CN108013939B

CN108013939B - Cleaning implement

Info

Publication number: CN108013939B
Application number: CN201711078125.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T.N.斯蒂克尼
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-04
Filing date: 2017-11-06
Publication date: 2020-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-06
Also published as: GB2555614B; GB2555614A; CN108013939A; WO2018083446A1; CN209074977U

Abstract

A tooth cleaning implement comprising: a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to a user's teeth; a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a flexible sleeve mounted on the fluid reservoir. The sleeve is deformable between a first configuration in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the sleeve to allow the fluid reservoir to be refilled, and a second configuration in which the sleeve blocks the fluid inlet.

Description

Cleaning implement

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cleaning appliance. The cleaning appliance is preferably a hand-held cleaning appliance, and is preferably a surface treating appliance. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appliance is a dental cleaning appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is a power toothbrush having a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the teeth of a user. This fluid is a dentifrice, or fluid for improved interproximal cleaning. Alternatively, the appliance may not include any bristles or other elements for brushing the teeth, and may be in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning appliance. The invention also relates to a cleaning tool for a dental cleaning appliance.

Background

Electric toothbrushes typically include a cleaning implement that is connected to a handle. The cleaning tool includes a shaft and a brush head for brushing teeth that carries bristles. The brush head includes a fixed section connected to a rod and at least one movable section that is movable relative to the fixed section, such as one of a reciprocating, oscillating, vibrating, pivoting or rotating motion, to impart brushing motion to the bristles mounted thereon. The rod houses a drive shaft that is coupled to a transmission unit within the handle. The transmission unit is in turn connected to an electric motor driven by a battery housed within the handle. The drive shaft and transmission unit converts the rotational or vibrational motion of the motor into a desired movement of the movable section of the brush head relative to the fixed section of the brush head.

An assembly is known for incorporation into an electric toothbrush for generating a jet of fluid for interdental cleaning. For example, US 8,522,384 describes a powered toothbrush in which the handle of the toothbrush defines a fluid chamber for storing a fluid (such as water) and a sliding cap for enabling the fluid chamber to be accessed for replenishment by a user. The fluid path connecting the fluid chamber to the nozzle is located on a fixed portion of the brush head. A pump positioned within the fluid path is actuated in response to user operation of an actuator on the handle to pump liquid from the fluid chamber to the nozzle for release from the nozzle under pressure.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dental cleaning appliance comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to a user's teeth;

a fluid reservoir for storing a working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and

a sleeve extending around the fluid reservoir and movable between a first configuration in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the sleeve to allow the fluid reservoir to be refilled, and a second configuration in which the sleeve blocks the fluid inlet.

The sleeve is preferably formed of an elastomeric material, preferably a rubber material, which allows the sleeve to flex between the first and second configurations. The sleeve may be inherently biased toward the second configuration such that a user must force the sleeve away from the second configuration to expose the fluid inlet to enable the fluid reservoir to be filled.

The sleeve is preferably arranged to be pulled by a user from the second configuration to the first configuration. The sleeve may be provided with a tab, preferably integrally formed with the sleeve, and graspable by a user to pull the sleeve from the second configuration to the first configuration. The tab is preferably located at or near one end of the sleeve, and is preferably located adjacent the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in its second configuration.

The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and is preferably water, and the fluid reservoir may thus be replenished by a user by positioning the fluid inlet under the domestic water tap, and with the sleeve in the first configuration, opening the water tap so that water travels from the water tap through the fluid inlet into the fluid reservoir.

The user may hold the sleeve in the first configuration during filling. In this case, after the fluid reservoir has been filled, the user need only release the sleeve so that it automatically returns to the second configuration. The fluid reservoir is automatically blocked by the sleeve, preventing working fluid from leaking from the fluid reservoir through the fluid inlet.

Alternatively, the sleeve may be movable between a stable first configuration and a stable second configuration, which prevents a user from having to hold the sleeve in the first configuration during filling of the fluid reservoir.

In the first configuration, at least a portion of the sleeve is elastically deformed or these such that the portion of the sleeve moves away from the fluid reservoir to expose the fluid inlet. The sleeve may include a hinge about which one portion of the sleeve moves relative to another portion of the sleeve to expose the fluid inlet.

When the sleeve is in the second configuration, the fluid inlet may engage a seal that prevents leakage of the working fluid from the fluid inlet. The seal may be located on a surface of the sleeve that faces the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in the second configuration. The seal may be provided by a raised portion of the sleeve disposed on a surface of the sleeve that engages the fluid reservoir when the sleeve is in the second configuration. The seal may be an annular seal which surrounds the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in its second configuration. Alternatively, the sleeve may comprise a raised portion for at least partially entering the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in the second configuration to form a seal with the periphery of the fluid inlet.

One end of the sleeve is preferably moved relative to the other end of the sleeve as the sleeve is moved between its first and second configurations. For example, the sleeve may be peeled away from the one end of the sleeve to expose the fluid inlet. The tab is preferably located at or near the one end of the sleeve.

The sleeve may surround an outer wall of the fluid reservoir and may be partially peeled away from the outer wall to expose the fluid inlet. The other end of the sleeve may be attached to the fluid reservoir, for example using an adhesive, for example, the other end of the sleeve may be attached to a portion of the outer wall in which the fluid inlet is formed, or to a base or bottom wall of the fluid reservoir that is positioned adjacent to the fluid inlet. At least a portion of the outer wall of the fluid reservoir is preferably transparent and is preferably formed from a transparent plastic material to allow a user to see the amount of working fluid within the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall preferably has one of a curved shape, a convex shape and a faceted shape. The outer wall may have a curvature that is one of ellipsoidal, spheroidal and spherical. The sleeve may be formed of a transparent material. The outer wall of the fluid reservoir may be configured such that, when the sleeve is in its second configuration, in which the sleeve surrounds a portion of the outer wall, an outer surface of the sleeve is substantially flush with an outer surface of the exposed portion of the outer wall of the fluid reservoir. The sleeve may depend downwardly from the bottom wall of the fluid reservoir when the sleeve is peeled away from the outer surface of the fluid reservoir.

The appliance preferably comprises a handle and a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and the fluid reservoir is preferably mounted on the stem. The fluid reservoir preferably extends at least partially around the rod. Preferably, the fluid reservoir surrounds the rod. Instead of connecting the other end of the sleeve to the fluid reservoir, the other end of the sleeve may be connected to a rod. The rod is removably connected to the handle.

The nozzle preferably forms part of the fluid delivery system of the appliance. The fluid delivery system preferably includes a pump and control circuitry for actuating the pump to draw working fluid from the fluid reservoir and to send a burst of working fluid towards the nozzle. As the nozzle is moved between adjacent teeth of the user, the user may press a button of a user interface provided on a handle of the appliance to activate the pump assembly to cause the working fluid to be emitted from the nozzle. Alternatively, the appliance may be configured to automatically actuate the delivery of working fluid to the user's teeth in accordance with the magnitude of the output of a sensor for detecting a nozzle located within the interdental space. For example, the sensor may be in the form of a light detector (such as a camera or light sensor) for receiving light (such as visible or infrared light reflected from a user's teeth). As a further alternative, the appliance may be configured to automatically actuate the delivery of working fluid to the user's teeth at a fixed frequency (e.g., between 0.5 and 5 Hz).

The nozzle, wand and fluid reservoir preferably form part of a cleaning implement which is removably attachable to the handle.

The appliance may be in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning appliance for cleaning the spaces between the teeth of a user. Alternatively, the appliance may be in the form of a toothbrush with the additional function of improving interproximal cleaning by delivering working fluid to the interproximal spaces. Where the appliance is in the form of a toothbrush, the cleaning tool or wand preferably comprises a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle and may be arranged circumferentially around the nozzle. The plurality of bristles may be attached to a stationary section of the cleaning tool, which section is not movable relative to the handle. Alternatively, or in addition, a plurality of bristles may be attached to a movable section of the cleaning tool, which section is movable relative to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance comprises a brush unit comprising a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier, wherein the bristle carrier is movable relative to the handle.

As mentioned above, the wand or the entire cleaning tool is preferably removably attached to the handle. This may allow the appliance to be provided with a set of similar cleaning tools, each with a respective different marker. This also allows the appliance to be provided with a different set of bars or cleaning tools. For example, the set of cleaning tools may be selected from two or more of a first type of cleaning tool having a nozzle and a movable brush unit, a second type of cleaning tool having a nozzle and a fixed brush unit, and a third type of cleaning tool having a nozzle and no bristles. A number of corresponding different cleaning tools of the same type may be provided, for example a first type of cleaning tool in which the bristles have corresponding different stiffnesses, or in which the nozzles have corresponding different fluid outlet sizes.

The appliance is preferably a hand-held appliance, which comprises all the above-mentioned components of the appliance.

The cleaning implement may be sold as a stand-alone item, for example, as a spare part or as a replacement cleaning implement for use with an existing handle.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning tool for a dental cleaning appliance comprising a handle to which the cleaning tool is detachably connectable, the cleaning tool comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to a user's teeth;

The above description of features relating to the first aspect of the invention applies equally to the second aspect of the invention and vice versa.

Drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1(a) is a right side view of a tooth cleaning appliance, FIG. 1(b) is a front view of the appliance, and FIG. 1(c) is a left side view of the appliance;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates components of a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of working fluid to a user's teeth;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the first embodiment of the cleaning implement of the appliance, viewed from above;

FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the handle of the appliance, viewed from above;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cleaning tool of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid reservoir of the cleaning tool of FIG. 3 and with the diaphragm of the fluid reservoir in a fully retracted configuration, FIG. 6(b) is a view similar to FIG. 6(a) but with the diaphragm in a partially deployed configuration, and FIG. 6(c) is a view similar to FIG. 6(a) but with the diaphragm in an almost fully deployed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the appliance with the cleaning tool of FIG. 3 separated from the handle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view from below of a second embodiment of a cleaning implement that is attachable to a handle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool of FIG. 8 from above with the flexible sleeve of the cleaning tool in a first configuration; and

fig. 10 is a perspective view of the cleaning tool of fig. 8 from above with the flexible sleeve of the cleaning tool in a second configuration.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1(a) to 1(c) show external views of an embodiment of a tooth cleaning implement 10. In this embodiment, the appliance is in the form of a hand-held appliance, in the form of a power toothbrush, having an integrated assembly for dispensing working fluid for improved interproximal cleaning.

The appliance 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 includes an outer body 16 which is gripped by a user during use of the appliance 10. The body 16 is preferably formed from a plastics material and is preferably generally cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 includes a plurality of user

operable buttons

18,20,22 located in corresponding apertures formed in the body 16 for access by a user. The handle 12 may include a display positioned so as to be visible to a user during use of the appliance.

The cleaning tool 14 includes a shaft 26 and a head 28. The stem 26 is of an elongate shape which serves to space the head 28 from the handle 12 to facilitate user maneuverability of the appliance 10. In this embodiment, the head of the cleaning tool 14 includes a brush unit 29 that includes a bristle holder 30 and a plurality of bristles 32 mounted on the bristle holder 30. However, in other embodiments, the cleaning tool 14 may be provided without the brush unit 29, so that the appliance is in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning appliance for cleaning gaps in the teeth of a user.

The cleaning tool 14 also includes a fluid reservoir 34 for storing a working fluid and a nozzle 36 for delivering one or more bursts of working fluid to the teeth of a user during use of the appliance 10. The fluid reservoir 34 is connected to the stem 26. The fluid reservoir 34 extends at least partially around the stem 26. In this embodiment it comprises a brush unit 29 which extends at least partly around the nozzle 36.

