Fluid delivery dental cleaning device

• US 6,164,967 A
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Professional Dental Technologies, Inc. (TOLMAR Holding, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Professional Dental Technologies, Inc. (TOLMAR Holding, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sale, David William, Haynes, Ronald W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D.
• Application Number:
  US09/328,619
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 433/80, 433/81, 433/82, 433/87, 433/89, 433/216, 601/162, 601/164, 15/22.1, 132/322
• US Class Current: 433/80
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 11/002 pressurised at moment of use manually or by powered means
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/227 with reservoirs, e.g. for toothpaste
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/28 with rinsing means

Abstract

A fluid delivery powered toothbrush utilizes a removable/disposable neck assembly that contains a fluid reservoir, a fluid delivery system and a fluid path therein leading to a brush receptacle. No fluid is used in or passes through the toothbrush handle. Preferably a pump is located in the neck assembly and activated at the same time as the brush drive such that fluid is delivered during brushing. In one embodiment of the invention, the brush is replaced with a nozzle for providing fluid prior to or after brushing. The components for the neck assembly are disposable to minimize cross-contamination while enhancing fluid delivery to the teeth during brushing.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery dental cleaning device comprising a handle having drive means therein and a mounting end having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting end and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir composed of a resilient material incorporated in the neck, fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying a fluid thereto.

2. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the neck is separable into two sections, a reservoir section and a separable drive neck section, the reservoir section housing the fluid reservoir and fluid delivery means, a reservoir drive coupling provided on a forward end thereof, the drive neck having the tool mounting receptacle and a complimentary drive coupling for attaching to the reservoir section.

3. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery means is a diaphragm pump.

4. The dental cleaning device of claim 3 wherein a diaphragm portion of the diaphragm pump is accessed through an opening in the neck for activation by finger pressure.

5. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the fluid reservoir has a entry port for placing fluid therein.

6. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a cam mounted on a drive shaft extending from the drive coupling through the neck, the cam in contact with the fluid delivery means for effecting a pumping action during rotation of the drive shaft.

7. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the tool mounting receptacle has a fluid receiving chamber adjacent a base of a tool mounted therein.

8. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

9. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery means is a pump/motor, a switch for activating the pump/motor located on the removable neck.

10. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein the fluid reservoir is concentric to the tool mounting recepticle.

11. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

12. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of a brush, a tongue scraper and a nozzle.

13. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 wherein a brush is mounted in the tool mounting receptacle.

14. The dental cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the brush has a base having grooves about an outside periphery thereof for passing fluid thereby.

15. The dental cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the brush has a base having holes therethrough.

16. The dental cleaning device of claim 13 wherein the brush has a tuft containing tubular fibers having open ends extending through a base of the brush for passing a fluid therethrough.

17. The dental cleaning device of claim 1 further comprising a tongue scraper mounted in the tool mounting receptacle, the tongue scraper having a edge, openings provided in the edge for delivering fluid therethrough.

18. A method for delivering fluid to a persons'"'"' teeth and mouth using a powered dental cleaning device comprising:

a) providing a fluid delivery dental cleaning device having a handle having drive means therein, a mounting end having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting end and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir composed of a resilient material incorporated in the neck, fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying fluid thereto;

b) providing fluid in the fluid reservoir;

c) delivering fluid to a tool mounted in the tool mounting receptacle; and

,

d) applying the fluid to the teeth and mouth while using the tool.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of medicaments, dentifrice, and mouthwash.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising removing the neck from the handle and placing a second neck on the handle, the second neck having a fluid reservoir containing a different fluid;

and, repeating steps c and d.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising selecting a tool from the group consisting of a brush, a nozzle and a tongue scraper and mounting the tool in the tool receiving receptacle.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the tool is a brush and the fluid is applied while brushing the teeth.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the tool is a nozzle and the fluid is applied prior to or after brushing the teeth.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the tool is a tongue scraper and the fluid is applied during tongue scraping.

25. A dental cleaning device comprising a handle having drive means therein, a mounting end having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting end and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir incorporated in the neck, fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying a fluid thereto, the neck being separable into two sections, a reservoir section and a separable drive neck section, the reservoir section housing the fluid reservoir and fluid delivery means, a reservoir drive coupling provided on a forward end thereof, the drive neck having the tool mounting receptacle and a complimentary drive coupling for attaching to the reservoir section.

26. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein the fluid delivery means is a diaphragm pump.

27. The dental cleaning device of claim 26 wherein a diaphragm portion of the diaphragm pump is accessed through an opening in the neck for activation by finger pressure.

28. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein the fluid reservoir has an entry port for placing fluid therein.

29. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 further comprising a cam mounted on a drive shaft extending from the drive coupling through the neck, the cam in contact with the fluid delivery means for effecting a pumping action during rotation of the drive shaft.

30. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein the tool mounting receptacle has a fluid receiving chamber adjacent a base of a tool mounted therein.

31. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

32. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein the fluid delivery means is a pump/motor, a switch for activating the pump/motor located on the removable neck.

33. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein the fluid reservoir is concentric to the tool mounting receptacle.

34. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

35. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of a brush, a tongue scraper and a nozzle.

36. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 wherein a brush is mounted in the tool mounting receptacle.

37. The dental cleaning device of claim 36 wherein the brush has a base having grooves about an outside periphery thereof for passing fluid thereby.

38. The dental cleaning device of claim 36 wherein the brush has a base having holes therethrough.

39. The dental cleaning device of claim 36 wherein the brush has a tuft containing tubular fibers having open ends extending through a base of the brush for passing a fluid therethrough.

