CN1960683A - Oral care device - Google Patents

Abstract

Oral care devices are provided that include a pumping assembly for dispensing a fluid, e.g., a dentifrice, from the oral care device.

Description

Oral care appliance

Technical field

The present invention relates to oral care systems and using method thereof.

Background technology

The conventional toothbrush that head is equipped with brushing cluster can be removed dental plaque by the approaching zone of bristle effectively between the flat surface of tooth, the tooth and gingiva line position usually.Typically, before toothbrush is put into mouth, consumer with hands from squeezing one little toothpaste in the pipe to the bristle of conventional toothbrush.After being coated onto toothpaste on the bristle, toothbrush being put into mouth and begin brush teeth.As further developing of conventional toothbrush, United States serial 2002/0108193 has proposed the toothbrush that a kind of sound wave that auxiliary agent can be distributed in the head of toothbrush drives.Because be delivered to the audio frequency vibration of toothbrush head, toothbrush head can be with respect to the body vibration of toothbrush.

Summary of the invention

On the one hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of oral care appliance, this device comprises: (a) elongated housing comprises that at the distal portions of this housing a size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth; (b) fluid conduit systems, this conduit limits the part of the intravital fluid passage of shell at least, and this fluid conduit systems has the intravital compressible region of the shell of being arranged on; At least a portion length that (c) the pump assembly that drives of motor, this assembly are configured to the longshore current body canal is compressed fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively with fluid suction compressible region and from the outlet transmitting fluid of compressible region longshore current body passage to the distal portions of housing.The compressible region of fluid conduit systems limits a non-semicircular passage.Preferably, this passage usually neither be circular.In some embodiments, the passage that is limited by compressible region is straight substantially, and promptly its radius of curvature is greater than half of housing cross-sectional diameter.In some cases, this radius of curvature can be greater than 2 inches.In other embodiments, the passage that is limited by compressible region can comprise one or more local bow-shaped areas zone, but in such embodiments, passage also will comprise linear zone usually.The geometry of compressible region allows the pump assembly have smaller profile, makes the pump assembly be suitable for putting into elongated housing and the diameter of housing does not become clumsy.The geometry of compressible region also is beneficial in housing and takes out fluid conduit systems, and this is favourable, and reason is discussed below.

Some embodiments comprise following one or more feature.Can construct the pump assembly, make it come compression tube progressively with a series of many discrete compression incidents (or compression incident).The pump assembly further comprises rotating shaft, and this comprises the helix of projection, and this helix can be continuous or discrete.For example, helix can comprise from the projection of the rotating shaft outwardly directed discontinuous arrangement in surface.Helix can be configured to when when rotation axle, compressed conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of catheter length.The pump assembly also can comprise the compressing member between axle and conduit, makes that compressing member is moved by axle with the conduit in the compression compressible region when the axle rotation.When axle rotated to position, a plurality of angle, compressing member can be moved by axle.Compressing member can be configured to be moved in basic direction transverse to the fluid passage.For example, when axle during in selected position, angle, compressing member can be moved by linearity.Alternatively, compressing member can rotate or crooked form or be moved by the fastening compressing member.

This oral-cavity device can comprise a plurality of compressing members between axle and conduit, makes that compressing member can be moved when the axle rotation, and these compressing members can be arranged to one or more linear arrangements (or linear array).

This oral care appliance can comprise electro-motor, and this motor structure is in response to from the signal that is positioned at the intravital controller of shell, for example with selected velocity or frequency, perhaps with selected speed or different speed or the frequencies of frequency, rotate rotating shaft.Can give controller programming, speed or frequency with rising or reduction revolution rotating shaft for example respond the input of user.

The major axis of fluid conduit systems can be substantially parallel or coaxial with the major axis of housing.This oral care appliance can comprise also and be positioned at the intravital fluid reservoir of shell that this reservoir can be communicated with the fluid passage.The pump assembly can be positioned at the downstream of fluid reservoir.This oral care appliance can comprise and be arranged on the intravital a plurality of fluid conduit systems of shell, and each fluid conduit systems limits a fluid passage, and these fluid conduit systems each all can have compressible region.Many fluid passages can converge in the fluid that exports the upstream in the housing with combination.

Can construct this oral care appliance, make all fluid passages all replaceable.

On the other hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of oral care appliance that comprises housing, this housing comprises the fluid passage that is used for the guide housings inner fluid, is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth and is configured to along the fluidic reversible pump assembly of channel transfer in the distal portions size of housing.

Some embodiments comprise above-mentioned one or more feature.Some embodiments can comprise following one or more feature.

Reversible pump assembly can be configured to along the direction transmitting fluid of passage with the distal portions outlet of leaving housing.Reversible pump assembly can comprise electro-motor.Electro-motor can be configured to according to rotating rotating shaft from the signal that is positioned at the housing internal controller on the first direction or on opposite second direction.This oral care appliance can be included in the housing and the fluid reservoir that is communicated with the fluid passage, and reversible pump assembly can be configured to guide fluid to enter fluid reservoir.When pump assembly antiport, reversible pump assembly can be configured to guide fluid to enter fluid reservoir from the fluid passage.

Again on the one hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of oral care appliance that comprises housing and power supply, this housing comprises head, shank and is connected head and the cervical region of shank, the size of head is suitable for putting into the user mouth, power supply (or energy) is used to drive oral care appliance, its middle shell comprises separable cartridge unit, and cartridge unit comprises fluid reservoir and power supply.

For example, power supply can be battery.Power supply can be electrically connected to the motor that is configured to the driving pump assembly, for example aforesaid pump assembly.

Also has an aspect, the invention is characterized in the oral care appliance that comprises housing, fluid passage and drive member, this housing has movable punch head, shank and is connected head and the cervical region of shank, movable punch head is configured to rotate around rotation axis, housing limits a housing axis that extends between shank and head, this axis normal is in rotation axis, the fluid passage is positioned at the cervical region of housing and extends to the outlet that is positioned at head, drive member is being connected to head with housing axis spaced positions, and drive member is configured to rotate movable punch head around rotating shaft.

Some embodiments can comprise following one or more feature.In some embodiments, at least a portion fluid passage is basically parallel to or extends with rotating shaft coaxle.Outlet and rotating shaft can be spaced from each other.Oral care appliance can comprise the driven unit that is configured to drive drive member.Drive member can be connected to head, its position and housing axis are spaced apart, spacing distance (d) between about 00127 and 0.508cm (0.05 and about 0.2 inch) between, for example apart from the housing axis between about 0.1905 and 0.381cm (0.075 and 0.150 inch) between, for example about 0.3175cm (0.125 inch).

Feature of the present invention also is to use above-mentioned oral care appliance that the method for mouth care is provided.For example, the invention is characterized in and comprise by fluid conduit systems being compressed to compression volume (Vc) in the compressible region that limits non-semi-circular channel and reduce to be positioned at the method for the not compression volume (V0) of oral care appliance inner fluid conduit.When the compressed fluid conduit was with the fluid passage transmitting fluid in the care device of bead chamber progressively along length (L), wherein said compression volume (Vc) remained unchanged substantially.Compression incident that can be by series of discrete for example adopts the said pump assembly along L compressed fluid conduit progressively.

Feature of the present invention also is to comprise by at least a portion length of a series of compression incident longshore current body canals successive, arranged side by side compresses fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively, with fluid suction compressible region and from the method for compressible region longshore current body passage to the fluid issuing transmitting fluid of oral care appliance head.Compressible region can be linear substantially.

On the other hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of oral care appliance, this device comprises: (a) housing comprises that at the distal portions of this housing a size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth; (b) fluid conduit systems of at least a portion fluid passage in the qualification housing; (c) place the intravital pouch of shell, this pouch comprises the pouch main body, and the pouch main body comprises and limits two sidewalls of volume therebetween; (d) provide the accessory that is communicated with between pouch main body and the fluid conduit systems.In some embodiments, sidewall connects by seam along at least one vertical side.In some embodiments, the aspect ratio of the height and the width of accessory is less than one.In the accessory end that places between the sidewall, height and the width are measured along minor axis and major axis respectively.

When pouch was filled with content, its volume can increase from first beginning and end packing volume; And when pouch was emptied, its volume reduced.When the pouch implant was emptied substantially, its volume can equal beginning and end packing volume just substantially.

Again on the one hand, the invention is characterized in a kind of oral care appliance, this device comprises: (a) elongated housing comprises that at the distal portions of this housing a size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth; (b) fluid conduit systems, this conduit limits the part of the intravital fluid passage of shell at least, and this fluid conduit systems has the intravital compressible region of the shell of being arranged on; At least a portion length that (c) the pump assembly that drives of motor, this assembly are configured to the longshore current body canal is compressed fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively with fluid suction compressible region and from the outlet transmitting fluid of compressible region longshore current body passage to the distal portions of housing; Wherein said pump assembly is configured to come compression tube progressively with a series of many discrete compression incidents.

Feature of the present invention also is a kind of oral care appliance, and this device comprises: (a) elongated housing comprises that at the distal portions of this housing a size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth; (b) fluid conduit systems, this conduit limits the part of the intravital fluid passage of shell at least, and this fluid conduit systems has the intravital compressible region of the shell of being arranged on; At least a portion length that (c) the pump assembly that drives of motor, this assembly are configured to the longshore current body canal is compressed fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively with fluid suction compressible region and from the outlet transmitting fluid of compressible region longshore current body passage to the distal portions of housing.The pump assembly that motor drives comprises driving shaft, and this driving shaft is basically parallel to the plane that is limited by compressible region and is provided with.Driving shaft and the so relative arrangement of compressible region provide compact geometry, allow the pump assembly to pack in the elongated housing and the diameter of housing does not become clumsy.

Above-mentioned feature can make up mutually by any desired compound mode, and with the combination of the further feature of following oral care appliance.

Description of drawings

Describe one or more embodiment of the present invention in detail below in conjunction with accompanying drawing and explanation.Also pass through claims by this explanation and accompanying drawing, other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent.

Fig. 1 is the side perspective view of an embodiment of oral care systems.

Fig. 2 A is the front perspective view of an embodiment of oral care appliance.

Fig. 2 B is the rear view of oral care appliance shown in Fig. 2 A.

Fig. 3 A is the transparent front view of oral care appliance shown in Fig. 2 A.

Fig. 3 B is the transparent rearview of oral care appliance shown in Fig. 2 A.

Fig. 4 A is the side perspective view of a pump assembly and an embodiment of associated fluid passage.

Fig. 4 B is the perspective detail view of pump assembly shown in Fig. 4 A.

Fig. 5 A and 5B are respectively front view and the side views that compressing member is arranged an embodiment.

Fig. 6 A and 6B are respectively the side view and the perspective views of a screw rod embodiment.

The order of the pumping of pump assembly and fluid passage shown in Fig. 7 A to 7E presentation graphs 4A.

Fig. 8 is the component side view that comprises the pump assembly of flexible partition.

