Electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus
First Claim
1. An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus comprising:
- a driver having a drive shaft;
a cleansing implement having a central axis, said coupling element coupled to said drive shaft and adapted to be rotated about its central axis; and
a resilient element coupling the cleansing implement to the drive shaft, said resilient element including a buffer zone enabling the cleansing element to be displaceable relative to the driver in the direction of the central axis.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus in which a cleansing implement is coupled to a drive sleeve and adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The coupling is effected by a resilient member, in particular a spring which includes a slip coupling and/or a buffer zone. Under normal conditions, the slip coupling provides a non-rotative connection between the drive sleeve and the cleansing implement. However, in the event of the cleansing implement seizing in an interproximal space, for example, the slip coupling will slip, thus avoiding potential damage. The buffer zone acts to prevent displacement of the cleansing implement--although intended by the user--in cases where, for example, the cleansing implement is positioned against a tooth surface rather than against an interproximal space.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus comprising:
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a driver having a drive shaft; a cleansing implement having a central axis, said coupling element coupled to said drive shaft and adapted to be rotated about its central axis; and a resilient element coupling the cleansing implement to the drive shaft, said resilient element including a buffer zone enabling the cleansing element to be displaceable relative to the driver in the direction of the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification