US3774256A

US3774256A - False teeth cleaner

Info

Publication number: US3774256A
Application number: US00177684A
Authority: US
Inventors: O Gauthier
Original assignee: Dento Inc
Current assignee: Dento Inc
Priority date: 1971-09-03
Filing date: 1971-09-03
Publication date: 1973-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-11-27
Also published as: DE2236495A1; JPS4833963A

Abstract

A power-operated appliance for cleaning a set of false teeth. A circular brush is rotatably mounted in the bottom of an open top receptacle for rotation about a vertical axis. A cover is adapted to close this receptacle and carries another circular brush rotatably mounted about a vertical axis coaxial with the vertical axis of the first brush. An electric motor drives through a transmission the two brushes in opposite direction, so as to clean a set of false teeth inserted between the two brushes. The transmission for the brush carried by the cover includes a telescopic shaft coaxial with the vertical cover pivot to allow lifting the cover and brush carried thereby off the receptacle and rotating the same to one side of the receptacle for uncovering the lower brush for the insertion of a set of false teeth. The receptacle is adapted to be filled with a cleaning liquid, which may be circulated through the receptacle. Locating means are provided to prevent rotation and displacement of the set of false teeth during cleaning.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Gauthier Nov. 27, 1973 FALSE TEETH CLEANER [75] Inventor: Oscar Gauthier, Ville de Brossard, Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: Dento Inc.,East Montreal, Quebec,

Canada 22 Filed: Sept. 3, 1971 211 App]. No.: 177,684

[57] ABSTRACT A power-operated appliance for cleaning a set of false teeth. A circular brush is rotatably mounted in the bottom of an open top receptacle for rotation about a vertical axis. A cover is adapted to close this receptacle and carries another circular brush rotatably mounted about a vertical axis coaxial with the vertical axis of the first brush. An electric motor drives through a transmission the two brushes in opposite direction, so as to clean a set of false teeth inserted between the two brushes. The transmission for the brush carried by the cover includes a telescopic shaft coaxial with the vertical cover pivot to allow lifting the cover and brush carried thereby off the receptacle and rotating the same to one side of the receptacle for uncover- [56] References Cited ing the lower brush .for the insertion of a set of false UNITED STATES PATENTS teeth. The receptacle is adapted to be filled with a 3,055,029 9/1962 Maetzold 15/21 R cleaning liquid, which y be circulated through the 3,149,358 9/1964 Ch db 15/2 R receptacle. Locating means are provided to prevent 3,439,370 4/1969 McLaughlin... 15/21 R X rotation and displacement of the set of false teeth dur- 3,564,636 2/1971 Tomer l5/l60 ing leaning 3,654,655 4/1972 Mitnick [5/21 A l 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Edward L; Roberts Att0meyPierre Lesperance 2S hhhhhhhhhh 01 IN VE N TOR Oscar GA u TH/ER BY W AGENT Patented Nov. .27, 1973 3,774,256

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 INVEN TOR Oscar GAUTH/ER BY Q AGFNT FALSE TEETH CLEANER The present invention relates to a power-operated appliance for cleaning a set of false teeth. Sets of false teeth are usually cleaned by means of a manuallyoperated brush. The operation is time-consuming, inesthetic and not always very effective.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide an appliance for cleaning a set of false teeth which is power operated and effectively cleans a set of false teeth in a very short time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power-operated appliance of the character described, so arranged that a set of false teeth is inserted into, and removed from, the appliance very easily and in a very fast manner.

Another object of the present invention relates to an appliance of the character described including a pair of opposed circular brushes which simultaneously clean opposite sides of the set of false teeth inserted therebetween.

Another object of the invention relates to an appliance of the character described, in which the opposed brushes rotate in opposite direction to keep to a minimum the resulting torque on the set of false teeth and thereby prevent damage to the same.

Another object of the invention relates to an appliance of the character described, which is provided with means to constantly circulate a cleaning liquid around the false teeth during brush cleaning thereof.

