Abstract:
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.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/710,616, filed on Nov. 9, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/382,745, filed on Aug. 25, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,579 on Jan. 30, 2001, and which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/236,794, filed Jan. 25, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,189,693 on Feb. 20, 2001, and which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/163,621, filed on Sep. 30, 1998, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,983 on Dec. 14, 1999. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to electric toothbrushes. More particularly, it relates to an improved battery powered toothbrush.  
           [0003]    The benefits of brushing one&#39;s teeth using motorized toothbrushes are well known, and motorized movement in toothbrushes has been the subject of much recent innovation and design activity. Also, the commercial market has seen the introduction, over the last several years, of many different types of motorized toothbrushes. However, an examination of the available technology shows a tendency toward increasingly complex, expensive, and non-commercially feasible methods of achieving motorized motions in the bristles and heads of toothbrushes to aid in more effectively cleaning one&#39;s teeth.  
           [0004]    The commercial marketplace has become divided into two price markets. On the higher priced end are some of these more complex motorized toothbrushes that provide various motions to the bristles and brush head. The lower end of the market has become the province of very simple motorized toothbrushes that only vibrate through the use of an offset weight attached to the motor shaft, and which provide very little true additional cleaning benefit with their use, since no vigorous motion is transmitted to the cleaning surface of the brush. The vibrations are also very uncomfortable to the hand and act as a disincentive to brush one&#39;s teeth for an adequate time.  
           [0005]    Numerous electric toothbrushes have been developed over the years. Some known devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,567; U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,627; U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,870; U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,534; U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,153; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,433. None of these toothbrushes provides a low cost/hygienic means for a customer to try the toothbrush before making a toothbrush purchase. Allowing a customer to observe the operation of a a motorized toothbrush, feel the level of vibration, and hear the sound of the toothbrush is a powerful mechanism for communicating the usefulness and convenience of the toothbrush. Accordingly it has been considered desirable to develop an electric toothbrush which overcomes difficulties of prior art toothbrushes and provides a means for a customer to try the toothbrush without removing the toothbrush from its package and even before purchasing the toothbrush.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    To those ends a new electric toothbrush has been developed. The new electric toothbrush comprises packaging for containing the toothbrush, and a body portion having a first end and a hollow portion. A head located at the first end includes a moving portion, the moving portion comprises at least one of bristles and massaging tips. A motor located within the hollow portion of the body portion is operative to generate motion for driving the moving portion. A first switch is operably connected to the motor. The first switch can be actuated in a first manner to provide momentary operation of the toothbrush even when the toothbrush is inside the packaging.  
           [0007]    In some embodiments the first switch is depressed to provide the momentary operation. For example, in some embodiments, the first switch is a push button.  
           [0008]    In some embodiments, the toothbrush further comprises a second switch, which is actuated in a second manner, to provide continuous operation of the toothbrush when the toothbrush is removed from the packaging. For example, in some embodiments, the second switch is a slide switch, a toggle switch, an alternate acting pushbutton switch, a rotary switch, electronic switch or any other switch that provides a continuous or non-momentary contact closure.  
           [0009]    One advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush with a switch which allows momentary operation of the toothbrush while the toothbrush is inside sealed factory packaging.  
           [0010]    Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.  
           [0011]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of an electric toothbrush with moving portion that rotates, swivels, oscillates or reciprocates.  
           [0012]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a circular portion that rotates, reciprocates, swivels, or oscillates which is positioned at the end of the brush head to facilitate easier access to the back of the user&#39;s mouth.  
