Fountain Patents (Class 15/29)
  • Patent number: 8356374
    Abstract: An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Federico Castellucci, L. Paul Lustig
  • Patent number: 8347443
    Abstract: A window cleaning assembly includes an elongated pole that has a first end and a second end. An axle is rotatably coupled to the pole adjacent to the first end. A brush head is mounted on the axle and is rotated when the axle rotates. The brush head includes a plurality of bristles that are positionable against a windshield of a vehicle. A motor is mounted on the pole and is mechanically coupled to the axle. The motor rotates the axle when the motor is turned on. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the brush head and is mounted on the pole. A pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump draws fluid from the reservoir and injects the fluid into the brush head so that the brush head can eject the fluid through apertures in the brush head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Fred E. Conrad
  • 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: 8261395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a handheld, motorized cleaning device, comprising a removable rotary cleaning element, a fluid soap reservoir, an electric motor with drive means and a handle having an interior storage for battery power. The handle separates into segments to align a series of batteries, while its working end comprises a refillable reservoir of cleaning solution that is adapted to operate with a plurality of independent cleaning elements, without discharging and refilling between elements. An aperture along the base of the reservoir communicates cleaning solution through the cleaning element to develop lather while the cleaning element is rotated by the electric motor and drive means. The aperture opening is controlled by a rotational slide gate means at the base of the reservoir. In use, the cleaning element is placed in contact with a surface to physically remove built-up dirt and debris, while the soap further breaks down tougher grime and grease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Inventor: Wilfrid Lazarre
  • Patent number: 8256979
    Abstract: An application substance reservoir for a toothbrush is provided. The reservoir has a data carrier and may be filled with toothpaste or another application substance. An electric toothbrush is also provided. The data carrier of the application substance reservoir may contain, for example, information regarding the prevailing filling level of the application substance reservoir and the type of application substance. The electric toothbrush has a data receiver for reading the data stored in the data carrier, a data transmitter for writing to the data carrier, and a control unit which may display the filling level in the application substance reservoir or the particular application substance used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Christian Neyer
  • Patent number: 8256056
    Abstract: A rotatable scrub brush having particular application for removing dried residue from a bucket or similar container. The scrub brush includes a shaft, one end of which can be coupled to a conventional drill. The opposite end of the shaft is connected to a hollow bulb having cleaning bristles projecting outwardly therefrom. Openings through the bottom of the hollow bulb communicate with respective water inlet ducts. When the bulb is dipped in water standing in the bucket to be cleaned, the water will flow upwardly through the inlet ducts to be collected inside the bulb. A rotational force generated by the drill is imparted to the bulb by way of the shaft to cause the bulb to spin at high speed. As the spinning bulb is lifted out of the standing water and moved along the sides of the bucket, the water collected at the interior of the bulb will be expelled therefrom through outlet ports in order to moisten the cleaning bristles and the residue on the bucket to be removed by the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Grant Jones
  • Patent number: 8220098
    Abstract: A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle (11) and a wheel (13) rotatably mounted to the handle and the wheel having a plurality of scrubbing elements (74). Pressurized fluid enters the apparatus and a fluid flow director (16) delivers the fluid to the scrubbing elements to rotate the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. Different types of treatment material dispensing systems (100) are operable position a flow director to spin a dispenser of treatment material, or to position a dispenser in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements, to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Larry C. Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20120159724
