GB2555613A

GB2555613A - Cleaning appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2555613A
Application number: GB1618617.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Richard Garner Louis
Original assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Current assignee: Dyson Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-04
Filing date: 2016-11-04
Publication date: 2018-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2036-11-04
Also published as: WO2018083445A1; CN208640936U; CN108013941B; CN108013941A; GB2555613B

Abstract

A cleaning tool for a dental cleaning appliance - preferably a toothbrush comprising a cleaning head 160 - comprises a nozzle 36 for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a fluid reservoir 162 having a fluid inlet 164 through which the fluid reservoir 162 may be replenished, and a cap 166 for selectively sealing the reservoirs fluid inlet 164. The cap 166 further comprises a fluid port 182 and is moveable relative to the fluid reservoir 162 between a first position in which the fluid inlet 164 is exposed by the fluid port 182 to enable the fluid reservoir 164 to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet 164 is occluded by the cap 166. The delivery of a burst/jet of working fluid, preferably water, to the teeth of a user allows for the interproximal cleaning of the gaps between teeth.

Description

(54) Title ofthe Invention: Cleaning appliance

Abstract Title: Toothbrush having a mechanism for delivering a jet of fluid (57) A cleaning tool for a dental cleaning appliance preferably a toothbrush comprising a cleaning head 160 comprises a nozzle 36 for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user, a fluid reservoir 162 having a fluid inlet 164 through which the fluid reservoir 162 may be replenished, and a cap 166 for selectively sealing the reservoir’s fluid inlet 164. The cap 166 further comprises a fluid port 182 and is moveable relative to the fluid reservoir 162 between a first position in which the fluid inlet 164 is exposed by the fluid port 182 to enable the fluid reservoir 164 to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet 164 is occluded by the cap 166. The delivery of a burst/jet of working fluid, preferably water, to the teeth of a user allows for the interproximal cleaning ofthe gaps between teeth.

160,

162,

164

182116

At least one drawing originally filed was informal and the print reproduced here is taken from a later filed formal copy.

/9

FIG. 1(a)

FIG. 1(b)

FIG. 1(c)

2/9

20

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG. 4

4/9

FIG. 5

5/9

120

FIG. 6(a)

120

120

FIG. 6(b)

FIG. 6(c)

6/9

FIG. 7

7/9

160

162

164

116

73 80 176

168

182

178

8/9

184

FIG. 9

9/9

184

FIG. 10

CLEANING APPLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning appliance. The cleaning appliance is preferably a handheld cleaning appliance, and is preferably a surface treating appliance. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the appliance is a dental cleaning appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is an electric toothbrush having a fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid to the teeth of the user. This fluid may be toothpaste, or a fluid for improved interproximal cleaning. Alternatively, the appliance may not include any bristles or other elements for brushing teeth, and may be in the form of a dedicated interproximal cleaning appliance. The invention also relates to a cleaning tool for use with a dental cleaning appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electric toothbrushes generally comprise a cleaning tool which is connected to a handle. The cleaning tool comprises a stem and a brush head bearing bristles for brushing teeth. The brush head comprises a static section which is connected to the stem, and at least one moveable section which is moveable relative to the static section, for example with one of a reciprocating, oscillating, vibrating, pivoting or rotating motion, to impart a brushing movement to bristles mounted thereon. The stem houses a drive shaft which couples with a transmission unit within the handle. The transmission unit is in turn connected to a motor, which is driven by a battery housed within the handle. The drive shaft and the transmission unit convert rotary or vibratory motion of the motor into the desired movement of the moveable section of the brush head relative to the static section of the brush head.

It is known to incorporate into an electric toothbrush an assembly for generating a jet of fluid for interproximal cleaning. For example, US 8,522,384 describes an electric toothbrush in which the handle of the toothbrush defines a fluid chamber for storing a liquid such as water, and a slidable cover for enabling the fluid chamber to be accessed for replenishment by a user. A fluid path connects the fluid chamber to a nozzle located on a static portion of the brush head. A pump located within the fluid path is actuated upon user operation of an actuator on the handle to pump fluid from the fluid chamber to the nozzle for release under pressure from the nozzle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dental cleaning appliance comprising: a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a cap having a fluid port, and wherein the cap is moveable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is occluded by the cap.

The cap may be biased away from the first position so that the fluid inlet is not normally exposed. In this case, the user has to urge the cap towards the first position to expose the fluid inlet to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished. A resilient element, such as a spring, may be provided for urging the cap away from the first position.

The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and preferably water, and so the fluid reservoir may be replenished by the user by locating the fluid inlet beneath a domestic tap and, whilst the cap is in the first position, opening the tap so that water from the tap passes through the fluid port and into the fluid reservoir. Where the cap is biased away from the first position, the appliance may comprise a catch for retaining the cap in the first position to facilitate replenishment of the fluid reservoir by the user. Alternatively, the user may have to hold the cap in the first position during filling. In this case, after the fluid reservoir has been filled the user has to simply release the cap so that it moves automatically away from the first position to occlude the fluid inlet, inhibiting the leakage of working fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid inlet.

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

When the cap is in the second position, the fluid inlet may engage a seal which inhibits the leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet. This seal may be located on a surface of the cap which faces the fluid inlet when the cap is in the second position.

The cap may be moveable towards and away from the fluid reservoir as the cap moves between the first position and the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir is mounted on a stem of the appliance, and the cap may be moveable along the stem between the first position and the second position. Preferably, the cap is rotatable relative to the fluid reservoir, preferably about the longitudinal axis of the stem, between the first position and the second position. The cap is preferably annular in shape, and so the cap preferably extends about the stem. Alternatively, the cap may be curved, arcuate or linear in shape.

The fluid reservoir preferably comprises an external wall in which the fluid inlet is formed. The cap is preferably located adjacent to the external wall of the fluid reservoir. The external wall of the fluid reservoir is preferably a base or a bottom wall of the fluid reservoir, which faces a handle on which the stem is mounted, and so the cap is preferably located adjacent to the bottom wall of the fluid reservoir. At least part of the external wall of the fluid reservoir is preferably transparent, and is preferably formed from transparent plastics material to allow a user to see the volume of working fluid within the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the external wall has one of a curved shape, a convex shape, and a faceted shape. The external wall may have a curvature which is one of ellipsoidal, spheroidal and spherical.

The fluid reservoir preferably comprises a fluid outlet which is spaced from the fluid inlet of the fluid reservoir. The fluid outlet is also preferably formed in the bottom wall of the fluid reservoir. The cap is preferably arranged to cover the fluid outlet when in its first position, and to expose the fluid outlet when in its second position to allow fluid to be drawn from the tank. The fluid port may be arranged to expose the fluid outlet when the cap is in its second position. Preferably, to reduce the extent of the movement of the cap as it moves from the first position to the second position the cap comprises a second fluid port which exposes the fluid outlet when the cap is in the second position. The fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir is preferably occluded by the cap when the cap is in the first position. The cap is preferably arranged to inhibit the leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet when the cap is in its first position. For example, the fluid outlet may engage a second seal which inhibits the leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet. This seal may also be located on a surface of the cap which faces the fluid outlet when the cap is in the first position.

When the cap is in the second position, the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir may be placed in fluid communication with a fluid delivery system for conveying working fluid from the fluid reservoir to the nozzle. The handle preferably comprises a fluid inlet of the fluid delivery system, which is placed in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir when the cap is in the second position. The fluid inlet of the fluid delivery system is preferably located on an end surface of the handle.

The appliance preferably comprises a handle and a stem extending between the nozzle and the handle, and the fluid reservoir is preferably mounted on the stem. The fluid reservoir preferably extends at least partially about the stem. Preferably, the fluid reservoir surrounds the stem.

The cap may be mounted on the fluid reservoir for movement relative thereto. Alternatively, the cap may be mounted on the stem for movement relative to the fluid reservoir. The cap may also be moveable relative to the stem, for example along the stem or about the stem. The cap is preferably mounted on an end portion of the stem which is remote from the nozzle. The stem preferably comprises a connecting member for connecting the stem to the handle, and the cap may be mounted on the connecting member, for example to an external periphery of the connecting member.