The nozzle 36 forms part of a fluid delivery system 40 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 and for delivering bursts of working fluid to the teeth of a user during use of the appliance 10. The tip of the nozzle 36 includes a fluid outlet 42 through which burst of working fluid is delivered to the user's teeth. The fluid delivery system 40 is schematically illustrated in fig. 2. In general, the fluid delivery system 40 includes a fluid inlet 44 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34. In this embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid working fluid, which is preferably water. The fluid delivery system 40 includes a pump assembly 46 for drawing working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 through the fluid inlet 44 and for delivering bursts of working fluid to the nozzle 36. The pump assembly 46 is located within the handle 12 and includes a positive displacement pump 48 and a driver for driving the pump 48. The drive preferably includes a motor 50. A battery 52 for supplying power to the motor 50 is also located in the handle 12. The battery 52 is preferably a rechargeable battery.

A first conduit 54 connects the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40 to a fluid inlet 56 of the pump 48. A first one-way valve 58 is positioned between the fluid inlet 44 and the pump 48 to prevent water from flowing back from the pump 48 to the fluid reservoir 34. A second conduit 60 connects a fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36. A second one-way valve 64 is located between the pump 48 and the nozzle 34 to prevent backflow of water into the pump 48. The control circuit 66 controls actuation of the motor 50, and thus the motor 50 and control circuit 66 provide the driving force for operating the pump 48. The battery 52 supplies power to the control circuit 66. The control circuit 66 includes a motor controller that supplies power to the motor 50.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 66 receives a signal generated when a user depresses the

buttons

18,20,22 located on the handle 12 of the appliance 10. Alternatively, or in addition, the control circuit 66 may receive signals generated by sensors located within the appliance, or signals from a remote control device (such as a display or personal device). For simplicity, in the following description, the control circuit 66 receives a signal generated when a user operates one of the

buttons

18,20, 22.

The cleaning tool 14 is removably connected to the handle 12. Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the handle 12 includes a male connector, preferably in the form of a plug 70, which is received by a complementary female connector, preferably in the form of a female connector 72 of the cleaning tool 14. The female connector 72 defines a generally cylindrical recess 73 for receiving the plug 70. The stopper 70 preferably projects outwardly from an end surface 74 of the body 16, and preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12. The end surface 74 defines an annular seat 76 for receiving an annular bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning tool 14 is mounted to the handle 12. The annular seat 76 includes the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. The fluid inlet 44 receives fluid from the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning tool 14 is mounted to the handle 12.

The second conduit 60 (which connects the fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36) includes a handle conduit section located within the handle 12 and a cleaning tool conduit section located within the cleaning tool 14. The handle conduit section extends from the fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to a handle fluid outlet port 82 positioned adjacent the plug 70. The cleaning tool conduit section 84 extends from a cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 to the nozzle 36. The cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 protrudes from the bottom of the female connector 72. The female connector 72 is received within and connected to a relatively wide bottom section 88 of the stem 26.

As mentioned above, the cleaning tool 14 includes a bristle carrier 30 that is movable relative to the stem 26. The appliance includes a drive mechanism for driving movement of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26. The drive mechanism includes a drive unit (connected to the bristle carrier 30) and a drive unit (for driving the drive unit 52 to move the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26).

The handle 12 includes a drive unit of the drive mechanism. The drive unit includes a motor, preferably in the form of a dc motor, which is activated by the control circuit in response to a user depressing one or more of the buttons of the handle 12. The motor of the drive unit is connected to a rotatable drive unit coupling member 90 (which projects outwardly from the bung 70 and rotates relative to the body 16 upon actuation of the motor of the drive unit) by a gear train.

The cleaning tool 14 includes a transmission unit of a driving mechanism. The transmission unit includes a transmission unit coupling member 92 that couples with the drive unit coupling member 90 and preferably receives the drive unit coupling member 70 when the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12. The transmission unit coupling member 92 is connected to and preferably integrally formed with one end of a connecting rod 94 housed within the rod 26. The other end of the connecting rod 94 is connected to the side surface of the bristle carrier 30 such that a periodic rotation of the connecting rod 94 through an angle of about 15 degrees results in a 15 degree angular sweeping motion of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the rod 26.