    Abstract: A fluid-powered bath brush that uses the kinetic energy of moving water to operate skin-cleaning attachments. In one embodiment, the bath brush comprises a brush head member having at least one brush head housing, a water wheel, a first drive gear, a second drive gear and a brush element rotatably mounted thereon, an adaptor with an outlet side adapted to be connected to a showerhead and an inlet side adapted to be connected to a first fluid-dispensing means that carries water to the showerhead and contains a diverter which diverts the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the showerhead to the flow of water from the first fluid-dispensing means to the brush head member and a flexible second fluid-dispensing means containing at least two tubes for carrying water connecting the brush head member and the adaptor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Houman
  • Patent number: 8201297
    Abstract: A grout cleaning device includes a housing having a front end, a lower region, and a handle; the lower region being separated from the handle. The cleaning device includes a rotatable brush operatively coupled to the housing at the housing front end for scrubbing grout. A motor is located in the housing and operatively coupled to the brush for rotating the brush. An ultraviolet light is operatively coupled to the housing at the housing lower region for sanitizing grout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Inventor: R. Tracey Fulmer
  • Patent number: 8122554
    Abstract: An apparatus with a main unit, a dispenser, a clamp and a clamp structure. The main unit includes a housing, a battery in the housing, a motor in the housing and connected to the battery, and an output drive shaft driven by the motor. The dispenser includes a body that defines a body aperture and which has a reservoir for storing a fluid, and a nozzle in fluid communication with the reservoir. The dispenser is configured to permit the stored fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir through the nozzle. The clamp is coupled to either the main unit or the dispenser and includes a pivotable engagement member. The clamp structure is coupled to the other one of the main unit and the dispenser and includes a second engagement member that can be releasably engaged to the engagement member. The housing is received through the body aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan A. Schemmel, Christopher Murray, Mark Stratford, Benjamin J. Strutt, Patrick Marcil
  • Patent number: 8037567
    Abstract: A rotary elliptically shaped head, free spinning, designed to be attached to a pressurized hose, fluid driven. When activated, the fluid is directed thru the head, striking internal longitudinal fins the cause the had to spin longitudinally, at high speed. The fluid is released thru holes in the head, which by the same centrifugal force driving the head along rows of bristles. When applied to a desire surface the head will scrub and clean the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Inventor: Lee Harris
  • Patent number: 7988070
    Abstract: A shower head includes a case having a chamber with an opening, and a cover is slidably engaged with the opening and has multiple holes. The cover has an inner space defined therein, and a brush unit is rotatably located in the inner space and the chamber. The brush unit includes multiple blades, and each blade has brushes connected thereto. The brush unit rotates by the water flow so as to brush the inner surface of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Yang, Chiao-Cheng Yang, Tsung-Te Liu, Han-Hua Liu
  • 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: 7941887
    Abstract: A multi-purpose showerhead includes a flexible conduit having a head end coupled to an water outlet of a faucet, a first water supply channel and a first water return channel being fitted within the flexible conduit, wherein the first water supply channel is connected to the water outlet of the faucet while the first water return channel is provided with a back flow opening extending outward near the head end; a showerhead main body having a shank member and a head member at the top of the shank member, the inside thereof being brought in a connected state. Meanwhile, a second, third, and fourth water supply channels as well as a second, third, and fourth water return channels are available. Moreover, return flow chambers and a blade wheel are disposed within the head member. In addition, a brush body and water-spraying perforations are fitted on the surface thereof. The adjustment knob permits the control of the switching of the water flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Inventor: Ming-Yen Tsai
  • Publication number: 20110061187
    Abstract: An oral-care device with a power cleaning head configured to dispense an oral-care cleaning solution is disclosed. The power cleaning head comprises squeegees and bristles and one or more apertures for dispensing the oral-care solution. Preferably, the squeegee and bristle are configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while dispensing the oral-care solution through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, JR.