The stem may be detachably connected to the handle. The cap may be accessible by the user only when the stem is detached from the handle. For example, when the stem is mounted on the handle, the cap may be sandwiched between the fluid reservoir and the handle such that the user is unable to access the cap. Alternatively, the cap may be moveable by the user when the stem is mounted on the handle. For example, a useraccessible tab may be disposed on the periphery of the cap to allow the user to rotate the cap relative to the fluid reservoir when the stem is mounted on the handle. This can allow the user to move the cap to a position at which both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir are occluded by the cap, thus sealing working fluid within the fluid reservoir and preventing working fluid from being drawn from the fluid reservoir by the fluid delivery system.

The nozzle preferably forms part of a fluid delivery system of the appliance. The fluid delivery system preferably comprises a pump and a control circuit for actuating the pump to draw working fluid from the fluid reservoir and eject a burst of working fluid towards the nozzle. As the nozzle is moved between adjacent teeth of the user, the user may depress a button of a user interface provided on the handle to actuate the pump to cause a burst of working fluid to be ejected from the nozzle. Alternatively, the appliance may be configured to actuate the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user automatically depending on the magnitude of an output from a sensor for detecting that the nozzle is located within an interproximal gap. For example, the sensor may be in the form of a light detector, such a camera or a light sensor, for receiving light, such a visible light or infrared light, reflected from a user’s teeth. As another alternative, the appliance may be configured to actuate the delivery of working fluid to the teeth of the user automatically at a fixed frequency, for example between 0.5 and 5 Hz.

The nozzle, stem and fluid reservoir may form part of a cleaning tool which is detachably connectable to the handle.

The appliance may be in the form of a dedicated interproximal cleaning appliance for cleaning between the gaps in the user’s teeth. Alternatively, the appliance may be in the form of a toothbrush which has the additional function of improved interproximal cleaning through the emission of a burst of working fluid into the interproximal gap. Where the appliance is in the form of a toothbrush, the cleaning tool, or stem, preferably comprises a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle, and may be arranged circumferentially about the nozzle. A plurality of bristles may be attached to a static section of the cleaning tool, which section is not moveable relative to the handle. Alternatively, or additionally, a plurality of bristles may be attached to a moveable section of the cleaning tool, which section is moveable 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, with the bristle carrier being moveable relative to the handle.

As mentioned above, the stem, or the entire cleaning tool, is preferably detachably connected to the handle. This can allow the appliance to be provided with a set of similar cleaning tools, each with a respective different identifier. This can also allow an appliance to be provided with a set of dissimilar stems or cleaning tools. For example, the set of cleaning tools may be selected from two or more of a first type of cleaning tool with a nozzle and a moveable brush unit, a second type of cleaning tool with a nozzle and a static brush unit, and a third type of cleaning tool with a nozzle and no bristles. A number of respective different cleaning tools of the same type may also be provided, for example, of the first type of cleaning tool, with bristles having a respective different stiffness, or with nozzles having respective different fluid outlet sizes.

The appliance is preferably a handheld appliance which includes all of the aforementioned components of the appliance.

The cleaning tools may be sold as stand-alone items, for example as spare parts or as alternative cleaning tools 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 burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a cap having a fluid port, and wherein the cap is moveable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is occluded by the cap.

In an alternative arrangement, the fluid reservoir may be moveable relative to the cap to expose the fluid inlet through the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to be replenished. For example, the cap may be attached to the stem, with the fluid reservoir being moveable relative to the stem between in a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is occluded by the cap.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a dental cleaning appliance comprising: a nozzle for delivering a burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; a stem, a fluid reservoir mounted on the stem for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a cap connected to the stem, the cap comprising a fluid port, and wherein the fluid reservoir is moveable relative to the cap between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is occluded by the cap.

The fluid reservoir may be biased away from the first position so that the user has to urge the fluid reservoir towards the first position to expose the fluid inlet to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished. A resilient element, such as a spring, is preferably provided between the cap and the fluid reservoir for urging the fluid reservoir away from the first position.

The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and preferably water, and so the fluid reservoir may be replenished by the user by locating fluid port beneath a domestic tap and, whilst the fluid reservoir is in the first position, opening the tap so that water from the tap passes through the fluid port and into the fluid reservoir. Where the fluid reservoir is biased away from the first position, the appliance may comprise a catch for retaining the fluid reservoir in the first position to facilitate replenishment of the fluid reservoir by the user. Alternatively, the user may have to hold the fluid reservoir in the first position during filling. In this case, after the fluid reservoir has been filled the user has to simply release the fluid reservoir so that it moves automatically away from the first position. The fluid inlet becomes automatically occluded by the cap, inhibiting the leakage of working fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid inlet.

