Dentistry – Apparatus – Having intra-oral dispensing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-25
2001-02-27
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3732)
Dentistry
Apparatus
Having intra-oral dispensing means
C601S161000, C601S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193512
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to dental hygiene devices and, more particularly, to a water jet teeth cleaning apparatus which delivers a dentifrice within a high velocity stream of water for cleaning the teeth and gums of a person while showering.
Several devices have been proposed in the prior art which divert water from a shower head or inlet pipe to a brush or flossing tool. Although assumably effective in operation, existing devices still exhibit several disadvantages. Specifically, some devices include complicated apparatus for introducing dentifrice into the water stream. Further, the pressure of the ultimately expelled water stream is often too low to effectively clean a user's teeth. In addition, previous devices do not provide a variable speed control of the water stream that is easy and convenient to operate.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a teeth cleaning apparatus which can introduce dentifrice into the water stream without external apparatus. It is also desirable to have an apparatus which reduces or even eliminates factors which naturally reduce water pressure. Further, an apparatus having a variable velocity water stream that is simple to operate is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In response thereto, I have invented a water jet teeth cleaning apparatus which utilizes a shower head releasably attached to the inlet pipe of a shower and having a valve stem for selectably diverting water into a flexible tube. The tube is coupled to a channel within a handheld teeth cleaning unit having a housing with a nozzle and a pistol-grip type handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger for regulating the volume of water allowed to flow through the housing. Depression of the trigger allows water to flow through the housing and also actuates a vibration device which stirs the water stream to discourage frictional bonding so as to maintain optimal water pressure. The housing further includes a refillable reservoir of dentifrice which introduces the dentifrice into the water stream channel through a siphoning or Venturi effect. The water stream with dentifrice mixed therein is then forcefully expelled from an arcuate tip of the nozzle for cleaning or flossing the teeth of a person while showering.
It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus which can be attached to the inlet pipe of a shower so as to use the water stream directed thereto.
A further object of the invention is to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus, as aforesaid, having a pistol grip type handle which is easy to hold by a person while showering.
Another object of the invention is to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus, as aforesaid, in which the velocity of the water stream flowing therethrough can be regulated from the shower head or from a trigger assembly on the handle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus, as aforesaid, having a reservoir within the apparatus housing which introduces dentifrice into a water stream through a siphon or Venturi effect.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus, as aforesaid, having a vibration device which inhibits decreased fluid velocity caused by frictional forces.
A further object of the invention is to provide a teeth cleaning apparatus, as aforesaid, which is compact, self-contained, and easy to attach or remove from a shower inlet pipe.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the invention.
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Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Ream Dale J.
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