VIBRATION DAMPING FOR DENTAL WATER JET

• US 20100261137A1
• Filed: 06/25/2010
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Water Pik Incorporated (Church & Dwight Company Incorporated)
• Inventors: Taylor, Kurt M., Williams, Brian R., Boyd, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,727 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/88
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0084 Supply units, e.g. reservoir arrangements, specially adapted pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 1/0092 Pumps specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/02 Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets or comprising liquid medication combined with receptacles for spittle A61C17/14; combined with power-driven cleaning or polishing devices A61C17/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0202 Hand-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/0205 Container filling apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 17/028 with intermittent liquid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/02 Protective casings, e.g. boxes for instruments; Bags A61C5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 13/005 Hydraulic gum massage
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 49/24 Bypassing

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.

Claims

1. A dental water jet device comprising

a base unit defining a cavity;

a pump contained within the cavity;

a vibration reduction mount connecting the pump to the base unit;

a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump; and

a nozzle tip operative to deliver a stream of pressurized fluid and in fluid communication with the pump.

2. The dental water jet device of claim 1, wherein the vibration reduction mount is made of rubber.

3. The dental water jet device of claim 1, wherein the vibration reduction mount is operative to elevate the pump within the cavity above an inside floor of the base unit.

4. The dental water jet device of claim 1, wherein the vibration reduction mount is substantially cubic shaped.

5. The dental water jet device of claim 4, wherein the vibration reduction mount has at least one rounded corner.

6. The dental water jet device of claim 1, wherein the vibration reduction mount further comprises

a mount body, wherein the mount body is configured to receive a portion of the pump;

and

a mount head operatively connected to the mount body, wherein the mount head is substantially trapezoidal-shaped in cross-section.

7. The dental water jet device of claim 6, wherein the mount body further comprises a horizontal mount aperture configured to receive a planar corner of the pump.

8. The dental water jet device of claim 6, wherein the base unit further comprises a mount connection aperture and the mount head is disposed within the mount connection aperture securing the vibration reduction mount to the base unit.

9. The dental water jet device of claim 1, wherein

the vibration reduction mount further comprises

a mount body having at least one rounded corner;

a substantially horizontal mount aperture configured to receive a portion of the pump;

a mount shaft attached to the mount body underneath the mount aperture; and

a mount head extending from a first end of the mount shaft; and

the base unit further comprises

a mount connection aperture, wherein

the mount shaft is disposed within the mount connection aperture; and

the mount body is located on a first side of the mount connection aperture and the mount head is located on a second side of the mount connection aperture.

10. The dental water jet device of claim 1, further comprising vibration dampening footings operatively attached to the base unit, wherein the footings elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit.

11. A dental water jet device comprising

a base unit defining a cavity;

a plurality of vibration dampening footings attached to the base unit and operative to elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit;

a pump contained within the cavity;

a reservoir in fluid communication with the pump; and

a nozzle tip operative to deliver a stream of pressurized fluid and in fluid communication with the pump.

12. The dental water jet device of claim 11, wherein the footings are rubber.

13. The dental water jet of claim 11, wherein the pump is connected to the base unit by at least one vibration reduction mount.

14. The dental water jet device of claim 13, wherein the at least one vibration reduction mount is rubber.

15. A dental water jet device comprising

a reservoir for fluid storage;

a base unit including a basin for receiving the reservoir;

a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir;

a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin;

wherein the basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection;

a nozzle tip in fluid communication with the reservoir;

a pump operatively connected to the base unit, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle tip and the pump supplies fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle tip; and

a vibration reduction mount operatively connected to the base, wherein the vibration reduction mount is operatively connected to the pump and elevates the pump above a floor of the base unit.

16. The dental water jet device of claim 15, wherein the reservoir defines a curved outer surface conforming to a curved surface defined by the basin.

17. The dental water jet device of claim 16, wherein the curved outer surface of the reservoir and the curved surface of the basin permit a single position of the reservoir relative to the basin for receipt of the reservoir within the basin.

18. The dental water jet device of claim 15, further comprising at least one footing operatively connected to the base unit, wherein the at least one footing is operative to elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit.

19. The dental water jet device of claim 18, wherein the at least one footing is composed of a vibration dampening material.

20. The dental water jet device of claim 15, wherein

the vibration reduction mount comprises

a mount body having at least one rounded corner;

a substantially horizontal mount aperture configured to receive a portion of the pump;

a mount shaft attached to the mount body underneath the mount aperture; and

a mount head extending from a first end of the mount shaft;

the base unit further comprises

a mount connection aperture, wherein

the mount shaft is disposed within the mount connection aperture; and

the mount body is located on a first side of the mount connection aperture and the mount head is located on a second side of the mount connection aperture.