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

When the fluid reservoir is in the second position, the fluid inlet may engage a seal which inhibits the leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet. This seal may be located on a surface of the cap which faces the fluid inlet when the fluid reservoir is in the second position.

The fluid reservoir may be moveable towards and away from the cap as the fluid reservoir moves between the first position and the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir may be moveable along the stem between the first position and the second position. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is rotatable relative to the cap, preferably about the longitudinal axis of the stem, between the first position and the second position. The cap is preferably annular in shape, and so the cap preferably extends about the stem. Alternatively, the cap may be curved, arcuate or linear in shape.

In a fourth 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 burst of working fluid to the teeth of a user; a stem;

a fluid reservoir mounted on the stem for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir comprising a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a cap connected to the stem, the cap comprising a fluid port, and wherein the fluid reservoir is moveable relative to the cap between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is occluded by the cap.

Features described above in connection with the first aspect of the invention are equally applicable to each of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

Figure 1(a) is a right side view of a dental cleaning appliance, Figure fib) is a front view of the appliance, and Figure 1(c) is a left side view of the appliance;

Figure 2 illustrates schematically components of a fluid delivery system for delivering a burst of a working fluid to the teeth of a user;

Figure 3 is a right side perspective view, from above, of a first embodiment of a cfeaning toof of the appfiance;

Figure 4 is a right side perspective view, from above, of a handle of the appliance;

Figure 5 is a side sectional view of part of the cleaning tool of Figure 3;

Figure 6(a) is a sectional schematic view of a fluid reservoir of the cleaning tool of Figure 3, and with a diaphragm of the fluid reservoir in a fully contracted configuration, Figure 6(b) is a similar view to Figure 6(a) but with the diaphragm in a partially expanded configuration, and Figure 6(c) is a similar view to Figure 6(a) but with the diaphragm in an almost fully expanded configuration;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the appliance, with the cleaning tool of Figure 3 detached from the handle;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a cleaning tool which is connectable to the handle;

Figure 9 is a perspective view, from below, of the cleaning tool of Figure 8, with a cap of the cleaning tool in a first position relative to the fluid reservoir; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view, from below, of the cleaning tool of Figure 8, with a cap of the cleaning tool in a second position relative to the fluid reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figures 1(a) to 1(c) illustrate external views of an embodiment of a dental cleaning appliance 10. In this embodiment, the appliance is in the form of a handheld appliance, which is in the form of an electric toothbrush having an integrated assembly for dispensing a working fluid for improved interproximal cleaning.

The appliance 10 comprises a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14. The handle 12 comprises an external body 16 which is gripped by a user during use of the appliance

10. The body 16 is preferably formed from plastics material, and is preferably generally cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 comprises a plurality of user operable buttons 18, 20, 22 which are located within respective apertures formed in the body 16 so as to be accessible to the user. The handle 12 may comprise a display which is positioned so as to be visible to a user during use of the appliance.

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

The cleaning tool 14 also comprises 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 the 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 which includes a brush unit 29, the brush unit 29 extends at least partially 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 comprises a fluid outlet 42 through which a burst of working fluid is delivered to the teeth of the user. The fluid delivery system 40 is illustrated schematically in Figure 2. In overview, the fluid delivery system 40 comprises 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 comprises a pump assembly 46 for drawing working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 through the fluid inlet 44, and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the nozzle 36. The pump assembly 46 is located within the handle 12, and comprises a positive displacement pump 48 and a drive for driving the pump 48. The drive preferably comprises 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 located between the fluid inlet 44 and the pump 48 to prevent water from returning to the fluid reservoir 34 from the pump 48. 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 water from returning to the pump 48. A control circuit 66 controls the actuation of the motor 50, and so the motor 50 and the control circuit 66 provide a drive for driving the pump 48. The battery 52 supplies power to the control circuit 66. The control circuit 66 includes a motor controller, which supplies power to the motor 50.