Fig. 9 and 9A represent another flexible partition embodiment.

Figure 10 A is the perspective top view that describes an embodiment of driven unit in detail.

Figure 10 B represents to be positioned at driven unit shown in Figure 10 A of oral care appliance.

Figure 10 C is the side view of an available embodiment of cam.

Figure 10 D is the perspective view of guidance set.

Figure 11 is the rear view of an embodiment of driving shaft.

Figure 12 is the sectional view of oral care appliance head shown in Fig. 2 A.

Figure 13 A and 13B are respectively driving shaft shown in Figure 11 and top view and the perspective view that is connected to the fluid passage of head.

Figure 14 and 15 is front perspective views of two toothbrush embodiment.

Figure 16 A and 16B are the front perspective view and the rear views of head and cervical region in another oral care device embodiment.

Figure 17 A and 17B are the front perspective view and the rear views of head and cervical region in another oral care device embodiment.

Figure 18 A and 18B are the side views that forms an embodiment of resolution element of an oral care appliance part shown in Fig. 2 A.

Figure 18 C is the detailed sectional view of the zone C of expression valve among Figure 18 A.

Figure 19 A and 19B are respectively side view and the sectional views that forms an embodiment of cylinder body member of an oral care appliance part shown in Fig. 2 A.

Figure 19 C and 19D are respectively the amplification detailed views of zone C and D among Figure 19 B.

Figure 20 A and 20C are front perspective view and the rear views that forms an embodiment of resolution element of an oral care appliance part shown in Fig. 2 A.Figure 20 B and 20D are respectively the transparent front view and the rearviews of parts among Figure 20 A.

The side cross-sectional view of valve shown in Figure 19 D that Figure 21 is with the butt joint base valve cooperates.

Figure 22 A and 22B are the side cross-sectional view of another valve module embodiment.The valve fitment front view of Figure 22 C Figure 22 A and 22B.

Figure 23 A is the side perspective view of an embodiment of butt joint base.

Figure 23 B is the transparent side perspective view of butt joint base among Figure 23 A.

Figure 24 represents a butt joint base embodiment.

Figure 25 represents another butt joint base embodiment.

Figure 26 A and 26B are the side perspective views of a pump assembly embodiment.

Figure 27 A and 27B are the side perspective views of a valve driven unit.

Figure 28 is the flow chart of an oral care systems control embodiment.

Figure 29 is the side perspective view of another embodiment of oral care appliance.

Figure 30 A and 30B are respectively side perspective view and the transparent views that forms the resolution element of an oral care appliance part shown in Figure 29.

Figure 31 A and 31B are respectively side perspective view and the transparent views that forms the resolution element of an oral care appliance part shown in Figure 29.

Figure 32,33 and 34 is perspective views that available compression element is arranged embodiment.

Figure 35 A and 35B represent alternative screw rod embodiment.

Figure 36 A and 36B are respectively the head of another oral care device embodiment and the rearview and the front view of cervical region, and wherein cervical region is expressed as transparent.

Figure 37 is the head of another oral care device embodiment and the rearview of cervical region, and wherein cervical region is expressed as transparent.

Figure 38 and the alternative head embodiment of 39 expressions.

Figure 40 A and 40B are the sectional views of an available valve module embodiment.

Figure 41,42 and 44 is perspective views of different fluid reservoir embodiment, and Figure 43 is the end-view of accessory in Figure 41 and 42.

The specific embodiment

Referring to Fig. 1, the figure shows an embodiment of oral care systems 10, this system comprises oral care appliance 12 and butt joint base 14.Oral care appliance is a toothbrush in this case, and the butt joint base remains on vertical position in its receiving portion with oral care appliance 12.As below illustrating in more detail, oral care appliance 12 is the electric toothbrushes with head of motor driving, and is designed for exhaust fluid during brushing teeth, for example combination of dentifrice or collutory or different fluid.Butt joint base 14 is designed for to the battery charge that is positioned at oral care appliance, and recharges fluid to oral care appliance.

Referring to Fig. 2 A and 2B, oral care appliance 12 comprises a plurality of parts, and separable housing 16 comprises three interconnective parts 152,154 and 156 (also referring to for example Figure 18 A, 19A and 20A).After the combination, oral care appliance 12 comprises distal portions 18 and proximal part 22, and head 20 is positioned at distal portions, and shank 24 is positioned at proximal part.Cervical region 26 connects shank 24 and head 20.The size of head 20 is suitable for putting into the mouth of user when brushing teeth, and shank 24 can be held by user and be convenient to handle during use head 20.

Referring to Fig. 2 B, the figure shows the rearview of oral care appliance 12, inlet 28 is provided with near the end surface 30 of oral care appliance proximal part 22.To illustrate in more detail that below inlet 28 can cooperate with the outlet 280 (Figure 23 A) that is positioned at butt joint base 14, to recharge the fluid passage in the parts 154.By 28 ends that are arranged on end surface 30 that will enter the mouth, make inlet (for example be positioned at material, dentifrice, water and dust) seat surface 275 (Figure 23 A) top in the butt joint base receiving portion that may accumulate and spaced apart, make material not disturb inlet 28 and export cooperating between 280.

Referring now to Fig. 3 A and 3B,, the figure shows the internal part of oral care appliance 12.Oral care appliance 12 comprises motor 34 and 36.Motor 34 driving pump assemblies 38, pump assembly are used for distal portions 18 transmitting fluids of longshore current body passage 40 (seeing Fig. 3 B) to oral care appliance 12.To further discuss below, pump assembly 38 comes transmitting fluid by compress a part of conduit 60 with compressing member.In some embodiments, motor 34 is reversible, and fluid is flowed along the proximal part 22 of opposite direction to oral care appliance 12.Mobile in opposite direction fluid for example can reduce or in some cases even can eliminate because the pressure that forms in passage and fluid any leakage from the head that may occur.Motor 36 drives driving shaft 42, and driving shaft drives (for example, rotating) head 20 again.In order to give motor 34,36 power supplies, rechargeable battery 44 is electrically connected with motor.The rechargeable battery that is fit to is a lithium ion UR 14500P battery, can be available from Sanyo.

The pump assembly

Can be clear that more that in Fig. 4 A and 4B motor 34 comprises the rotating shaft 46 that is connected to screw rod 48 by a pair of gear 52 and 54, screw rod has the propelling spiral 50 (Fig. 4 B) of amplification.Screw rod 48 and spiral 50 are shaped as each finger piece (or compressing member) in 56 arrangements of order mobile internet finger piece when motor 34 makes the screw rod rotation.Finger piece 56 is fixed to the inwall of housing 16 (Fig. 2 A), forms a series of cantilevered tab that are positioned at compressible region 58 (Fig. 4 A) inner catheter 60 vicinities, and conduit itself constitutes the part of fluid passage 40.When finger piece 56 was moved, they compressed the conduit 60 in the compressible region 58 along the length of conduit progressively with a series of a plurality of compression incidents (or compression process, activity compression), force fluid to pass through fluid passage (seeing Fig. 7 A to 7E).

Usually, motor 34 and gear (for example 52 and 54) can be selected as required.The motor 34 that is fit to is the FF-130SH available from Mabuchi.In some embodiments, select gear to underspeed by about 23: 1.

Now referring to Fig. 5 A and 5B, as shown in the figure, finger piece is arranged and is comprised the interconnection finger piece 56 that seven integral body are stretched out from common pedestal 57.Though express seven finger pieces among the figure, the quantity of finger piece can be selected (for example, more than a finger piece, reaching 10,50,100 or 200 finger pieces) as required.Also can adopt a plurality of arrangements.Finger piece 56 is at one end 62 interconnection, and each extend out to the free end 64 that can be moved according to the position, angle of screw rod 48.Although there is not finger piece 56 (for example can adopt pump assembly 38 yet, the spiral 50 of screw rod 48 can be directly used in the conduit 60 that compression is positioned at compressible region 58), but by utilizing finger piece 56 can reduce rolling and skimming wear on compressible region 58 inner catheters 60, because finger piece moves along the direction that is basically perpendicular to conduit 60 major axis.The minimizing of rolling and skimming wear can reduce conduit 60 disruptive potential probabilities, and catheter rupture can cause the escape of liquid in the housing 16.

Usually, the specification of each finger piece and size can be selected as required.As shown in the figure, the size of each finger piece 56 is basic identical, width be Wf (for example, between about 0.127cm (0.05 inch) and about 0.508cm (0.2 inch), for example about 0.254cm (0.1 inch)), length is that L is (for example, between about 1.016cm (0.4 inch) and about 1.524cm (0.6 inch), and be configured to reduce the volume that finger piece occupies in housing for example about 1.27cm (0.5 inch)).Especially referring to Fig. 5 B, finger piece 56 extends in zone 66 and 68 relatively linearly, zone 68 by crooked 70 depart from regional 66 1 apart from T.When work, the surface 72 of finger piece 56 can contact with the outer surface of conduit 60, and apparent surface 74 can contact with screw rod 48, and vice versa.Skew can guarantee that the downward power of finger piece fully acts on the conduit 60.In some embodiments, one or more finger pieces can be of different sizes.

The structure of finger piece 56 to small part is decided by the structure of screw rod and the structure of conduit 60.Each finger piece 56 is designed for a zone of compression tube 60, and this zone approximates the width of respective finger 56 greatly.For pumping efficiency, make the distance minimum (for example, about 0.0381cm (0.015 inch)) between each finger piece and the adjacent fingers.

Usually, the material of making finger piece 56 can be selected as required.Be preferred for making the material that finger piece arranges and comprise (for example having high fatigue failure, because moving repeatedly of finger piece) drag and in rational time (for example, 180 times use or more), can stand rolling between finger piece 56 and the spiral 50 at least and the elastomeric material of sliding-contact.The plastic material that is fit to is DELRIN ^Plastics.Any suitable method all can be used for making finger piece, for example die casting (for example injection molding), casting and machining.

Now referring to Fig. 6 A and 6B, the decision parameter of screw rod 48 comprises the pitch of screw rod, the dwell time that is caused by the plane 76 of threaded top.Other parameter that influences screw-rod structure comprises the width and the quantity of finger piece.Pitch P (being the air line distance that between the plane 76 parallel to the axis in the center to center edge) guarantees that at least in some cases at least one (preferably a plurality of) finger piece is at the given time compression tube.As shown in the figure, P is about 2.032cm (0.8 inch), and each planar width is about 0.0889cm (0.035 inch).

Usually, the size of screw rod 48 can be selected as required.Yet in order to play along the pump action of passage 40 transmitting fluids, preferably, the structural design of screw rod 48 depends in part on the structural design of finger piece 56 and the design of compressible region 58 inner catheters 60 at least.As above-mentioned about described in the discussion of finger piece, the material that is preferred for making screw rod can stand rolling and the sliding-contact between screw thread 50 and the finger piece 56 at least in the one rational period (for example, 180 times use or more).The plastic material that is fit to is DELRIN ^Plastics.Any suitable method all can be used for making screw rod 48, for example die casting (for example injection molding screw rod or mould injection moulding are for example expected on the metal shaft) and machining.

