JP3686409B2 - Oral cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to oral cleaning devices such as toothbrushes and water jets, and more particularly to a self-contained oral cleaning device having a liquid jet device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Oral cleaning devices that use water jet devices are known and such devices use an external source of water. In one category of prior art, a toothbrush is connected to or connected to a water tap. The water pressure from the faucet powers the motor used to propel the water through the toothbrush and out of the toothbrush head and / or to rotate or move the toothbrush bristles. Used to give. For example, USP. No. US Pat. No. 5,304,010 discloses a toothbrush that includes a hollow body, an opening near the head of the toothbrush and a water inlet that is connected to or attached to a faucet. As another example, USP. No. 4,181,997 also discloses a toothbrush connected to a faucet. However, this toothbrush uses hydraulic pressure to power the impeller to move the bristles of the toothbrush head. In both patents, the water is already flowing under pressure. Also, water cannot stagnate. This is because the toothbrush itself does not include a mechanism for draining water from the toothbrush. Toothbrushes connected to faucets or external water sources are available from USP. No. No. 5,863,192. That is, this patent discloses a toothbrush connected to a showerhead. USP. No. 5,500,973 and USP. No. No. 4,257,443 discloses a toothbrush connected to a faucet. USP. No. No. 4,412,823 discloses a toothbrush connected to an external water source for supplying water to the toothbrush and passing the toothbrush through.
[0003]
In another category of the prior art, the electric toothbrush is connected to an external water reservoir. For example, USP. No. 6,047,427 combines a water jet device and a mechanical toothbrush. The motor used to move the bristles is used to draw water from an external water source that is not contained within the toothbrush. Water is drawn from an external water source, propelled through the toothbrush neck and discharged from the toothbrush head. Another electric toothbrush connected to a water source is USP. No. 4,958,629 and USP. No. D318,918.
[0004]
There are various problems in both categories, and these problems are related to the fact that the toothbrush must be connected to an external water source or connected. First, when the toothbrush is connected to a faucet, the user cannot use the toothbrush to spray other liquids such as sterilizing liquid. Second, when the toothbrush is connected to an external reservoir of water, the end of the connection must always remain in the outer reservoir, limiting the range of movement of the user. Furthermore, when the electric toothbrush is connected to an external water source, the user cannot control the force with which water is pushed out of the toothbrush. The force is preset by the motor speed and can only be turned on and off. In addition, the unit is large and bulky and is not designed to be portable, and the user must have a separate toothbrush for travel.
[0005]
In the early mechanical and electrical toothbrushes, the overall cost of the oral cleaning device was high. To offset the overall price of the device, toothbrush heads were made interchangeable. In such a device, the head can be replaced without replacing the entire unit after the hair has been worn by continuous use. However, a worn head is simply replaced with the same head to provide the same type of cleaning. The ability to replace the head to perform different types of cleaning, for example, to replace the head to provide a water jet to remove tartar, or to provide a brush with a water jet to clean teeth and gums The ability to provide a water jet to a brush or scraper to clean the tongue has not been extensively imparted to prior art oral cleaning devices.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a self-contained all-oral cleaning device that incorporates a nozzle for injecting pressurized gas into a user's mouth. The oral cleaning device according to the present invention includes a reservoir for holding a liquid and a pump for pressurizing the liquid stored in the reservoir. The reservoir is housed within the oral cleaning device, eliminating the need to connect the device to a faucet or attach the device to an external liquid source. The oral cleaning device also includes means for releasing the pressurized liquid contained in the reservoir from the oral cleaning device. The oral cleaning device is fully portable and assists the user in cleaning the entire mouth, including the tongue, gums and teeth by providing a replaceable head. The present invention also provides the ability to change the force with which the liquid is ejected from the oral cleaning device. Because the user both fills the reservoir with liquid and pressurizes the liquid by sending air to the reservoir, the user changes the amount of air delivered to the reservoir or the initial amount of water. As a result, the force of the liquid discharged from the reservoir can be changed. Furthermore, the maximum pressure is predetermined by setting a pressure relief valve in the device or marking an optimal filling line in the reservoir.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held portable self-contained oral cleaning device that includes a refillable reservoir that a user can partially fill with liquid to a predetermined desired level. Provided. A reservoir that functions as a modular handle includes an on-board pump that a user uses to pressurize liquid contained in the reservoir. Furthermore, the number of times the user sends air to the reservoir determines the force of liquid discharge, as will be described in detail below. The pressurized liquid is sprayed from the oral cleaning device to help clean the user's mouth. Various interchangeable heads are incorporated to allow the user to perform a variety of overall cleanings. First, a head with a nozzle that provides a high pressure jet of liquid to the user to remove tartar and perform flossing between the teeth and gums. Second, with hair and nozzles that provide the user with different brushes to clean the teeth and tongue, or provide the user with a jet of liquid to clean the gums or clean the breath It is a head of various shapes. Finally, a tongue scraper head with a nozzle that assists the user in cleaning the tongue and provides a jet that sprays liquids such as water or sterilizing liquid directly onto the tongue while the user rubs the tongue. is there.