  • Patent number: 7891036
    Abstract: A power washer is provided with a transport frame, a wash unit and a gun. The wash unit and the gun may be separated from the transport frame to be used in multiple modes. Possible modes include a walk-behind mode, a spray mode and hand wash modes. A quick connection is also provided to make it easier to disconnect and reconnect various components of the power washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Klaus Karl Hahn, Charles Keith Long, Thomas R. Ayers
  • 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: 7877833
    Abstract: An oral-care device with a power cleaning head configured to dispense an oral-care cleaning solution is disclosed. The power cleaning head comprises squeegees and bristles and one or more apertures for dispensing the oral-care solution. Preferably, the squeegee and bristle are configured to rotate, oscillate, vibrate or otherwise move while dispensing the oral-care solution through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventor: James A. Gavney, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7832043
    Abstract: A toothbrush has a body, and a brush member connected to the body, the brush member including three brushes which are arranged at an angle relative to one another so as to provide two side brushes and one intermediate brush extending between the side brushes and to form an elongated passage between the brushes, adapted to receive teeth so that the brushes can contact the teeth from an inner side, from an outer side, and from a biting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Yasha Feldman
  • Patent number: 7810201
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Phillip M. Braun
  • Patent number: 7788757
    Abstract: The invention is a fun shower brush. The brush has a bubble-making device on its top part. Different kinds of brush can be fitted into the front of the shower brush to meet the needs of the user. This design makes the brush suitable for use by the general public and the bubble-making device makes showering more fun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Inventor: Chia-Ho Lei
  • Patent number: 7681273
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment to water hose is provided comprising an outer shell having a dome-shaped base skirt including a connector member for tightening the flared top end of the neck section of the outer shell to the water hose in a sealing engagement, a main ball valve to permit passage of water and out of alignment therefrom to block the entire water stream; and a water chute with two extensions each extending approximately in parallel with the interior walls of the outer shell and in a first spiral form. A dome-shaped outer rotor with a number of fans and a bottom brush is rotationally positioned in the base skirt under the water chute for receiving the pressurized impacts of the water streams to activate the outer rotor in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Man-Young Jung
  • Patent number: 7670305
    Abstract: A device for showering has a housing and a rotatable massaging element arranged in the housing so that it is rotatable by water and capable of massaging with the simultaneous discharge of water. A rotary unit is located in the housing and is connected with the massaging element to be acted on by water so that the rotary unit rotates and rotates the massaging element. The rotary unit is composed of at least two rotors which are configured so that in a first mode of operation only one of the rotors rotates and provides rotation of the massaging element and issuance of water for showering, and in a second mode of operation both the rotor elements rotate to provide a turbo rotation of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventors: Sam Zhadanov, Eli Zhadanov
  • Patent number: 7665171
    Abstract: A fluid operated wash brush is provided. The wash brush includes a casing having a downwardly opening top cover. The casing includes a liquid inlet for connection to a fluid supply. The wash brush also includes a rotary wash brush and a mounting shaft supported by the casing for relative rotation on which the rotary wash brush is carried. A retention mechanism is carried on a distal end of the mounting shaft for releasable engagement and disengagement with the rotary wash brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: FNA IP Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gus Alexander, Morgan McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7631386
    Abstract: A handheld cleaning apparatus for cleaning carpets and other surfaces comprises a housing, a motorized cleaning head, and a liquid container assembly removably mounted to the housing for storing and dispensing a cleaning liquid onto the surface to be cleaned. The housing and the cleaning head are designed such that the user can easily and comfortably apply a downward force to the cleaning head. Additionally, the liquid container preferably comprises a manual spray dispenser having an outlet orifice that is offset from the cleaning head for unobstructed dispensation of cleaning fluid onto the surface to be cleaned. A selectively heated pressure tip with a rounded end is mounted to the cleaning head for cleaning stains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: BISSELL Homecare, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Carlito Santiago, Eric C. Huffman, Timothy S. Parker
  • Publication number: 20090255071