Referring to Fig. 7 A to 7E, shown in their presentation graphs 4A and as mentioned above pump assembly 38 moves the sketch map of some parts in the order.Move in the order at this, the spiral 50 that the finger piece 56 in the arrangement is exaggerated (seeing Fig. 4 B) order moves.Before compression, the conduit 60 in the compressible region 58 has substantially invariable inner and outer diameter and the first beginning and end compression volume V0 on length L (being the length of compressible region 58), and length L equals the width W that finger piece is arranged (Fig. 5 A) substantially.When finger piece 56 compression tubes 60, be reduced to compression volume Vc along the volume of length L.In some embodiments, keep constant substantially at whole displacement sequence Vc.In some other embodiment, at displacement sequence Vc bigger variation takes place.In either case, by series of discrete what compress incident progressively and acted on is the geometry of the passage 40 that passes through of fluid, mobile to produce.

Especially referring to Fig. 7 A, because the diameter that spiral 50 (seeing Fig. 6 A and 6B) increases, finger piece 56a and 56b are moved by screw rod 48, and this compresses a part of conduit 60 between (for example stopping up) compressible region 58 inherent finger pieces 56 and the wall 78 again, to make the fluid forward flow along passage 40.Although screw rod 48 moves finger piece 56a (final ultimate range 1), the also mobile finger piece 56b of screw rod 48.When screw rod 48 rotated, referring to Fig. 5 B, finger piece 56a began to return, and with the zone that fluid intake conduit 60 before had been moved, finger piece 56b is moved distance 1 simultaneously, and finger piece 56c begins to move.Shown in Fig. 7 C, the shape of spiral 50 makes at least from moment that finger piece 56a begins its backstroke and is moved the moment of distance 1 up to finger piece 56c at least that finger piece 56b is moved distance 1 (or maximum moving distance).Now referring to Fig. 7 D and 7E, this sequence is proceeded, and at this moment all seven finger piece 56a to 56g are moved (for for purpose of brevity, moving of preceding four finger piece 56a to 56d only being shown among the figure), repeats then, up to motor 34 screw rod 48 that stops operating.By always moving a plurality of finger pieces, mobile sequence, refluxes also seldom if backflow is arranged along length L compression tube 60 more continuously.Making refluxes minimizes the common needs of having eliminated check valve, to realize pump action.In some embodiments, 1 is equal to or greater than the inside diameter of compressible region 58 inner catheters 60 substantially, but 1 can be less than the inside diameter of compressible region 58 inner catheters 60.As shown in the figure, the inside diameter of compressible region inner catheter 60 is about 0.15875cm (1/16 inch), and 1 is a bit larger tham 0.15875cm (1/16 inch).

Referring to Fig. 8, flexible partition 80 can be arranged between finger piece 56 and the conduit 60 (seeing Figure 20 C and 20D).Barrier film 80 is used to seal the internal part that is positioned at housing parts 156, with waterproof, toothpaste or other with scrub relevant liquid.For example, the barrier film inwall 81 and/or the mould that can adhere to parts 156 annotated on the parts 156.For example, referring to Fig. 9 and 9A, in some embodiments, barrier film 80 comprises the arrangement (or a plurality of arrangements of compressing member) of compressing member 57 or compressing member, and they can replace finger piece 56 to be used for compression tube 60.In addition, can consider with the direct compression tube 60 of other compression member (or mobile compression member), for example the annular of Xuan Zhuan bent wire (for example, coiled tinsel or cam/crank axle tinsel), spiraltron, cylinder, wabbler mechanism and/or ferrofluid is shunk.

By utilizing the said pump assembly, do not reflux can make the fluid forward flow, and as mentioned above without any need for the device of preventing backflow, for example check valve (though if desired, can use check valve).The said pump assembly be particularly suited for the pumping suspension and heavy-gravity, to shear sensitive and corrosive fluid.In addition, when fluid flows through passage 40, finger piece, motor, gear, screw rod and other internal part can with fluid isolation, this can prolong the life-span of oral care appliance 12 in some cases.

The head driven unit

Referring to earlier figures 3A, motor 36 moves (for example, linear translation) pivot driver axle 42, and the pivot driver axle moves (for example, rotary oscillation) rotatable head 20 again.Driving shaft 42 adopts off-set construction to be connected to rotatable head 20, and off-set construction is convenient to place fluid issuing and conduit 82 at head 20, and this conduit forms cervical region 26 interior a part of fluid passages 40 of housing 16.This off-set construction will further describe below.

The motion of rotatable head 20, part are to realize by use cam and driven member system, and this system changes the rotation output of motor 36 into linear movement, is used to drive driving shaft 42 and seesaws.Especially referring to Figure 10 A, track 86 is protruding from axle 84, and this axle is connected to motor 36 by a series of interconnected gears.Driven member 88 comprises a pair of push rod 90, and when axle 84 was rotated by motor 36, this push rod design leaned on track 86.The shape of track 86 makes when axle 84 rotates, driven member 88 linear swings.Align unit 92 auxiliary driven member 88 alignment when swing.Though be illustrated as the track driven member system of projection, can adopt any suitable system, for example various other cammings comprise the rotating cylinder cam of being with driven member and the grooved tracks of being with driven member.For example, referring to Figure 10 C, an alternative cam structure comprises cam 94, and this cam has the geometry of cam on the inner surface 96 of cup 98.In some cases, cam follower can carry out axisymmetric motion with motor.Also can adopt non-camming, for example band or catenary system.Band or catenary system can replace illustrating the drive axle systems of drive head 20, allow the axis of oral care appliance 12 can be used as the path of fluid passage 40 simultaneously.

Jackshaft 100 is connected on the driven member 88.Jackshaft 100 is slidably located in the guidance set 102 that directly is fixed on the housing 16.Referring to Figure 10 D, guidance set 102 comprises liner 104 (for example, being made of plastics), lining 106 (for example, bronze Ao Lite lining) and installing plate 108.Installing plate 108 is fixed on the housing 16 (sees Figure 10 B).When jackshaft retinue moving part 88 seesawed, guidance set 102 made jackshaft 100 alignment and stable.

Referring to Figure 10 B, pivot driver axle 42 is connected to jackshaft 100.Driving shaft 100 is connected by a pair of interconnected notch 110A, 110B with 42, and notch is constructed to be meshing with each other.Notch 110A is positioned at the end (Figure 11) of axle 42, and notch 110B is positioned at the adjacent end portion (Figure 10 A) of jackshaft 100.Driving shaft 42 is placed in the carriage 112 slidably, and carriage is fixed in the cervical region 26 of housing 16 (shown in dotted line), swinging and keep connection between the notch 110 with restrictive axes 42.By applying power (for example, applying) for carriage 112 notch 110 is thrown off (for example, with parts 152 and opened in 154 minutes) by user in the direction of minute otch 110.Carriage 112 has enough flexibilities, allows notch 110 throw off when user pushes away notch, allow user with parts 154 with parts 152 with opened in 156 minutes.

As can be seen, free space is relatively limited in the cervical region 26 of housing 16.Therefore, the shape of driving shaft 42 will be convenient to current-carrying conduit 82 and wobble drive axle 42 all are placed in the cervical region 26 of housing 16.Figure 11 represents that more clearly driving shaft 42 comprises the bending 114,116 of distance between a plurality of auxiliary maintenances fluid passage 40 and the driving shaft 42, makes conduit 82 not interfere the motion of driving shaft 42.Short bending 114 is connected to rotatable head 20, and is designed to enough weak points, assembles with the cervical region 26 by housing 16.This can allow driving shaft 42 assemble by the perforate of parts 152 (seeing Figure 10 B) bottom, and is convenient to adopt narrower integrated housing parts 152.But crooked 114 want long enough, to drive rotatable head 20.Crooked 114,116 by comprising, driving shaft 42 and conduit 82 move mutual interferential probability in use and reduce.

Now referring to Figure 12, rotatable head 20 is pivotally connected in the pod 118 that forms in housing 16 on the housing 16.Nonrotational accessory (for example lining) 120 is fixed on the top of conduit 82 far-ends, and valve 122 is engaged in the top of accessory 120.Valve 122 and accessory 120 extend through the hole 124 in the rotatable head 20, make that in valve 122 and accessory 120, non-rotating during operation accessory 120 bears a lot of power from rotatable head 20, therefore reduce wearing and tearing and scuffing to valve.Be inserted in the groove 130 that forms in the rotatable head 20 and rotatable head 20 is fixed on the housing 16 by bearing pin 126 being passed hole 128 in the housing 16.Being connected of this bearing pin 126 and groove 130 is fixed on rotatable head 20 in the housing 16, and allows rotatable head 20 rotate.

Also referring to Figure 13 A and 13B, driving shaft 42 is connected to rotatable head 20 by the hole (not shown) that forms in rotatable head 20,131 1 of its position deviation longitudinal axis apart from d (such as greater than zero, for example be that about 0.127cm (0.05 inch) is to about 0.508cm (0.2 inch), for example about 0.3175 (0.125 inch)).Longitudinal axis 131 is perpendicular to the rotation axis 134 (Figure 13 B) of head, and measures from longitudinal axis 131 to the hole central vertical apart from d.Axle 42 is slidingly matched in the hand-hole, to allow rotatable head 20 with respect to axle 42 swings.When driving shaft 42 front and back translations, rotatable head 20 is swung around axis 134 with required frequency (for example, about 35Hz is to about 140Hz, and 50Hz is to about 80Hz according to appointment).

Referring to Figure 14 and 15, head 20 comprises pedestal 136, and pedestal comprises opening 124 (seeing Figure 12), and valve 122 extends through the protruding pedestal of this opening.Though can adopt any suitable valve, for example the check valve of duckbill valve or other type is preferably duckbill valve, so that use and reduce external fluid and granule are introduced fluid passage (for example, using and memory period).In some embodiments, the far-end of conduit 82 forms fluid issuing, and does not use the valve that is connected to this far-end.In some embodiments, opening 124 forms a part of fluid passage.

What stretch out from pedestal 136 is the arrangement of a brushing cluster 138.Though each bunch 138 is represented as single entity in the drawings, in fact these bunches each all constitute by a large amount of one plastics bristles.Bristle can be made by any desired polymer, nylon 6.12 or 6.10 for example, and can have any desired diameter, for example 4 to 8 mils.Bunches 138 are supported by pedestal 136, and can be held it on the position for example hot fascicle or etting cluster-dividing method by any desired fascicle technology known in the art.As knowing, also can install bunches 138 it is moved on pedestal 136 in field of toothbrushes.Discuss in more detail about toothbrush head, the applicant is referred to the pendent U. S. application submitted in 2003 9 about 9 days number 10/666,497, and its disclosure is incorporated herein in full, for your guidance.