In this embodiment, the control circuit 66 receives signals generated when the user depresses the buttons 18, 20, 22 located on the handle 12 of the appliance 10. Alternatively, or additionally, the control circuit 66 may receive signals which are generated by a sensor located within the appliance, or which are received from a remote device, such as a display or a personal device. For brevity, in the following description the control circuit 66 receives signals which are generated when the user operates one of the buttons 18, 20, 22.

The cleaning tool 14 is detachably connected to the handle 12. With reference to Figures 3 to 5, the handle 12 comprises a male connector, preferably in the form of a spigot 70, which is received by a complementary female connector, preferably in the form of a recessed connector 72, of the cleaning tool 14. The recessed connector 72 defines a generally cylindrical recess 73 for receiving the spigot 70. The spigot 70 preferably protrudes outwardly from an end surface 74 of the body 16, and preferably in a direction which is parallel to a 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 on the handle 12. The annular seat 76 comprises the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. The fluid inlet 44 receives fluid from a fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning tool 14 is mounted on the handle 12.

The second conduit 60, which connects the fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36, comprises 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 located adjacent to the spigot 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 base of the recessed connector 72. The recessed connector 72 is housed within, and connected to, a relatively wide base section 88 of the stem 26.

As mentioned above, the cleaning tool 14 includes a bristle carrier 30 which is moveable relative to the stem 26. The appliance 10 comprises a drive mechanism for driving the movement of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26. The drive mechanism comprises a transmission unit connected to the bristle carrier 30, and a drive unit for driving the transmission unit to move the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26.

The handle 12 comprises the drive unit of the drive mechanism. The drive unit comprises a motor, preferably in the form of a dc motor, which is actuated by the control circuit 66 in response to the user depression of one or more of the buttons of the handle 12. The motor of the drive unit is connected via a gear train to a rotatable drive unit coupling member 90 which protrudes outwardly from the spigot 70, and which rotates relative to the body 16 upon actuation of the motor of the drive unit.

The cleaning tool 14 comprises the transmission unit of the drive mechanism. The transmission unit comprises a transmission unit coupling member 92 which couples with, and preferably receives, the drive unit coupling member 90 when the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12. The transmission unit coupling member 92 is connected to, and is preferably integral with, one end of a connecting rod 94 housed within the stem 26. The other end of the connecting rod 94 is connected to the side surface of the bristle carrier 30 so that periodic rotation of the connecting rod 94 about a 15° angle results in a 15° sweeping movement of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26.

The fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on, and extends at least partially around, the stem 26 of the cleaning tool 14. In this embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is annular in shape, and so surrounds the stem 26. The fluid reservoir 34 is preferably located at or towards the end of the stem 26 which is remote from the head 28, and so in this embodiment extends around the base section 88 of the stem 26. The fluid reservoir 34 preferably has a capacity in the range from 5 to 50 ml, and in this embodiment has a capacity of 25 ml.

The fluid reservoir 34 is filled through a reservoir fluid inlet port 100 formed in the external wall of the fluid reservoir 34. The fluid inlet port 100 is preferably formed in an annular external side wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34. The reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is sealed by a closure member 102. The closure member 102 is moveable relative to the fluid reservoir 34 between a closed position, as shown in Figure 3, in which the closure member 102 inhibits the leakage of working fluid from the reservoir fluid inlet port 100, and an open position. In this embodiment, the closure member 102 is pivotably connected to the fluid reservoir 34. The closure member 102 is locatable within, and forms a fluid-tight seal against, the reservoir fluid inlet port 100. The closure member 102 comprises a head 104 which may be gripped by the user to move the closure member 102 from the closed position to the open position, and which may be pushed by the user towards the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 to return the closure member 102 to the closed position.

The closure member 102 is 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 integral with the closure member 102, with a portion of each arm 106 which is remote from the closure member 102 being connected to the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34, for example using an adhesive or by welding. Each arm 106 comprises a hinge 108, which may be formed from a part of the arm 106 which has a locally reduced thickness, to enable the part of the arm 106 which is connected to the closure member 102 to pivot relative to the other part of the arm 106 which is connected to the fluid reservoir 34.

To fill the fluid reservoir 34, the user detaches the cleaning tool 14 from the handle 12, as explained in more detail below, grips the head 104 of the closure member 102 between finger and thumb and pulls it out from the reservoir fluid inlet port 100. The fluid reservoir 34 may then be filled by the user, for example by locating the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 beneath a running tap. 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. The pivoting connection between the closure member 102 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 inhibits accidental loss of the closure member 102 while the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is exposed, and enables the joint between the closure member 102 and the fluid reservoir 34 to be located between the handle 12 and the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning tool 14 is mounted on the handle 12. As shown in Figure 3, the lower parts of the arms 106 of the closure member 102 are located within a recessed section of the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the closure member 102 is in its closed position so that the bottom surfaces of the lower parts of the arms 106 are substantially flush with the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34.

At least part of the external wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 is preferably transparent to allow a user to observe the contents of the fluid reservoir 34, and so assess whether the fluid reservoir 34 requires replenishment prior to the desired use of the appliance 10. The external wall 110 preferably has a shape which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14. The external wall 110 preferably has a curved shape, more preferably a convex curved shape, but alternatively the external wall 110 may have a polygonal or faceted shape. In this embodiment, the external wall 110 has a spherical curvature. As described below, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide base section 88 of the stem 26, and so the external wall 110 has opposed circular apertures which are centred on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14 to allow the base section 88 of the stem 26 to pass therethrough.

The fluid reservoir 34 further comprises an inner wall 112 which is connected to the external wall 110. The inner wall 112 is tubular in shape. The ends of the inner wall 112 are preferably circular in shape, and are connected to the external wall 110 so as to form a fluid-tight seal between the external wall 110 and the inner wall 112. In this embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is formed from two housing parts. A first housing part 114 comprises an upper section of the external wall 110 and the inner wall 112, and so the upper end of the inner wall 112 is integral with an upper section of the external wall 110. A second housing part 116 comprises a lower section of the external wall 110 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34.

The fluid reservoir 34 also comprises 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 external wall 110, or to the inner wall 112. The diaphragm 118 thus has an external surface 124 which faces the external wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34, and which defines with the external wall 110 the capacity of the fluid reservoir 34. As the diaphragm 118 is visible to the user through at least part of the external wall 110, the external surface 124 of the diaphragm 118 may bear an identifier for user identification of the cleaning tool 14. For example, the identifier may be a coloured portion of the external surface 124 of the diaphragm 118, or one or more alphanumeric characters moulded or otherwise formed on the external surface 124 of the diaphragm 118.

Figures 5 and 6(a) illustrates the fluid reservoir 34 when it has been filled with working fluid. The thickness of the diaphragm 118, and the material from which the diaphragm 118 is formed, are selected so that at least part of the diaphragm 118 is moveable relative to the external wall 110 in response to a pressure differential which is established across the diaphragm 118 as working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir by the pump 48. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 118 is expandable in response to a pressure differential which is generated across the surfaces 124, 126 of diaphragm 118 as working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir 34. Figure 6(a) illustrates the diaphragm 118 in a fully contracted configuration, or state, in which the capacity of the fluid reservoir 34 is maximised.

In this embodiment, the cleaning tool 14 comprises an expansion chamber 128 which is located adjacent to the inner wall 112. The expansion chamber 128 has a volume which increases as the volume of the fluid reservoir 34 decreases. In this embodiment, the expansion chamber 128 is open to the atmosphere to allow atmospheric air to enter the expansion chamber 128 as the inner wall 112 moves towards the external wall 110 as working fluid is supplied to the fluid delivery system 100. The expansion chamber 128 is shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), which illustrate the diaphragm 118 in a partially expanded configuration, and in an almost fully expanded configuration, respectively. The expansion chamber 128 is delimited by the internal surface 126 of diaphragm 118, and the external 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 to enter the expansion chamber 128, for example, from an air flow path which extends between the stem 26 and the inner wall 112, with expansion of the diaphragm 118.

