adjacent the switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2000Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Lawrence A. Blaustein, John Osher, John R. Nottingham, John W. Spirk