US3618596A

US3618596A - Oral hygiene device

Info

Publication number: US3618596A
Application number: US880323A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lester F Miller
Original assignee: Sperry Rand Corp
Current assignee: Sperry Corp
Priority date: 1969-11-26
Filing date: 1969-11-26
Publication date: 1971-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-09

Abstract

An oral hygiene device for cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums including a brush member and a fluid discharge member having a nozzle wherein both members can be used separately or in combination. The brush member is pivotally connected to a handle for movement between a first position adjacent the nozzle and a second position wherein the brush is disposed adjacent the handle.

Description

United States Patent i l 1 I 1,626,310 4/1927 Tipton 132/84 A 2,000,910 5/1935 Appel et a1. 401/284 X 2,005,729 6/1935 Doyle 401/284 X 2,491,207 12/1949 Preble et a1. 132/84 B 2,986,766 6/1961 Landis 401/284 X 3,273,189 9/1966 Levinson et al... 128/62 A X 3,465,751 9/1969 Powers 128/229 X Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorneys-Charles R. Miranda and Burtsell J. Kearns ABSTRACT: An oral hygiene device for cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums including a brush member and a fluid discharge member having a nozzle wherein both members can be used separately or in combination. The brush member is pivotally connected to a handle for movement between a first position adjacent the nozzle and a second position wherein the brush is disposed adjacent the handle.

ORAL HYGIENE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to new and useful improvements in oral hygiene devices and more particularly to such devices having a brush means and a fluid discharge means.

Oral hygiene devices that include an elongated tube having a discharge nonle at one end thereof to direct fluid against the gums and interdental areas of the mouth are well known. This fluid discharge device can be used to either pulsate fluid onto the gums or to provide a continuous flow of fluid into the mouth. A pulsation of fluid onto the gums at selected frequencies will periodically deflect the gum tissue thereby stimulating the blood circulation within the gums much the same as a massage. A continuous nonpulsating discharge of fluid can be used for general mouthwashing purposes such as gargling or rinsing the teeth and gums.

It is also known to combine a fluid discharge device with a toothbrush to permit a discharge of fluid into the mouth dur-. ing brushing of the teeth. As the toothbrush member cleans the teeth the fluid output from the discharge member concurrently massages the gums or rinses the mouth and teeth. A fluid discharge member which delivers pulsations of fluid can also be used to remove food particles that adhere to the teeth and to clean the teeth. It will be appreciated that when brush means and fluid discharge means are combined in one device for dual functioning thereof the beneficial effects of each means can be achieved simultaneously.

In certain oral hygiene devices having this dual function the brush member and fluid discharge member are inseparably combined whereby the respectivev members can be used together or the brush can be used without an accompanying discharge of fluid. However, due to the integral combination of components the user cannot disassociate the brush from the fluid discharge member for separate use of the discharge member. This is an inconvenience especially when a particle of food or other material is wedged between the teeth so as to be inaccessible to the bristles of the toothbrush. Under these conditions a fluid discharge member disassociated from a brush is capable of being easily manipulated near the particle to dislodge it from the teeth with a discharge of fluid.

In other dual function oral hygiene devices a toothbrush is detachably combined with a fluid discharge member. However, under the known arrangement the brush must be physically removed from the device in order to permit separate use of the discharge member. The necessity to remove and reattach the brush member is an inconvenience especially when the brushing and fluid discharge functions are being used in combination and it is desired to momentarily use the fluid discharge member separately. Unless the brushing or fluid discharge components can be readily associated and disassociated the user will often neglect to take advantage of the provision for separate use of the fluid discharge member.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel oral hygiene device.

Another object is to provide a novel oral hygiene device having a brush means combined with a fluid discharge means.

Another object is to provide a novel oral hygiene device wherein novel means are provided for combining the brush means with the fluid discharge means whereby the latter can be used separately or in combination.