As the diaphragm 118 expands towards its fully expanded configuration, the size and shape of the diaphragm 118 approaches that of the external wall 110. In other words, when the diaphragm 118 is in a fully expanded configuration, which occurs when the fluid reservoir 34 is substantially empty, the size and the shape of the diaphragm 118 are substantially the same as the size and the shape of the external 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 mentioned above, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide base section 88 of the stem 26. To mount the fluid reservoir 34 on the stem 26, the circular aperture formed in the first housing part 114 of the fluid reservoir 34 is aligned with the free end of the base section 88 of the stem 26, and the fluid reservoir 34 is pushed on to the stem 26. The internal surface of the inner wall 112 of the fluid reservoir 34 bears against the base section 88 of the stem 26 so that frictional forces therebetween prevent the fluid reservoir 34 from falling from the stem 26. The movement of the fluid reservoir 34 along the stem 26 is restricted by a flange 140 which extends radially outwardly from the stem 26, and is located at the upper end of the base 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 part 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 the subsequent connection of the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 to the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40. To facilitate angular alignment of the fluid reservoir 34 relative to the stem 26, the flange 140 and the recess 142 may be provided a non-annular shape, for example a C- shape. Otherwise, the fluid reservoir 34 may be visually angularly aligned by the user relative to the head 28, for example so 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 Figure 7 the spigot 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 located adjacent to the spigot 70 is aligned with the cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 of the cleaning tool 14. The cleaning tool 14 is then pushed on to the spigot 70 so that the handle fluid outlet port 82 connects 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 internal surface 150 of the connector 72 of the stem 26 bears against the external surface of the spigot 70 so that frictional forces therebetween retain the stem 26 on the handle 12. The connector 72 is preferably formed from resilient plastics material which flexes as the connector 72 is pushed on to the spigot 70 to increase the frictional forces therebetween. A spring clip 152 may be provided at least partially about the connector 72 for urging the internal surface 150 of the connector 72 against the spigot 70. To prevent the cleaning tool 14 from becoming accidentally dislodged from the handle 12, the connector 73 may comprises a detent 154 mounted on an arm 156 which is hingedly connected to the connector 72. For example, the arm 156 may be integral with the connector 72, and connected to the remainder of the connector 72 by an elastic hinge. As the cleaning tool 14 is pushed on to the spigot 70, the detent 154 enters a recess (not shown) formed on the external surface of the spigot 70. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, to inhibit accidental 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 which engages with 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 which receives a male connector located on the handle 12 as the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12.

To operate the appliance 10, the user presses buttons 18, 20, 22 located on the handle 12. The user switches on the appliance 10 by depressing button 18, the action of which is detected by the control circuit 66. The user may select a mode of operation of the appliance 10 by depressing button 20. For example, through pressing button 20 once, the control circuit 66 may activate the motor to move the brush unit 29 relative to the handle 12. Pressing that button 20 again may switch off the motor. When the button 22 is pressed, a burst of water is emitted from the nozzle 36. The control circuit 66 activates the pump 48 to urge a volume of water from a fluid chamber of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36, and to replenish the fluid chamber through drawing a volume of water from the fluid reservoir 34.

The various connections between the handle 12, the stem 26 and the fluid reservoir 34 enable the appliance 10 to be readily dismantled by the user, for example to allow components of the appliance 10 to be replaced, for example due to wear. To replace the cleaning tool 14, the user grasps the stem 26 or the fluid reservoir 34 with one hand, and the handle 12 with the other hand, and pulls the cleaning tool 14 away from the handle 12, as shown in Figure 7. Under the force applied by the user, the detent 154 moves away from the recess located on the external surface of the spigot 70 to enable the cleaning tool 14 to be detached from the handle 12.

Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a cleaning tool 160 which is detachably connectable to the handle 12 of the appliance 10. The cleaning tool 160 has many features in common with the cleaning tool 14; the cleaning tool 160 comprises the same stem 26, head 28 and connector 72 as the cleaning tool 14. In this second embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is replaced by fluid reservoir 162. The fluid reservoir 162 has the same size and shape as the fluid reservoir 34, and comprises the same external wall 110, inner wall 112 and diaphragm 118 as the fluid reservoir 34. In this fluid reservoir 162, the fluid inlet 164 of the fluid reservoir 162 is located on the annular bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162. The fluid inlet 164 is angularly spaced from the fluid outlet 80 about the longitudinal axis of the stem 26 of the cleaning tool 160.