Usually, bunches 138 and fluid issuing 140 (together with opening 124) can be arranged on the position of expectation.Referring to Figure 14 and 15, bunches 138 position is around the valve 122 that is positioned at the center.Especially referring to Figure 14, profile of its expression is oval head construction, and wherein pedestal 136 is oval form.Valve 122 is represented as the center that roughly is positioned at oval base 136 intersection point of transverse and minor axis (promptly), and bunches 138 arrange with ellipse and to be arranged in around the fluid issuing 140.Figure 15 represents another rounded nose structure, and valve 122 is positioned at the center of pedestal 136, and bunches 138 are positioned at around the fluid issuing 140 with circular arrangement.

Yet, do not need valve 122 and relevant fluid issuing 140 to be placed in center in the rotatable head 20, do not need fluid issuing to align with the pivot center 134 of rotatable head 20 yet.For example, referring to Figure 16 A and 16B, movable punch head 142 comprises a skew valve arrangement.In this embodiment, valve 122 extends through and pivot center 134 isolated rotatable heads 142 with relevant fluid passage 40.As mentioned above, driving shaft 42 is connected to the rotatable head 142 that departs from longitudinal axis 131.Another embodiment is referring to Figure 17 A and 17B, and head 146 comprises movable part 148 and stationary part 150, and valve 122 is placed in stationary part 150 with relevant fluid passage 40.As an alternative plan, valve 122 can place movable part 148 as mentioned above rather than place stationary part 150.As mentioned above, movable part 148 can be formed by the rotatable head that is connected to driving shaft.In some embodiments, by driving shaft 42 fluids are connected to conduit 60, driving shaft 42 comprises the fluid path that forms a part of fluid passage 40.An end (not shown) that is connected to the driving shaft 42 of head can provide fluid issuing or valve, and perhaps other structure can be connected to this end of driving shaft.

Valve and sealing member

Now referring to Figure 18 A to 19B and 20A to 20D, as mentioned above, housing 16 can be divided into three parts 152,154 and 156.Parts 152 (are detachable head assembly; Figure 18 A and 18B) comprise movable punch head 20 and cervical region 26 and driving shaft 42 and conduit 82.Parts 154 (are that cylinder assembly is filled in detachable repeating; Figure 19 A and 19B) comprise conduit 60, compressible region 58 (Figure 19 B) and enter the mouth 28. Motor 34 and 36 and pump assembly 38 and rechargeable battery 44 (seeing Fig. 3 B) be placed in the parts 156.

Because each parts 152 and 154 comprises a part of fluid passage 40, in order to reduce or to prevent that in some cases in separate parts 152 and 154 o'clock escape of liquid, each parts 152 and 154 comprises a valve 160 and 162 with " normally closed " structure respectively.Valve is arranged on the end of associated catheter, and is for example when parts are thrown off, basic near the whole fluid passage relevant with each parts.

Referring to Figure 18 A and 18C, cervical region valve 160 can cooperate with cylindrical shell valve 162 (seeing Figure 19 A and 19C).Referring to two Figure 18 C and 19C, cervical region valve 160 and cylindrical shell valve 162 comprise inner surface 164 and 166 respectively, the part of their each formation fluid passages 40.Inner surface 164 and 166 reduces the inside diameter of fluid passage near opening 126 and 128 place's constriction, forms seat surface 172 and 174.Spool 176 and 178 is biased and leans on seat surface 172 and 174.Spool 176,178 has the complementary outer surface 180,182 of profile and corresponding seat surface 172 and 174 profiles.By helical spring 184,186 (for example, length between about 0.635 and 0.9625cm (0.250 and 0.375 inch) between, the integral outer diameter between about 0.3048 and 0.6096cm (0.120 and 0.240 inch) between, by diameter for example between about 0.03556 and 0.04572cm (0.014 and 0.018 inch) between the stainless steel silk manufacturing) the spool biasing is leaned on seat surface 172,174, when parts 152 and 154 are separated, to close fluid passage 40 (for example, forming the sealing of anti-fluid leaks and/or air proof).Valve can be constructed to keep cutting out, even and apply also seal channel of bigger positive pressure (for example, pumping mechanism is activated) in passage.Because positive pressure is applied to corresponding spool from channel interior, the increment of bias force is transmitted, so spool applies bigger power to seat surface, the maintenance sealing.

Referring to Figure 19 B and 19D, cartridge unit 154 comprises second valve 200, and this valve can cooperate with the butt joint base valve 322 in outlet 280 (Figure 21 and 23A).Valve 200 comprises above about valve 162 described parts, and valve 322 comprises above about valve 160 described parts.Valve 200 control fluids are by being positioned near flowing of inlet 28 base-plates surface 30 (seeing Fig. 2 B), and valve 322 control fluids flowing by butt joint base outlet 280.In order to illustrate the work of valve, referring to Figure 21, each spool 176 and 178 comprises the part 188 of prolongation.When valve is separated, the part 188 outstanding seat surfaces 172,174 of prolongation.When valve 200 and 322 cooperated, the prolongation 188 of spool 176,178 was in contact with one another.In some embodiments, have only one or two not have the prolongation 188 that stretches out corresponding seat surface in the spool 176,178.When valve 200 and 322 mutually near the time, spool 176,178 departs from seat surface, therefore opens fluid passage 40 and allows fluid flow through passage.When cooperating, valve also is constructed to keep open during use when exerting pressure to spool, is for example exerted pressure to spool by mobile fluid in passage.This can realize by the motion of restriction respective valve core when valve is opened.

In order to make fluid passage 40 and surrounding sealing when valve cooperates, cylindrical shell valve 162 and/or 200 can comprise the sealing ring 201 (for example, O shape is enclosed) that is positioned at the groove 192 that extends internally from cylindrical shell valve outer surface 194.In some embodiments, sealing ring provides the sealing of anti-fluid leaks, but is not the sealing of air proof.In some cases, sealing ring both provided the sealing of anti-fluid leaks, and the sealing of air proof is provided again.Can make the size contact valve 160 of sealing ring and/or 322 inner surface 190.

Referring to Figure 18 C, cervical region valve 160 merges a part as valve module with the part 165 of cervical region 26.Cervical region valve module 160 is directly connected to the nearly opening of conduit 82, allow fluid directly from valve by entering conduit 82.Referring to Figure 19 C, cylindrical shell valve 162 is connected to conduit 60 by the barb accessory 203 in module back.Also can adopt other method of attachment, for example anchor clamps, tinsel or plastic tape wrappage and/or binding agent.

In some embodiments, adopt a kind of alternative valve module, this valve module is only closed fluid passage 40 in parts when parts are separated.Referring to Figure 22 A to 22C, one-sided valve module 250 comprises valve 252 and opens accessory 254 (seeing Figure 22 C).Valve 252 comprises constriction and forms the inner surface 256 of seat surface 258 and have the spool 260 of extension 262 to seat surface 258 biasings.Accessory 254 comprises and forming for the inner surface 266 of the passage of fluid flow with across the wall 268 of accessory passage.Wall 268 comprises four grooves 270 that are communicated with the passage fluid.When valve 252 cooperated with accessory 254, groove 270 provided fluid can flow to the conduit of valve 252 (or vice versa) from accessory 254.

Referring to Figure 22 B, when valve 252 cooperated with accessory 254, the part 262 of prolongation contacted with wall 268.When the surface 272 of valve 252 during near wall 268, make spool 260 depart from seat surface 258, open valve 252.The position of groove 270 makes spool 260 not stop up groove 270, and fluid can be passed through.In some embodiments, accessory 254 replaces cervical region valve 160 (for example, allowing passage 40 be immersed in the neck member 152).

The material that is used to make accessory and valve (comprising spool and spring) can be selected usually as required.The suitable material that is used to make valve comprises polyethylene (for example HDPE), polypropylene, acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX for example ^, can be available from BP p.l.c), acetal (POM) or noncorroding metal, for example rustless steel.The suitable material that is used to make spool comprises elastomer, for example ethylene, propylene diene monomers (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), fluorocarbon (VITON for example ^Fluorocarbon can be available from DuPont Dow Elastomers L.L.C.), the combination of these materials and with these materials that for example this class hard material of rustless steel is used in combination in any.Valve can comprise die casting (for example injection molding) and/or machining by any suitable method manufacturing, by method of attachment commonly used, and for example ultrasound wave or laser weld, bonding etc.

Parts 152 and 154 are designed to removable.To be parts 152 can replace the oral care appliance that makes up to form with other identical parts by consumer with 154 to " removable " meaning, and replacing is finished by consumer usually and can not be damaged oral care appliance.As can be seen from the above description, because whole fluid passage 40 is made of parts 152 and 154, therefore whole fluid passage 40 also is removable.In other words, any part of contacting with fluid all is removable in the oral care appliance 12.This is convenient to oral care appliance and uses dissimilar fluids, and the fluid of not expecting mixes and do not need the maintenance (for example, owing to break in the fluid passage, valve cisco unity malfunction etc.) of oral care appliance.This also helps to keep the sanitary condition of oral care appliance between the long-time operating period.

Assembling is during oral care appliance 12, and parts 152 (head assembly) and 154 (cylindrical shells) all are connected to parts 156 (Fig. 2 A and 2B) by mechanical fastener bolt mechanism 137 independently.Referring to Figure 18 A and 20A, parts 152 are connected to parts 156 by the admittance end 135 with top 133 insertion parts 156 of parts 156.In doing so, form mechanical connection by snap-fastener inserted pins 139 (Figure 18 B) and 141 (Figure 20 A), driving shaft 42 and 100 is connected, and if parts 154 be connected to parts 156, form fluids by valve 160 and 162 so and be connected.Parts 154 connect (also seeing Figure 19 A) by similar snap-fastener latch and are connected to parts 156.With parts 152 and 154 when parts 156 are thrown off, but user mutual extrusion snap-fastener latch 137 is to throw off mechanical connection.This realizes from parts 156 disengaged parts 154 by pinching the button 143 that is positioned on the shank 24, and comes disengaged part 152 and 156 by pinching the button 143 that is positioned on the cervical region 26.Also consider other connection, for example independently bolt maybe can be independent of the direction of connected component and the bayonet lock oblique crank Z ring that moves.Because driving shaft all should be connected with fluid circuit, so the preferred linearity that adopts connects (for example, with respect to being rotatably connected) with the two kinds of connections of aliging.Other common connectivity scenario also can adopt, and for example parts 152 is connected to parts 154, then parts 154 is connected to parts 156.

The control of oral care appliance

Referring to earlier figures 3A, oral care appliance 12 comprises control circuit or the controller 400 that is electrically connected to motor 34,36 and controls motor operations usually.It is mutual with the outside of controller 400 that user interface 402 provides.User interface 402 comprises break-make button 404 and 406 and fluid levels switch 408, and they all can touch from the outside of housing 16 (seeing Fig. 2 A).