The fluid reservoir 34 is mounted to the stem 26 of the cleaning tool 14 and extends at least partially therearound. In this embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is annular in shape and thereby surrounds the stem 26. The fluid reservoir 34 is preferably positioned at or near the end of the stem 26 remote from the head 28, and thus extends in this embodiment about the bottom section 88 of the stem 26. The fluid reservoir 34 preferably has a capacity in the range of 5 to 50ml, and in this embodiment 25 ml.

The fluid reservoir 34 is filled through a reservoir fluid inlet port 100 formed in an outer wall of the fluid reservoir 34. The fluid inlet port 100 is preferably formed in an annular outer sidewall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34. The reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is sealed by a closure member 102. The closure member 102 is movable relative to the fluid reservoir 34 between a closed position (as shown in fig. 3, wherein the closure member 102 prevents leakage of working fluid from the reservoir fluid inlet port 100) and an open position. In this embodiment, the closure member 102 is pivotally connected to the fluid reservoir 34. The closure member 102 may be located within the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 and form a fluid seal against the container fluid inlet port 100. The closure member 102 includes a head 104 that can be gripped by a user to move the closure member 102 from the closed position to the open position, and that can be pushed by the user toward the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 to push the closure member 102 back to the closed position.

The closure member 102 may be connected to the fluid reservoir 34 by a pair of arms 106. One end of each arm 106 is connected to the closure member 102 and the other end of each arm 106 is connected to the fluid reservoir 34. In this embodiment, the arms 106 are integrally formed with the closure member 102, wherein the portion of each arm remote from the closure member 102 is connected to the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34, for example using an adhesive or by welding. Each arm 106 includes a hinge 108, which may be formed by a portion of the arm 106 having a locally reduced thickness, to enable that portion of the arm 106 (which is connected to the closure member 102) to pivot relative to other portions of the arm 106 (which are connected to the fluid reservoir 34).

To fill the fluid reservoir 34, the user removes the cleaning tool 14 from the handle 12, gripping the head 104 of the closure member 102 between the finger and thumb and pulling it outwardly from the reservoir fluid inlet port 100, as described in more detail below. The fluid reservoir 34 may then be filled by the user, for example, by positioning the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 below the tap from which the water is discharged. Once the fluid reservoir 34 has been filled, the user pushes the head 104 of the closure member 102 back into the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 and reconnects the cleaning tool 14 to the handle 12. When the cleaning tool 14 is mounted on the handle 12, the pivotal connection between the closure member 102 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 prevents accidental loss of the closure member 102 when the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is exposed and enables the junction between the closure member 102 and the fluid reservoir 34 to be located between the handle 12 and the fluid reservoir 34. As shown in fig. 3, when the closure member 102 is in its closed position, the lower portions of the arms 106 of the closure member 102 are located within the recessed sections of the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 such that the bottom surfaces of the lower portions of the arms 106 are substantially flush with the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34.

At least a portion of the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 is preferably transparent to allow a user to view the interior of the fluid reservoir 34 and thereby assess whether the fluid reservoir 34 needs to be replenished before the intended use of the appliance 10. The outer wall 110 preferably has a symmetrical shape about the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14. Outer wall 110 preferably has a curved shape, more preferably a convex curved shape, but alternatively outer wall 110 may have a polygonal or faceted shape. In this embodiment, the outer wall 110 has a spherical curvature. As described below, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide bottom section 88 of the wand 26, and thus the outer wall 110 has opposed circular apertures which are centred on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14 to allow the bottom section 88 of the wand 26 to pass therethrough.

The fluid reservoir 34 also includes an inner wall 112 that is connected to the outer wall 110. The inner wall 112 is tubular in shape. The end of inner wall 112 is preferably circular in shape and is connected to outer wall 110 to form a fluid tight seal between outer wall 110 and inner wall 112. In the present embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is formed by two housing portions. The first housing part 114 comprises the outer wall 110 and an upper section of the inner wall 112, and whereby the upper end of the inner wall 112 is integrally formed with the upper section of the outer wall 110. The second housing portion 116 includes a lower section of the outer wall 110 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34.