           [0013]    Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed description. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a first electric toothbrush, the first electric toothbrush including a switch providing a combination of momentary and non-momentary switching features;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the first toothbrush showing details of one toothbrush head embodiment;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a bottom elevational view of the first electric toothbrush;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view in cross section of the one embodiment of the first electric toothbrush;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second electric toothbrush, the second electric toothbrush including a switching circuit including a first switch or switching member operative to providing a momentary switching function and a second switch or switching member operative to provide a non-momentary switching feature;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third electric toothbrush, the third electric toothbrush including a switching circuit including a third switch or switching member operative to providing a momentary switching function and a fourth switch or switching member operative to provide a non-momentary switching feature;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a front and side elevational view of an electric toothbrush in packaging;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fourth toothbrush showing details of an exemplary motor, driving means and moving portion. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0023]    Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows an first electric toothbrush A. The electric toothbrush can be used for personal hygiene such as brushing one&#39;s teeth and gums.  
         [0024]    As shown in FIG. 1, the electric toothbrush includes an body portion  10 , which has a first end  12  and a second end  14 . A head  16  is located at the first end  12  and a handle  18  is located at the second end  14 .  
         [0025]    The exemplary head  16  has a more traditional larger brush head shape which permits the user to brush his teeth in the typical manner of an up and down fashion. As shown on FIG. 2, the length of the head  16 , dimension “X”, can range from about 0.75 inches to about 1.75 inches. The thickness of the brush head, dimension “Y”, can range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches. The design of the head  16  allows for inexpensive manufacture and assists in bringing effective motorized rotational toothbrushes within the financial reach of a large portion of the population. However, other head designs can be used and still remain within the scope of aspects of the invention.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 3, the exemplary head  16  further includes a longitudinal axis  19 , an exemplary moving portion or brush head  20  and an optional static portion or brush head  22 . The static portion  22  is located on opposite sides of the moving portion  20 . The exemplary moving portion  20  is located at the center of the brush head  16 . The exemplary moving portion  20  rotates, swivels, oscillates or reciprocates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  19  of the brush head  16 . However, other head motions are known in the art. The exemplary moving portion  20  may rotate continuously in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction or partially rotate, oscillate, or reciprocate in a back and forth manner. Alternatively, the exemplary moving portion  20  moves in some other manner. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,206 to Davidovitz et al. discloses a toothbrush with combined longitudinal reciprocation and circular rotation or oscillation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,312 to Tan et al. discloses a toothbrush with a first moving portion moving in a wiping motion described as oscillation in a transverse direction and a second moving portion that moves round about its own center. U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,567 to Holland discloses a toothbrush with a combined rotational and revolving motions. U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,382 to Beny discloses a toothbrush with combined longitudinal and transverse motions resulting in a figure eight type brush movement. In addition to the motions disclosed herein, any known moving portion motion may be incorporated and still remain within the scope of aspects of the invention.  
         [0027]    The exemplary moving portion  20  includes stiff bristles  24 . The optional static portion  22  includes soft bristles  26 . The stiff bristles  24  are slightly recessed with respect to the soft bristles  26 . The stiff bristles  24  aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process, while the stationary soft bristles  26  are softer so as to not damage the gums. The thickness of the bristles, dimension “Z”, shown in FIG. 2, can range from about 0.25 inches to about 0.75 inches. Again, other bristle arrangements may be used and still remain within the scope of aspects of the invention.  
         [0028]    Referring again to FIG. 3, the body portion  10  further includes an angled shaft  28 , located between the head  16  and the handle  18 . The angled shaft  28  provides an ergonomic benefit that has not been utilized on a motorized toothbrush. The angle is well known for its ergonomic benefit in permitting easier access into the back recesses of the mouth while still contacting the tooth surface.  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 4 the elongated body portion  10  further includes a hollow portion  30  which houses a motor  32 . The motor  32  has a longitudinal axis  34  in line with a longitudinal axis  36  of the elongated body portion  10 . However, other motor arrangements may be used and still remain within the scope of aspects of the invention.  
         [0030]    The motor  32  generates motion for driving the moving portion  20 . Optionally, the moving portion  20  is driven through a driving means. For example, motion generated by the motor  32  is delivered to the moving portion  20  to move, rotate, oscillate or reciprocate through a driving means including a worm gear  40  and a pair of step gears  42 ,  43 . The motor  32  is operatively connected to the worm gear  40 . Step gear  42  is operatively connected to step gear  43  and the worm gear  40 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 4, the first step gear  42  permits the matching second step gear  43  to be offset with respect to the longitudinal axis  36  of the elongated body portion  10 .  
         [0032]    As shown in FIG. 4, the exemplary driving means further includes a shaft  44  that is connected at a first end to the offset step gear  43  and at a second end to the moving portion  20 . The second step gear  43  is placed at a desired angle so that the shaft  44  itself can still be straight, thus losing no power or torque through the added function of a flexible shaft.  
         [0033]    However, other driving means can be used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,550 Graham et al. discloses a toothbrush having a reciprocating rack for driving a plurality of geared brush heads in a rotational oscillatory manner. U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,516 to H. Cantor discloses a toothbrush having conical drive gears, pulleys and a belt for rotating a moving portion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,601 to McDougall discloses a toothbrush having a reciprocating flexible member for driving a moving portion in a rotational or oscillatory manner. U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,206 to Davidovitz et al. discloses a toothbrush with a reciprocating shaft and a carrier member. The carrier member carries a geared brush head. The geared brush head is in meshed engagement with a stationary rack element. As the shafted reciprocates, the brush head reciprocates. Additionally, due to the meshed engagement with the rack element, the brush head also rotates. In addition to the driving means disclosed herein, any known driving means can be used and stay within the scope of aspects of the invention.  
         [0034]    A switch  50  is provided to control operation of the electric toothbrush and is operatively connected to the motor  32 . For example, the switch  50  includes a molded actuator button  52  and a metal contact  54 . In a momentary mode of operation, the switch  50  is manually depressed by pressing a molded actuator button  52  down, which then presses against a metal contact  54 , which completes the circuit and provides momentary operation of the toothbrush. The switch  50  also allows continuous mode of operation through a ramp design. Sliding the button  52  forward toward the head  16  provides for continuous operation. A selected shape of the button combined with a molded or stamped in ramp  58  in the metal contact  54 , causes forward movement of the button  52  to move the contact  54  downward, thereby completing the circuit. The toothbrush then continuously operates until the button  52  is slid back into an off position toward the handle  18  and the button  52  disengages the metal contact  54 .  
         [0035]    By providing the momentary function, the toothbrush can be packaged in packaging as shown in FIG. 7 where the consumer can depress the button  52  through the packaging and see, feel and hear its operation while the toothbrush is still inside the packaging. When the toothbrush is purchased and removed from the package the consumer is able to us the non-momentary, continuous mode, or ramp design function to operate the toothbrush in a continuous manner. FIG. 7 illustrates one version of the button  52 . By testing the operation of the toothbrush in this manner, the consumer can easily evaluate the quality of the toothbrush. For example, the consumer can evaluate the quietness of the operation of the toothbrush. The consumer can determine that the vibration of the toothbrush is not uncomfortable. The consumer can sense the strength or torque behind the brushing action and the consumer can verify that batteries installed in the toothbrush are fully charged. It should be noted, as detailed below, that other sizes and shapes of buttons as well as functional configurations may be used.  
         [0036]    Referring again to FIG. 4, a battery  60  is provided within the hollow portion  30  of the elongated body portion  10 . A battery terminal or contact  62  is provided for the battery  60 . An AA size battery can be used as is illustrated in FIG. 4. To install the battery  60  into the hollow portion  30 , a slidable snap-on cover  64  is depressed and slid off the end of the handle  18  to expose the hollow portion  30 . The battery  60  is inserted, then the cover  64  is slid back on to the housing and snapped into place. The terminal end of the battery  60  is then in contact with the metal contact  54 .  
         [0037]    If desired, depressions or grip areas  70  and  72  can be molded into the body  10  as shown in FIG. 4. The depressions  70 ,  72  are used to support a user&#39;s thumb and forefinger or other fingers to make using the electric toothbrush easier and more comfortable.  
         [0038]    Alternatively, the switch  50  may be only a momentary switch that does not provide a continuous mode of operation. In that case, the consumer is still able to evaluate the quality of the toothbrush before purchasing it. However, in operation the consumer is required to hold the switch  50  in the closed position while using the toothbrush.  
         [0039]    In other embodiments, momentary and continuous switching functions are provided by two separate switches. For example, referring to FIG. 5, a second electric toothbrush B includes a body portion  80  which has a first end  82  and a second end  84 . A head  86  is attached to or located at the first end  82  and a handle  88  is attached to or located at the second end  84 . A first switch  90  and a second switch  92  are mounted in the body portion  80 . The exemplary head  86  includes a moving portion  94  and a static portion  96 . The moving portion and the static portion contain brushing elements such as bristles  98  and or massaging tips  100 .  
         [0040]    The first switch  90  is a momentary switch. For example, the first switch  90  is a push button that operates in a manner similar to the switch  50  when the switch  50  is operated in the momentary mode.  
         [0041]    Alternatively, the first switch may be another kind of momentary switch as long as the first switch can be easily actuated while the second toothbrush B is sealed in factory packaging, such as, that depicted in FIG. 7.  
         [0042]    The second switch  92  is a non-momentary or continuous mode switch. For example, the second switch  92  is a slide switch that operates in a manner similar to the switch  50  when the switch  50  is operated in the continuous mode.  
         [0043]    Alternatively, the second switch  92  may be any other kind of non-momentary switch, as long as the second switch can not be easily actuated while the toothbrush B is sealed in factory packaging, such as that depicted in FIG. 8. In this regard, the factory packaging may be designed to prevent or impede attempts to actuate the second switch.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 6, a third toothbrush C also includes a body portion  80  which has a first end  82  and a second end  84 . A head  86  is located at the first end  82  and a handle  88  is attached to the second end  84 . A third switch  110  and a fourth switch  120  are mounted in the elongated body portion  80 . The head includes a moving portion  94  and a static portion  96 . The moving portion and the static portion contain brushing elements such as, bristles  98  and/or massaging tips  100 .  
         [0045]    The third switch  110  is a momentary switch. The third switch may be similar to the second switch  90 . Alternatively, the third switch may be any other kind of momentary switch. For example, the third switch  110  may be part of an electronic switching circuit comprising a micro-controller circuit (hidden from view) having a first input and an output. The first input senses the state of the third switch button  110 . The micro-controller controls the state of the output based on sensed input. For example, the micro-controller closes an electronic switch, such as, for example, a FET type transistor, for a predetermined period of time, for example, 4 seconds, whenever the third switch button  110  is momentarily depressed. Alternatively, the microprocessor closes an electronic switch whenever, and for as long as, the third switch button  110  is depressed.  
         [0046]    The fourth switch  120  is a non-momentary push button switch. For example, the forth switch includes a first switching member  122  and a second switching member  126 . Depressing the first switching member  122  closes a contact thereby powering the toothbrush. Depressing the second switching member  126  opens the contact, thereby de-powering the toothbrush. If necessary, a toothbrush package may be designed to make it difficult to accidentally or maliciously activate the forth switch  120  while the toothbrush is in the package. For example, a blister package may include a dome over the forth switch  120  that can not be easily depressed. Alternatively, the blister package is dimensioned so there is generally a large gap between the toothbrush switches and the blister. A recess may be provided in the blister that reaches toward the third switch  110  thereby permitting momentary trials of the toothbrush.  
