Brushing – scrubbing – and general cleaning – Machines – Brushing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-21
2001-05-22
Chin, Randall E. (Department: 1744)
Brushing, scrubbing, and general cleaning
Machines
Brushing
C601S165000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233773
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices for the cleaning of teeth and the care of gums have been in existence for many years. Toothbrushes employing a powered means to cause the bristles of the brush to move, have been in existence for the last twenty-five years. This feature allows the user to have access to many more brush strokes within a given brush period thereby increasing the effectiveness of the brushing practice. Since then numerous powered toothbrushes have been introduced into the market place, each having either a reciprocal, rotational or oscillating motion of the bristles.
In addition to brushing the teeth, it has been found that cleaning under the gums also helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. A device which has proven effective in cleaning under gums and which has been on the market for the last twenty years is called the “Water Pik” manufactured by Teledyne. This device shoots a strong fine stream of water into the user's mouth and is aimed at the gum line. The water cleans out debris from under the gums and around the teeth. While both the powered toothbrush and the Water Pik do their jobs effectively, it is necessary for a person to purchase two products and to have two products taking up space on a bathroom counter top, or, when traveling, it is necessary to carry two devices in ones traveling case. This situation puts strain on a household's financial budget, causes a cluttered look on the bathroom counter top and causes extra weight and bulk while traveling.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above stated problems by providing a unique tooth and gum cleaning device which combines the motorized motion of a powered toothbrush with a gum cleaning, powered stream of liquid such as water for use into one device. By uniquely combining the two devices one can produce a single device that is smaller and less costly than existing single use devices.
The present invention uniquely combines the two devices by providing a brush handle having within it a reciprocating gear train powered by a small D.C. motor and a water line which receives water via a hose from a separate pump and reservoir assembly. The gear train terminates in an oscillating shaft and the water line terminates in a female receptacle located to one side of the oscillating shaft. A removable and replacable brush head assembly has two longitudinal chambers located in a hollow neck. One chamber receives the oscillating shaft and the second chamber terminates in a male plug which fits into the water receptacle located at the top of the brush handle. A flexible, hollow hose stretches between the base unit containing the pump and water reservoir and the bottom of the toothbrush handle. The hose carries water or other fluid as well as two pairs of sheathed wires, one of pair of which carries electrical current to the D.C. motor, the other pair of which attaches to a switch located in the handle for turning on and off the water pump. When the pump is activated, water progresses up the brush handle into the neck of the brush head and then is transported at a ninety degree angle, through the center of the oscillating brush head so that a powered stream of water can be emitted from the brush head when the user presses the momentary switch located in the brush handle. Because the water outlet is at the very center of the rotatably reciprocating brush head it remains stationary even when the brush head is being activated.
The entire unit can be stored in an upright position so that a minimum of counter space is occupied when the unit is not in use. Additional features include an audio chip telling the user how much time is left to brush each quadrant of the mouth, a timer to check on length brushing time. A place for storing an extra brush head and a provision for hidden hose storage.
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Karge Hans J.
Wood Robert C.
Chin Randall E.
Christie Parker & Hale LLP
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