The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the following disclosure and by referring to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the appliance in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same, on a smaller scale;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through the appliance taken along line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a plan section taken along line 44 of FIG. 3, the upper brush being removed.

In the drawings, like reference characters indicate like elements throughout.

The appliance in accordance with the invention comprises a receptacle 1 supported by a base 2, being secured thereto, for instance, by bolts 3. Receptacle 1 defines a generally cylindrical cavity 4 open at the top, as indicated at 5. A cover 6 is adapted to close cavity 4. A first lower brush 7 is disposed within cavity 4 and is joumalled in a fluid-proof manner in the bottom 8 of receptacle 1 for rotation about a vertical axis. Brush 7 has a circular disc-like head 9, of flat shape, with upwardly directed bristles 10, the outer ends of which extend normally in a substantially flat common plane. A shaft 11 is screwed into, or otherwise removably secured, to the center of head 9 and is joumalled in the bottom 8 and extends into base 2, a pulley 12 being secured thereto.

and close to the free ends of the bristles of the lower brush 7 in the closed position of cover 6.

A conventional electric motor and a reduction gear assembly is housed within a casing 18 and has

output shafts

19 and 20 which rotate in opposite direction and at substantially low equal speeds. Casing 18 is secured to a mounting plate 21, which, together with a mounting plate 21, is secured within the base by the bolts 3 with the intermediary of spacers 22.

A drive pulley 23 is secured to output shaft 19 and a rubber belt 24 is trained on pulleys 23 and 12 for driving the lower brush 7. The other output shaft 20 telescopically fits within a tubular shaft 25 and has a cross pin 26 extending within longitudinal slot 27 of tubular shaft 25 for driving the same in rotation while allowing axial movement of tubular shaft 25.

Shaft 25 is joumalled by means of bushings 28 within an axial bore 29 extending partially within the cover 6 and in a cylindrical pivot extension 30 integral with the underside of cover 6 at one side thereof.

A pulley 31 is keyed to the upper end of tubular shaft 25 in the plane of he pulley 17 of the upper brush shaft 16 and the two pulleys are drivingly interconnected by a rubber belt 32. The two pulleys and the rubber belt are freely movable within an elongated cavity 33 made in cover 6.

Cylindrical extension 30 rotatably fits an open top cylindrical bore 34 made in a thickened portion 35 of the wall of receptacle 1. A handle 36 is secured to, or made integral with, the center of cover 6. By grasping handle 36, the cover may be lifted off the receptacle 1 from its closed position shown in FIG. 3 with the cylindrical extension 30 simply sliding up within open top bore 34. This upward movement is possible because of the telescopic driving shaft arrangement formed by tubular shaft 25 and shaft 20.

Once the cover 6 is in an upper limit position sufficient for the upper brush 7 to clear the top of receptacle 1, the cover and brush can be swung about the vertical axis of cylindrical extension 30 and also the

telescopic shaft

20, 25 to clear the cavity 4, so that the lower brush is exposed. The reverse movement is effected to close the cover.

The cover is maintained in closed position by being provided with a stepped pin 37 projecting from the underside of the cover at a point preferably diametrically opposite

telescopic shaft

20, 25 and engageable with a blind bore 38 made in a thickened portion 39 of receptacle 1, said thickened portion 39 being diametrically opposite thickened portion 35.

A spring-loaded manually-operated catch 40 is carried by receptacle thickened portion 39 and is urged by its spring 41 into engagement with the step of pin 37 to lock the cover in closed position. Outward pull exerted on the latch 40 will unlock the step pin 37 to permit raising of the cover.

A plunger rod 42 is vertically slidable in thickened portion 39, extends through the mounting plates 21, 21' and is adapted to bear against. the actuator button 43 of a micro switch 44 electrically connected in the control circuit of the electric motor located in casing 18.