         [0047]    Alternatively, the fourth switch  120  is another kind of non-momentary or continuous mode switch. Such switches are known. For example, a non-momentary toggle switch, a push on/push off switch, an alternate acting push button switch or a rotary switch can be used. Alternatively the second switch is part of an electronic switching circuit. For example the micro-controller mentioned above also includes a second input. The second input senses the state of the first switching member  122 . When the micro-controller senses that the first switching member is momentarily depressed, the micro-controller closes the electronic switch until an off command input is sensed. For example, the electronic switch is closed until the first switching member  122  is momentarily depressed a second time. Alternatively, a third input is monitored in order to sense the state of the second switching member  126  and the micro-controller opens the electronic switch when the second switching member is momentarily depressed.  
         [0048]    The switching member combinations and micro-controller responses described here are exemplary only. Any set of inputs and responses can be included. For example, a predetermined pattern of switching member actuations or depressions may cause the micro-controller to repeatedly open and close the electronic switch thereby causing the moving portion to move in a pulsed manner. Alternatively, in a battery saving mode the micro-controller may open the electronic switch after a prolonged period of operation even if no off command input is sensed.  
         [0049]    A fourth electric toothbrush D is shown in FIG. 8. The electric toothbrush D includes an body portion  150  which has a first end  152  and a second end  154 . A head  160  is attached to the first end  152  and a handle  162  is attached to the second end  154 .  
         [0050]    The head  160  further includes an moving portion or brush head  164 , a static portion or brush head  166 , a first end  168 , and a second end  170 . As shown in FIG. 8, the moving portion  164  is located adjacent the second end  170 . The static portion  166  is shown located adjacent the first end  168 . However, it is to be appreciated that the moving portion  164  could be located adjacent the first end  168 , and the static portion  166  could be located adjacent the second end  170 . Furthermore, the moving portion  164  could be positioned in the center of the brush head with static portions  166  on opposite sides of the moving portion  164  similar to that shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0051]    In accordance with this embodiment, the moving portion  164  oscillates about an axis approximately normal to a longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150 .  
         [0052]    The moving portion  164  can include stiff bristles  178 . The static portion  166  can include soft bristles  180  which are softer than the stiff bristles. The stiff bristles  178  may be slightly recessed with respect to the soft bristles  180 . The stiff bristles  178  aid in the deep cleaning and plaque removal process, while the stationary soft bristles  180  are softer so as to not damage the gums.  
         [0053]    The body portion  150  further includes an angled shaft  190 , an upper housing  192  (not shown), and a lower housing  194 . The angled shaft  190  is located between the head  160  and the handle  162 . The angled shaft  190  provides an ergonomic benefit that has not been utilized on a motorized toothbrush.  
         [0054]    The body portion  150  of the fourth toothbrush also includes a hollow portion  196  which houses a motor  200 . The hollow portion  196  is formed between the upper housing  192  and the lower housing  194 . The motor  200  generates motion for driving the moving portion  164  to rotate, oscillate, or reciprocate. Again, in addition to the motion disclosed herein, any known motion can be provided and still remain within aspects of the present invention. Power is provided to the motor by battery as shown and described for the first, second and third toothbrushes A, B, C.  
         [0055]    It should be understood that the forth electric toothbrush D includes any of the switching arrangements discussed above in reference to the first, second and third toothbrushes A, B, C. For clarity, views and discussion of the switches are not repeated here.  
         [0056]    The fourth toothbrush D further includes a first gear  202  which is operatively connected to and powered by the motor  200 . The first gear  202  rotates about the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150 . A second gear  206  is operatively connected to the first gear  202 . The second gear  206  is approximately normal to the first gear  202 . The second gear  206  rotates about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 . Teeth  208  of the first gear  202  mesh with teeth  210  of the second gear  206 , thus causing second gear  206  to rotate when first gear  202  rotates.  
         [0057]    A first swivel arm  220  is pivotably connected to the second gear  206  via a pin  222  or other fastening device. A second swivel arm  224  is pivotably connected to the first swivel arm  220  via a pin  226  or other fastening device. A shaft  230  is fixedly secured at a shaft first end  232  to the second swivel arm  224 . The shaft  230  is pivotably attached at a shaft second end  234  to a third swivel arm  240 . The shaft  230  is housed within the angled shaft  190 .  