A further object is to provide a novel oral hygiene device wherein the brush means is pivotally connected to a fluid discharge means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a novel oral hygiene device comprising a brush means and a fluid discharge means including a nozzle at the discharge end thereof. In one embodiment the brush member is pivotally connected to the fluid discharge member for movement in one direction to a first the user to place only the fluid discharge means into the mouth.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present I invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the Drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front view, partly shown in section, of an oral hygiene device which incorporates one embodiment of the present invention and shows the brush means positioned for use adjacent the nozzle of the fluid discharge means;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the brush member positioned away from the fluid discharge nozzle;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the device as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. I; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawing for more detailed description of the present invention, an oral hygiene device incorporating an embodiment thereof is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1. Oral hygiene device 10 (FIG. 1) includes a fluid discharge means 11 and a brush means 12 associated with a handle 13.

Handle 13 (FIG. 1) is made from any suitable material such as polystyrene or polypropylene and is formed with substantially parallel forward and

rear end portions

14 and 15 and an intermediate portion 16 which is inclined to both of said

end portions

14 and 15.

Fluid discharge means 11 (FIG. 1) includes a borelike passageway 17 in handle 13 extending longitudinally thereof between forward and

rear end walls

18 and 19 respectively (FIG. 2). The fluid discharge means further includes an elongated tubular conduit 20 (FIG. 2) provided with an input end 21 of reduced diameter that is inserted in the opening of passageway 17 at forward end wall 18 of handle 13 and secured thereto in any suitable manner such as by a suitable adhesive. In a similar manner a fluid input extension conduit 22 (FIG. 2) having an output end 23 of reduced diameter is inserted into passageway 17 at rear end wall 19 of said handle and secured thereto. Conduit 20 further includes a nozzle 24 (FIG. 2) provided at the discharge end thereof and which nozzle 24 is bent approximately with respect to the longitudinal axis of conduit 20.

Brush means 12 (FIG. 2) comprises a stem 25 made from any suitable material such as polystyrene or polypropylene and includes a bristle mounting surface 26 at the forward end thereof with bristle tufts 27 provided thereon. An opening 28 (FIG. I) is provided in bristle mounting surface 26 and extends through to the opposite surface 29 of stem 25.

Fluid-deflecting means for purposes to be hereinafter explained is provided at opening 28 on bristle mounting surface 26 and comprise a hollow cap member 30 (FIG. I) which supports a bristle tuft 27a. Cap 30 includes a floor 3i (FIGA) and fluid outlet holes 32 and 33 (FIG. 2) provided in spaced sidewalls 34 and 35 (FIG. 2) thereof.

As mentioned it is an object of this invention to provide a novel oral hygiene device wherein a brush means is pivotally connected for movement with respect to a fluid discharge means. To this end a hinge means 48 (FIGS. 2 and 5) is provided to interconnect handle 13 to brush l2. Hinge means 48 (FIG. 5) comprises a pair of spaced pivot projections 36 and 37 (FIGS. 3 and 5) formed on handle 13 at forward end wall 18 and a boss 38 formed on end 39 of stem 25 inserted between the

spaced projections

36 and 37. A pivot pin 40 (FIGS. 3 and extends through the interengaged boss 38 and

pivot projections

36 and 37 to permit pivotal movement of stem 25 with respect to handle 13 toward or away from discharge nozzle 24 (FIG. 2).

Restraining means for holding brush 12 in position adjacent to nozzle 24 comprise a U-shaped groove 41 (FIG. 3) provided on surface 29 of stem 25 near opening 28. Groove 41 (FIG. 3) comprises spaced

resilient sidewalls

42 and 43 which sidewalls have slightly concave inner surfaces 44 and 45 (FIG. 4) for clasping engagement with the outer surface of conduit 20. I

