An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head with tooth cleaning elements extending from fixed pods. Additional tooth cleaning elements extend from one or more central pods suspended between the fixed pods via a bridge. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central pods to move from an initial position toward the head during use. The central pods, the bridge and outer portions of the fixed pods may be formed as a unitary structure. When a single central pod is employed, a flexible section may be disposed in the middle of the central pod so that cleaning elements extending from either end of the central pod can move toward one another during use.

Oral care implement

Oral care devices are provided that include a first component and a second component removably engaged with the first component; the first and second components having a respective fluid passageway extending therethrough, the respective passageways capable of fluid communication while the first and second components are engaged; and at least one of the first and second components including a sealing member constructed to allow fluid communication between the first and second passageways when the first and second passageways are engaged and to close the associated passageway when the first and second components are disengaged. Oral care devices are also provided that include a replaceable and refillable cartridge.

Oral care device

The dental hygiene apparatus includes a body portion (12) from one end of which extends an elongated resonator arm (32). The arm (32) is mounted for oscillating action about a torsion pin (38), by means of an electromagnet (16) in the body acting in combination with two permanent magnets (34, 35) which are mounted on the rear end (31) of the resonator arm (32). On the forward end (44) of the resonator arm (32) is mounted a set of bristles (47). The arm (32) is driven such that the tips of the bristles operate within ranges of amplitude and frequency to produce a bristle tip velocity greater than 1.5 meters per second, producing a significant cleansing effect beyond the tips of the bristles.

High performance acoustical cleaning apparatus for teeth

An electrically driven toothbrush has a rotatable shaft with a cam preferably at a remote end of the shaft, which fits into a slot in a bristle holder. The holder is mounted for rotation in a toothbrush head. When the shaft rotates cam describes a circle and drivingly engages the slot to cause the holder to vibrate in a first brushing motion. A second bristle holder is also driven by the shaft, for a second kind of brushing motion. The second bristle holder is driven through and engagement with a portion of the remote end and/or with one or more additional cams or cam portions included on the shaft.

Complex motion toothbrush

Oral care devices are provided that are capable of ejecting an air-liquid combination. In some implementations, the oral care devices include an applicator including a passageway within the applicator for directing the air-liquid combination therethrough; a plurality of brushing elements extending from a base at a head of the applicator to free distal ends, the head being sized to fit in a user's mouth; and a flexible nozzle in communication with the passageway and extending outwardly beyond the base at the head, the flexible nozzle configured to direct liquid droplets of the air-liquid combination beyond free distal ends of the brushing elements during brushing.

Oral care systems, oral care devices and methods of use

An integral oral hygiene system which includes an electric toothbrush wherein the brush can be replaced by an interproximal gum stimulator, an interproximal brush or a floss holder, all of which are driven by the toothbrush motor.

Integrated oral hygiene system

A hand-held device for body care, in particular for tooth care and mouth care, which comprises a device casing serving as grip member, a hydraulic piston motor, an instrument holder alternatingly drivable by the motor, a liquid duct connectable to an external liquid pump, for feeding the hydraulic piston motor, and at least one adjustable valve for energizing and stopping the hydraulic motor. The device is adapted for use with treatment instruments which can be attached to the instrument holder in an interchangeable manner, in particular tooth brushes or spraying nozzles.

Power handle for hydraulic toothbrush-spray appliance

A method and apparatus for fractionating liquid jets into a plurality of unitary, discrete liquid droplets for successively impacting a selected area, for example in the oral cavity, for stimulating the gum tissues and for cleaning the teeth and interdental spaces. Such a system for the practice of body care, for example, oral hygiene, generally comprises a reservoir for the liquid to be fractionated, a nozzle member for directing the fractionated jet against the area to be stimulated and cleaned, a pump for supplying the liquid under pressure from the reservoir to the nozzle member, and a suitable conduit for transferring the liquid from the reservoir to the pump and from the pump to the nozzle member. In a first embodiment, means are provided for producing vibrations and transferring the vibrations to the nozzle member to cause the liquid jet to divide into a plurality of unitary, discrete liquid droplets after exiting from the nozzle member. The parameters for the production of such liquid droplets are disclosed and include the ejection velocity of the jet, the fluid flow velocity through the nozzle, the nozzle opening diameter, the frequency of pulsation, the diameter of the formed droplets, and the distance from the tip at which the liquid droplets are completely formed and separated. The effect of the rugosity of the nozzle, the surface tension of the fluid, and the efficiency of the system are also disclosed. In a second embodiment, the physical construction of the nozzle effectively fractionates the jet and comprises an obturating member disposed in the free end of the nozzle member which includes a plurality of passages located therethrough. The cross-sectional area of each of the passages is much smaller than the adjacent liquid conduit of the nozzle member.

Fractionated liquid jet

A HYDRAULICALLY-OPERATED TOOTHBRUSH HAS A PISTON ARRANGED TO BE RECIPROCATED BY PULSATING LIQUID. A SHAFT FOR CARRYING A TOOTHBRUSH HEAD IS MOUNTED FOR ROTATIONAL OSCILLATION. A COUPLING BETWEEN THE PISTON AND THE SHAFT OSCILLATES THE SHAFT AT A MULTIPLE OF THE RECIPROCATING FREQUENCY OF THE PISTON. ONE SPECIFIC COUPLING IS A PIN AND SLOT CONNECTION WHEREIN THE SLOT HAS SUCCESSIVE SECTIONS EXTENDING IN OPPOSITE ANGULAR DIRECTIONS. ANOTHER USES A PLUNGER TO OSCILLATE THE SHAFT, AND THE PISTON HAS AN ARM WHICH RECIPROCATES THE PLUNGER DIRECTLY DURING A PORTION OF ITS CYCLE, AND THROUGH ADDITIONAL MEANS SUCH AS A ROCKING LEVER DURING ANOTHER PORTION OF ITS CYCLE.

Hydraulically-operated toothbrush

An apparatus for personal hygiene which includes a reservoir for containing liquid to be applied to selected parts of the body is provided with a dispenser containing a dentifrice to be dispensed therefrom upon demand. The dispenser is adapted to be housed in the bottom part of the casing of the apparatus. The dispenser is provided with a dentifrice container closed at the bottom by a flexible membrane and with an intermediate wall located above this membrane defining upper and lower container compartments. The intermediate wall includes an opening which permits communication between the two compartments. A closure finger attached to the membrane opposite the opening in the intermediate wall is adapted to be shifted between positions at which it is spaced from the opening and also disposed within the opening. In this manner, pressure applied to the membrane causes the closure finger to enter the opening and permits a measured quantity of the dentifrice to be taken off from the lower compartment. This pressure applying means includes a lever pivoted to the bottom of the apparatus casing below the dispenser. Tube take-off means conveniently directs the dentifrice from the lower compartment into the apparatus liquid containing reservoir. Biasing means serves to return the membrance to a position at which the finger is extended away from the opening. In addition, air venting means are provided to permit air to enter the container to replace the dentifrice removed therefrom.

Michel A Moret

Papers

Integrated oral hygiene system

Power handle for hydraulic toothbrush-spray appliance

Fractionated liquid jet

Hydraulically-operated toothbrush

Liquid treatment apparatus for body care