         [0058]    The shaft  230  is generally parallel with the longitudinal axis  172 .  
         [0059]    A guide spacer  250  is located within the angled shaft  190  and surrounds the shaft  230  adjacent the first end  232  of the shaft  230  to minimize lateral movement of the shaft  230 . A second guide spacer  252  is located adjacent the second end  234  of the shaft  230  to also minimize lateral movement of the shaft  230 . Guide spacers  250 ,  252  align the shaft  230  within the angled shaft  190  and minimize its movement from side to side within the angled shaft  190 .  
         [0060]    The third swivel arm  240  has a first end  244  and a second end  246 . The third swivel arm  240  is pivotably connected to the second guide spacer  252  at the swivel arm first end  244  via a pin  253 . The third swivel arm  240  is connected at the swivel arm second end  246  to the moving portion  164  via a pin  254  or other fastening device. The pin  254  is connected to a disk  256  of the moving portion  164  which is housed within the head  160 .  
         [0061]    As the first gear  202  rotates, the second gear  206  is rotated, thus moving the first swivel arm  220  in a back and forth circular fashion about the second gear  206  and along the longitudinal axis  172 . The first swivel arm  220  also can pivot about the pin  222 . The first swivel arm  220  retains its orientation of approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150  during movement. The second swivel arm  224  pivots with respect to its pin connection  226  with the first swivel arm  220  thus allowing the shaft  230  to oscillate in a back and forth manner toward and away from the brush head with minimal lateral motion.  
         [0062]    During operation, the third swivel arm  240  moves back and forth along the longitudinal axis  172  of the elongated body portion  150  along with the shaft  230 .  
         [0063]    The swivel arm  240  can also pivot or move slightly laterally in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.  
         [0064]    The third swivel arm  240  has an offset arm  260  which is offset from the longitudinal axis  172  and moves the disk  256  of the moving portion  164  in a partially rotating or oscillating motion. As the third swivel arm  240  moves back and forth, the offset arm  260  moves along an outside edge  262  of the disk  256  in a partially rotating or oscillating fashion about an axis which is approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 . This causes the bristles  178  to also move in a partially rotating or oscillating manner about an axis approximately normal to the longitudinal axis  172 .  
         [0065]    When the third swivel arm  240  rotates, the disk  256  also rotates about an axis approximately normal to the elongated body portion longitudinal axis  172 . The third, swivel arm  240  also retains its orientation of approximately parallel to the elongated body portion longitudinal axis  172  during movement.  
         [0066]    If desired, raised grip areas (not shown) can be provided which are similar to raised grip areas  138  and  140  shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 for the second preferred embodiment. The raised grip areas can be molded into the lower housing  194 .  
         [0067]    The electric toothbrushes A, B, C, D can be packaged in packaging as shown in FIG. 7. As shown for the first toothbrush A, the consumer can depress the button  90  through the packaging and see its operation while the toothbrush is inside the packaging.  
         [0068]    As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and  6  the toothbrushes A, B, C, D also have a battery  60  with a battery terminal or contact  62  provided within the hollow portion  30  of the body portion  80 . To install the battery  60  into the hollow portion  30 , a cover  64 ,  134  is slid off the end of the handle  18 ,  88  to expose the hollow portion  30 . The battery  60  is inserted, then the cover  64 ,  134  is slid back on to the housing and snapped into place.  
         [0069]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. For example, still other switch combinations and packages can be applied. The package does not have to be a blister pack. For example, the package may comprise a cardboard box including holes, windows or other provisions for allowing a customer to actuate the momentary switch, and sense and view the operation of the toothbrush. Other head designs, including other moving portions with other patterns of motion and other driving means can be included. The components and features described in relation to each of the exemplary toothbrushes A, B, C, D can be shared and included in other combinations. The invention is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.