SELF-CONTAINED ORAL CLEANING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
[01] The present invention relates to oral cleaning devices such as toothbrushes and water jets and in particular to a self-contained oral cleaning device with a liquid jet feature.
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[02] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Application Serial 10/233,687, filed September 4, 2002, and entitled "Pneumatic-Operated Toothbrushes". [03] The present invention also claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No.:
10/315,730, filed December 10, 2002 and entitled Self-Contained Oral Cleaning Device.
Background of the Invention
[04] Oral cleaning devices that employ a water jet feature are known in the art and such devices use an external supply of water. In one category of the prior art, a toothbrush is tethered or connected to a faucet. The water pressure from the faucet is used to propel the water through the toothbrush and out the head of the toothbrush and/or used to power a motor that is used to rotate or move bristles. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,304,010 discloses a toothbrush that includes a hollow body, an opening by the head of the toothbrush, and a water inlet that is tethered and attached to a faucet. In another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,181,997 discloses a toothbrush that is also tethered to a faucet. However, the toothbrush uses the water pressure to power an impeller to move bristles on the head of the toothbrush. In both patents, the water is already pressurized and flowing; the water also cannot be stagnant because the toothbrush does not include any mechanism,
on its own, to propel the water out of the toothbrush. Additional toothbrushes that are tethered to a faucet or external source of running water may be found in U.S. Patent No.
5,863,192, discloses a toothbrush tethered to a shower head; U.S. Patent Nos. 5,500,973 and 4,257,433, disclose toothbrushes tethered to faucets; and U.S. Patent No. 4,412,823, discloses a toothbrush tethered to an external source of water that is pumped into and through the toothbrush.
[05] In another category of prior art, electric toothbrushes are connected to an external reservoir of water. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,047,429 combines a mechanical toothbrush with a water jet feature. The motor used to move the bristles is also used to draw water from an outside source, not contained within the toothbrush. The water is drawn from the outside source, propelled through the neck of the toothbrush, and expelled out of the head of the toothbrush. Other electric toothbrushes which are tethered to a source of water include U.S. Patent Nos. 4,958,629 and D318,918.
[06] Various problems in both categories exist and are associated with the fact that the toothbrush must be tethered or connected to an outside source of water. In the first instance, when the toothbrush is tethered to a faucet, the user cannot use the toothbrush to spray other liquids such as antiseptic solutions. In the second instance, when the toothbrush is connected to an outside reservoir of water, the user's range of motion is limited as the end of the tether must remain in the outside reservoir at all times. In addition, when an electric toothbrash is tethered to an outside source, the user cannot control the force in which the water is propelled out of the toothbrush. The force is pre-set by the speed of the motor and can only be turned on or off. Furthermore, the units are bulky and are not made to be portable, oftentimes causing the user to own a separate toothbrush for traveling.
[07] With the onset of mechanical and electrical toothbrushes the total cost of the oral cleaning devices have increased. To offset the overall price of the devices the heads of the toothbrushes have been made replaceable. As such, after the bristles become worn from continual use, the head may be replaced without replacing the whole unit. However, the worn heads are simply replaced with an identical head to provide the same type of cleamng. The ability to interchange heads to provide different types of cleaning, for example to interchange heads to provide a water jet for removing plaque, to provide a brush with water jet for cleaning teeth and gums, and to provide a brash or scraper with water jet for cleaning the tongue, is not widely incorporated with prior art oral cleaning devices.
[08] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a self-contained, total oral cleaning device that incorporates a nozzle for jetting a pressurized fluid into a user's mouth. The oral cleaning device in accordance with the present invention includes a reservoir for holding a liquid and a pump for pressurizing the liquid contained in the reservoir. The reservoir is contained within the oral cleaning device eliminating the need to tether the device to a faucet or attach the device to an outside source of liquid. The oral cleaning device also includes a means for releasing the pressurized liquid contained within the reservoir out of the oral cleaning device. The oral cleaning device is completely portable and assists the user in cleaning their entire mouth, including the tongue, gums, and teeth, by providing interchangeable heads. The present invention also provides the ability to change the force of the liquid jetting out of the oral cleaning device. Since the user must both fill the reservoir with a liquid and pressurize the liquid by pumping air into the reservoir, the user can change the force of the liquid jetting out of the reservoir by changing either the amount of air pumped into the reservoir or the initial amount of water.
In addition a maximum pressurization will be predetermined by setting a pressure-release valve in the device as well as marking a optimum fill-line on the reservoir.
