Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a toothbrush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental tray and to any malocclusion that may be present. The powered toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the Modified Bass Method of brushing.

Powered toothbrush systems that provide improved bristle positioning and bristle contact with tooth surfaces that reduce the time and effort required for effective brushing. Some embodiments use alternating or oscillating pneumatic pressure and suction to move a toothbrush head. Various configuration of the brush head provide different areas of coverage ranging from individual tooth to quarter mouth (U-cross section), to half (U-cross section or H-cross section) or whole mouth (U-cross section or H-cross section) coverage. Some embodiments include flexible fingers and/or bladders to keep the bristle tips properly engaged with the teeth and gums, providing bristle contact over a wide variety of malocclusion. The shape of the brush heads adapts to conform closely to the shape of the user's dental tray and to any malocclusion that may be present. The powered toothbrush automatically generates motion of the brush head that simulates the Modified Bass Method of brushing.

The present invention relates to a brush head (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) for use with a body care device (100), comprising a plurality of bristles (22, 22a-22e), a carrier (16) for fixedly carrying the plurality of bristles (22, 22a-22e), and connection means for connecting the carrier (16) to a housing (50) of the body care device (100) defining a first axis (14), so that, when the brush head is connected to the housing (50), the carrier (16) is rotatable about the first axis (14) and pivotable about a second axis (20) perpendicular to the first axis (14) with respect to the housing (50), wherein the carrier (16) comprises a plurality of carrier parts (17), each fixedly carrying a corresponding one of a plurality of bristle groups (26, 28, 30), and wherein at least one of the plurality of carrier parts (17) comprises a shaft defining a third axis (40, 42, 44) about which the corresponding bristle group (26, 28, 30) is rotatable.

The present invention relates to a brush head (10, 10a, 10b, 10c) for use with a body care device (100), comprising a plurality of bristles (22, 22a-22e), a carrier (16) for fixedly carrying the plurality of bristles (22, 22a-22e), and connection means for connecting the carrier (16) to a housing (50) of the body care device (100) defining a first axis (14), so that, when the brush head is connected to the housing (50), the carrier (16) is rotatable about the first axis (14) and pivotable about a second axis (20) perpendicular to the first axis (14) with respect to the housing (50), wherein the carrier (16) comprises a plurality of carrier parts (17), each fixedly carrying a corresponding one of a plurality of bristle groups (26, 28, 30), and wherein at least one of the plurality of carrier parts (17) comprises a shaft defining a third axis (40, 42, 44) about which the corresponding bristle group (26, 28, 30) is rotatable.

An apparatus includes a toothbrush head configured to brush teeth, an appliance brush configured to brush a dental appliance, and a body configured to be releasably coupled with either one of the toothbrush head and the appliance brush such that the appliance brush and the toothbrush head are interchangeable. The body includes a vibration component configured to vibrate the toothbrush head or the appliance brush head when coupled with the body. When the appliance brush is coupled with the body, a greater portion of the body is exposed than when the toothbrush head is coupled with the body.

A detangling brush has a top brush head and a bottom brush head connected with a hinge. The top brush head includes a top perimeter frame having a first plurality of inwardly extending fingers which are laterally spaced from each other, and further have a plurality of top bristles which project downwardly from at least some of the first plurality of inwardly extending fingers. At least one ring is mounted on the top brush. The bottom brush head has a bottom perimeter frame which includes a second plurality of inwardly extending fingers which are laterally spaced from each other, and further have a plurality of bottom bristles which project upwardly from at least some of the second plurality of inwardly extending fingers of the bottom brush head.

A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

A brush head assembly comprising: a hard platen; a plurality of bristle tufts, each of which comprises a plurality of bristle strands, each bristle tuft having a proximal end and a free end; and a flexible matrix at least partially comprised of a shear-thickening material for coupling the plurality of bristle tufts to the hard platen, wherein the flexible matrix is arranged such that there is shear-thickening material between the proximal ends of the plurality of bristle tufts and the hard platen. A method of manufacturing the brush head assembly for use with a personal care appliance.

There is provided a conduit cleaner including an elongate body. The cleaner includes at least one vane coupled to and extending radially outwards from a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The at least one vane has a distal end portion shaped to abut against and clean an inner surface of a conduit. According to a second aspect, there is provided a conduit cleaner including an elongate body. The cleaner includes a plurality of turbines rotatably coupled to the elongate body. Each turbine includes at least one vane extending outwards from a longitudinal axis of the elongate body. The vanes have distal end portions shaped to abut against and clean an inner surface of the conduit.

An apparatus includes a toothbrush head configured to brush teeth and a body releasably coupled with the toothbrush head. The body includes a vibration component configured to vibrate the toothbrush head, and an element configured to operate the vibration component. The apparatus includes an appliance brush interchangeable with the toothbrush head and configured to brush a dental appliance.