Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-07
2002-04-23
Lewis, Ralph A. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C604S035000, C601S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375459
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to devices, methods, and compositions for cleaning surfaces within a person's mouth.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that solutions containing baking soda or other abrasive materials serve as excellent media for cleaning teeth. There are many known devices which provide delivery of such solutions for purposes of oral hygiene. These devices are typically large complicated systems intended for professional use in a dentist's office. The terms “solution” and “cleaning fluid” will be used interchangeably within this description and the appended claims to refer to any fluid, suspension, or slurry that may be used, as the application dictates, for cleaning a surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an apparatus designed to pump an appropriate amount of solution into the mouth of a user in order to clean teeth and to recycle that fluid for its reuse by an individual. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a base component and a head component, attachable to each other to form a hand-holdable unit, a flexible membrane, and a pump drive mechanism. The pump drive mechanism is disposed within the base component and drives the flexible membrane in such a manner as to impel a cleaning fluid toward a surface and to return the cleaning fluid from the vicinity of the surface to the head component.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3065749 (1962-11-01), Brass
patent: 3211149 (1965-10-01), Fono
patent: 3452746 (1969-07-01), Shanhouse
patent: 4020596 (1977-05-01), Bergh
patent: 4096241 (1978-06-01), Geistlich et al.
patent: 4111193 (1978-09-01), Jousson
patent: 4540365 (1985-09-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4692140 (1987-09-01), Olson
patent: 4776794 (1988-10-01), Meller
patent: 4801292 (1989-01-01), Watson
patent: 4903688 (1990-02-01), Bibby et al.
patent: 4941459 (1990-07-01), Mathur
patent: 4952392 (1990-08-01), Thame
patent: 4961923 (1990-10-01), Heyde
patent: 5057309 (1991-10-01), Hill et al.
patent: 5088515 (1992-02-01), Kamen
patent: 5145367 (1992-09-01), Kasten
patent: 5286192 (1994-02-01), Dixon
patent: 5321865 (1994-06-01), Kaeser
patent: 5328682 (1994-07-01), Pullen et al.
patent: 5460604 (1995-10-01), Arnett et al.
patent: 5542918 (1996-08-01), Atkinson
patent: 5547376 (1996-08-01), Harrel
patent: 5564629 (1996-10-01), Weissman et al.
patent: 5634791 (1997-06-01), Matsuuda et al.
patent: 5801226 (1998-09-01), Cummins et al.
patent: 5855869 (1999-01-01), Domke et al.
patent: 6155824 (2000-12-01), Kamen et al.
patent: 2 455 456 (1980-11-01), None
patent: 2 588 469 (1987-04-01), None
Equipment Profile for Micadent II, Medidente International, Inc., http://www.medidenta.com/equip/micadent/index.html.
Gray Larry B.
Kamen Dean L.
Newton Mark D.
Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Deka Products Limited Partnership
Lewis Ralph A.
LandOfFree
Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus and method for cleaning teeth will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2902012