    Abstract: A rotatable scrub brush having particular application for removing dried residue from a bucket or similar container. The scrub brush includes a shaft, one end of which can be coupled to a conventional drill. The opposite end of the shaft is connected to a hollow bulb having cleaning bristles projecting outwardly therefrom. Openings through the bottom of the hollow bulb communicate with respective water inlet ducts. When the bulb is dipped in water standing in the bucket to be cleaned, the water will flow upwardly through the inlet ducts to be collected inside the bulb. A rotational force generated by the drill is imparted to the bulb by way of the shaft to cause the bulb to spin at high speed. As the spinning bulb is lifted out of the standing water and moved along the sides of the bucket, the water collected at the interior of the bulb will be expelled therefrom through outlet ports in order to moisten the cleaning bristles and the residue on the bucket to be removed by the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Grant Jones
  • Patent number: 7565713
    Abstract: A scrubbing spray device includes a housing coupled to a base by a flexible hose for transferring fluid from the base to the housing. The base is preferably coupled to a building's hot and cold water supply lines. A brush member removably attaches to one end of the housing. An outlet channel attaches to the housing for moving between first and second configurations and selectively discharging fluid contained in the housing. These two configurations give the user the option of spraying the fluid onto the brush member or directly onto the object being cleaned. A soap reservoir is in communication with the housing for selectively introducing a cleaning substance into the fluid contained in the housing. A motor and battery are included for rotating the brush member, and the base may include a battery charger for charging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventor: Edward B. Standish
  • Publication number: 20090124184
    Abstract: An elongated liquid polish dispenser which can be longitudinally attached to a hand-held rotary buffer such that a thumb switch to operate the dispenser is placed opposite a trigger on the buffer's handle is described. The dispenser can be firmly attached by a built-in strap to several popular models of professional heavy duty polishers without obscuring vent holes of those models. The thumb switch activates an electric pump which pumps liquid polish through a nozzle and onto a work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Robert S. Greer
  • Patent number: 7530135
    Abstract: Embodiments of a rotary style carpet cleaning machine incorporating a heated reservoir of a foaming-type cleaning solution are described. The heated solution increases the chemical cleaning activity of the solution while the agitation of the carpet pile provides additional cleaning capability. In certain embodiments, a quick discount is provided on the heater assembly to permit a stair/upholstery to utilize the heated cleaning solution in the rotary cleaning machine's reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Mark Benedict
  • Publication number: 20090113643
    Abstract: An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Federico Castellucci, L. Paul Lustig
  • Publication number: 20090031510
    Abstract: An application substance reservoir for a toothbrush is provided. The reservoir has a data carrier and may be filled with toothpaste or another application substance. An electric toothbrush is also provided. The data carrier of the application substance reservoir may contain, for example, information regarding the prevailing filling level of the application substance reservoir and the type of application substance. The electric toothbrush has a data receiver for reading the data stored in the data carrier, a data transmitter for writing to the data carrier, and a control unit which may display the filling level in the application substance reservoir or the particular application substance used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Hilscher, Christian Neyer
  • Patent number: 7484260
    Abstract: A manually operated liquid dispensing cleaning implement uses batteries to drive a motor, through gearing to rotate a flexible cleaning head with cleaning elements. A cleaning fluid reservoir container is supported within the implement for dispensing cleaning fluid through the head. Application of compressive pressure on the head acts against the bias force of a leaf spring within the container to allow cleaning fluid to pass out the cleaning head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Quickie Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Jonathan A. Jaffe
  • Patent number: 7469440
    Abstract: An electric toothbrush including a pressure fluid device for applying fluid under pressure to teeth to be cleaned or to a bristle set. The pressure fluid device includes a pressure fluid supply in the interior of a movable drive translator. A brush part with a carrier tube is movably mounted with a drive translator therein adapted to be coupled to a drive element in a handle part. A movably mounted bristle carrier mounts a set of bristles and is adapted to be driven in an oscillatory manner by the drive translator. A motor in the handle part drives a drive element adapted to be coupled to a drive element in the brush part and with a pressure fluid conveying device driven by the motor. A pressure fluid channel, which directs the pressure fluid to the toothbrush head, is integrated into the drive translator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Boland, Christian Junk
  • Publication number: 20080276391