The closure member 102 of the fluid reservoir 34 is replaced by a cap 166 which is mounted on the end of the connecting member 72 of the stem 26. The cap 166 is annular in shape, and has an internal circular periphery 168 which is received within a cylindrical groove 170 defined between the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162 and an annular rim 172 extending about the end of the connecting member 72 such that the cap 166 is rotatable relative to the fluid reservoir 162 about the longitudinal axis of the stem 26. The cap 166 is arranged to be moveable manually by the user only when the cleaning tool 160 is detached from the handle 12. In this embodiment, a cut-out 174 is formed in the external periphery 176 of the cap 166 to define a recess 178 into which a user can insert a tip of a finger to rotate the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162. The bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162 comprises a recessed portion 180 which aligns with the recess of the cap 166 when the cap 166 is in a first position relative to the fluid reservoir 162, as illustrated in Figure 9, to further facilitate the user movement of the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162.

The cap 166 comprises a first fluid port 182 and a second fluid port 184 spaced from the first fluid port 182. When the cap 166 is in the first position relative to the fluid reservoir 162, the fluid inlet 164 of the fluid reservoir 162 is exposed by the first fluid port 182 to enable the user to replenish the fluid reservoir 162 through the fluid inlet 164, and the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 162 is occluded by the cap 166. Once the fluid reservoir 162 has been filled by the user, the user rotates the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162, for example by gripping the fluid reservoir 162 in one hand and rotating the cap 166 with the tip of a finger of the other hand, to a second position, illustrated in Figure 10. In this second position of the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162, the fluid inlet 164 of the fluid reservoir 162 is occluded by the cap 166, and the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 162 is exposed by the second fluid port 184.

The cleaning tool 160 can then be connected to the handle 12, in a similar manner to the connection of the cleaning tool 14 to the handle 12, so that the working fluid can be drawn from the fluid reservoir 162 by the pump 48.

Claims

1. A dental cleaning appliance comprising:

2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein the cap is rotatable relative to the fluid reservoir.

3. An appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the cap is annular is shape.

4. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid reservoir comprises an external wall in which the fluid inlet is formed, and the cap is located adjacent to the external wall of the fluid reservoir.

5. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap is arranged to inhibit the leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet when the cap is in its second position.

6. An appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap comprises a second fluid port, and the fluid reservoir comprises a fluid outlet which is exposed by the second fluid port when the cap is in the second position.

7. An appliance according to claim 6, wherein the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir is occluded by the cap when the cap is in the first position.

8. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the cap is arranged to inhibit the leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet when the cap is in its first position.

9. An appliance according to any preceding claim, comprising a handle and a stem extending between the nozzle and the handle, and wherein the fluid reservoir is mounted on the stem.

10. An appliance according to claim 9, wherein the fluid reservoir extends at least partially about the stem.

11. An appliance according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the fluid reservoir surrounds the stem.

12. An appliance according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the cap is mounted on the stem.

13. An appliance according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the cap is moveable relative to the stem.

14. An appliance according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the cap is mounted on at or towards an end of the stem.

15. An appliance according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the stem comprises a connecting member for connecting the stem to the handle, and wherein the cap is mounted on the connecting member.

16. An appliance according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the stem is detachably connected to the handle.

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

18. A cleaning tool according to claim 17, wherein the cap is rotatable relative to the fluid reservoir.

19. A cleaning tool according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the cap is annular is shape.

20. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 17 to 19, wherein the fluid reservoir comprises an external wall in which the fluid inlet is formed, and the cap is located adjacent to the external wall of the fluid reservoir.

21. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the cap is arranged to inhibit the leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet when the cap is in its second position.

22. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 17 to 21, wherein the cap comprises a second fluid port, and the fluid reservoir comprises a fluid outlet which is exposed by the second fluid port when the cap is in the second position.

23. A cleaning tool according to claim 22, wherein the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir is occluded by the cap when the cap is in the first position.

24. A cleaning tool according to claim 23, wherein the cap is arranged to inhibit the leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet when the cap is in its first position.

5

25. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 17 to 24, comprising a stem, and wherein the fluid reservoir is mounted on the stem.

26. A cleaning tool according to claim 25, wherein the fluid reservoir extends at least partially about the stem.

27. A cleaning tool according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein the fluid reservoir surrounds the stem.

28. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the cap is mounted 15 on the stem.

29. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 25 to 28, wherein the cap is moveable relative to the stem.

20

30. A cleaning tool according to any of claims 25 to 29, wherein the cap is mounted at or towards an end of the stem.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: Claims searched: