CARTRIDGE RETAINER OF TIPS FOR INTERPROXIMAL DENTAL CLEANING AND TIP FOR DENTAL CLEANING INTERPROXIMA
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to storage containers, and more particularly to a cartridge for retaining one or more tips for interproximal tooth cleaning, to be used in conjunction with an interproximal tooth cleaning device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Interproximal dental cleaning devices use a tip as the cleaning element. The interproximal tooth cleaning tip needs to be replaced periodically. It would be convenient and desirable to develop a retainer cartridge capable of retaining one or more tips for interproximal tooth cleaning. This allows a user of the interproximal tooth cleaning device to have a supply, readily available, of new tips for interproximal cleaning. It would also be desirable to have a structure in the retainer cartridge, to assist in removing the tip of the dental cleaning device.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The dental cleaning tip retainer cartridge of the present invention includes several unique features that overcome the disadvantages described above. In one embodiment, the dental cleaning cartridge includes one, two, or more internal storage rails, which have a base for supporting the rail (s) vertically on a support surface. A housing surrounds the storage rail (s), and provides general protection for the rails, and includes a slit in a front portion to allow access to each rail. The housing also includes a slit for removal of the tips, formed on the upper side of the housing. The slit for removal of tips facilitates the removal of a tip for dental cleaning of the housing. The slit for removal of tips facilitates the removal of a tip for dental cleaning, of the interproximal dental cleaning device. Each storage rail includes a longitudinally oriented cavity, having side walls that define a shape that receives, in a narrow form, individual dental cleaning tips, for storage and access. The shape of the cavity of the storage rail holds in a secure way, the tip for dental cleaning,
until the end of the dental cleaning device is inserted into the tip for dental cleaning. The dental cleaning tip is removed after the storage rail by moving the cleaning device, since the connection between the cleaning device and the tip is stronger than the connection between the tip and the cavity of the storage rail. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for removing a tooth cleaning tip from the oscillating arm of an interproximal cleaning device. The method includes the following steps: inserting the tip and oscillating arm into a slot having a wide end and a narrow end; moving the tip and swingarm from the wide end of the slit, to the narrow end; and extract the oscillating arm from the slit. Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for removing a tooth cleaning tip from the end of an axle. The method includes the following steps: providing a tooth cleaning tip having an open end and connected, so that it can be removed, to the end of the shaft; and expand the open end to disconnect the tip from the end of the shaft. The characteristics, utilities and advantages
Precedents of the invention, as well as others, will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a finger cleaning cartridge for dental cleaning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which includes the storage rails, the housing, and the recess for removal; Figure 2 is a bottom, perspective view of a finger cleaning cartridge for dental cleaning, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is an exploded view of a dental tip retaining cartridge, and dental cleaning tips, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is an exploded view of an internal storage rail, and tips for dental cleaning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the
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tooth cleaning retainer cartridge, taken along line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a sectional view of the tooth cleaning retainer cartridge, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the external housing of Figure 3, showing the slit for removal of tips, and internal reinforcements; Figure 8 is a front elevational view of the external housing of Figure 3, showing the slits allowing access to the storage rails; Figure 9 is a top plan view of the external housing of Figure 3, showing the slit for removal of tips; Figure 10 is a sectional view of the external housing, taken along line 10-10 of Figure 7; Figure 11 is a sectional view of the external housing, taken along the line 11-11 of Figure 7; Figure 12 is a sectional view of the external housing, taken along line 12-12 of Figure 8; Figure 13 is a sectional view of the
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external housing, taken along line 13-13 of Figure 9; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a dental cleaning device, with the dental cleaning tip partially inserted in the rounded end portion, of the removal groove, at the upper end of the tooth cleaning retainer cartridge; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a dental cleaning device, with the dental cleaning tip fully inserted in the rounded end portion, of the removal groove, at the upper end of the tooth cleaning retainer cartridge; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a dental cleaning device, with the end slid along the removal groove, to the narrow portion of the removal groove, showing the movement of the dental cleaning device while removing a tooth tip for dental cleaning, of the device; Figure 17 is a perspective view of a device for dental cleaning, after removing the device from the slit for removal, and after removing the tip for dental cleaning, from the device for dental cleaning;
Figure 18 is a sectional view of the tooth cleaning device, and the tooth cleaning tip, taken along line 18-18 of Figure 15; Figure 19 is a cross-sectional view, representative, of the tooth cleaning device and the tooth cleaning tip, in an intermediate position with respect to Figures 15 and 16; Figure 20 is a sectional view of the tooth cleaning device, and the tooth cleaning tip, taken along line 20-20 of Figure 16; Figure 21 is a sectional view of the tooth cleaning device and the tooth cleaning tip, taken along line 21-21 of Figure 17; Figure 22 is a bottom view of the storage rail of Figure 4; Figure 23 is a rear view of the storage rail of Figure 4; Figure 24 is a top view of the storage rail of Figure 4; Figure 25 is a sectional view of the retainer cavity formed in one of the storage rails, taken along line 25-25 of Figure 23, showing a tip for dental cleaning, with
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dotted lines; Figure 26 is a perspective view of a retainer cartridge for dental cleaning tips, a single rail, and tips for dental cleaning; and, Figure 27 is a sectional view of the single-rail dental cleaning retainer cartridge, taken along line 27-27 of Figure 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A typical retainer cartridge of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1-13. The cartridge generally includes an external housing, at least one internal storage rail, and a slit for the removal of tips for dental cleaning. The tips for dental cleaning, replacement, are secured, in a releasable way, on the storage rails. The storage rails are inserted, so that they can be removed, in the external housing. The storage rails and the outer housing have a cross-sectional shape that ensures access to the upper portions of the replacement tips from the front of the outer housing. The front part of the outer housing includes holes that allow a
User has access to the tips for replacement dental cleaning, with the upper end of the device for cleaning. An external housing, typical, has an upper end that includes a slit for removal, and an open lower end. During use, a user inserts the dental cleaning device, with the dental cleaning tip into the removal slot, in order to remove the used tooth cleaning tip. The used tip exits the cartridge through the hole that is on the lower end of the outer housing. Figures 1-13 show a possible mode for a retainer cartridge, which can be used to retain a supply of tips for interproximal tooth cleaning. Figures 1-2 show perspective views of the upper and lower ends of the retainer cartridge 10. The retainer cartridge 10 has an external housing 36 with an open lower end 38 and a closed upper end 40 forming a slit 42 therein. The slit 42 includes a means for removing the tooth cleaning tip 12 from the dental cleaning device 124. The open lower end 38 allows the spent dental cleaning tip to come out of the retaining cartridge 10. The open lower end 38 also allows a medium for the removal and replacement of the rail
internal storage 80, which, as shown, includes a two-rail structure. The retainer cartridge 10 also has two longitudinal slits 52 on its front side 54 to allow access to the replacement teeth cleaning tips 12 retained on the storage rail 80. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the retainer cartridge 10 that can to be used to retain a supply of interproximal teeth cleaning tips 12. As shown, this preferred retainer cartridge 10 has two basic components, an outer housing 36 and an internal storage rail 80. In this embodiment, the rail internal storage 80 is shown with a bottom or base 82 from which extend two rails or parallel rails 84 each of which can retain a row of tips for interproximal tooth cleaning 12, shown in Figure 4. In view of this description, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would be possible to develop cartridge storage rails, to store a or, two, three or more rows of tips for interproximal dental cleaning. However, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two rows of teeth cleaning tips are included. Two rows of tips for dental cleaning are preferred because they can be contained in a retainer cartridge that
it is optimally sized to be operated by the user. In addition, a two-rails retainer cartridge occupies a minimum space in a counter. The open lower end 38 of the outer housing 5 includes detents or cavities 56 on its inner collar 58 which engages the projections 86 on the outside of the base 82 of the internal storage rail 80 to secure, removably, the rail. internal storage 80 inside the external housing 36. In other
modes, the outer housing may have projections that engage with detents formed in the inner collar of the base of the internal storage rail. The external housing serves to contain and protect the tips for dental cleaning, replacement, as well as to provide
an aesthetic appearance to the consumer. Figure 4 shows that the replacement teeth, 12, are inserted into the rails or rails 84 of the internal storage rail 80, inserting the tips through the upper ends.
open 88 of the internal storage rail 80. The internal storage rails or rails 84 are configured to removably secure the dental cleaning tips 12 within the storage rail 80, as described in greater detail below. 25 The external housing 36 of the cartridge
retainer 10 is observed, in the best form, in Figures 7-13. Figure 7 shows a bottom view of the external housing 36; Figure 8 shows a front view of the external housing 36, and Figure 9 shows a top view of the external housing 36. The lower portion 38 of the external housing 36 is typically open to facilitate insertion of the internal storage rail 80 after it has been loaded with teeth cleaning tips 12. As can be seen, in the best form, in Figures 3, 4, and 13, the lower part 38 of the outer housing 36 has a retainer 56 that engages a cap or pressure 86 on the internal storage rail 80 to secure the internal storage rail 80 in the outer housing 36 and still allow the removal and replacement of the internal storage rail 80. In the preferred embodiment, the retainer 56 and the plug 86 are engaged, so that they can be released, in a pressure adjustment arrangement. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the entire lower end 38 of the outer housing 36 is open, but other configurations that partially close the bottom part are possible. As shown in Figure 8, the front 54 of the outer housing 36 has two elongated, relatively narrow holes 52. These holes are dimensioned such that the tip end
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interproximal cleaning device 124 (not shown) can achieve access to the interproximal teeth cleaning tips 12 retained in the internal storage rail 80. The other sides of the external housing 36 have external shapes similar to the front, but have no orifice. The attachment of an interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 to the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124 is more fully explained in the United States Patent Application Serial Number 09 / 636,488, entitled MECHANISM ACTUATOR FOR INTERPROXIMAL DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE. , filed on August 11, 2000, which is owned by the same assignee of the present Application and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Figure 9 shows the upper part 40 of the external housing 36. The upper part 40 has a groove 42 formed, preferably the groove 42 which is placed towards the center of the upper part 40. The groove 42 is specially formed to facilitate the removal of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 of the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124. The slit 42 is designed with the first end 44, the second end 46, and the intermediate length 48. The first end 44 is wider than the intermediate length 48 and than the second end 46. Preferably, the first end 44
is circular, with a sufficient diameter for the insertion of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12, while the tip 12 is attached to the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124 (see Figure 14). However, the first end 44 could have any geometric configuration. In one embodiment, the edges 50 of the slit 42 at the first end 44 are designed with an inward slope, which facilitates and guides, in addition, the insertion of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 towards the first end 44. The slit 42 tapers from the first larger end 44 to the intermediate length of smaller dimensions 48 and the second end 46 to facilitate removal of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 of the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124, as described in more detail below . As can be seen, in the best form, in Figures 1, 3, and 9, the preferred embodiment of the external housing 36 has a generally triangular shape. This design is, in part, to facilitate manipulation by the user, since it is designed for easy manual attachment. The design also prevents the retainer cartridge 10 from rotating from the other sides on the front 54, which is the place where the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 124 is exposed through the slits of the tooth.