Summary of the Invention
[09] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a handheld portable self-contained oral cleaning device is provided that includes a refillable reservoir, which a user may be able to partially fill with a liquid up to a predetermined desired level. The reservoir, which acts as a modular handle, includes an on-board pump that a user uses to pressurize the liquid contained in the reservoir. In addition, the number of pumps a user pumps air into the reservoir determines the force of the liquid expelling (explained in greater detail below). The pressurized liquid may then be sprayed out of the oral cleaning device to assist in cleaning the user's mouth. Narious interchangeable heads are incorporated herewith to provide the user with a total cleamng experience. First, a head with a nozzle that provides the user with a high-pressure jet of liquid to remove plaque and simulate flossing between teeth and gums. Second, various shaped heads with bristles and a nozzle to provide the user with different brashes to clean teeth and their tongue as well as a jet of liquid that may be turned on to assist in cleaning gums or freshening breath. Lastly, a tongue scraper head with a nozzle, which also assists the user in cleaning their tongue and provides a jet to spray liquid such as water or antiseptic directly onto their tongue while they are scraping.
[10] Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[11] A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[12] FIG. 1 is a front view of an oral cleaning device having a refillable reservoir that is capable of storing a liquid and having an on-board pump that is used to pressurize the liquid in the reservoir, wherein the pressurized liquid may jet from a nozzle in the head of the device to provide a user with a self-contained device that has a high pressure jet of liquid;
[13] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the cleaning device of FIG. 1;
[14] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the toothbrash of FIG. 1;
[15] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a head assembly that has a nozzle and bristles to brash teeth;
[16] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a head assembly illustrating a tongue brash; and
[17] FIG. 6 is an perspective view of a head assembly illustrating a tongue scraper.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments
[18] While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated.
[19] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is disclosed in accordance with the present invention an oral cleaning device generally referenced to as numeral 10. The oral cleaning device includes a body 12 (or handle) that may be gripped by a user. As will be described
in detail below, the body 12 is further defined as a refillable reservoir that a user may partially fill with a fluid, for example, the fluid may include a gas, such as air, or a liquid, such as water or an antiseptic solution used for cleaning a user's mouth and freshening breath. The oral cleaning device also includes a means for pressurizing the fluid in the reservoir. The pressurizing means is preferably an on-board pump 14. Once the fluid is pressurized, the fluid in the reservoir may be released by depressing a button 20. The button 20 (illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) opens a valve mechanism which controls the flow of the pressurized fluid out of the reservoir. The fluid once released travels through a neck 16 that extends outwardly from the body 12 to a head 18. This neck/head assembly may be interchangeable with other neck/head assemblies to provide the user with different cleaning implements. Alternatively, the neck/head assembly may also be fixed onto the body 12, to provide a single cleaning implement.
[20] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the oral cleaning device 10 includes a refillable reservoir 30 that also serves as a main portion of the body 12 or handle which the user grips when using the oral cleaning device 10. The refillable reservoir 30 is attached at one end (bottom aperture 32) to an on-board pump 14 and attached at the other end (top aperture 34) to the neck 16. Preferably, the on-board pump 14 is attached to the bottom aperture 32 such that the on-board pump 14 may be easily removed and reattached. This permits the user to pour a liquid (or other fluid) into the reservoir 30 via the bottom aperture 32. However, it is also easy to implement alternative means to refill the reservoir such as but not limited to having a separate resealable inlet. In this instance, the on-board pump 14 would not have to be removable and could be permanently attached thereto.
[21] The on-board pump 14 includes a pump cylinder 40 that slides into the reservoir 30 through the bottom aperture 32 (best seen in FIG. 3). Secured to one end of the pump cylinder 40 is a one-way valve cap 42. The one-way valve cap 42 allows air to
be pumped into the reservoir 30, which permits the user to pressurize the liquid (or fluid) inside the reservoir 30. The one-way valve cap 42 also prevents any 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 attaches to the end of the pump cylinder 40 and includes openings 48 to permit air to travel through. The flexible valve seal 44 is then attached to the valve cap 46 such that the flexible valve seal 44 covers the openings 48 in the valve cap 46. When the user is pumping air through the pump cylinder
40, to pressurize the reservoir 30, air in the valve cap 46 travels through the openings 48 pushing and bending the flexible valve seal 44 away from the openings 48, allowing air to enter into the reservoir 30. This also occurs when the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is lower than a maximum pressure pre-defined by a pressure release valve 52 (discussed in greater detail below). As soon as the user stops pumping air through the pump cylinder
40, the pressure in the reservoir 30 pushes against the flexible valve seal 44 and seals the openings 48, preventing liquid in the reservoir 30 from escaping via the one-way valve cap
42.
[22] Inserted into the pump cylinder 40 is a pump piston 50 that includes the pressure release valve 52. The top 54 of the pump piston 50 has a groove 56, which receives a seal 58. The top 54 also has notches 60 (FIG. 2) running perpendicular to the groove 56. While the pump piston 50 is being pulled away from the pump cylinder 40, the seal 58 moves against the top portion 62 of the groove 56, allowing air to enter the pump cylinder 40, above the top 54 of the pump piston 50, via the notches 60. Subsequently, when pushed into the pump cylinder 40, the seal 58 moves against the bottom portion 64 of the groove 56, preventing air from escaping the pump cylinder 40. As such, when the pump piston 50 is pushed into the pump cylinder 40, air inside the pump cylinder 40, above the top 54 of the pump piston, will be forced into the reservoir 30, again as long as
the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is lower than the maximum pressure provided for on the pressure release valve 52.
[23] When the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is greater than the maximum pressure provided for by the pressure release valve 52, the air inside the pump cylinder 40 above the top 54 of the pump piston 50 will vent through the pressure release valve 52.
The pressure release 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 the release spring 70 against a release aperture 74 defined in the release housing 66. When the pressure in the reservoir
30 is greater than the pressure exerted by the release spring 70 on the release ball 68, the air will push against the release ball 68 compressing the release spring 70 permitting the air to vent through the release aperture 74 and into the pump piston 50. Eventually the air will vent out of the device 10 through an aperture (not shown) on the pump handle 82.
[24] 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. The reservoir
30 is removably attached to a reservoir cap 76, which may be removed when filling the reservoir 30 with a liquid. A reservoir gasket 78 is positioned between the reservoir 30 and reservoir cap 76 to prevent liquid (or fluid) inside the reservoir 30 from leaking. The pump cylinder 40 extends through the reservoir gasket 78 and reservoir cap 76 and is secured to a pump cylinder cap 80. Extending through the pump cylinder cap 80 is the pump piston 50, which is attached to a pump handle 82. The user is also prevented from pulling the pump piston 50 entirely out of the pump cylinder 40 because the top 54 of the pump piston 50 is larger than an opening defined in the pump cylinder cap 80.
[25] Since the operation of the on-board pump 14 has already been partially explained, it can be further stated that when in operation a user can remove the on-board pump 14 by separating the reservoir cap 76 from the reservoir 30. This permits the user to
partially fill the reservoir 30 with a liquid or other fluid. The reservoir 30 is preferably made of a clear material to allow the user to view the amount of liquid in the reservoir 30. However, a transparent window may also be used. After partially filling the reservoir 30, the user re-attaches the on-board pump 14 by inserting the pump cylinder 40 into the reservoir 30 and securing the cap 76 to the reservoir 30. The user then can extend the pump piston 50 out of the pump cylinder 40 by holding both the pump handle 82 and the reservoir 30 and pulling the pump handle 82 away from the reservoir 30. Air will then enter the pump cylinder 40 by the top 54 of the pump piston 50. The user then pushes the pump piston 50 back into the pump cylinder 40, forcing air through the one-way valve cap 42 and into the reservoir 30. Repeatedly pumping air into the reservoir 30 will pressurize the liquid contained therein. When the pressure inside the reservoir 30 is substantially equal to the maximum pressure set by the pressure release valve 52, the air will no longer enter the reservoir 30 but will instead vent out of the pump cylinder 40 through the pressure release valve 52. Once the fluid or liquid inside the reservoir 30 is pressurized the user may release the pressurized liquid through a nozzle located in the head 18 of the oral cleaning device 10.
[26] It may be further stated that the user can alter not only the force of the jetting liquid (or fluid) exiting the device 10 but also the duration such force is maintained. To alter the force of the jetting liquid (or fluid), the user may learn that for a specific water level inside the reservoir the user must pump air into the reservoir ten times (pressurizing the reservoir to a desired pressure). By reducing the number of times the user pumps air into the reservoir, the desired force of the liquid (or fluid) jetting out of the device 10 will decrease. In addition, the duration the force of the liquid (or fluid) jetting out of the device 10 is directly related to the level of liquid (or fluid) inside the reservoir for a specific pressure. As such, if the user reduces the liquid or (or fluid) level, but maintains the
desired pressure inside the reservoir 30, the duration this desired force is maintained will increase. Similarly, if the user increases the liquid (or fluid) level, the duration will decrease. As such it may be preferred to have a fill line on the reservoir 30 that permits the user to fill the reservoir to a predetermined amount. This would provide the user with an optimum force of jetting liquid (or fluid) (when pressurized to the maximum pressure) for an optimum maximum duration. In addition, the secondary fill lines can relate to various head attachments, providing optimum settings for different cleaning tasks.