The fluid reservoir 34 also includes a diaphragm 118. The diaphragm 118 is tubular in shape and surrounds the inner wall 112 of the fluid reservoir 34. The ends 120,122 of the diaphragm 118 may be connected to the outer wall 110 or to the inner wall 112. The diaphragm 118 thus has an outer surface that faces the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 and, together with the outer wall 110, defines the volume of the fluid reservoir 34. Since the diaphragm 118 is visible to the user through at least a portion of the outer wall 110, the outer surface 124 of the diaphragm 118 may have indicia for the user to identify the cleaning tool 14. For example, the indicia may be a colored portion of the outer surface 124 of the diaphragm 118, or one or more alphanumeric characters molded or otherwise formed on the outer surface 124 of the diaphragm 118.

Fig. 5 and 6(a) show the fluid reservoir 34 when the fluid reservoir is filled with working fluid. The thickness of the diaphragm 118 and the material forming the diaphragm 118 are selected such that at least a portion of the diaphragm 118 is movable relative to the outer wall 110 in response to a pressure differential (which builds across the diaphragm 118) when the working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir 34 by the pump 48. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm 118 may expand in response to creating a pressure differential across the surfaces 124,126 of the diaphragm 118 as working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir 34. FIG. 6(a) shows the diaphragm 118 in a fully retracted configuration or state in which the volume of the fluid reservoir 34 is maximized.

In this embodiment, the cleaning tool 14 includes an expansion chamber 128 positioned adjacent the inner wall 112. The expansion chamber 128 has a volume that increases as the volume of the fluid reservoir 34 decreases. In this embodiment, expansion chamber 128 is open to air to allow atmospheric air to enter expansion chamber 128 as inner wall 112 moves toward outer wall 110 when working fluid is supplied to fluid delivery system 100. The expansion chamber 128 is shown in fig. 6(b) and 6(c), which show the diaphragm 118 in a partially expanded configuration, and an almost fully expanded configuration, respectively. An expansion chamber 128 is defined by the inner surface 126 of the diaphragm 118 and the outer surface 130 of the inner wall 112. One or more apertures or ports 132 are formed in the inner wall 112 to allow atmospheric air (e.g., from an air flow path extending between the stem 26 and the inner wall 112) to enter the expansion chamber 128 as the diaphragm 118 expands.

When the diaphragm 118 expands toward its fully expanded configuration, the size and shape of the diaphragm 118 approximates the size and shape of the outer wall 110. In other words, when the diaphragm 118 is in the fully expanded configuration, which occurs when the fluid reservoir 34 is substantially empty, the size and shape of the diaphragm 118 is substantially the same as the size and shape of the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34. Thus, the maximum volume of the expansion chamber 128 is preferably substantially the same as the maximum volume of the fluid reservoir 34.

As described above, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide bottom section 88 of the stem 26. To mount the fluid reservoir 34 on the rod 26, the circular hole formed in the first housing portion 114 of the fluid reservoir 34 is aligned with the free end of the bottom section 88 of the rod 26, and the fluid reservoir 34 is pushed onto the rod 26. The inner surface of the inner wall 112 of the fluid reservoir 34 abuts the bottom section 88 of the rod 26 such that friction therebetween prevents the fluid reservoir 34 from falling off the rod 26. Movement of the fluid reservoir 34 along the stem 26 is limited by a flange 140 (which extends radially outward from the stem 26 and is located at the upper end of the bottom section 88 of the stem 26). The flange 140 is annular in shape and is arranged to engage an annular planar end portion or recess 142 of the first housing portion 114 of the fluid reservoir 34. When the recess 142 of the fluid reservoir 34 engages the flange 140 of the stem 26, the fluid reservoir 34 is in the correct axial position along the stem 26 for subsequent connection of the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 to the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. To assist in angularly aligning the fluid reservoir 34 relative to the stem 26, the flange 140 and the recess 142 may be provided in a non-annular shape, such as a C-shape. Additionally, the fluid reservoir 34 may be visually aligned by a user at an angle relative to the head 28, for example, such that the head 104 of the closure member 102 is aligned with the nozzle 36.

To mount the cleaning tool 14 on the handle 12, as shown in fig. 7, the plug 70 of the handle 12 is aligned with the recess 73 formed in the connector 72 of the cleaning tool 14, and the handle fluid outlet port 82 adjacent the plug 70 is aligned with the cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 of the cleaning tool 14. The cleaning tool 14 is then pushed onto the plug 70 so that the handle fluid outlet port 82 is connected to the cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 and so that the fluid reservoir 34 engages the annular seat 76 to connect the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 to the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. The inner surface 150 of the connector 72 of the lever 26 abuts the outer surface of the plug 70 so that friction therebetween holds the lever 26 on the handle 12. The connector 72 is preferably formed of a resilient plastics material which flexes to increase the friction therebetween when the connector 72 is pushed onto the bung 70. A spring clip 152 may be provided at least partially around the connector 72 for urging the inner surface 150 of the connector 72 against the plug 70. To prevent accidental disengagement of the cleaning tool 14 from the handle 12, the connector 73 may include a stop 154 mounted on an arm 156 (which is hingedly connected to the connector 72). For example, arm 156 may be integrally formed with connector 72 and connected to the remainder of connector 72 by a resilient hinge. When the cleaning tool 14 is pushed onto the plug 70, the stop 154 enters a recess (not shown) formed on the outer surface of the plug 70. Referring to fig. 3 and 4, to inhibit inadvertent rotation of the fluid reservoir 34 relative to the handle 12, the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 may be provided with a male connector 160 that engages a female connector 162 disposed on the annular seat 76 of the handle 12. In this embodiment, the male connector 160 at least partially surrounds the cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 and the female connector 162 surrounds the handle fluid outlet port 82. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 34 may be provided with a female connector that receives a male connector located on the handle 12 when the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12.

To operate the appliance 10, the user depresses the

buttons

18,20,22 located on the handle 12. The user turns on appliance 10 by pressing button 18, which action is detected by control circuit 66. The user may select the mode of operation of appliance 10 by pressing button 20. For example, by pressing the button 20 once, the control circuit 66 may activate the motor to move the brush unit 29 relative to the handle 12. Depressing the button 20 again turns off the motor. When the button 22 is depressed, a stream of water is emitted from the nozzle 36. Control circuitry 66 activates pump 48 to cause a volume of water to flow from the fluid chamber of pump 48 to nozzle 36, and to replenish the fluid chamber by drawing a volume of water from fluid reservoir 34.

The various connections between the handle 12, the stem 26, and the fluid reservoir 34 enable the appliance 10 to be easily removed by a user, for example, allowing components of the appliance 10 to be replaced, for example, due to wear. To replace the cleaning tool 14, the user grasps the wand 26 or fluid reservoir 34 in one hand and the handle 12 in the other hand, pulling the cleaning tool 14 away from the handle 12, as shown in FIG. 7. Under the force applied by the user, the stop 154 moves away from the recess on the outer surface of the plug 70 to enable the cleaning tool 14 to be removed from the handle 12.

Fig. 8 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning tool 160 which is removably attachable to the handle of the appliance 10. The cleaning tool 160 has many of the same configurations as the cleaning tool 14; the cleaning tool 160 includes the same shaft 26, head 28, fluid reservoir 34, and connector 72 as the cleaning tool 14. In this second embodiment, the closure member 102 of the fluid reservoir 34 is replaced by a sleeve 162 for selectively blocking the fluid inlet 100 of the fluid reservoir 34 to prevent leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet 100 during use of the appliance.

The sleeve 162 is formed of an elastomeric material, preferably a rubber material, and preferably a transparent or translucent material. The sleeve 162 is annular in shape. The first end 164 of the sleeve 162 is captively attached to the periphery of the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34, while the second end 166 of the sleeve 162 is movable relative to the first end 164.

The sleeve 162 is shown in a first configuration in fig. 9 and in a second configuration in fig. 8 and 10. In the second configuration, the sleeve 162 surrounds a lower section of the outer wall 100 that is defined by the second housing portion 116 and thereby blocks the fluid inlet 100 of the fluid reservoir 34. As shown in fig. 9, the lower section of the outer wall 110 may be formed with a reduced thickness, or reduced diameter, such that the outer surface of the sleeve 162 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the upper section of the outer wall 110 defined by the first housing portion 114.

In this configuration, the sleeve 162 exposes the fluid inlet 100 to enable a user to replenish the fluid reservoir 34 through the exposed fluid inlet 100. Sleeve 162 includes tabs 168 positioned at second end 166 of sleeve 162 adjacent fluid inlet 100 that may be pulled by a user to partially peel sleeve 162 away from outer wall 110 to expose fluid inlet 100. The sleeve 162 is preferably inherently biased toward the second configuration such that the sleeve 162 automatically returns to the second configuration when the tabs 168 are released by a user after replenishment of the fluid reservoir 34. As shown in fig. 9, an inner surface 170 of sleeve 162 includes a raised portion 172 that at least partially enters fluid inlet 100 to form a seal with the perimeter of fluid inlet 100 when sleeve 162 returns to the second configuration.

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning implement comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to a user's teeth;

a sleeve extending around the fluid reservoir and arranged to flex between a first configuration in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the sleeve to allow the fluid reservoir to be refilled, and a second configuration in which the sleeve blocks the fluid inlet.

2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is arranged to be pulled by a user from the second configuration to the first configuration.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a tab that is graspable by a user to pull the sleeve from the second configuration to the first configuration.

4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is mounted on the fluid reservoir.

5. The appliance of claim 4, wherein an end of the sleeve is connected to a bottom wall of the fluid reservoir.

6. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fluid reservoir comprises an outer wall, wherein the fluid inlet is formed in the outer wall, and at least a portion of the sleeve is arranged to engage the outer wall when it is in the second configuration and to bend away from the outer wall when the sleeve is moved from the second configuration to the first configuration.

7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the outer wall is annular in shape.

8. The appliance of claim 7, wherein the outer wall has one of a curved shape, a convex shape, and a faceted shape.

9. The appliance of claim 8, wherein the outer wall has a curvature of one of an ellipsoid, a spheroidal and a spherical shape.

10. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a raised portion for forming a seal with the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in the second configuration.

11. An appliance according to claim 1, comprising a handle and a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and wherein the fluid reservoir is mounted to the stem.

12. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the fluid reservoir extends at least partially around the stem.

13. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the fluid reservoir surrounds the stem.

14. The appliance of claim 11, wherein the lever is removably connected to the handle.

15. A cleaning tool for a dental cleaning appliance comprising a handle to which the cleaning tool is detachably connectable, the cleaning tool comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to a user's teeth;

16. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is arranged to be pulled by a user from the second configuration to the first configuration.

17. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the sleeve includes a tab that is graspable by a user to pull the sleeve from the second configuration to the first configuration.

18. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the sleeve is mounted on the fluid reservoir.

19. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein an end of the sleeve is connected to a bottom wall of the fluid reservoir.

20. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the fluid reservoir includes an outer wall, wherein the fluid inlet is formed in the outer wall, and at least a portion of the sleeve is arranged to engage the outer wall when it is in the second configuration and bend away from the outer wall when the sleeve is moved from the second configuration to the first configuration.

21. The cleaning implement of claim 20, wherein the outer wall is annular in shape.

22. The cleaning implement of claim 21, wherein the outer wall has one of a curved shape, a convex shape, and a faceted shape.

23. The cleaning tool of claim 22, wherein the outer wall has a curvature that is one of ellipsoidal, spheroidal, and spherical.

24. The cleaning tool of claim 15, wherein the sleeve includes a raised portion for forming a seal with the fluid inlet when the sleeve is in the second configuration.

25. The cleaning tool of claim 15, comprising a stem, and wherein the fluid reservoir is mounted to the stem.

26. The cleaning tool of claim 25, wherein the fluid reservoir extends at least partially around the rod.

27. The cleaning tool of claim 25, wherein the fluid reservoir surrounds the rod.