access 52. This helps reduce opportunities for tips to become contaminated. However, any configuration is possible, be it square, rectangular, circular, and so on. As best seen in Figures 7 and 10-12, the inner side walls 62 of the outer housing 36 and the inner top wall 64 of the outer housing 36, contain projections 66. The projections 66 provide guides and support for the internal storage rail. 80. These protrusions 66 provide support and align the internal storage rail 80 within the outer housing 36 to cause the interproximal tooth cleaning tips 12, held by the internal storage rail 80, to align with the holes 52 in the slit. access, in the front portion 54 of the outer housing 36. These projections 66 cooperate with the aforementioned retainer 56 and depression 86, to ensure proper orientation of the internal storage rail 80 in the outer housing 36. A tooth cleaning tip includes a cylindrical cup portion with a cleaning element extending therefrom. The cup portion defines a cavity of open ends, which has an end collar. The cup portion includes a connection structure to secure the tip for dental cleaning, to the upper end
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of an oscillating arm of the device for dental cleaning. The connection structure of the tip includes cavities in the interior walls of the cup portion. The cavities are attached to closure members on the upper end of the oscillating arm, to secure, removably, the tip to the oscillating arm of the dental cleaning device (see Figures 18-21). The tooth cleaning tip can be removed from the upper end of the oscillating arm, by pulling the cavities of the cup portion, above the closing members of the swing arm, thereby uncoupling the dental cleaning tip from the upper end of the oscillating arm. . This can be done manually, with a tool, such as tweezers, or through the tip removal slot, shown in Figures 14-21. As described above, a tip removal groove for removing teeth cleaning tips from a dental cleaning device is formed at the upper end of the outer housing. Figures 14-17 illustrate the removal of the tooth cleaning tip 12 of the tooth cleaning device 124, using the tip removal groove 42, on the upper end 40 of the outer housing 36. To remove the tooth cleaning tip 12 from the dental cleaning device 124, cleaning tip
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12 and the upper end 128 of the oscillating arm 126 of the dental cleaning device are first inserted into the hole of the first rounded end 44 of the slit 42 for removal of tips (see Figures 14 and 15). Subsequently, as illustrated in Figure 16, the tooth cleaning tip 12 and the upper end 128 of the swing arm 126 are directed along the intermediate length 48 of the slit 42 for removal of tips, toward the second end 46 of the slit 42. Finally, the upper end 128 of the oscillating arm 124 of the dental cleaning device 124 is extracted from the slit 42 for removal of tips. The tooth cleaning tip 12 is removed from the oscillating arm 126 during the movement illustrated in Figure 16. The removed tooth cleaning tip, 12, exits the outer housing 36 through the open lower end 38. Figures 18-21 provide sectional views of the slit 42 for removal of tips, and illustrate the manner in which the slit 42 for removal of tips, causes removal of the tooth cleaning tip 12 from the upper end 128 of the arm cleaning device 124 oscillating 126. In Figure 18, a sectional view of the slit 42 for removal of tips, and the tip for dental cleaning 12, taken along line 18-18 of
Figure 14 illustrates the initial position of the tooth cleaning tip 12 within the slit 42 for removal of tips. The tooth cleaning tip 12 is inserted into the slit 42 for removal of tips, such that the collar 16 of the cup portion 14 rests on the inner surface 68 of the outer housing 36 below the slit 42 for removal of tips. , and the upper end 72 of the crown 70 of the tip, rests on the outer surface 74 of the external housing 36 above the slit 42 for removal of tips. The inner surface 51 of the tip removal slit 42 is inclined in a downward direction, from the hole of the first rounded end 44, of the slit 42, to the second end 46 of the slit 42, causing the section dimension cross section of the slit 42 is increased (see Figures 14 and 18-21). As the tooth cleaning device 124 and the tooth cleaning tip 12 are directed along the slit 42 for removal of tips, from the hole of the first rounded end 44, of the slit 42, to the second end 46 of the slit 42, as illustrated in Figures 14-16 and 18-20, the upper end 72 of the crown 70 of the tip, moves along the outer surface 74 of the outer housing 36 above the slot 42 for