In using the combined brushing the fluid discharge functions of oral hygiene device extension conduit 22 (FIG. 1) of fluid discharge means 11 is connected in any suitable manner, such as by a flexible junction tube 46 (FIG. 1) to a supply of pulsating or continuously flowing fluid. Brush 12 is then pivotally moved about hinge 48 to a first limit position adjacent nozzle 24 (FIGS. 1 and 4) wherein resilient sidewalls 42 and 43 (FIG. 4) engages and clasp against the outer surface of conduit thereby holding brush 12 in position adjacent noule 24. With the brush thus held in place (FIG. 1) nozzle 24 is in communication with opening 28 in stem and fluid entering tube 46 passes through extension conduit 22 into passageway 17 (FIG. 1) of handle 13 for delivery to conduit 20 where the fluid is discharged trough nozzle 24. The discharged fluid enters cap 30 (FIG. 1) impinging against floor 31 and exits through

outlet holes

32 and 33 for dispersion through bristle tufts 27. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, outlet holes 32 and 33 (FIG. 1) can be oriented to obtain any desired direction of fluid efflux from cap 30.

If desired, the brush means 12 can also be used in the first limit position for brushing purposes only without any accompanying discharge of fluid from the fluid discharge means I] merely by shutting off or otherwise disconnecting tube 46 from the fluid source.

When it is desired to use discharge means 11 without brush 12 the brush is rotated about hinge 48 to a second limit position, (FIG. 2) wherein bristles 27 are positioned adjacent portion 15 of handle 13 so that stem 25 contacts a bottoming surface 47 of handle end portion 14. In this second limit position (FIG. 2) the user holds brush means 12 against bottoming surface 47 of handle 13 as he manipulates fluid discharge means 11 in the mouth. Although brush 12 has been disclosed as the pivotally rotatable member it will be understood by those skilled in the art that pivotal means can be provided for pivotally moving the fluid discharge means into selected positions with respect to a fixed brush means.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the advantages of the novel oral hygiene device 10 includes among other advantages the provision of a brush means 12 which can be rotated about hinge 48 into or out of position adjacent nozzle 24 of a fluid discharge means to permit separate or combined use of said means. A further advantage is that the brush and fluid means remain intact with device 10 regardless of whether the combined or separate functions of brushing and fluid discharge are being used. In addition there is no need to detach or otherwise remove the brush means from the oral hygiene device and the user can conveniently change back and forth from combined use of the brush and fluid discharge means to individual use thereof.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the design and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is 1. An oral hygiene device comprising,

a. fluid discharge means having a fluid outlet portion,

b. brush means, and

c. means pivotally interconnecting said brush means to said fluid discharge means to permit rotational movement of said brush means relative to said fluid discharge means for rotating said brush means to a first limit position whereat said brush means and said fluid outlet portion are disposed adjacent one another and to a second position whereat said brush means and fluid outlet portion are spaced away from one another to facilitate independent use of said fluid outlet portion for oral hygiene purposes.

d. said brush means including a stem having a first surface with bristles provided thereon and a second surface opposite to said first surface and having a through opening extending from said first surface to said second surface, and said fluid discharge means including an elongated conduit having a discharge nozzle at one end in communication with said opening when said brush member is pivotally rotated to said first limit position.

2. The oral hygiene devices of claim I wherein said interconnecting means comprise hinge means.

3. The oral hygiene device of claim 2 wherein said fluid discharge means include a support member and said brush means include a stem, said hinge means comprising a stationary bearing portion provided on said support member and means connecting one end of said stem to said stationary bearing portion to permit said pivotal movement of said brush means relative to said discharge means.

4. The oral hygiene device of claim 3 wherein said bearing portion includes a boss and said means connecting said stem to said bearing portion includes a pair of spaced projections at one end of said stem interengaged with said boss, and a pivot pin extending through said boss and spaced projections to permit said pivotal movement of said brush means with respect to said fluid discharge means.

5. The oral hygiene device of claim 1 wherein said brush member includes a cap formed over said through opening on said first surface for receiving fluid from said nozzle, said cap having outlet holes and an inner surface for deflecting said received fluid through said outlet holes to said bristles.

