Toothbrush system with a three-dimensional brushing action and fluid irrigation
First Claim
1. A toothbrush system for cleansing tooth surfaces and under a user'"'"'s gum line, comprising:
- (a) a handle member having an internal chamber containing a fluid;
(b) a head member secured to said handle member, a fluid conduit extending within said head member in fluid communication with said internal chamber of said handle member;
(c) a head unit secured to an end of said head member located remote from said handle member, said head unit having a central axis, said head unit including;
at least one bristle platform, bristles located on said at least one bristle platform in circumferential disposition with said central axis of said head unit, and a hydraulically biased irrigating member in fluid communication with said internal chamber of said handle member through said fluid conduit, said irrigating member having an irrigator nozzle reversibly reciprocatable along said central axis of said head unit between a retracted and an extended position of said irrigator nozzle, said irrigator nozzle releasing said fluid when said irrigator nozzle is in said extended position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A toothbrush system using a combination of mechanical force and fluid dynamics to increase the efficiency of plaque removal from the teeth and gums. The toothbrush includes a head unit with an irrigator nozzle and a hydraulically actuated and continuously variable bristle platform which negotiates the complex surface geometry found in the mouth of a user. The irrigation nozzle is powered by the pulsing of an anti-microbial irrigant which gives the toothbrush head unit the distinguishing ability of being able to “feel” the contour of the teeth and to “find” the spaces between them. Once the sensing irrigator nozzle finds the spaces between the teeth, it extends into the area, and releases the anti-microbial liquid directly into the space. The configured bristle tufts of the head unit automatically adjust their position for cleaning under the gum line, between the teeth, as well as flat surfaces.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A toothbrush system for cleansing tooth surfaces and under a user'"'"'s gum line, comprising:
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(a) a handle member having an internal chamber containing a fluid;
(b) a head member secured to said handle member, a fluid conduit extending within said head member in fluid communication with said internal chamber of said handle member;
(c) a head unit secured to an end of said head member located remote from said handle member, said head unit having a central axis, said head unit including;
at least one bristle platform, bristles located on said at least one bristle platform in circumferential disposition with said central axis of said head unit, and a hydraulically biased irrigating member in fluid communication with said internal chamber of said handle member through said fluid conduit, said irrigating member having an irrigator nozzle reversibly reciprocatable along said central axis of said head unit between a retracted and an extended position of said irrigator nozzle, said irrigator nozzle releasing said fluid when said irrigator nozzle is in said extended position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
when said second coating has been worn by said abrasive wear pad, said first coating is exposed through said indicator window, thus indicating the need for replacement of said head unit. -
19. The toothbrush system of claim 17, wherein said drive shaft is made of a conductive material, said wear indicator unit comprising:
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an insulating coating formed on said drive shaft at a predetermined position thereof, a brush operatively coupled to said motor, said brush having an abrasive material in engagement with said insulating coating, and indicating means, when said insulating coating has been removed by said abrasive material of said brush, said indicating means generating an indicia of the need for said head unit replacement.
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20. The toothbrush system of claim 17, wherein said drive shaft is made of a plastic material, said wear indicator unit comprising:
a metal spike positioned on said head member in engagement with said drive shaft, said metal spike cutting said shaft during the rotating motion thereof causing failure of said drive shaft, thus indicating the need for said head unit replacement.
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Specification