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tip removal. At the same time, the inclined inner surface 68 of the external housing 36, below the tip removal groove 42, presses against the upper surface 18 of the collar 16. When the slope is increased, the inclined inner surface 51 pushes on the surface 18 of the collar 16 for forcing the tooth cleaning tip 12 to slide towards the upper end 128 of the swing arm 126 (which is pointed downwards in this orientation). The tooth cleaning tip 12 will be fully disengaged from the oscillating arm 126 and the dental cleaning device 124 when the closing cavities 28 of the dental cleaning tip are forced to a position below the closing members 130 of the swing arm 126, thereby decoupling tooth cleaning tip 12 from oscillating arm 126 (see Figures 18-20). This is achieved by the side walls of the cup portion, which cause a deflection, flexible or elastic, outwardly. The tip removal process is completed by removing the oscillating arm 126 of the dental cleaning device 124 from the slit 42 for removal of tips. The decoupled tip 12 will come out of the open lower end 38 of the outer housing 36 of the retainer cartridge 10 of tips for dental cleaning 12. The automatic removal of the tip for
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tooth cleaning 12 of the end 38 of the device 124, is a convenience to allow the user to easily replace the tips 12 by sliding the upper end 128 of the swing arm 126 along the slit 42, removing the tip member 12 and easily replacing the tip 12 simply by inserting the upper end 128 of the swing arm 126 into the new tooth cleaning tip 12 stored in the storage device. The internal storage rail 80, as shown in Figures 3-4 and 22-24, has a lower part or base 82. The lower part 82 generally has a shape to press fit into the lower part 38 of the interior. external housing 36 (Figures 3 and 6). The lower part 82 has plugs or depressions 86 on two sides, for coupling with corresponding detents 56 on the inner wall 78 in the lower collar 76 of the external housing 36 (Figure 3), as explained above. Preferably, the top face 92 has a grooved orifice 94 (Figure 5) to allow the interproximal tooth cleaning tips 12 that have been removed using the slit 42 (Figure 9) to exit the bottom 38 of the retainer cartridge 10. preferred of the internal storage rail 80 has two rails or rails 84 extending, preferably, in a parallel manner one with
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with respect to the other, from the base 82. In general, the rails 84 retain one or more tips for interproximal tooth cleaning 12, as will be explained more fully later. The rails 84 are designed such that when the depressions 86 in the lower part, engage the detents 56 in the lower part 38 of the external housing 36, the rails 84 of the internal storage rail engage the projections 66 towards the upper part of the inner side walls 62 of the external housing 36 and along the inner side of the upper part of the external housing 36. As can be seen in Figures 5, 24 and 25, the shape of the rails 84 of the internal storage rail 80 is the same general shape of the interproximal teeth cleaning tips 12 shown in Figure 4. In other words, the rails 84 have a narrow lower portion 96 for receiving the tooth cleaning element 12, the flange portion 98, and the cylindrical or conical wall-shaped portion 100 for receiving the connecting portion 26 of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12. The rim 98 of the rail engages the projections 66 that are attached they enter the side walls 62 of the outer housing 36 to help stabilize the storage rail 80 in the housing 36. The flange 98 rests on the projection 66 to provide alignment, such that the tips for cleaning
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interproximal teeth 12 align with the access holes 52 of the slit 42, in the front part, as well as support, such that the tip end of the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124 can be inserted into the connecting portion 26. of the tips for interproximal dental cleaning 12. As shown in Figure 23, the rails 84 may have fixation brackets 102 spaced along the length to provide some rigidity. Each rail 84, as shown in Figures 5, 24 and 25, has an internal shape that conforms, in general, to the shape of the tips for interproximal tooth cleaning 12. The interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12, shown in FIG. generally in Figures 4 and 25, it has a narrow, dental cleaning element 30, which may or may not have an end 32 in the form of a generally disc or bulb, which is connected to a cup portion 14 in general conical or cylindrical The upper part of the cup portion 14 has a collar 16. Similarly, the rail shape has a first portion 96 or lower portion, generally narrow, that receives the tooth cleaning element 30, a second portion or intermediate portion 104 in wider overall, and a retaining groove 106 with a third portion generally cylindrical or conical in shape. The upper part of the rail 84 widens towards
