GB2201887A

GB2201887A - Tooth cleaning instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2201887A
Application number: GB08802832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alistair Goold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-06
Filing date: 1988-02-08
Publication date: 1988-09-14
Also published as: GB8802832D0

Abstract

A pressurised container 9 of tooth cleaning fluid attaches to a combined on/off mechanism 6 and cap device 11. A fluid pipe 3 leads from the cap 11 to a combined brush and jet head 12. This brush and jet head 12 has a series of bristles 13 interspaced with a series of jet nozzles 14. In use the conventional cleaning action of the brush is assisted by the constant flow of tooth cleaning fluid through the nozzles 14 to bristles 13. <IMAGE>

Description

Tooth Cleaninq Instrument This invention relates to a tooth cleaning instrument.

Conventional tooth cleaning methods rely on a brush like instrument which is used along with a suitable cleaning material to scrub the surface of teeth clean. The use of such a brush requires considerable manual effort to be effective Electrically operated brushes have been proposed but whilst these considerably reduce the manual effort required in cleaning teeth they suffer from the abrasive action of the brush on the surface of the teeth.

According to the present invention there is provided a tooth cleaning instrument comprising a nozzle, a cleaning fluid container, and pressurising means for forcing a jet of fluid out of the nozzle.

Preferably, the pressuring means comprises a manually operable pump arrangement.

Alternatively, the pressuring means may comprise a separate pressurised gas container connected to the cleaning fluid container by a valve.

Alternatively, the cleaning fluid container may itself be pressurised and connected to the nozzle by a valve.

Preferably also, the nozzle is in the form of a jet head having a plurality of fluid outlets.

More preferably, a plurality of brush members project from the jet head adjacent the fluid outlets.

Most preferably, a plurality of tubular brush members extend from the jet head, said brush members forming fluid outlets at an end remote from the jet head.

Preferably also, the nozzle is removable.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional end view of the jet nozzle of the tooth cleaning instrument of Figs. 1, 2 and 3; Fig. 5 is a sectional end view of an alternative jet nozzle for the tooth cleaning instrument of Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 7 is a plan view of a jet nozzle and brush head of the tooth cleaning instrument of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a part sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention incorporating a manual pump; Fig. 9 is a part sectional side view of the instrument of Fig. 8 illustrating the pump action; Fig. 10 is a part sectional side view of a sixth embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the instrument of Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a brush head of a tooth cleaning instrument; Fig. 13 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a brush head of a tooth cleaning instrument;; Figs 14 and 15 are respectively side and plan views of a third embodiment of a brush head of the present invention; Fig. 16 is a plan view illustrating an example of the connection of a brush head to a tooth cleaning instrument; and Fig. 17 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 16.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings a tooth cleaning instrument comprises a cleaning fluid container 1, a pressurised C02 container 2, a fluid pipe 3 and a jet head 4. The fluid container 1 and the C02 container 2 are joined by a valve 5.

The fluid pipe 3 has an on/off mechanism 6 fitted at its junction with the C02 container 2.

The jet head 4 is mounted on the end of the fluid pipe 3 and has an internal bore 7 which communicates with a number of jet nozzles 8.

In use a user of the instrument holds it so that the jet head 4 is positioned next to the teeth to be cleaned. The on/off mechanism 6 is then operated and the C02 forces the cleaning fluid along the pipe 3, in to the jet head 4 and out of the nozzle 8 as high pressure jets. These jets of cleaning fluid are directed against the surface of the teeth and serve to clean them effectively.

The instrument shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the fluid container 1 is connected directly to the pipe 3 and the > 02 container 2 is connected to the other end of the fluid container 1 by way of the on/off mechanism 6.

The instrument shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the instrument of both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 except that the cleaning fluid and the C02 are combined in a single pressurised container 9.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative jet head 4 which has, instead of a number of jet nozzles 8, a number of apertures 10.

In each embodiment of the instrument the fluid and gas containers and the jet head 4 are easily removable. This allows the various parts to be cleaned and the fluid and gas containers, when empty, to be refilled or replaced.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 a further embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument which combines the jet action of the previous embodiments with conventional bristles is illustrated.

This embodiment has a single pressurised container 9 which attaches to a combined on/off mechanism 6 and cap device 11.

A fluid pipe 3 leads from the cap 11 to a combined brush and jet head 12. This brush and jet head 12 has a series of bristles 13 interspaced with a series of jet nozzles 14.

In this embodiment the conventional cleaning action of the brush is assisted by the constant flow of cleaning fluid through the nozzles 14 to each bristle 13. The cleaning action is thus more efficient and can be accomplished more quickly than with a conventional brush thus reducing the wear on the teeth. The flow of cleaning fluid to each bristle 13 also acts as a lubricant reducing the wear on the teeth.

Referring now to Figs 8 and 9 a further embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument is illustrated. This embodiment has a fluid container 20 which is a snap fit on a combined brush and jet head 21. A manually operable pump arrangement 22 can be moved from a neutral position shown in Fig. 8 to a compression position shown in Fig. 9 to deliver a measured quantity of cleaning fluid to the brush and jet head 21.

Referring now to Figs 10 and 11 a still further embodiment of a tooth cleaning instrument is illustrated, This embodiment is similar to that described in relation to Figs 8 and 9 with a fluid container 23 which has a brush and jet head 24. The container 23 is pressurised and the flow of cleaning fluid is controlled by a valve 25.

Referring now to Figs 12 to 15 three different brush and jet head arrangements are shown. In Fig. 12 a brush head 26 has a number of bristles 27 and the fluid is supplied through longitudinal slots 28 on the head 26. In Fig. 13 a brush head 29 has a number of bristles 30 and the fluid is supplied through lateral slots 31 on the head 29. In Figs 14 and 15 a brush head 32 has a number of hollow bristles 33 which allow fluid to pass from a bore 34 of the head 32 to be delivered at working ends 35 of the bristles 33.

Referring now to Figs 16 and 17 one possible arrangement for attaching a brush head to the instrument is illustrated. A brush head 36 is provided as a snap fit onto the main body 37 of the instrument. An outlet 38 allows cleaning fluid to flow into the brush head 36.

Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tooth cleaning instrument comprising a nozzle, a cleaning fluid container, and pressurising means for forcing a jet of fluid out of the nozzle.

2. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pressuring means comprises a manually operable pump arrangement.

3. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pressuring means comprises a separate pressurised gas container connected to the cleaning fluid container by a valve.

4. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid container is itself pressurised and connected to the nozzle by a valve.

5. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the nozzle is in the form of a jet head having a plurality of fluid outlets.

6. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a plurality of brush members project from the jet head adjacent the fluid outlets.

7. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in Claim 5, wherein a plurality of tubular brush members extend from the jet head, said brush members forming fluid outlets at an end remote from the jet head.

8. A tooth cleaning instrument as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the nozzle is removable.

9. A tooth cleaning instrument substantially aa hereinbefore described, with reference to and as show in the accompanying drawings.