Although controller can be programmed as required, as an example, controller is designed such that when press push button 404 starter 34 and 36 simultaneously, and when press push button 406 one in the starter 34,36 only, for example motor 36.Head movement and fluid flow all can be activated by press push button 404.Press push button 406, fluid flow and head movement have only one can be activated.Start the motor that back press push button 404 or 406 also can stop to be correlated with.Only start and stop under the situation of motor 36 at button 406, user for example can be brushed teeth and do not had additive fluid and transmit, and the care device 12 of can rinsing the mouth when head rotates.Fluid levels switch 408 allows user select between previously selected fluid transfer rate, for example high (for example about 1.1 gram/minute), in (for example about 1 gram/minute) and low (for example about 0.9 gram/minute) speed.Three LED 410 are optionally luminous, and the fluid of selecting with indication transmits level.As available or additional parts, can comprise LCD display to show fluid transmission level and/or to can be used for showing out of Memory, for example the state of fluid levels in oral care appliance 12 and/or battery charge.

As mentioned above, controller 400 can be programmed as required.Preferably, controller 400 is programmed the transmission level of regulating starter 34 back toothpaste.In some embodiments, controller is programmed and makes have the fluid than agglomerate to be transmitted soon after motor 34 is activated, for example have enough toothpaste to begin to scrub, the transmission level of toothpaste is lowered then, for example reduces the transmission level of scrubbing whole remainder of cycle.For example, can be by set out fluid and/or reduce the transmission level that the fluid transfer rate reduces toothpaste of intermittence.As an embodiment, Programmable Logic Controller is to provide three to transmit setting: low, neutralization height.In one embodiment, be provided with low the transmission, controller is programmed by starter and transmits a bolus flow body 34 about seven seconds.After about seven seconds, controller intermittent start motor 34 about 0.75 second, and stop CD-ROM drive motor 34 about 2.4 seconds (that is, with such interval motor periodically being started stops).In same embodiment, in middle transmission setting, controller is programmed by starter and transmits a bolus flow body 34 about seven seconds, periodically makes about 0.75 second of motor starting and stops about 1.63 seconds then.Transmit setting at height, controller is programmed by starter and transmits a bolus flow body 34 about seven seconds, periodically makes about 0.75 second of motor starting and stops about 1.2 seconds then.According to controlling 400 expectation programming, can adopt user interface control more or less to start various functions.

The butt joint base

When not using, oral care appliance 12 can combine with butt joint base 14.Butt joint base 14 can be connected to electric outlet (not shown) or other power supply that is fit to.

Referring to Figure 23 A and 23B, butt joint base 14 is made and is used for oral care appliance 12 is remained in the receiving portion 273 with vertical position.Form between perpendicular grooves 295 that receiving portion 273 forms in housing 291 and the housing extension 297 that stretches out from pedestal 293.The profile of groove 295 is configured to admit the part of oral care appliance 12.Butt joint base 14 comprises reaction unit, for example detects input when the oral cavity care device is docked base and admits and responds this input and to the pick off (not shown) of controller output signal, its details will illustrate in greater detail below.

Now referring to Figure 23 B, butt joint base 14 comprises fluid reservoir 274 (seeing Figure 24 and 25), and reservoir combines with conduit 276, and this conduit forms a part that extends to the fluid passage 278 of outlet 280 from fluid reservoir 274.In some embodiments, as shown in figure 24, fluid reservoir 274 forms an integral part of butt joint base 14 separable replaceable parts 301.In other embodiments, as shown in figure 25, removable pouch 303 forms fluid reservoir.In this case, the top 301 of butt joint base is removable, allows tolerant the using up when different products is used in back or consumer expectation of consumer take off pouch 303 easily within it, and inserts the pouch of changing.

Referring to Figure 23 B, for making fluid longshore current body channel flow, the butt joint base comprises reversible pump assembly 282.In Figure 26 A and 26B, can more be clear that, pump assembly 282 is similar to pump assembly shown in Fig. 4 A and the 4B, this pump assembly comprises the arrangement of motor 284, screw rod 286 and interconnected finger piece 290, screw rod has the propelling spiral (seeing Figure 26 A) of up-sizing, and finger piece is provided for the compressible region 277 of sequential compression conduit 276.In some embodiments, motor 284, the screw rod 286 that comprises spiral and finger piece 290 are and the essentially identical structure of structure mentioned above.Also consider and adopt other pump assembly that fluid, granule and/or powder are moved along passage, for example membrane pump, piston pump, Compressed Gas and gear pump etc.

With carriage 294 motor 284 is installed on the gripper shoe 296, gripper shoe is fixed to the base plate 298 (seeing Figure 23 B) of pedestal 14.Finger piece 290 is fixed on the plate 305 along their pedestal (for example seeing element 53 among Fig. 5 A), and this plate is fixed to supporting member 300, and supporting member is installed to the side surface of a pair of guide plate 306 and 308 (Figure 26 B).Finger piece 290 formation of installing in this mode are positioned near a series of cantilevers of conduit 276 outstanding.Guide plate 306 and 308 each all be installed on the gripper shoe 296 at their lower surface.Guide plate 308 comprises hole 309, and the size in hole is suitable for holding mating component 311, and mating component connects from gear-box to screw rod 286 output, and guide plate 306 comprises the hole 309 that holds screw rod 286.

Refer again to Figure 26 A and 26B, location-plate 310 is provided for location current-carrying conduit 276, makes compressible region 292 be close to finger pieces 290.Location-plate 310 is installed to the upper surface of plate 306,308, and comprises the opening that is limited by the lower surface of location-plate 310 and the groove 312 and 314 in each guide plate 306,308 upper surface, and conduit 276 is by this opening.Because conduit 276 is positioned and by these opening holding positions, when finger piece 290 is moved, their along in the length of compressible region 292 inner catheters 276 with a series of multiple pressures incident compression tube progressively that contracts, force fluid longshore current body channel flow.

Usually, motor 284 can be selected as required.The motor that is fit to is the FF-130SH available from Mabuchi.Screw rod 286, finger piece 290 and displacement order can be with above-mentioned about those be identical among Fig. 7 A to 7E.

In the downstream of pump assembly 282, conduit 276 is connected to driven unit 316 (Figure 27 A), and driven unit is used to make valve 322 to stretch out and withdraws, with valve 200 engagements and the disengagement that makes oral care appliance 12 respectively.Though what represent among the figure is valve 322, is configured to cooperate and provides any suitable cooperation that is communicated with between fluid reservoir 274 and the oral care appliance all can use with oral care appliance.Driven unit 316 comprises motor 318, and motor can move the sled 320 that is connected to valve 322, and valve is communicated with (for example, adopting the barb accessory) with conduit 276 fluids.Now referring to Figure 27 A and 27B, valve 322 is placed in the fixed lining 324 slidably.When will mobile skid 320 during, use connector that motor 318 is connected on the screw 330 with relevant gear-box 328 by being threaded onto skid 320 with relevant valve 322.When motor 318 rotated screw 330, according to the direction of rotation of screw 330, skid 320 was pulled away from or pushes to motor 318.Screw 330 is connected to the pair of bearings 334 that helps orientation direction screw rod 330.As mentioned above, valve 322 be positioned in outlet 280 with the control fluid from exporting 280 flow, and can cooperate with the valve 200 that the control fluid flows into the inlet 28 of oral care appliance 12.As available, in some embodiments, valve can be by other driving mechanism Mechanical Driven, for example the spring mechanism (for example, load to valve with spring and valve is discharged with button) and/or the lever that can make valve stretch out and/or withdraw.

Referring to earlier figures 23B, pair of conductors 336,338 is exposed in the receiving portion 273 of butt joint base 14.When oral cavity care device 12 was placed in the receiving portion 173, conductor 336,338 was set for a pair of contact 340,342 (Fig. 2 A) on the contact oral care appliance 12.This contact will be electrically connected oral care appliance 12 and butt joint base 14, make the butt joint power supply that base connect can give the charging of the rechargeable battery in the oral care appliance.Contact 340,342 and rechargeable battery are electrically connected, and allow power supply lead to battery from the butt joint base.

Referring to Figure 28, contact 340,342 is cooperated and with the charging circuit closure with conductor 336,338 by oral care appliance 12 being put into receiving portion 273, the closed controlled device identification of this circuit.When charging circuit was closed, rechargeable battery 44 began charging.Charging circuit can comprise inductive means, to give battery 44 induction chargings.In some embodiments, oral care appliance is electrically connected with docking base mechanically, perhaps for example adopts the mode of the signal or the radio frequency discrimination of magnetic field, electric field.When charging process began, the motor 318 of driven unit 316 was activated, and valve 322 stretches out forward with valve 200 (Fig. 2 B) in the shank 24 and cooperates.The limit switch (not shown) limits the stroke end of valve 322.In case limit switch is activated, driven unit 316 can make valve 322 stretch out the additional one selected period (for example about two seconds) forward, and this can guarantee that valve 200 and 322 leans.In this selected period, valve 322 can move forward also and can not move.The selected period of the trip is mainly used in and helps to guarantee that valve 322 cooperates with 200.

Be activated and after the selected period finishes at limit switch, whether controller is programmed and limits the pressure switch (not shown) and be activated.Pressure switch is connected to passage 278 (perhaps being connected to the passage 40 of oral care appliance 12 in some embodiments) with pipeline, and pressure switch will start when channel inner pressure surpasses previously selected threshold value, threshold value for example 55.16kPa (8psi) (preferably between 41.37 and 68.95kPa (6 and 10psi) between).If this threshold value is exceeded, the fluid passage 40 in this explanation oral care appliance is full so.In case valve is engaged, if the fluid passage in the oral care appliance is still less than (promptly, if pressure switch does not start), pump assembly 282 is activated and fluid is pumped into fluid passage 40 in oral care appliance 12 parts 154, the fluid supply restock oral care appliance 12 fluid passages in from the reservoir 274 of butt joint in the base so.

But, if controller detects pressure switch and is activated (promptly before primer pump assembly 282, if the pressure channel of oral care appliance is full when the oral cavity care device is placed on the butt joint base), motor 284 is not activated and valve 322 is contracted so, and the limit switch (not shown) is activated up to the back.

Recharging operating period, when the pressure in the passage reached threshold value, pressure switch was activated, and controller sends stop signal for motor 284, interrupting fluidic pumping, and sent signal for driven unit 316, made valve 322 be retracted to its initial make position.As a selection, in some embodiments, controller opens bypass valve behind pressure activated switch draws the reflux reservoir with fluid.Similar operation also can realize by for example using pressure-relief valve, not need pressure switch.When valve 322 was withdrawn into its original position, back limit switch started.

As above-mentioned explanation, the pressure that fluid passage 40 is recharged in passage reaches previously selected threshold value, illustrates that indicating device 154 has reached the capacity that limits in advance.As a measure that prevents to overflow, no matter whether pressure switch start, after through a selected time cycle (for example, one minute, preferably between between 30 seconds and 2 minutes), controller can stop motor 284.This can prevent to dock base 14 turned letter fluid reservoirs 274 (for example, when the cooperation of valve go wrong or parts 154 when damaging).As valve 322 when 200 cooperate (Figure 19), oral care appliance 12 can not take off from receiving portion 273.The valve that cooperates locks onto butt joint base 14 with oral care appliance 12, for example keeps oral care appliance 12 to be communicated with the fluid that docks between the base 14.

In some embodiments, only there is a motor to be placed in the butt joint base 14 and is used for driver's valve 322 and longshore current body passage 278 pumping fluids.In these cases, available clutch optionally makes motor cooperate with driven unit and pump assembly.In some cases, the pump assemblies 38 in the oral care appliance 12 are used to fluid is taken out passage 60 in the refill cartridge parts 154 from the fluid reservoir of butt joint base.This can eliminate the necessity of pump assembly 282 in the butt joint base 14.

Now referring to Figure 29, it represents an alternative oral care appliance 400, comprises separable pair of part case 402 and separable replaceable cylindrical shell 404.Similar with above-mentioned oral care appliance 12, oral care appliance 400 is the electric toothbrushes with head that motor drives, and is designed to exhaust fluid during the cycle of scrubbing, for example dentifrice or collutory or various fluidic combination.To go through below, oral care appliance 400 comprises main element 418 and separable cartridge unit 404, and cartridge unit comprises fluid reservoir (can be that can recharge and/or disposable) and battery (can be chargeable or disposable) or other power supply.Main body and cartridge unit are fixed together by snap-fastener latch 419.In some embodiments, whole cartridge unit 404 is disposable.

After the combination, mouth care is adorned 400 and is comprised distal portions 406 and proximal part 412, and movable punch head 408 and cervical region 410 are positioned at distal portions, and shank 414 is positioned at proximal part.The size of head 408 is suitable for putting into the mouth of user when brushing teeth, and shank 414 is held by user and be convenient to handle during use head 408.Mouth care is adorned 400 user interfaces 416 that comprise the shift knob form.

As mentioned above, cartridge unit 404 can separate (seeing Figure 31 A) with main element 418.As Figure 30 A and 30B, cartridge unit 404 is cylindrical shell removable, removable, that can carry fluid (for example dentifrice, collutory and water) in the fluid reservoir 405 (for example rigid body container or flexible pouch).Main element 418 also comprises power supply 420 (seeing Figure 30 B).By the cartridge unit 404 that has power supply (for example one or more battery) and fluid reservoir is provided, can be eliminated the needs of butt joint base that can recharge for cartridge unit and can charge.In some embodiments, recharge station, charging station and/or the combination that recharges with charging station is provided to recharge and/or give power supply 420 chargings to cartridge unit 404.Again in other embodiment, can provide to recharge the simple butt joint base that can not charge support as oral care appliance.

Now referring to Figure 31 A and 31B, main element 418 comprises movable punch head 408 and is placed in a pair of motor 34 and 36 of main element 418 inside.Motor 34 drives and is used for the pump assembly 438 of longshore current body passage 40 to oral care appliance 400 heads 408 transmitting fluids.Therefore in some embodiments, motor 34 is reversible again, can make the fluid reverse flow to the proximal part of oral care appliance 400 (for example, reduce or even eliminate in some cases because fluid any leakage from the head that the pressure of formation occurs in the passage).Motor 36 drives driving shaft 442, and driving shaft rotates (for example rotating) head 408 again.When cartridge unit 404 is connected to main element 418 (as shown in figure 29), power supply 420 is electrically connected to motor 34,36, to provide power to them.

The head driven unit is similar to the head driven unit of above-mentioned oral care appliance 12, driving shaft 42 usefulness off-set constructions are connected to rotatable head 408, and off-set construction is convenient to the placement of the conduit 422 of cervical region 410 fluid passage 40 in the fluid issuing of head 408 and formation housing 402.Driving shaft 42 changes linear movement into to be used to drive cam and the drive of driven member system that driving shaft 42 seesaws by the rotation output with motor 36.In some embodiments, the head driven unit substantially with identical (and can comprise any alternative parts) shown in above-mentioned Figure 10 A to 13.

From Figure 31 B as seen, pump assembly 438 is similar to the pump assembly 38 shown in Fig. 4 A and the 4B, it comprises the arrangement and the conduit 422 of motor 34, screw rod 48, interconnected finger piece 56, screw rod has the propelling spiral 50 of up-sizing, and conduit has the compressible region 58 that forms at least a portion fluid passage 40.In some embodiments, motor 34, the screw rod 48 that comprises spiral 50, conduit 422 and finger piece 56 basic for and above-mentioned structure identical construction, and can comprise above-mentioned in available each.

Each housing parts 404 and 418 comprises a part of fluid passage 40.For reduce or in some cases in addition eliminate when parts 404 and when opening in 418 minutes fluid do not provide in the distal portion of the near-end of main element 418 and cartridge unit 404 and to have the valve 160 and 162 that " normally closed " constructs from the leakage of passage 40.(have shown in for example above-mentioned Figure 18 C of valve that is fit to and 19C of " normally closed " structure.Also can adopt the valve of other type, for example described referring to Figure 40 A and 40B.) as above-mentioned about the valve shown in Figure 18 C to 19C, when main element 418 and cartridge unit 404 separately time the, valve 160 and 162 closing passages 40, and when parts in conjunction with the time allow fluid flow through passage 40.

Other embodiment

Now referring to Figure 32,33 and 34, three alternative compressing members of their expressions are arranged, and comprise having a plurality of compressing members of crooked 508, for example so that oral care appliance is put in the compressing member arrangement.As shown in the figure, bending can be 180 degree, but can adopt other structure, for example bending of 90 degree.Referring to Figure 32, compressing member is arranged 500 and is comprised a plurality of interconnective compressing members 502.Each compressing member 502 is supported by pedestal 504 at two ends, and each pedestal 504 also interconnects with the element of arranging 502.Compressing member 502 is configured to buckle when strong when applying, for example the power that is applied by screw rod 48.When element 502 bendings, relevant compressive surfaces 506 is subjected to displacement, this removable again for example adjacent compressible conduit.Referring to Figure 33, another compression is arranged 510 and is comprised a plurality of interconnected compressing members 512, and they are only at one end supported by pedestal 504.

Now referring to Figure 34, compression arranges 600 can compress a pair of compressible conduit 602 and 604, with along a pair of relevant fluid passage 606 and 608 (shown in dotted line) pumping fluid.Compressing member 610 stretches out from common pedestal 612, and common pedestal is also interconnection with each compressing member 610 of two arrangements.Shown in an advantage of embodiment be that the available single shaft that has spiral is placed on by the axle (not shown) that this is had spiral and between the arrangement of two compressing members 610 two compressing members is arranged to be subjected to displacement.In some embodiments, can adopt a plurality of compressing members of separating to arrange, for example by the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 B, and a plurality of axles that have spiral, for example by the axle shown in Fig. 6 A, with along a plurality of corresponding passage pumping fluids.

An alternative screw rod embodiment 700 is shown in Figure 35 A and 35B, and wherein spiral 702 constitutes by a plurality of discontinuous protruding 704.Projection 704 is arranged and is configured to make compressing member to arrange and is subjected to displacement for example above-mentioned arrangement referring to Fig. 7 A to 7E.

As mentioned above, oral care appliance can comprise a plurality of fluid passages.Referring to Figure 36 A and 36B, oral care appliance comprises a pair of conduit 514 and 516, flows with two fluid streams of guiding in the oral care appliance (for example, identical or different fluid).As shown in the figure, each conduit 514 and 516 is connected to the position of departing from longitudinal axis 531 on the head, and longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis 518 of movable punch head 408.In some embodiments, one of conduit 514,516 can be connected to the position of rotation axis 518 on the head, and another is connected to the position of departing from rotation axis 518.Referring to Figure 37, the figure shows a modification, wherein conduit 550 and the 552 mutual fluids in upstream at the downstream of pump assembly and head fluid issuing are communicated with this embodiment its advantage, wherein in passage just the time fluid-mixing before being sent on the toothbrush surface be desired.

Referring to Figure 38 and 39, head can comprise cup 620,622 (or other ways, for example [(pick)).Shown in Figure 38 and 39, cup 620 and 622 stretches out and centers on nozzle 626 from pedestal 624.In Figure 39, cup 622 for profile of tooth and comprise the opening 628 that is provided with along the ridge 630 of cup, this helps to clean.

Figure 40 A and 40B represent the embodiment of alternative valve module 800, for example replace (for example to provide head piece 152 and cartridge unit 154, see Figure 18 B and 19B) between the valve 160 that is communicated with and 162 and/or replace providing cartridge unit 154 and the valve 200 and 322 that docks connection between the base 14 (for example, seeing Figure 21).Valve module 800 comprises the accessory 802 with the passage 804 that therefrom extends through.Placing in the passage 804 is the ball 806 of a spring biasing, and this ball is setovered by spring 808 and relied on sealing ring 810, and sealing ring stretches in the passage 804 and be coaxial with passage.Referring to Figure 40 A, its expression valve module 800 in the closed position, ball 806 is biased and leans sealing ring 810, with passage 804 sealings.Now referring to Figure 40 B, its expression is in the valve module 800 of release position, and ball 806 is pushed open from sealing ring 810 by the conduit of being admitted by accessory 802 812.Conduit 812 comprises a plurality of mouths 814 that extend through conduit 812 sidewalls 816.When the contiguous balls 806 of an end 818 of conduit 812, mouthfuls 814 allow fluid pass through and in the admission passage 804.In the release position, fluid, granule or other any suitable material can flow through ball 806 during use and flow to for example head 20 of oral care appliance 10, and/or flow out from the head of oral care appliance in some embodiments.

Now referring to Figure 41 and 42, be applicable to some oral care device embodiment, the fluid reservoir that for example comprises the oral care appliance of above-mentioned one or more features is respectively the pouch 850 that can fill and 900 form.As shown in the figure, pouch 850 and 900 can be filled.In some cases, pouch be removable and can be disposable, for example when pouch is emptied.Pouch 850 and 900 comprises pair of sidewalls 852,854, and they are connected with 862 by corresponding seam 860 along relative vertical side 856,858.In some embodiments, sidewall can connect along vertical relatively side then by folding connection by seam along a vertical side.Sidewall 852,854 also is connected by seam 868,870 with bottom margin 866 along top 864.Sidewall 852,854 forms pouch main body 872, and it has the volume that forms between sidewall.

Accessory 874 stretches into pouch main body 872 and has end 882 (Figure 43) between the top of being arranged on 864 sidewalls 852,854.Accessory 874 provides being communicated with between pouch main body 872 and the fluid conduit systems that extends through oral care appliance.In some embodiments, referring to Figure 44, accessory 880 extends through the opening that forms on sidewall 852.Refer again to Figure 41 and 42, as mentioned above, the valve 200 with normally closed structure is connected to accessory 874.

Now referring to Figure 43, the end 882 of accessory 874 has the width W greater than the accessory height H, W and H are respectively along perpendicular to the orientation measurement of major axis and minor axis 884,886 (each axle is represented by dotted lines) (promptly, the aspect ratio of accessory 874 height and the width is less than one, preferably the most about 0.65, for example about 0.55).

The pouch that comprises accessory is constructed to make that the volume of pouch main body begins to increase from first beginning and end packing volume when pouch is filled with content, and volume reduces when pouch is emptied.When pouch is emptied substantially, when being empty for example at least about 95%, the volume of pouch (for example equals first beginning and end packing volume substantially, this volume at least about first beginning and end packing volume 40% within, preferably at least about 20% of first beginning and end packing volume, for example at least about first beginning and end packing volume 10%), the shoulder 888 of pouch and 890 is flat substantially.This structure can make the pouch turned letter and not have bigger fatigue of materials, for example allow pouch be recharged and re-use, and can make sidewall by more stiff material easy to use.

Pouch 850 and 900 can have the laminar structure that comprises the ectonexine that forms sidewall 852,854, and perhaps sidewall can be the integrative-structure that only has monolayer.In having a plurality of layers the embodiment that forms sidewall, these layers can be different materials, and perhaps each layer can be identical materials.Making pouch 850 and at 900 o'clock, the pouch main body can be made by piece plastic thin film (or multi-disc, for example two), and thin film is folded in half and along folded edge and two open edges sealings.Then accessory is inserted open edge and, allow accessory be arranged between two sidewalls this edge sealing.In some embodiments, as mentioned above, but the folded edge blow-by.In some embodiments, the pouch main body at one end is circular, and successive circular seam is with the round nose sealing (not shown) of pouch main body.

The material that is suitable for making the pouch main body comprises acrylonitrile compolymer monomer, acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer (for example, BAREX ^Resin), polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymer (for example PCTFE or CTFE), polyethylene terephthalate or their combination.Accessory also can be by any suitable material manufacture, for example acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer (BAREX for example ^Resin).Sidewall (or one deck of sidewall) at least can comprise laminar structure, and this laminar structure comprises internal layer and skin, and internal layer comprises that bending modulus is about at most 3,447, and 378kPa (500, material 000psi).In some embodiments, the thickness of sidewall (or one deck of sidewall) at least is between about 25 and 100 microns.

Claims (158)

1, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Elongated housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described fluid conduit systems limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell, and described fluid conduit systems has and is arranged on the intravital compressible region of described shell;

The compressible region of wherein said fluid conduit systems limits non-semicircular passage; With

The pump assembly that motor drives, described pump assembly is configured to compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, with fluid suction compressible region and from compressible region along described fluid passage towards outlet transmitting fluid in the distal portion office of described housing.

2, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said pump assembly are configured to compress described conduit progressively with a series of many discrete compression incidents.

3, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein when described conduit in compressible region when at least a portion of its length is compressed progressively, described conduit has constant substantially compression volume (V in compressible region _c).

4, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said pump assembly further comprises rotating shaft, described rotating shaft comprises the helix of projection.

5, oral care appliance according to claim 4, wherein said helix is successive.

6, oral care appliance according to claim 4, wherein said helix comprise the projection of the discontinuous arrangement that extends outward from the surface of described rotating shaft.

7, oral care appliance according to claim 4, wherein said helix are configured to compress conduit in the compressible region when described when rotation axle progressively along at least a portion of described catheter length.

8, oral care appliance according to claim 4, wherein said pump assembly further comprises the compressing member between described axle and described conduit, thereby when described axle was rotated, described compressing member was moved so that the conduit in the compression compressible region by described axle.

9, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein when described axle was rotated to position, a plurality of angle, described compressing member can be moved by described axle.

10, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member is moved in a lateral direction in the cardinal principle of described fluid passage.

11, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein when described axle during in selected position, angle, described compressing member is moved by linearity.

12, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member is moved in the mode that rotatablely moves.

13, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member is moved in the mode of curvature movement.

14, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member is moved by described compressing member is fastened.

15, oral care appliance according to claim 8, described oral care appliance comprise a plurality of compressing members between described axle and described conduit, thereby described compressing member can be moved by described axle when described axle is rotated.

16, oral care appliance according to claim 15, wherein said compressing member is arranged to linear arrangement.

17, oral care appliance according to claim 15, wherein said compressing member is arranged to a plurality of linear arrangements.

18, oral care appliance according to claim 15, wherein said compressing member is sequentially moved by described axial screw line, with the conduit in the compression compressible region, thereby along described fluid passage transmitting fluid.

19, oral care appliance according to claim 15, wherein said compressing member are arranged to a series of compression incidents that apply in proper order along described catheter length and compress described conduit.

20, oral care appliance according to claim 15, described oral care appliance comprise the flexible partition that places between described rotating shaft and the described conduit, and described compressing member and described flexible partition are one.

21, oral care appliance according to claim 20, wherein said compressing member stretches out from described flexible partition.

22, oral care appliance according to claim 15, described oral care appliance comprise the flexible partition that places between described compressing member and the described conduit.

23, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member comprises stiff end that is connected to supporting member and the free end that forms finger piece, described free end is placed between described axle and the described conduit, thereby described free end can be moved by described axle when described axle is rotated to selected position, angle.

24, oral care appliance according to claim 23, described oral care appliance comprises a plurality of compressing members, each compressing member comprises the stiff end that is connected to supporting member and forms the free end that finger piece is arranged, described free end is placed between described axle and the described conduit, thereby described free end can be moved by described axle when described axle is rotated.

25, oral care appliance according to claim 24, the stiff end of the finger piece during wherein said finger piece is arranged interconnects.

26, oral care appliance according to claim 23, wherein flexible partition is placed between the free end and described conduit of described finger piece.

27, oral care appliance according to claim 8, wherein said compressing member has a pair of end that is fixed to supporting member, and described compressing member is configured to be buckled between the described stiff end when described axle is rotated with the conduit in the compression compressible region.

28, oral care appliance according to claim 4, wherein said pump assembly comprises the electro-motor that is configured to be used for rotating described rotating shaft.

29, oral care appliance according to claim 28, wherein said electro-motor is in response to rotating described rotating shaft from the signal that is positioned at the intravital controller of described shell with selected velocity or frequency.

30, oral care appliance according to claim 29, wherein said controller are configured to rotate described rotating shaft with different selected velocities or frequency.

31, oral care appliance according to claim 30, wherein said controller are programmed to raise or to reduce the speed or the frequency of the described rotating shaft of described revolution.

32, oral care appliance according to claim 30, wherein said controller be in response to the input from user, raises or reduce the speed or the frequency of the described rotating shaft of described revolution.

33, oral care appliance according to claim 1, the long axis of wherein said fluid conduit systems are parallel to the long axis of described housing or coaxial with the long axis of described housing substantially.

34, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said fluid conduit systems comprises tube.

35, oral care appliance according to claim 1, described oral care appliance comprise further and are positioned at the intravital fluid reservoir of described shell that described reservoir can be communicated with described fluid passage.

36, oral care appliance according to claim 35, wherein said pump assembly is positioned at the downstream of described fluid reservoir.

37, oral care appliance according to claim 1, described oral care appliance comprise and are arranged on the intravital a plurality of fluid conduit systems of described shell that each fluid conduit systems limits a fluid passage.

38, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 37, each all has compressible region wherein said fluid conduit systems.

39, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 38, wherein said pump assembly is configured to compress each fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of they length, so as along relevant fluid passage towards outlet transmitting fluid at the distal portions of described housing.

40, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 37, wherein said a plurality of fluid passages are converged in described housing to make up the fluid of described outlet upstream.

41, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 37, described oral care appliance comprises a plurality of fluid issuings, each fluid issuing and relevant fluid conduit systems fluid connection.

42, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said head is mobilizable with respect to described housing.

43, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 42, wherein said head comprises movable part and standing part, and described movable part is mobilizable with respect to described housing.

44, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 43, at least one in wherein said movable part and the described standing part comprises from the outward extending bristle arrangements of pedestal.

45, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 43, wherein said outlet is positioned at described standing part.

46, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 43, wherein said outlet is positioned at described movable part.

47, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 43, wherein said outlet is between described movable part and stationary part.

48, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said head comprises brush.

49, according to claim 1 or 48 described oral care appliances, wherein said head comprises the elastomer cup.

50, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 49, wherein said elastomer cup outwards and around at least a portion of described fluid issuing extends from pedestal.

51, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein said head comprises [.

52, oral care appliance according to claim 1, described oral care appliance are the form of dispensing toothbrush.

53, oral care appliance according to claim 1, described oral care appliance comprises removable cartridge unit.

54, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 53, wherein said removable cartridge unit comprises at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems.

55, according to claim 1 or 53 described oral care appliances, described oral care appliance comprises separable main element.

56, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 55, wherein said separable main element comprises the pump assembly that described motor drives.

57, according to claim 1 or 53 described oral care appliances, described oral care appliance has removable head piece.

58, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 57, wherein said head piece comprises head, cervical region and fluid issuing.

59, oral care appliance according to claim 1, described oral care appliance comprise the inlet that is communicated with described fluid conduit systems fluid, and described inlet is configured to and docks the base fluid and be communicated with, to introduce fluid by described inlet.

60, oral care appliance according to claim 1, wherein all described fluid passages all are removable.

61, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 60, described oral care appliance comprises the inlet that is communicated with described fluid conduit systems fluid.

62, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 61, wherein said inlet comprises valve.

63, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 60, described oral care appliance comprises first and second parts, and each in first and second parts forms at least a portion of described housing and comprises the part of described fluid passage.

64, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 63, the corresponding fluids passage of wherein said first and second parts is communicated with by the valve fluid.

65, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 64, one in wherein said first and second parts is removable cartridge unit, and in described first and second parts another is removable head and neck member.

66, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing comprise and are used for guiding fluidic fluid passage in described housing, and comprise that at the described housing of the distal portions of described housing size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth; With

Reversible pump assembly, described pump assembly is configured to along described channel transfer fluid.

67, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 66, described oral care appliance comprises the fluid conduit systems that limits described fluid passage.

68, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 67, wherein said pump assembly is configured to compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, with fluid suction compressible region and from compressible region along described fluid passage towards outlet transmitting fluid at the distal portions of described housing.

69, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 68, wherein said pump assembly further comprises rotating shaft, and described rotating shaft comprises the helix of projection.

70, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 69, wherein said helix is configured to compress conduit in the compressible region when described when rotation axle progressively along at least a portion of described catheter length.

71, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 69, wherein said pump assembly further comprises the compressing member between described axle and described conduit, thereby described compressing member is mobile so that compress conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length by described when described axle rotation.

72, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 71, described oral care appliance comprises a plurality of compressing members between described axle and described conduit, thereby described compressing member can be moved by described axle when described axle rotates.

73, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 72, wherein said compressing member is sequentially moved by described axial screw line, compressing the conduit in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, thereby along described fluid passage transmitting fluid.

74, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 68, wherein said pump assembly is configured to compress described conduit progressively with a series of a plurality of compression incidents.

75, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 68, wherein said reversible pump assembly is configured to longshore current body passage transmitting fluid on the direction of leaving in the outlet of the distal portion office of described housing.

76, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 66, wherein said reversible pump assembly comprises electro-motor.

77, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 76, wherein said electro-motor response is being rotated rotating shaft from the signal that is positioned at the intravital controller of described shell on the first direction or on opposite second direction.

78, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 66, described oral care appliance further be included in the described housing and with the fluid reservoir of described fluid passage in fluid communication.

79, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 78, wherein said reversible pump assembly is configured to fluid is incorporated in the described fluid reservoir.

80,, when wherein said reversible pump assembly is formed at antiport fluid is incorporated into the described fluid reservoir from described fluid passage according to the described oral care appliance of claim 79.

81, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing comprises head, shank, with the cervical region that is connected described head and shank, the size of described head is suitable for putting into the user mouth; With

The energy, the described energy are used for providing power to described oral care appliance;

Wherein said housing comprises separable cartridge unit, and described cartridge unit comprises the fluid reservoir and the described energy.

82,1 described oral care appliance according to Claim 8, the wherein said energy comprises battery.

83,2 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said battery is chargeable.

84,2 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said battery is disposable.

85,1 described oral care appliance according to Claim 8, the wherein said energy are electrically connected to and are constructed to be used for the motor of driving pump assembly.

86,5 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said pump assembly is configured to the outlet transmitting fluid of longshore current body passage towards the head of the distal portions that is located at described housing.

87,5 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said pump assembly are configured to compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described catheter length, with longshore current body channel transfer fluid.

88,5 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said pump assembly comprises rotating shaft, described rotating shaft comprises the helix of projection.

89,8 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, wherein said pump assembly comprises the fluid conduit systems of at least a portion that has compressible region and limit described fluid passage, and described pump assembly comprises the compressing member between described axle and described conduit, thereby described compressing member is moved so that the conduit in the compression compressible region by described axle when described axle rotates.

90,9 described oral care appliances according to Claim 8, described oral care appliance comprises a plurality of compressing members between described axle and described fluid conduit systems, thereby described compressible element is sequentially moved by described axle when described axle is rotated, so that compress the fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively.

91, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing has movable punch head, the shank that is constructed to be used for centering on the rotation axis rotation, with the cervical region that is connected described head and shank, described housing is limited to the housing axis that extends between described shank and the described head, and described housing axis is perpendicular to described rotation axis;

Fluid passage, described fluid passage are positioned at the cervical region of described housing and extend to outlet at the head place; With

Drive member, described drive member is being connected to described head with housing axis spaced positions, and described drive member is configured to rotate described movable punch head around rotation axis.

92, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, at least a portion of wherein said fluid passage is parallel to described rotation axis substantially and extends.

93, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, at least a portion of wherein said fluid passage and described rotation axis are coextensive.

94, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, wherein said outlet and described rotation axis are spaced from each other.

95, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, described oral care appliance comprises the driven unit that is constructed to be used for moving described drive member.

96, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 95, wherein said driven unit comprises electro-motor.

97, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 95, wherein said driven unit comprises cam and drive member, and described cam comprises guide rail and is connected to the driven member of described guide rail.

98, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 97, wherein said guide rail stretches out from the outer surface of axle.

99, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 97, wherein said guide rail is limited by the inner surface of cup.

100, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, wherein said head comprises stationary part and movable part.

101, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 100, wherein said head comprises the bristle arrangements of stretching out from the pedestal in the stationary part office.

102, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 100, wherein said head comprises the bristle arrangements of stretching out from the pedestal in the movable part office.

103, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 100, wherein said outlet is positioned at described movable part office.

104, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 100, wherein said outlet is positioned at described stationary part office.

105, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 100, wherein said outlet is between described movable part and stationary part.

106, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, described oral care appliance comprises a plurality of fluid issuings that are positioned at described head place.

107, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 91, wherein said drive member is connected to described head in the position with described housing axis (d) spaced apart, described distance (d) between about 0.05 and about 0.2 inch between.

108, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 107, wherein said distance (d) is between about 0.075 and 0.150 inch.

109, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 107, wherein said distance (d) is about 0.125 inch.

110, a kind of method of using oral care appliance that mouth care is provided, described method comprises:

By compressing the not compression volume (V that described fluid conduit systems will be positioned at the fluid conduit systems of described oral care appliance ₀) be reduced to the compression volume (V in the compressible region _c), described compressible region limits a non-semicircular passage;

Wherein when described fluid conduit systems is compressed with the fluid passage transmitting fluid in described oral care appliance along length (L) progressively, described compression volume (V _c) remain unchanged substantially.

111, according to the described method of claim 110, wherein said fluid conduit systems is compressed by the compression incident of series of discrete progressively along L.

112, according to the described method of claim 110, the wherein said step that reduces comprises mobile compressing member.

113, according to the described method of claim 112, wherein said compressing member is moved by the axle of lobed helix.

114, according to the described method of claim 113, described method further comprises rotates described axle.

115, according to the described method of claim 114, wherein said axle is rotated by electro-motor.

116, a kind of method of using oral care appliance that mouth care is provided, described method comprises:

Compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region with a series of compression incidents continuous, arranged side by side progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, with fluid is pumped in the compressible region and from compressible region longshore current body passage towards fluid issuing transmitting fluid at described oral care appliance head.

117, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described fluid conduit systems limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell;

Be arranged on the intravital pouch of described shell, described pouch comprises the pouch main body, and described pouch main body comprises two sidewalls, and described two sidewalls limit the volume between two sidewalls, and described sidewall connects by seam along at least one vertical side; With

The accessory that is communicated with between described pouch and the described fluid conduit systems is provided.

118, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile compolymer monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymer, polyethylene terephthalate or their combination.

119, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

120, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 119, wherein said accessory comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

121, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said pouch main body has shoulder, and it is flat substantially that described shoulder is configured to fold.

122, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said accessory is connected to described sidewall at the edge of described pouch main body.

123, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said accessory is connected the front of described pouch main body, and described accessory extends through the opening that is limited by relevant sidewall.

124, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall comprises laminar structure, and described laminar structure comprises internal layer and skin, and wherein said internal layer comprises that bending modulus mostly is about 500 most, the material of 000psi.

125, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall comprises the thin film of thickness between 25 and 100 microns.

126, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall connects by corresponding seam along two relative vertical sides.

127, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 117, wherein said sidewall connects by folding at vertical side.

128, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described fluid conduit systems limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell;

Be arranged on the intravital pouch of described shell, described pouch comprises the pouch main body, and described pouch main body comprises two sidewalls, and described two sidewalls limit the volume between two sidewalls; With

The logical accessory that connects between described pouch main body and the described fluid conduit systems is provided;

The aspect ratio of the height and the width of wherein said accessory is less than 1, and described height and width are measured along minor axis and major axis respectively in the end that is arranged on the accessory between the described sidewall.

129, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, the aspect ratio of wherein said height and the width mostly is about 0.65 most.

130, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall connects by seam along at least one limit.

131, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall connects by corresponding seam along two relative vertical sides.

132, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall connects by folding along at least one side.

133, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile compolymer monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymer, polyethylene terephthalate or their combination.

134, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

135, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 134, wherein said accessory comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

136, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said pouch main body has shoulder, and it is flat substantially that described shoulder is configured to fold.

137, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said accessory is connected to described sidewall at the edge of described pouch main body.

138, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said accessory is connected the front of described pouch main body, and described accessory extends through the opening that is limited by relevant sidewall.

139, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall comprises laminar structure, and described laminar structure comprises internal layer and skin, and wherein said internal layer comprises that bending modulus mostly is about 500 most, the material of 000psi.

140, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 128, wherein said sidewall comprises the thin film of thickness between 25 and 100 microns.

141, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described fluid conduit systems limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell;

Be arranged on the intravital pouch of described shell, described pouch comprises the pouch main body, and described pouch main body comprises two sidewalls, and described two sidewalls limit the volume between two sidewalls; With

The accessory that is communicated with between described pouch main body and the described fluid conduit systems is provided;

Wherein when pouch was filled with content, described volume began to increase from first beginning and end packing volume.

142, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein described volume reduces when pouch is turned.

143, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein when turning substantially, described volume equals beginning and end packing volume just substantially.

144, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, the aspect ratio of the height and the width of wherein said accessory is less than 1, and described height and the width are measured along minor axis and major axis respectively in the accessory end that is arranged between the described sidewall.

145, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 144, the aspect ratio of wherein said height and the width mostly is about 0.65 most.

146, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall connects by seam along at least one limit.

147, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall connects by corresponding seam along two relative vertical sides.

148, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall connects by folding along at least one side.

149, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile compolymer monomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, fluoropolymer, polyethylene terephthalate or their combination.

150, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

151, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 150, wherein said accessory comprises acrylonitrile methyl acrylate copolymer.

152, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said pouch main body has shoulder, and it is flat substantially that described shoulder is configured to fold.

153, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said accessory is connected to described sidewall at the edge of described pouch main body.

154, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said accessory is connected the front of described pouch main body, and described accessory extends through the opening that is limited by relevant sidewall.

155, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall comprises laminar structure, and described laminar structure comprises internal layer and skin, and wherein said internal layer comprises that bending modulus mostly is about 500 most, the material of 000psi.

156, according to the described oral care appliance of claim 141, wherein said sidewall comprises the thin film of thickness between 25 and 100 microns.

157, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Elongated housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described conduit limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell, and described fluid conduit systems has and is arranged on the intravital compressible region of described shell; With

The pump assembly that motor drives, described pump assembly is configured to compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, with fluid suction compressible region and from compressible region along described fluid passage towards outlet transmitting fluid at the distal portions of described housing;

Wherein said pump assembly is configured to compress described conduit progressively with a series of many discrete compression incidents.

158, a kind of oral care appliance, described oral care appliance comprises:

Elongated housing, described housing comprises that at its distal portions size is suitable for putting into the head of user mouth;

Fluid conduit systems, described conduit limits at least a portion of the intravital fluid passage of described shell, and described fluid conduit systems has and is arranged on the intravital compressible region of described shell; With

The pump assembly that motor drives, described assembly is configured to compress fluid conduit systems in the compressible region progressively along at least a portion of described fluid conduit systems length, with with fluid suction compressible region and from the outlet transmitting fluid of the distal portions of compressible region along described fluid passage towards described housing, the pump assembly that described motor drives comprises driving shaft, and described driving shaft is parallel to the plane that is limited by described compressible region substantially and is provided with.

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