outside, producing a shape capable of receiving the cup shape in general conical or cylindrical. The lower part 118 of the cup shape produces the flange 98 that lies on the projections 66, as described above. When the user inserts the receiving end of the dental cleaning device 124 into the new tip 12, the ridge of the tip 12 engages the rim 98 of the internal shape, to allow the tooth cleaning tip 12 to press into the dental cleaning device 124. The upper part 116 of the rail 84 has a groove 106 that receives the collar 16 in the base 20 of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12. The outer edge 108 of the groove 106 preferably slopes outwardly. from the bottom 110 of the slot 106 to form an inclined edge. The collar 16 of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 and the groove 106 engage and form a clasp that has sufficient force to prevent the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 from coming off the rail 84, if, for example, the retainer cartridge 10. of the tip for dental cleaning 12 is turned downwards. However, when the tip end of the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124 is inserted and engaged in the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12, the wall 108 of the inclined, angular outer groove, and the elasticity of the groove 106
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allows the slot 106 to open or bend (or expand) elastically and release the clasp on the tip for interproximal tooth cleaning 12 when the interproximal tooth cleaning device 124 with the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12, attached, is pulled from the retainer cartridge 10 for teeth cleaning 12. The collar 16 on the top 18 of the interproximal tooth cleaning tip 12 is similarly designed to flex when it is removed, to assist in the release of the retaining force. Although in the preferred embodiment the slot 106 and the collar 16 are designed to cooperate and release the clasp, it is possible to design the slot 106 on the internal storage rail 80 so that it has sufficient flexibility to release the clasp when the collar 16 has projections . Similarly, the collar 16 could be designed with sufficient flexibility to release the clasp when the slot 106 has projections. Note that although the rails 84 are preferably shown attached to the base 82 for use in conjunction with the outer housing 36 and the internal storage rail 80, it is possible to have individual rails, or even a plurality of rails, to retain the tips for dental cleaning interproximal 12 without the use of the external housing 36. Figures 26 and 27 illustrate a retainer cartridge 134 of a single rail. The individual rail 134 has the same shape
general than previously, shown in Figure 25, without a narrow lower portion 136, an outward widening to form a rim 138 and a shape capable of receiving the upper portion 140 in generally conical or cylindrical form, and a retention groove 142 The ends of the rail are sealed with a front plate 144. In an individual rail embodiment, the teeth cleaning tips 12 are inserted into the rail 134 from above, as shown in Figure 26. The rails employ the same means or similar means than the two-rail method, described above, to ensure, in such a manner that the tips for dental cleaning can be released, in the retainer cartridge. As mentioned above, the internal storage rails of the dental cleaning tip retainer cartridge must be capable of retaining any form of dental cleaning tip, sized to fit between the teeth. One embodiment of a tooth cleaning tip, sized to be housed between the teeth, is a tooth cleaning tip that includes a disk-shaped, rounded end to improve protection of the gum tissue in the area of use. . The disc-shaped tip extends in a relative vertical direction (the same direction as the movement of the tip and the interproximal space), and not in the direction
side. The tapered nature of the tip, is to provide access to the narrow interdental spaces (the wedge effect). The variable flexible characteristics along the length of the tip, provides the user control in the application force of the tip against the tooth and the gum. The length of the tip is to provide access to the full depth of the interdental space, measured from the outside of the gum (cheek) to the inside of the gum (side of the tongue). The tooth cleaning tip is an elongated member and includes a base portion, a central portion, and an end portion. The base portion is attached to a connector portion that is adapted to be removably attached to one end of the electrically operated dental cleaning device. U.S. Patent Application, Copending, Serial Number 09 / 444,043, filed November 19, 1999 and entitled "TIP FOR DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE; and the United States of America Patent Application, Copending, with Attorney's File Number 5422.02, and with Express Mail Label No. EL688766229US, filed simultaneously with the present Application, and titled TIP FOR DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE; provide additional details of the tip structures for cleaning
dental and are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Although the invention has been presented and described particularly with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that other changes in form and details should be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.
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