Plunger rod- 42 is spring loaded. by a spring 45 to a normally raised position off the push button 43 of the normally open micro switch 44. When the cover is closed, a pad 46 carried by the underside of the cover 6, abuts against the upper end of the plunger rod 42 and displaces the same vertically downwardly against action of spring 45 to push down on push button 43 of the micro switch to thereby close the switch.

The inside surface of the cavity 4 forms an upwardly directed step 47 all around the cavity and substantially at the level of the free ends of the brush bristles. Step 47 serves to removably receive a thin circular locator plate 48, which is provided with notches 49 receiving bosses 50 which project from the wall of the cavity 4 at the level of the step 47, whereby the locator plate is prevented from rotating inside the receptacle.

The locator plate 48 has an aperture 51 made therethrough, of the general shape of the external outline of a set of false teeth A to be cleaned when said false teeth are seen in plan view. Locator plate 48 thus serves to prevent rotation and displacement of the set of false teeth A relative to the receptacle. However, the false teeth are relatively free within aperture 51, so that various sizes of false teeth can be accommodated within one locator plate aperture 51. However, locator plates with apertures 51 of different sizes are preferably provided to accommodate all sizes of false teeth.

The false teeth having a loose fit within the aperture 51 are free to move up and down with respect to the locator plate. 7

Receptacle 1 is adapted to be filled with a cleaning liquid, to immerse both brushes and also the set of false teeth A. The cover, when closed, has a fluidtight joint with the receptacle. For applications wherein the appliance is to be used very often, such as by dentists, the receptacle will preferably be provided with conduit means for constantly circulating a cleaning liquid through the cavity. An inlet liquid conduit 52 opens within the top portion of receptacle 1, while an outlet conduit 53 communicates with the bottom portion of the receptacle. The two conduits are connected to a water supply and to a drain respectively by flexible tubing or the like.

The electric drive motor is connected to a master control switch 54 mounted in base 2 and to an electrical supply wire 55.

The appliance is used and operates as follows.

With the set of false teeth A disposed between the two brushes 7 and 13 within the aperture 51 of locator plate 48, the cover 6 being closed, the micro switch 44 is automatically closed, and with the main switch 54 closed, the electric drive motor in casing 18 rotates the two output shafts l9 and 20 in opposite direction at about equal speeds, whereby the two rotary brushes rotate in opposite direction and at equal speeds. More specifically, shaft 19 rotates lower brush shaft 11 through pulleys 23 and rubber belt 24, while shaft 20 rotates tubular shaft 25, in turn rotating the upper brush shaft 16 through

pulleys

17, 31 and rubber belt 32.

Because the two rotary brushes preferably rotate in opposite direction and at equal speeds, the resulting torque on the set of false teeth A is a minimum and the pressure with which the false teeth bear on the locator plate, is also at a minimum, eliminating any possible damage to the false teeth. The locator plate aso serves to maintain the set of false teeth in substantially centered position with respect to the rotary brushes. The bristles of the rotary brush simultaneously contact and clean opposite sides of the set of false teeth, that is the upper and lower main faces thereof, as well as the inside and outside lateral faces, including the crevices or grooves between the artificial teeth. Some of the bristles are displaced laterally and exert a lateral pressure on the set of false teeth.

For best cleaning, it is preferable to provide a reversible electric motor with a time-operated reversing switch, whereby the direction of rotation of the two brushes is reversed approximately every 30 seconds, so that the brush bristles will clean any possible areas of the set of false teeth not brushed during brush rotation in one direction.

It will be noted that the set of false teeth are free to move up and down with respect to the locator plate, so that, eventually, all surfaces thereof will be cleaned. To assist in the cleaning, the receptacle is filled with a liquid, such as water with, preferably, a cleansing and sanitizing agent.

For appliances in accordance with the invention intended for personal use, the receptacle is simply filled with the cleaning liquid. For appliances intended to be used by dentists where several sets of false teeth a day are to be cleaned, the receptacle will be provided with the

conduits

52,53 for constant circulation of the cleaning liquid. Cleaning of a set of false teeth will normally require a few minutes.