[27] To transport the liquid (or fluid) from the reservoir 30 to the nozzle, a hose
84 is placed through the top aperture 34 of the reservoir 30 and into the reservoir 30. The hose 84 may contain a weight 86 on the end of the hose placed within the reservoir 30 in order to keep the end of the hose 84 near the bottom of the reservoir 30. The other end of the hose 84 is attached to a releasing/preventing mechanism 88 that when activated allows the pressurized liquid or fluid to travel through the neck 16 and out of the device 10.
[28] The hose 84 is secured through an opening 92 (FIG. 2) in a top reservoir cap
90 that is secured to the top aperture 34 of the reservoir 30, along with a top reservoir gasket 91. The opening 92 is reinforced with a grommet 94 that places the hose 84 in fluid communication with an inlet 96 defined in the releasing/preventing mechanism 88. The releasing/preventing mechanism 88 also includes a valve piston 102 that may be moved to an open position (allowing pressurized liquid or fluid to travel through) by a button 20. A valve spring 100 exerts a force onto the button 20 and the valve piston 102 that normally keeps the releasing/preventing mechanism 88 in a closed position (not allowing pressurized liquid or fluid to travel through). A valve pin 104 holds the button 20 in position with the valve piston 102 and valve spring 100. The releasing/preventing mechanism 88 and other components described for opening and closing the mechanism 88 is housed within a two piece housing 110. The front portion of the housing 110 includes an opening 112 to permit
the button 20 to be pressed by a user. As mentioned, the releasing/preventing mechanism
88 is in a closed position unless the button 20 is pressed and held down by a user.
[29] When opened the pressurized liquid or fluid travels through the releasing/preventing mechanism 88 and out an exit 106 defined thereon. The exit 106 of the releasing/preventing mechanism 88 is in fluid communication with a channel 108 running through the neck 16. The neck 16 is secured to a neck base 114 that is removably attached to the exit 106. A neck o-ring 116 is preferably positioned between the neck base
114 and the two piece housing 110. The channel 108 travels through the neck 16 to at least one opening 121 in the head 18. Preferably a nozzle is positioned in the opening 121, in communication with the channel 108, and held in place by a nozzle cap 122. The nozzle may either be a long nozzle 120 for a head 18 that acts as a fluid jet (FIGS. 1-3) (more commonly referred to as a water jet when the fluid is water) or a short nozzle 126 for a head that also contains bristles 124 (FIGS. 4 and 5) or a head that is used for scraping
(FIG. 6). A short nozzle 126 is preferably used when brushing or scraping because the nozzle does not interfere.
[30] As shown in FIGS. 1- 3, the head 18 of the device 10 contains a long nozzle
120. The long nozzle 120 provides the user with a cleaning device that is better suited to remove plaque and clean between teeth and gums (similar to flossing). In FIG. 4, the head
18b contains bristles 124 and a short nozzle 126. In addition the head 18b is shaped to provide the user with a brash better suited for their teeth, along with a nozzle to jet liquid or fluid for cleaning gums and teeth and rinsing. In FIG. 5, the head 18c contains a short nozzle 120 and a plurality of bristles 124 but contains a wider cross section than the head
18 in FIG. 4. This provides the user with a cleaning device that is better suited to clean the user's tongue. In FIG. 6, the head 18d does not contain bristles or a nozzle, the head 18d includes a projected edge 130 to scrape the user's tongue. The head 18d defined as a
tongue scrape also includes at least one opening but preferably multiple openings 121 to spray liquid while the user is scrapping their tongue.
[31] In addition, the fluid contained in the reservoir may be antiseptic or mouth wash for which the user can spray directly onto their tongue or in the mouth while brushing, scraping, rinsing or flossing.
[32] As explained above, the present invention includes the ability to jet out a pressurized fluid, not only inclusive of a liquid but also a gas. For example, the user may simple pump air into and pressurize the air inside the reservoir. Once the reservoir contains a sufficient amount of pressurized air, the user may release it by pressing the button. While not as efficient as expelling pressurized liquid, in some instances the liquid, especially an antiseptic liquid, may be too sensitive for the user. Moreover, if pressurized gas such as air was the only intentional use of the device, the pump does not have to be removable, as the user can continuously refill the reservoir with air without removing the pump.
[33] • From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention covering a self-contained device incorporating a reservoir, an on-board pump, and a nozzle into a single device with interchangeable heads to provide various oral cleaning actions. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or inferred. It is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall wilhin the scope of the claims.