6. An oral hygiene device comprising,

a. a handle,

b. fluid discharge means secured to said handle and having fluid outlet portion,

c. brush means including bristles, and

d. means interconnecting said brush means to said handle for pivotal movement of said brush member between a first limit position and a second limit position, said first position being a position whereat said brush member is disposed adjacent said fluid outlet portion to facilitate use of said brush means and said fluid discharge means together for oral hygiene purposes, and a second limit position being a position whereat said brush member is spaced away from said fluid outlet portion to facilitate independent use of said fluid discharge means for oral hygiene purposes.

7. An oral hygiene device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said handle comprises an elongated member having a pair of spaced and substantially parallel opposite end portions joined by an intermediate portion inclined to both end portions, and wherein said bristles of said brush means are disposed adjacent said handle in an area defined by one of said end portions of said handle and said intermediate portion when said brush member is pivotally moved to said second limit position.

8. An oral hygiene device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said interconnecting means comprise a hinge, connecting said brush means to said handle, said hinge including a bearing portion on said handle said brush means including pivot means mounted in said bearing portion to permit movement of said brush means relative to said discharge means.

9. The oral hygiene device of claim 6 wherein said fluid discharge means includes an elongated conduit extending from said handle, said brush means including a stem member. said combination further including restraining means on said stem for maintaining said stem adjacent said fluid outlet porouter surface of said fluid discharge conduit when said brush 5 means is pivotally moved to said first limit position to maintain said brush means in said position.

11. An oral hygiene device as claimed in claim wherein said stem is provided with a through opening extending from said first surface to said second surface and said fluid discharge means comprises a conduit having a discharge nozzle at one end in communication with said opening when said brush means is pivotally rotated to aid first position, further including a cap formed over said through opening on said first surface for receiving fluid from said nozzle, said cap having outlet holes and an inner surface for deflecting said received fluid through said outlet holes to said bristles.

' s a -r a: m

Claims

1. An oral hygiene device comprising, a. fluid discharge means having a fluid outlet portion, b. brush means, and c. means pivotally interconnecting said brush means to said fluid discharge means to permit rotational movement of said brush means relative to said fluid discharge means for rotating said brush means to a first limit position whereat said brush means and said fluid outlet portion are disposed adjacent one another and to a second position whereat said brush means and fluid outlet portion are spaced away from one another to facilitate independent use of said fluid outlet portion for oral hygiene purposes. d. said brush means including a stem having a first surface with bristles provided thereon and a second surface opposite to said first surface and having a through opening extending from said first surface to said second surface, and said fluid discharge means including an elongated conduit having a discharge nozzle at one end in communication with said opening when said brush member is pivotally rotated to said first limit position.

2. The oral hygiene devices of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means comprise hinge means.

6. An oral hygiene device comprising, a. a handle, b. fluid discharge means secured to said handle and having a fluid outlet portion, c. brush means including bristles, and d. means interconnecting said brush means to said handle for pivotal movement of said brush member between a first limit position and a second limit position, said first position being a position whereat said brush member is disposed adjacent said fluid outlet portion to facilitate use of said brush means and said fluid discharge means together for oral hygiene purposes, and a second limit position being a position whereat said brush member is spaced away from said fluid outlet portion to facilitate independent use of said fluid discharge means for oral hygiene purposes.

9. The oral hygiene device of claim 6 wherein said fluid discharge means includes an elongated conduit extending from said handle, said brush means including a stem member, said combination further including restraining means on said stem for maintaining said stem adjacent said fluid outlet portion when said stem is pivotally moved to said first limit position.

10. An oral hygiene device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said stem has a first surface with bristles provided thereon and a second surface opposite to said first surface, said restraining means including a clasp provided on said second surface said clasp having spaced resilient sidewalls adapted to grip the outer surface of said fluid discharge conduit when said brush means is pivotally moved to said first limit position to maintain said brush means in said position.

11. An oral hygiene device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stem is provided with a through opening extending from said first surface to said second surface and said fluid discharge means comprises a conduit having a discharge nozzle at one end in communication with said opening when said brush means is pivotally rotated to said first limit position, said brush means further including a cap formed over said through opening on said first surface for receiving fluid from said nozzle, said cap having outlet holes and an inner surface for deflecting said received fluid through said outlet holes to said bristles.