[0008]
Various other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention, the claims and the accompanying drawings.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
While the invention can be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure herein is illustrative of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the present invention and / or the claims.
[0010]
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an oral cleaning device according to the present invention, generally designated 10. The oral cleaning device includes a body (or handle) 12 that is gripped by a user. As described in detail below, the body 12 further includes a fluid, such as a gas such as air or water or a disinfectant solution used to wash the user's mouth and clean the breath. It is formed as a refillable reservoir in which the user partially fills the fluid. The oral cleaning device has means for pressurizing the fluid in the reservoir. The pressurizing means is preferably the on-board pump 14. When the fluid is pressurized, the fluid in the reservoir can be released by pressing the button 20. The button 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 opens a valve mechanism that controls the flow of pressurized fluid exiting the reservoir. The discharged fluid passes through a neck 16 that extends outwardly from the body 12 to the head portion 18. This neck / head assembly is interchangeable with other neck / head assemblies to provide different cleaning instruments to the user. As another example, the neck / head assembly can be secured to the body 12 to provide a single cleaning instrument.
[0011]
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the oral cleaning device 10 includes a refillable reservoir 30, which is the main portion of the body 12, ie, the handle that the user grips when using the oral cleaning device 10. Acts as The refillable reservoir 30 has one end (bottom opening 32) attached to the on-board pump 14 and the other end (top opening 34) attached to the neck 16. Preferably, the on-board pump 14 is attached to the bottom opening 32 so that it can be easily attached and detached. This allows the user to pour liquid (or other fluid) into the reservoir 30 through the bottom opening 32. However, it is easy to provide other means for refilling the reservoir, such as, but not limited to, providing a separate resealable inlet. In this case, the on-board pump 14 need not be removable and can be permanently fixed.
[0012]
The on-board pump 14 includes a pump cylinder 40 that slides into the reservoir through the bottom opening 32 (as best seen in FIG. 3). A one-way valve cap 42 is attached to one end of the pump cylinder 40. The one-way valve cap 42 can send air to the reservoir 30, which allows the user to pressurize the liquid (or fluid) inside the reservoir 30. The one-way valve cap 42 prevents liquid (or fluid) inside the reservoir 30 from entering the pump cylinder 40. The one-way valve cap 42 includes a flexible valve seal 44 and a valve cap 46. The valve cap 46 is attached to one end of the pump cylinder 40 and includes a vent 48 through which air can pass. The flexible valve seal 44 is attached to the valve cap 46 such that the flexible valve seal 44 covers the vent hole 48 of the valve cap 46. When the user sends air through the pump cylinder 40 to pressurize the reservoir 30, the air in the valve cap 46 passes through the vent hole 48 and pushes and flexes the flexible valve seal 44 away from the vent hole 48, Allow air to enter the reservoir 30. This also occurs when the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is lower than the maximum pressure predetermined by the pressure release valve 52, as will be described in detail below. As soon as the user stops sending air through the pump cylinder 40, the pressure in the reservoir 30 pushes the flexible valve seal 44 to seal the vent 48, and the liquid in the reservoir 30 is filled with the one-way valve cap. Do not escape through 42.
[0013]
A pump piston 50 including a pressure release valve 52 is inserted into the pump cylinder 40. The top 54 of the pump piston 50 has a groove 56 that receives a seal 58. The upper portion 54 has a notch 60 (see FIG. 2) formed at a right angle to the groove 56. While the pump piston 50 is pulled away from the pump cylinder 40, the seal 58 moves to abut against the upper portion 62 of the groove 56, and air passes through the notch 60, Allows entry above the upper portion 54 of the pump piston 50. Thereafter, when pushed into the pump cylinder 40, the seal 58 moves so as to abut against the bottom portion of the groove 56 and prevents air from escaping from the pump cylinder 40. In this way, when the pump piston 50 is pushed into the pump cylinder 40, as long as the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is lower than the maximum pressure of the pressure release valve 52, the inside of the pump cylinder 40 above the upper portion 54 of the pump piston. Air is forced into the reservoir 30.
[0014]
When the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is greater than the maximum pressure set in the pressure release valve 52, the air in the pump cylinder 40 above the upper portion 54 of the pump piston 50 is vented through the pressure release valve 52. The pressure relief valve 52 includes a release housing 66, a release ball 68, a release spring 70, and a release cap 72. The release ball 68 is held by a release spring 70 against a release opening 74 formed in the release housing 66. When the pressure in the reservoir 30 is greater than the pressure acting on the release ball 68 by the release spring 70, the air presses the release ball 68 while compressing the release spring 70, and the air passes through the release opening 74 and the pump piston 50. To be able to enter. The air eventually flows out of the device 10 through an opening (not shown) in the pump handle 82.
[0015]
The reservoir 30, pump cylinder 40, and pump piston 50 are secured and captured by various end caps that secure them separately to the device 10. Reservoir 30 is removably attached to reservoir cap 76, which can be removed when reservoir 30 is filled with fluid. In order to prevent the fluid (or liquid) inside the reservoir 30 from leaking, a reservoir gasket 78 is disposed between the reservoir 30 and the reservoir cap 76. The pump cylinder 40 passes through the reservoir gasket 78 and the reservoir cap 76 and is attached to the pump cylinder cap 80. The pump piston 50 passes through the pump cylinder cap 80 and is attached to the pump handle 82. Further, the user is prevented from pulling out the entire pump piston 50 from the pump cylinder 40. This is because the upper part 54 of the pump piston 50 is larger than the opening formed in the pump cylinder cap 80.
[0016]
Since part of the operation of the on-board pump 14 has already been described, it will be described that the user can remove the on-board pump 14 by separating the reservoir cap 76 from the reservoir 30 during operation. This allows the user to fill a portion of the reservoir 30 with a liquid or other fluid. The reservoir 30 is preferably made of a transparent material so that the user can see the amount of liquid in the reservoir 30. However, transparent windows can also be used. After the user fills a portion of the reservoir 30, the user replaces the on-board pump 14 by inserting the pump cylinder 40 into the reservoir 30 and attaching a cap 76 to the reservoir 30. The user can then hold both the pump handle 82 and the reservoir 30 and extend the pump piston 50 to the outside of the pump cylinder 40 by pulling the pump handle 82 away from the reservoir 30. Thereby, air enters the pump cylinder 40 through the top 54 of the pump piston 50. The user then pushes the pump piston 50 back into the pump cylinder 40 and sends air through the one-way valve cap 42 to the reservoir 30. By repeatedly sending air to the reservoir 30, the liquid contained in the reservoir 30 is pressurized. When the pressure in the reservoir 30 is approximately equal to the maximum pressure set by the pressure release valve 52, air no longer enters the reservoir 30 and flows out of the pump cylinder 40 through the pressure release valve 52. When the fluid or liquid inside the reservoir 30 is pressurized, the user can release the pressurized liquid from a nozzle located in the head 18 of the oral cleaning device 10.
[0017]
Furthermore, it should be noted that the user can change not only the force of the jet fluid (or liquid) exiting the device 10, but also the duration of maintaining that force. The user can know that to change the force of the jet fluid (or liquid), air must be pumped 10 times (pressurized to the desired pressure) to the reservoir for a particular water level in the reservoir. By reducing the number of times the user sends air into the reservoir, the desired force of the fluid (or liquid) released from the device 10 is reduced. Also, the duration of the force of the liquid (or fluid) released from the device 10 is directly related to the height of the liquid (or fluid) in the reservoir at a particular pressure. That is, if the user reduces the liquid (or fluid) height to maintain the desired pressure inside the reservoir 30, the duration that the desired force is maintained increases. Similarly, as the user increases the liquid (or fluid) height, the duration decreases. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a filling line in the reservoir 30 so that the user can fill the reservoir with a predetermined amount. This provides the user with the optimal force of the jet liquid (or fluid) for an optimal and maximum time (when pressurized to maximum pressure). In addition, secondary filling lines can be associated with various head mounting members to provide optimal settings for different cleaning purposes.
[0018]
A hose 84 is disposed in the reservoir 30 through the top opening 34 of the reservoir 30 to convey liquid (or fluid) from the reservoir 30 to the nozzle. In order to hold the end of the hose 84 near the bottom of the reservoir 30, a weight 86 may be provided at the end of the hose disposed in the reservoir 30. The other end of the hose 84 is attached to a release blocking mechanism 88 that allows pressurized liquid or fluid to flow through the neck 16 and out of the device 10 when activated.
[0019]
The hose 84 is attached to the upper reservoir cap 90 through the opening 92 (FIG. 2), and the reservoir cap 90 is attached to the upper opening 34 of the reservoir 30 along with the upper reservoir gasket 91. The opening 92 is reinforced with a grommet 94 that places the hose 84 in fluid communication with an inlet 96 formed in the release blocking mechanism 88. The release blocking mechanism 88 also includes a valve piston 102 that can be moved to an open position through which pressurized liquid or fluid can be passed by the button 20. A valve spring 100 applies a force to the button 20 and valve piston 102, typically holding the open shut-off mechanism 88 in a closed position where no pressurized liquid or fluid can pass. The valve pin 104 holds the button 20 in place with the valve piston 102 and the valve spring 100. The release / blocking mechanism 88 and the other components described above for opening and closing the release / blocking mechanism 88 are accommodated in a housing 110 having two components. The front portion of the housing 110 includes an opening 112 that allows a user to press the button 20. As described above, the release / shut-off mechanism 88 is in the closed position unless the button 20 is pressed and held by the user.
[0020]
When released, the pressurized liquid or fluid passes through the release blocking mechanism 88 and exits the outlet 106 provided thereon. The outlet 106 of the release blocking mechanism 88 is in fluid communication with a passage 108 that passes through the neck 16. The neck 16 is attached to a neck base 114 that is removably attached to the outlet 106. A neck O-ring 116 is preferably disposed between the neck base 114 and the two-part housing 110. The passage 108 extends through the neck 16 to at least one opening 121 in the head 18. Preferably, a nozzle that communicates with the passage 108 and is held at a predetermined position by the nozzle cap 122 is disposed in the opening 121. The nozzle may be a long nozzle 120 (FIGS. 1-3) for the head 18 acting as a fluid jet (commonly referred to as a water jet when the fluid is water) and also a bristle. It may be a short nozzle (FIGS. 4 and 5) for a head including 124 or a head used for scraping (FIG. 6). A short nozzle 126 is preferred when brushing or scraping. This is because the nozzle does not get in the way.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the head 18 of the apparatus 10 includes a long nozzle 120. The long nozzle 120 provides the user with a cleaning device that is better suited to clean between teeth and between teeth and gums, as well as dental flossing, except for tartar. In FIG. 4, the head 18 b includes bristles 124 and short nozzles 126. Further, the head 18b is shaped to provide the user with a brush that is more suitable for teeth and a nozzle for jetting fluid or liquid to clean and clean the gums and teeth. In FIG. 5, the head 18c includes a short nozzle 126 and a plurality of bristles 124, and has a wider cross section than the head 18b of FIG. This provides the user with a cleaning device that is more suitable for cleaning the user's tongue. In FIG. 6, the head 18d does not include bristles or nozzles, and the head 18d includes a protruding edge 130 for rubbing the user's tongue. The head 18d formed as a tongue scraper also includes at least one opening, preferably a plurality of openings 121, for spraying liquid while the user is rubbing their tongue.
[0022]
The fluid contained in the reservoir may be a sterile or mouthwash that can be sprayed directly onto the tongue or into the mouth during brushing, scraping, cleaning or interdental soil removal.
[0023]
As described above, the present invention has the ability to inject a pressurized fluid that includes not only liquid but also gas. For example, the user can simply send air to the reservoir and pressurize the air inside the reservoir. When the reservoir contains a sufficient amount of pressurized air, the user can release it by pressing a button. Although not efficient enough to force the pressurized liquid to be released, in some cases, liquids, particularly sterile liquids, can be sensitive to the user. Also, if it is intended to use only pressurized air or other gas in the device, the pump need not be removable. This is because the user can continuously refill the reservoir with air without removing the pump.
[0024]
From the above description, the spirit of the novel concept of the present invention which provides a self-contained device incorporating a reservoir, an on-board pump and a nozzle into a single device having interchangeable heads to provide various oral cleaning actions. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope and scope. It should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the apparatus and particular method shown. All variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims are well covered by the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 includes a refillable reservoir capable of containing liquid and an on-board pump for pressurizing the liquid in the reservoir, and ejecting pressurized liquid from a nozzle of the head to cause the user to pressurize the liquid 1 is a front view of a self-contained oral cleaning device that provides a jet. FIG.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning device of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrush of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a head assembly having a nozzle and bristles for brushing teeth.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the head assembly showing the tongue brush.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a head assembly showing a tongue scraper.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Device 12 Body 14 Pump 16 Neck 30 Reservoir 40 Pump Cylinder 44 Flexible Seal 50 Pump Piston

Claims (10)

In the oral cleaning device,
A reservoir body having a bottom opening and a top opening;
Attached to the bottom opening to allow a user to fill the reservoir with liquid when removed from the reservoir, and to add liquid contained in the reservoir when attached to the reservoir containing liquid. A removable pump allowing pressure and having a pressure relief valve;
A neck and head assembly attached to the top opening, wherein the neck has a passage in fluid communication with the reservoir and the head has an opening for discharging pressurized liquid contained in the reservoir;
An oral cleaning device including a mechanism disposed between the passage and the reservoir to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the reservoir to the passage to control the flow of pressurized fluid from the device. In the oral cleaning device,
A reservoir holding liquid and having first and second openings;
Attached to the first opening so that the reservoir can be filled with liquid when removed from the reservoir, and the liquid contained in the reservoir can be pressurized when attached to the reservoir A movable and removable pump relative to the reservoir;
A nozzle having a passage in fluid communication with the second opening of the reservoir, wherein the head is in fluid communication with the passage and allows the pressurized liquid contained in the reservoir to be discharged from the device; Having a neck and head assembly;
A tube disposed within the reservoir and having a first end located near the first opening and a second end in fluid communication with the passage;
A fluid control mechanism attached between the second opening of the reservoir and the neck and head assembly;
The fluid control mechanism includes an inlet portion attached to a second end portion of the pipe, a valve for preventing pressurized liquid stored in the reservoir from entering the passage, and the valve when pressed. And a release button that allows pressurized liquid contained in the reservoir to flow through the tube and enter the passageway;
When the reservoir contains liquid, the liquid can be pressurized by a removable pump, and the pressurized liquid can be released through the opening in the head when the release button is pressed. Oral cleaning device. The oral cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the neck and head assembly is removable and replaceable with other neck and head assemblies having different configurations to provide different cleaning instruments to the user. . The head is formed as a nozzle for removing dirt between teeth, a brush with a nozzle for cleaning teeth, a brush with a nozzle for cleaning the tongue, or a tongue scraper with an opening. , 2 or 3. The removable pump has a one-way valve operatively connected to the reservoir, a pump piston slidably engaged within the pump cylinder, and a pressure relief valve operably connected to the pump piston. The oral cavity cleaning device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, comprising a pump cylinder. An oral cleaning device having a body, a neck extending from the body, and a head attached to the neck,
A reservoir formed in the body to hold a liquid;
Means for filling the reservoir with liquid;
A pressurizing means attached to the main body and movable relative to the main body for pressurizing a fluid contained in the reservoir;
A passage formed in the neck, wherein one end is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the other end is attached to an opening formed in the head of the oral cleaning device, and pressurized fluid passing through the passage is in the opening A passage through which the oral cleaning device exits;
An oral cleaning device having a mechanism for controlling a flow of pressurized fluid from the reservoir to the passage. In a hand-held device,
A reservoir body for holding fluid;
Means for filling the reservoir with fluid;
Mechanical pressurizing means for pressurizing the fluid contained in the reservoir attached to the main body and movable relative to the main body;
A mechanism provided between an opening formed in the device and a reservoir for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid from the reservoir to the opening;
Means for removably attaching a first attachment head to the opening;
The head has an opening for discharging pressurized fluid from the device, and the first mounting head is selectively replaced with a second mounting head having a configuration different from the first mounting head. Hand-held device that is possible. The pressurizing means is constituted by a mounting pump removably attached to the reservoir,
A pump cylinder provided at one end in fluid communication with the reservoir that allows air to enter the reservoir while preventing liquid from exiting the reservoir;
The one end of the pump cylinder slidably engages the pump cylinder and allows air to enter the pump cylinder when pulled away from the one end of the pump cylinder. A pump piston that pushes air into the reservoir through the one-way valve when pushed toward
A pressure release valve attached to the pump piston;
The said pressure release valve can ventilate the air in the said pump cylinder, when the pressure in the said reservoir is larger than the pressure set to this pressure release valve. Equipment. The control means is configured by a valve control mechanism attached between the reservoir and the neck, and when the valve control mechanism is pressed, the pressurized fluid in the reservoir can flow into the passage. 9. A button that closes the valve so as to prevent the pressurized fluid in the reservoir from entering the passage when released, while opening the valve as described above. The device described in 1. The neck and head are removably connected to the oral cleaning device, and the head is arranged in the following configuration: a nozzle in fluid communication with the passage for releasing pressurized fluid from the device, around the nozzle 10. A structure according to claim 6, 8 or 9, comprising one of a bristle having a predetermined shape for forming a tongue brush or a tooth brush and a protruding edge formed with a plurality of openings. Equipment.

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