Dental care unit

• US 4,319,595 A
• Filed: 01/30/1980
• Issued: 03/16/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rex Ulrich
• Original Assignee: Rex Ulrich
• Inventors: Ulrich, Rex
• Primary Examiner(s): McNeill, G. E.
• Application Number:
  US06/116,770
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 132/90, 128/62 A, 128/66
• US Class Current: 132/309
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/063 by means of a supply pipe
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0061 Air and water supply systems; Valves specially adapted therefor A61C1/052 takes precedence; rinsing or air-blowing devices A61C17/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/00 Devices for cleaning between the teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 15/046 Flossing tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/032 using pressurised tap-water , e.g. rinsing devices specially adapted for being connected to the main water supply

Abstract

A dental care unit permits a user to care for his gums, teeth and mouth. The unit is easily stored, and can be used in dental care in a wide variety of situations. The unit includes a chuck for holding dental instruments, and the chuck is connected to a water supply. Included with the dental instruments is a dental flosser.

Claims

1. A dental care unit comprising:

a housing;

a hollow base accommodated in said housing, said base including a plurality of containers therein for storing a plurality of liquids in said base;

a plurality of dispenser control mechanisms on said base each being fluidly connected to an associated one of said containers for controlling the amount of liquid removed from said associated container, each control mechanism including a base housing, a fluid passage defined in said base having a first portion and a second portion, a dispensing passage defined in said base, a vent passage defined in said base, a dispensing piston located in said first portion, urging means biasing said dispensing piston into said upright portion, a vent control piston located in said vent passage and coupled to said dispensing piston, a stop mounted to abut said vent control piston to limit the travel of said pistons, seal means on said control mechanism piston, said control mechanism piston being movable from a first position wherein said seal means prevents fluid communication between said associated container and said fluid passage to a second position permitting such fluid communication, and means for moving said control mechanism piston;

a mixing chamber defining means on said base having a mixture chamber fluidly connected to said dispensing passages of said dispenser control mechanisms to receive liquid therefrom, said mixing chamber defining means including a piston received in a piston bore which is fluidly connected to said mixing chamber and to atmosphere, stop means limiting the amount of movement of said mixing chamber piston, seal means on said piston, said mixing chamber piston being movable to a first position wherein said seal means prevents fluid communication between said mixing chamber and atmosphere to a second position permitting such fluid communication, and means for moving said mixing chamber piston;

an inlet hose fluidly connected to one dispensing passage of said dispensing passages for conducting liquid thereoutof;

whereby with said control mechanism pistons and said mixing chamber piston in said second positions fluids from containers associated with said control mechanisms flow from said containers to said mixing chamber and liquid conducted into said one dispensing passage flows into said mixing chamber to mix with said fluids to form a mixture, said mixture flowing out of said mixing chamber and into said outlet hose via said another dispensing passage, said control mechanism venting means controlling fluid flow into said fluid passage first portion and said mixing chamber piston controlling flow into said mixing chamber so that mixing of said fluid and said liquid is controlled;

a chuck connected to said outlet hose, said chuck having a fluid passage therein which is fluidly connected to said outlet hose; and

a plurality of different dental care instruments in said housing, each instrument performing a different dental function, and each instrument having means for attaching said each instrument to said chuck, each instrument having a fluid passage therein which is fluidly connected to said chuck fluid passage and liquid dispensing means for dispensing liquid into a user'"'"'s mouth.

2. The dental care unit defined in claim 1 further including denture care means on said base, said denture care means including a chamber defined in said base.

3. The dental care unit defined in claim 1 further including storage means in said housing for storing said dental care instruments in said housing.

4. The dental care unit defined in claim 1 wherein one of said dental instruments includes a dental flosser, said dental flosser including a cap having means for connecting said cap to said chuck and fluid passage means which is fluidly connected to said chuck fluid passage, a coupling mounted on said cap and having a bore therein which is fluidly connected to said cap fluid passage, said coupling including a plurality of fluid passages fluidly connected to said coupling bore and a plurality of thread segments which are interrupted adjacent said coupling fluid passages, a second cap connected to said coupling and having threads for engaging said coupling threads, the areas between said interrupted cooling threads and said second cap defining flow paths which are fluidly connected to said coupling bore via said coupling fluid passages, a tube fluidly connected to one of said flow paths, a hollow body connected to said second cap, dental floss dispensing means connected to said body, dental floss storage means mounted in said hollow body, dental floss holding means mounted on said body, and fluid dispensing means fluidly connected to said tube to dispense fluid adjacent and on dental floss held in said dental floss holding means.

5. The dental care unit defined in claim 1 further including a dental instrument cleaning means associated with said housing, said cleaning means including a base, a plurality of bores defined in said base, and a plurality of cleaners in said bores, each of said cleaners including a handle and a prong.

6. The dental care unit defined in claim 4 wherein said dental floss holding means includes a housing, a pair of prongs on said housing, a closure cap movably mounted on said housing, dental floss guide means in said housing and in said prongs, dental floss passage means in said body, and dental floss jamming means on said housing.

7. The dental care unit defined in claim 6 wherein said dental floss jamming means includes a prong on said top cap and a threaded fastener on said top cap.

8. The dental care unit defined in claim 7 wherein said prong extends into one of said dental floss passage means.

9. The dental care unit defined in claim 8 further including a plate on said top cap which has an edge adapted to be threadably attached to said fastener.

10. The dental care unit defined in claim 9 wherein said dental floss storage means includes a spool located in said hollow body.