40. The dental cleaning device of claim 25 further comprising a tongue scraper mounted in the tool mounting receptacle, the tongue scraper having an edge, openings provided in the edge for delivering fluid therethrough.

41. A dental cleaning device dental cleaning device comprising a handle having drive means therein, a mounting and having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir incorporated in the neck, a fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying a fluid thereto;

the fluid delivery means being a diaphragm pump.

42. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein the neck being separable into two sections, a reservoir section and a separable drive neck section, the reservoir section housing the fluid reservoir and fluid delivery means, a reservoir drive coupling provided on a forward end thereof, the drive neck having the tool mounting receptacle and a complimentary drive coupling for attaching to the reservoir section.

43. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein the fluid reservoir has an entry port for placing fluid therein.

44. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 further comprising a cam mounted on a drive shaft extending from the drive coupling through the neck, the cam in contact with the diaphragm pump for effecting a pumping action during rotation of the drive shaft.

45. The dental cleaning device dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein a diaphragm portion of the diaphragm pump is accessed through an opening in the neck for activation by finger pressure.

46. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein the tool mounting receptacle has a fluid receiving chamber adjacent a base of a tool mounted therein.

47. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

48. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein the fluid delivery means is a pump/motor, a switch for activating the pump/motor located on the removable neck.

49. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein the fluid reservoir is concentric to the tool mounting receptacle.

50. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

51. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of a brush, a tongue scraper and a nozzle.

52. The dental cleaning device of claim 41 wherein a brush is mounted in the tool mounting receptacle.

53. The dental cleaning device of claim 52 wherein the brush has a base having grooves about an outside periphery thereof for passing fluid thereby.

54. The dental cleaning device of claim 52 wherein the brush has a base having holes therethrough.

55. The dental cleaning device of claim 52 wherein the brush has a tuft containing tubular fibers having open ends extending through a base of the brush for passing a fluid therethrough.

56. The dental cleaning device of claim 52 further comprising a tongue scraper mounted in the tool mounting receptacle, the tongue scraper having an edge, openings provided in the edge for delivering fluid therethrough.

57. A dental cleaning device comprising a handle having drive means therein, a mounting and having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir incorporated in the neck, a fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying a fluid thereto;

a cam mounted on a drive shaft extending from the drive coupling through the neck, the cam in contact with the fluid delivery means for effecting a pumping action during rotation of the drive shaft.

58. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 wherein the fluid delivery means is a diaphragm pump.

59. The dental cleaning device of claim 58 wherein a diaphragm portion of the diaphragm pump is accessed through an opening in the neck for activation by finger pressure.

60. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 wherein the fluid reservoir has an entry port for placing fluid therein.

61. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 wherein the tool mounting receptacle has a fluid receiving chamber adjacent a base of a tool mounted therein.

62. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

63. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 wherein the fluid delivery means is a pump/motor, a switch for activating the pump/motor located on the removable neck.

65. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

66. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of a brush, a tongue scraper and a nozzle.

67. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 wherein a brush is mounted in the tool mounting receptacle.

68. The dental cleaning device of claim 67 wherein the brush has a base having grooves about an outside periphery thereof for passing fluid thereby.

69. The dental cleaning device of claim 67 wherein the brush has a base having holes therethrough.

70. The dental cleaning device of claim 67 wherein the brush has a tuft containing tubular fibers having open ends extending through a base of the brush for passing a fluid therethrough.

71. The dental cleaning device of claim 57 further comprising a tongue scraper mounted in the tool mounting receptacle, the tongue scraper having an edge, openings provided in the edge for delivering fluid therethrough.

64. The dental cleaning device of claims wherein the fluid reservoir is concentric to the tool mounting receptacle.

72. A dental cleaning device comprising a handle having drive means therein, a mounting and having a drive coupling, a removable neck having a complementary mounting and a mating drive coupling for attaching to the drive coupling on the handle, a tool mounting receptacle located at an end of the neck, a fluid reservoir incorporated in the neck, a fluid delivery means in fluid communication with the reservoir and with the tool mounting receptacle for supplying a fluid thereto;

insert the fluid delivery means being a pump/motor, a switch for activating the pump/motor located on the removable neck.

73. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 wherein the fluid delivery means is a diaphragm pump.

74. The dental cleaning device of claim 73 wherein a diaphragm portion of the diaphragm pump is accessed through an opening in the neck for activation by finger pressure.

75. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 wherein the fluid reservoir has an entry port for placing fluid therein.

76. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 further comprising a cam mounted on a drive shaft extending from the drive coupling through the neck, the cam in contact with the fluid delivery means for effecting a pumping action during rotation of the drive shaft.

77. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 wherein the tool mounting receptacle has a fluid receiving chamber adjacent a base of a tool mounted therein.

78. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

79. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 wherein the fluid reservoir is concentric to the tool mounting receptacle.

80. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 further comprising a distribution ring located around the tool mounting receptacle.

81. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 further comprising a tool selected from the group consisting of a brush, a tongue scraper and a nozzle.

82. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 wherein a brush is mounted in the tool mounting receptacle.

83. The dental cleaning device of claim 82 wherein the brush has a base having grooves about an outside periphery thereof for passing fluid thereby.

84. The dental cleaning device of claim 82 wherein the brush has a base having holes therethrough.

85. The dental cleaning device of claim 82 wherein the brush has a tuft containing tubular fibers having open ends extending through a base of the brush for passing a fluid therethrough.

86. The dental cleaning device of claim 72 further comprising a tongue scraper mounted in the tool mounting receptacle, the tongue scraper having an edge, openings provided in the edge for delivering fluid therethrough.