Handheld devices and related methods

Abstract

The invention relates to devices including rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld device, comprising:
 at least one head portion comprising at least one surface that comprises at least one implement;   at least one handle portion operably connected or connectable to the head portion;   at least one opening disposed at least proximal to the head portion;   at least one conduit that is configured to communicate with the opening and a east one material source and/or at least one material destination; and,   at least one conveyance mechanism that is configured to convey at least one material to and/or from the material source and/or the material destination through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the head and/or handle portion comprises at least one housing that comprises and/or houses at least a portion of the opening, the conduit, and/or the conveyance mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the material source and/or the material destination is disposed external to the head and/or handle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the head and handle portions are detachable from one another. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implement comprises at least one cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of: a circle, an oval, a square, a rectangle, a trapezoid, an irregular n-sided polygon, and a regular n-sided polygon. 
     
     
         6 . A tooth brushing device or a cleaning device comprising the handheld device of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the material source and/or the material destination comprises at least one material container that is configured to contain at least one material, which material container is disposed at least proximal to the handle portion. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld device of  claim 7 , wherein the material container and the handle portion are detachable from one another. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , comprising at least one rotary mechanism that comprises at least one rotational component that is configured to rotate at least partially around at least one rotational axis, wherein the rotational component comprises the surface that comprises the implement; and,
 at least one drive mechanism component or portion thereof that operably engages, or is configured to operably engage, at least the rotary mechanism, which drive mechanism component or portion thereof is configured to effect rotation of at least the rotational component at least partially around the rotational axis.   
     
     
         10 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , comprising more than one rotational component, wherein neighboring pairs of rotational components are configured to rotate at least partially around the rotational axis in directions that are substantially opposite one another. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , comprising at least two rotational components, wherein at least a first rotational component is configured to rotate at least partially around a first rotational axis and wherein at least a second rotational component is configured to rotate at least partially around a second rotational axis. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism component or portion thereof comprises at least one chain of meshed gear components. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein at least part of the drive mechanism component or portion thereof is detachable from at least another part of the drive mechanism component or portion thereof and/or the rotary mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism component or portion thereof is configured to oscillate the rotational component. 
     
     
         15 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism component or portion thereof comprises at least one shaft component that operably engages at least the rotary mechanism or a portion thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism component or portion thereof is configured to effect reversible rotation of the rotational component at least partially around the rotational axis. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the drive mechanism component or portion thereof comprises at least one gear component. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld device of  claim 9 , wherein the handle portion comprises at least part of the drive mechanism component or portion thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , comprising at least one sanitizing component configured to sanitize at least part of the head and/or handle portion. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld device of  claim 19 , wherein the sanitizing component comprises at least one ultraviolet source and/or at least one fluidic conveyance system.