Device and system with moving squeegee fields

• US 7,743,448 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James A. Gavney, Jr.
• Original Assignee: James A. Gavney, Jr.
• Inventors: Gavney, James A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, RANDALL E
• Application Number:
  US11/207,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20050273954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 15/221, 15/222, 15/28, 151/17
• US Class Current: 15/22.1
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0002 Arrangements for enhancing monitoring or controlling the brushing process
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 15/0032 with protrusion for polishing teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1066 Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/005 where the brushing material is not made of bristles, e.g. sponge, rubber or paper
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/06 Arrangement of mixed bristles or tufts of bristles, e.g. wire, fibre, rubber
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/22 with brushes, cushions, cups, or the like brush bodies, e.g. arrangements of the bristles A46B
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/222 Brush body details, e.g. the shape thereof or connection to handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/34 driven by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3436 Rotation around the axis perpendicular to the plane defined by the bristle holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/3445 Translation along the axis of the toothbrush handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/349 with multiple brush bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 1/32 using rotary cleaning members

Abstract

A device with moving squeegees is disclosed. The squeegees can have any number of squeegee configurations. The squeegee or groups of the squeegees are configured to move independently or separately concerted fashion. The device is preferably and oral-care device and can include bristles and/or nodules that move or are stationary. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention the oral-care device includes rows of squeegees that move with a first motion and a center section with squeegees, bristles and/or nodules that move with a second motion in a direction and/or frequency that is different from the first motion.

Claims

1. A device comprising a cleaning head, the cleaning head comprising a squeegee field comprising a plurality of squeegees that each coupled to a separate gear that is mated to a motion transfer mechanism, wherein the plurality of squeegees are configured to move separately and in a concerted fashion relative to a support surface with the support surface stationary, the device further comprising a power handle coupled to the cleaning head for transferring mechanical motion to the plurality of squeegees through the motion transfer mechanism, wherein the cleaning head further includes bristles and wherein the bristles are coupled to a center region of the cleaning head that is configured to move.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of squeegees are configured to move up and down, back and forth or side to side relative to the support surface of the cleaning head.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of squeegees is configured to vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the center region is configured to move up and down, back and forth or side to side relative to the support surface of the cleaning head.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the center region is configured to vibrate.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the cleaning head further comprising nodule structures.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of plurality of squeegees protrude to form top wiping edges and side wiping edges.

8. A device comprising:

a) cleaning head comprising;

i) an array of squeegees coupled to a plurality of separate gears that are mated to a motion transfer mechanism configured to move automatically and separately in at least one direction through the motion transfer mechanism;

ii) a movable section comprising bristles; and

b) a motorized handle configured to couple to the cleaning head to transfer mechanical motion from a motor to the motion transfer mechanism.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the array of squeegees includes one or more rows of linear squeegee segments.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the squeegees are configured to move back and forth, vibrate, rotate or oscillate.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein the bristles are configured to automatically move with a motion that is different from the squeegees.

12. The device of claim 8, further comprising nodules.

13. A cleaning device comprising:

a) a movable section comprising bristles; and

b) rows of movable squeegees wherein the movable squeegees are coupled to separate gears and flank or border the movable section, wherein the movable section and the movable squeegees both move automatically and separately from each other through a motion transfer mechanism coupled to the movable section and separate gears.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising nodules.

15. The device of claim 13, further comprising a motorized handle.