    Abstract: A cleaning attachment to water hose is provided comprising an outer shell having a dome-shaped base skirt including a connector member for tightening the flared top end of the neck section of the outer shell to the water hose in a sealing engagement, a main ball valve to permit passage of water and out of alignment therefrom to block the entire water stream; and a water chute with two extensions each extending approximately in parallel with the interior walls of the outer shell and in a first spiral form. A dome-shaped outer rotor with a number of fans and a bottom brush is rotationally positioned in the base skirt under the water chute for receiving the pressurized impacts of the water streams to activate the outer rotor in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Man-Young Jung
  • Publication number: 20080229530
    Abstract: An improved grout cleaning apparatus has in line cleaning wheels positioned within a housing, at the terminus of a shaft. A grip is coupled at an upper end of the shaft, and may be grasped by a user to move the apparatus for cleaning purposes. In one embodiment, a drive motor supplies power to the in line cleaning wheels, which may be made to turn in opposing directions so as to provide improved cleaning efficiency. A cleaning fluid dispenser may also provided on the shaft, to permit the dispensing of fluid proximate the cleaning wheels during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: Eric Kordick
  • Publication number: 20080201877
    Abstract: In order to provide a hand-held cleaning/polishing machine, comprising a holding device for holding the cleaning/polishing machine, a drive motor, a tool head for one or more cleaning tools and/or polishing tools, which has a tool drive shaft driven by the drive motor, and a transmission device for transmitting torque from the drive motor to the tool drive shaft, which is universally usable, it is provided that at least one coupling for connecting at least one first fluid line is arranged on the holding device and that at least one second fluid line leads to the tool head from the at least one coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: Flex-Elektrowerkzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Sengewald, Bernd Augustin
  • Patent number: 7401373
    Abstract: An oral solution dispenser apparatus for attachment to a powered toothbrush handle having a drive coupling mounted thereon, includes a housing adapted for attachment to the handle, the housing having a recess therein for receiving a cartridge containing the oral solution, a pump disposed in the housing for moving the oral solution from the cartridge, and an outlet nozzle extending from the housing and adapted to permit movement of the oral solution from the pump and from the housing. A head having bristles thereon is adapted to interconnect with the handle drive coupling and the housing outlet nozzle, to facilitate powered movement of the bristles and movement of the oral solution from the outlet nozzle to proximate the bristles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew P. Tybinkowski, Federico Castellucci, L. Paul Lustig
  • Patent number: 7401377
    Abstract: A battery-operated toothbrush includes a drive unit, a housing defining an accommodation chamber configured to receive the drive unit, and a thermoplastic elastomer seal disposed on an outer surface of the housing. The housing includes a front end configured to receive a toothbrush head, an open end, opposite the front end, that provides access to the accommodation chamber, and a pass-through aperture, which extends from an outer surface of the housing to the accommodation chamber. The drive unit includes an engagement element configured to engage the pass-through aperture to retain the drive unit in the accommodation chamber. The thermoplastic elastomer seal extends into the pass-through aperture. A potion of the thermoplastic elastomer seal is elastically displaced by the engagement element when the engagement element engages the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birk, Soren Wasow
  • Patent number: 7373684
    Abstract: This device is used to clean and dry lens of eyewear. The entire device is contained in one unit and will provide the appropriate motion or movement to accomplish the cleaning of the eyewear using brushes and drying pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Inventor: Warren L. Smith
  • Patent number: 7363673
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Alan Schonewille, Richard Peter Rosa, Sean David Wilkinson, Corey Donald MacTavish, Jacob Richard Prosper, James Douglas Marshall, Oleksiy Petrovych Sergyeyenko, Vincent P. Cooper, David Michael Shaver, Patrick Marcil
  • Publication number: 20080060149
    Abstract: A combination automobile detailing machine having a battery powered drive mechanism which powers three different interchangeable accessory attachments for detailing an automobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Xingyu Wu, Xingqiang Wu, Honghui Guo
  • Patent number: 7337487
    Abstract: A pressure cleaner brush for washing surfaces comprising a body inside which a bladed impeller is supported so that it can rotate, the impeller being turned by a jet of water that arrives from a nozzle that is associated with the body, the body being provided with at least one opening from which at least one rotating brush actuated by the impeller protrudes, and at least one tank for containing a detergent fluid, which is associated with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Leophorm S.R.L.