After cleaning, latch 40 is pulled and cover 6 is lifted by handle 36, so that the upper brush 13 clears the top of the receptacle and then the cover is swung to one side about the pivotal axle of cylindrical extension 30, which acts as a pivot. The now exposed set of false teeth is removed, the cleaning liquid emptied and the receptacle, after rinsing, is ready to receive another set of false teeth and be filled by cleaning liquid.

As a modification of the appliance described, the cover 6 instead of being hinged to receptacle 1 can be detachable therefrom and provided with two diametrically opposed stepped pins 37 to lock the cover in closed position. Also, two micro switches 44 are provided each with a plunger rod 42 arranged adjacent an associated stepped pin 37 to insure that the cover is fully closed before the motor and brushes can be started. In this case,

telescopic shaft

20,25 is replaced by two shaft sections with a releasable coupling to permit bodily removal of the cover.

The shape of the surface defined by the free ends of the brush bristles 15 can also be modified to effeciently clean all surfaces of the set of false teeth. For the same reason, the bristles 15 can be inclined relative to brush head 14. For instance, upper brush 13 can have longer brush bristles at the center and at the brush periphery to provide convex surface formed by the bristle ends, while the bristles of the lower brush will be inclined towards the brush center relative to the brush head.

I claim:

1. A power-operated appliance for cleaning a set of false teeth comprising a liquid receiving receptacle having an opening to receive a set of false teeth, a cover to close said opening, a pair of brushes rotatably mounted in said receptacle for the rotation about coaxial axes perpendicular to the plane of said brushes with the brush bristles of one brush facing and close to the brush bristles of the other brush and arranged to receive a set of false teeth therebetween, and power means to rotate said brushes, whereby the latter will simultaneously contact and clean opposite sides of a set of false teeth disposed between the two brushes.

2. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, further including holding means arranged intermediate the two brushes, removably secured to said support and releasably holding a set of false teeth against substantial rotation and displacement relative to said receptacle.

3. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said receptacle opening is located at the top thereof, said cover extending across the top of said receptacle in the closed position, and wherein the axes of said brushes are vertically arranged with one brush rotatably supported in the bottom of said receptacle, and the other brush rotatably supported by said cover and located in said receptacle when said cover is in closed position.

4. An appliance as claimed in claim 3, further including a base for said receptacle and wherein said power means include an electric motor carried by said base having a first driving connection for said one brush and a second driving connection for said other brush.

5. An appliance as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cover is hinged to said receptacle and the hinge axis of said cover is a vertical telescopic pivot and said second driving connection includes a vertical telescopic shaft rotatably mounted in said receptacle and in said cover and coaxial with said hinge axis of said cover, whereby said cover and the brush carried thereby are liftable off said receptacle and pivotable about said hinge axis to a position in which both said cover and the brush carried thereby clear said receptacle opening.

6. An appliance as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second driving connection further includes belt and pulley drive means located in said cover with the pulley means fast on said telescopic shaft and on the axle of said other brush.

7. An appliance as claimed in claim 4, further including a normally open electric switch to control said motor and mounted in said base and a switch actuator carried by said base and engageable by said cover in the closed position thereof to close said switch.

8. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said power means include means to rotate the brushes in opposite directions and further including holding means arranged intermediate the two brushes to releasably hold a set of false teeth against substantial rotation and displacement relative to said support, said holding means consisting of a plate having an opening of a shape to loosely receive a set of false teeth for releasably and non-rotatably holding the same, and means to removably and non-rotatably hold said plate in said receptacle in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said brushes and at a level intermediate said brushes.

9. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, further includinginlet and outlet conduit means connected to the interior of said receptacle to circulate a liquid therein.

Claims

9. An appliance as claimed in claim 1, further including inlet and outlet conduit means connected to the interior of said receptacle to circulate a liquid therein.