    Inventor: Luca Leonardi
  • Patent number: 7334283
    Abstract: In a power toothbrush, a brush base portion is provided at a top end of a brush attachment which is detachably engaged with a main body containing an actuator generating driving force for driving at least the brush base portion. The brush base portion can be reciprocally moved in an axial direction of the main body with a predetermined stroke and a predetermined frequency, swing around a rotation axis perpendicular to the axial direction of the main body with a predetermined swing angle and a predetermined frequency, or rotated around the rotation axis with a predetermined rotation speed. A plurality of floating base member is floatingly supported in guiding hollows formed in the brush base portion, and a brush staple is planted on each floating base member. Thus, dirt or plaque remained in interdental portion of the tooth can effectively be removed, when top ends of the brush staples contact the surfaces of the tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kunita, Shinichi Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 7302726
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventor: Phillip M. Braun
  • Patent number: 7143460
    Abstract: A portable rotary brush cleaning device for cleaning the inside of a bathtub or other household surfaces, comprising a machine body, a brush handle having two ends, and a motor-driven brush. The brush handle is attached to the machine body at one of its ends and to the brush at its other end. The machine body houses a water tank, a cleaning solution tank, a water pump, and a cleaning solution pump. The pumps supply water and cleaning solution to the brush via hoses that run along the length of the brush handle. A user first wets the brush by activating buttons which control the pumps. The user then activates the motor which causes the brush to rotate upon the brush handle. The user alternates between wetting the brush and rotating the brush on the surface to be cleaned, until the surface has been sufficiently cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventor: Barbara Kato
  • Patent number: 7114211
    Abstract: A cleaning brush including a housing including a reservoir for storing therein cleaning fluid, the reservoir in fluid communication with a pump, a hollow spindle rotatably mounted in the housing, connected to and powered by a motor, the hollow spindle being in fluid communication with the pump, and a brush including bristles in fluid communication with the hollow spindle, wherein a fluid flowing through the hollow spindle flows directly to the bristles of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Inventor: Zvi Elster
  • Patent number: 7080980
    Abstract: A dental hygiene system provided with interchangeable dental heads permits power-enhanced brushing and concurrent fluid irrigation to optimize a user's personal dental hygiene efforts. The system has a handle assembly with an irrigation nozzle in close proximity to displaceable bristles driven by a battery-operated handle motor. Pumping of irrigation fluid such as an antiseptic solution into the oral cavity is also motor driven. A telescoping chamber with irrigation fluid fits on the piston-like base end of the handle and is refilled by docking the handle assembly on a complementary docking station that includes a detachable fluid reservoir, microswitch controls and a base fluid pump. Docking of the handle assembly triggers the microswitches and opens a check valve in the bottom of the handle chamber, which activates the flow of fluid from the reservoir into the chamber. An optional fiberoptic subassembly illuminates the oral cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Inventor: Michael Klupt
  • Patent number: 6981291
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Hartz Mountain Corporation
    Inventor: William D. McKay
  • Patent number: 6915541
    Abstract: A water-operated wash brush which includes a casing that supports a rotary brush and an impellor which drives the rotary brush through a gear train as an incident to direction of wash liquid into the casing from a tangential nozzle. The casing has a clear plastic cover for observing rotary operation of the impellor with the gear train being ascetically disposed on an underside of the impellor. A circular splash plate is interposed between the gear train and the rotary brush for preventing the splash back of wash liquid that might impede operation of the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: FAIP North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Gus Alexander
  • Patent number: 6862769
    Abstract: A vehicle washing device includes an elongated tubular member having a first end and a second end. A coupler is fluidly coupled to the first end for coupling with a water supply hose. A housing includes a top wall and a peripheral wall. The second end of the tubular member is attached to the top wall of the housing and is fluidly coupled to a plurality of nozzles mounted in the housing. A plurality of spindles is rotatably mounted in the housing. Each of the spindles has a central portion and a pair of lateral portions. A plurality of paddles is attached to each one of the central portions. The central portions are positioned such that the spindles are rotated when jets of water from the nozzles strike the paddles. A plurality of bristles is attached to each one of the lateral portions of the spindles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: Clifton Dalton, Sr.