Teeth Cleaning Device.
Abstract
In one embodiment, the invention may be a dental cleaning device that includes: a first support structure comprising a first denture channel configured to receive at least a first portion of a user's denture; multiple dental cleaning pads located within the first denture canal; multiple air chambers operatively coupled to the dental cleaning pads; an air flow subsystem operatively coupled to the air chambers; and a control unit operatively coupled to the air flow subsystem, the control unit being configured to: (1) pressurize the air chambers with external air in a pressurization mode; and (2) transferring air between selected air chambers in a cleaning mode.

Term
12.5 yearsleft in the term
Expires 5 April 2039.
- Priority
- Filed
- Granted
- Today
- Expires
14 claims: 1 independent, 13 dependent
- 1Un dispositivo de limpieza dental caracterizado porque comprende:una primera estructura de soporte que comprende un primer canal de dentadura configurado para recibir los dientes superiores de la dentadura de un usuario;una segunda estructura de soporte que comprende un segundo canal de dentadura configurado para recibir los dientes inferiores de la dentadura del usuario;una pluralidad de almohadillas de limpieza dental que comprenden un primer conjunto de almohadillas de limpieza dental ubicadas dentro del primer canal de dentadura y un segundo conjunto de almohadillas de limpieza dental ubicadas dentro del segundo canal de dentadura;una pluralidad de cámaras de aire que comprenden un primer conjunto de cámaras de aire acopladas operativamente al primer conjunto de almohadillas de limpieza dental y un segundo conjunto de cámaras de aire acopladas operativamente al segundo conjunto de almohadillas de limpieza dental;un subsistema de flujo de aire acoplado operativamente a las cámaras de aire;y una unidad de control acoplada operativamente al subsistema de flujo de aire, la unidad de control está configurada para: (1) operar el subsistema de flujo de aire para producir un primer movimiento de limpieza en una primera dirección con respecto a la dentadura del usuario;(2) operar el subsistema de flujo de aire para producir un segundo movimiento de limpieza en una segunda dirección con respecto a la dentadura del usuario;y (3) operar el subsistema de flujo de aire para producir un tercer movimiento de limpieza en una tercera dirección con respecto a la dentadura del usuario, en donde la primera, segunda y tercera direcciones son diferentes entre sí.
- 2El dispositivo de conformidad con la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque cada almohadilla de limpieza dental se forma integralmente con una de las cámaras de aire.
- 3El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 2, caracterizado porque:el primer canal de dentadura está definido por una primera pared facial, una primera pared lingual, y un primer piso de canal;el segundo canal de dentadura está definido por una segunda pared facial, una segunda pared lingual, y un segundo piso de canal;y para cada una de la primera y segunda estructuras de soporte: cada pared facial comprende una primera parte de pared facial, una segunda parte de pared facial, y una tercera parte de pared facial, cada pared lingual comprende una primera parte de pared lingual, una segunda parte de pared lingual, y una tercera parte de pared lingual, y cada piso de canal comprende una primera parte de piso y una segunda parte de piso;y la pluralidad de cámaras de aire comprende una primera cámara de aire facial ubicada adyacente a la primera parte de pared facial, una segunda cámara de aire facial ubicada adyacente a la segunda parte de pared facial, una tercera cámara de aire facial ubicada adyacente a la tercera parte de pared facial, una primera cámara de aire lingual ubicada adyacente a la primera parte de pared lingual, una segunda cámara de aire lingual ubicada adyacente a la segunda parte de pared lingual, una tercera cámara de aire lingual ubicada contra la tercera parte de pared lingual, una primera cámara de aire de piso ubicada adyacente a la primera parte de piso, y una segunda cámara de aire de piso ubicada adyacente a la segunda parte de piso.
- 4El dispositivo de conformidad con la reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque el subsistema de flujo de aire comprende:una primera válvula acoplada operativamente entre la primera cámara de aire facial de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire;una segunda válvula acoplada operativamente entre la primera cámara de aire lingual de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire;una tercera válvula acoplada operativamente entre la segunda cámara de aire facial de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire y entre la tercera cámara de aire lingual de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire;una cuarta válvula acoplada operativamente entre la tercera cámara de aire facial de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire y entre la segunda cámara de aire lingual de cada estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire;una quinta válvula acoplada operativamente entre la primera y la segunda cámaras de aire de piso de la primera estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire;y una sexta válvula acoplada operativamente entre la primera y segunda cámara de aire de la segunda estructura de soporte y la bomba de aire.
- 5El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de la reivindicación 3, caracterizado porque la unidad de control está configurada para operar cada una de las una o más bombas de transferencia a una velocidad de flujo predeterminada para lograr una frecuencia predeterminada en la transferencia del aire entre las dos o más cámaras de aire.
- 6El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 5, caracterizado porque la unidad de control está configurada para operar el subsistema de flujo de aire para producir secuencialmente el primer, segundo y tercer movimientos de limpieza.
- 7El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 5, iviA/a/zuzz/u i zoou 20 caracterizado porque la unidad de control está configurada para operar el subsistema de flujo de aire para producir dos o más del primer, segundo, y tercer movimientos de limpieza simultáneamente.
- 8El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 7, caracterizado porque el subsistema de flujo de aire comprende una válvula de liberación de presión acoplada operativamente a las cámaras de aire.
- 9El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 8, caracterizado porque el subsistema de flujo de aire comprende un sensor de presión, en donde el sensor de presión detecta una presión dentro de las cámaras de aire, genera una señal de presión, y proporciona la señal de presión a la unidad de control, y en donde, cuando la señal de presión indica que la presión está en o excede una presión predeterminada, la unidad de control sella las cámaras de aire presurizado de la bomba de aire mediante el uso de las válvulas.
- 10El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 9, caracterizado porque cada cámara de aire está hecha de uno de un caucho de silicona o un poliuretano.
- 11El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 10, caracterizado porque cada cámara de aire tiene una dureza Shore de entre e incluye 1530 A.
- 12El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 11, caracterizado porque cada almohadilla de limpieza dental comprende múltiples elementos de limpieza dental.
- 13El dispositivo de conformidad con la reivindicación 12, caracterizado porque los elementos de limpieza dental están hechos de un poliuretano.
- 14El dispositivo de conformidad con una cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 y 13, caracterizado porque los elementos de limpieza dental están hechos de un material que tiene una dureza Shore de entre e incluye 30-40 A.
Independent claims14
61 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed
DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the priority benefit of United States Patent Application Serial No. 15/291,760, filed October 12, 2016, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to dental cleaning devices, particularly to dental cleaning devices that allow substantially all dental surfaces to be cleaned simultaneously.
A type of dental cleaning device is known that performs tooth brushing (plaque removal) by cleaning substantially all exposed tooth surfaces within the user's mouth simultaneously. Such devices may commonly be referred to as full-mouth toothbrushes. Some full-mouth toothbrushes seek to replicate the up-and-down motion of the Bass method of cleaning teeth, which is widely recognized as one of the most efficient methods for removing plaque , tartar, and the like from tooth surfaces. However, although the Bass method for cleaning teeth is one of the most recommended methods for using a manual toothbrush, it is not necessarily the most efficient method for full-mouth toothbrushes. Therefore, there is a need for a dental cleaning device that can improve the efficiency of full mouth toothbrushes in removing plaque, tartar and the like.
BRIEF COMPENDIUM
The present invention may relate, in one aspect, to a dental cleaning device including: a first support structure comprising a first denture channel configured to receive at least a first portion of a user's denture; multiple dental cleaning pads located within the first denture canal; multiple air chambers operatively coupled to the dental cleaning pads; an air flow subsystem operatively coupled to the air chambers; and a control unit operatively coupled to the air flow subsystem, the control unit being configured to: (1) pressurize the air chambers with external air in a pressurization mode; and (2) transferring air back and forth between selected air chambers in a cleaning mode.
In another aspect, the invention may relate to a dental cleaning device that includes: a first support structure comprising a first denture channel configured to receive at least a first part of a denture of a user, wherein the first denture canal is defined by a first canal floor, a first facial wall and a first lingual wall; multiple dental cleaning pads, wherein the dental cleaning pads comprise: a first facial dental cleaning pad coupled to the first facial wall; and a first lingual dental cleaning pad coupled to the first lingual wall so as to be opposite the first facial dental cleaning pad, the first facial dental cleaning pad and the first lingual dental cleaning pad being oriented so as to be form an acute angle between them; multiple air chambers operatively coupled to the dental cleaning pads; and an air flow subsystem operatively coupled to the air chambers.
In another aspect, the invention may be a dental cleaning device that includes: a first support structure comprising a first denture channel configured to receive upper teeth of a user's denture; a second support structure comprising a second denture channel configured to receive lower teeth of the user's denture; multiple dental cleaning pads comprising a first set of dental cleaning pads located within the first denture channel and a second set of dental cleaning pads located within the second denture channel; multiple air chambers comprising a first set of air chambers operatively coupled to the first set of dental cleaning pads and a second set of air chambers operatively coupled to the second set of dental cleaning pads; an air flow subsystem operatively coupled to the air chambers; and a control unit operatively coupled to the air flow subsystem, the control unit configured to: (1) operate the air flow subsystem to produce a first cleaning movement in a first direction with respect to the user's denture; (2) operating the air flow subsystem to produce a second cleaning movement in a second direction with respect to the user's denture; and (3) operating the air flow subsystem to produce a third cleaning movement in a third direction with respect to the user's denture, wherein the first, second and third directions are different from each other.
Other areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
The present invention will be understood more completely from the detailed description and the accompanying figures, where:
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Figure 1 is a perspective view of the support structure of a dental cleaning device according to a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a top elevation view of the support structure of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the support structure along line III—III of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the support structure along line IV—IV of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a top elevation view of the support structure of Figure 1 without the dental cleaning pads;
Figure 6A is a partial side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a dental cleaning pad;
Figure 6B is a partial top plan view of the first embodiment of the dental cleaning pad;
Figure 7A is a partial side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a dental cleaning pad;
Figure 7B is a partial top plan view of the second embodiment of the dental cleaning pad;
Figure 8 is a schematic view of an upper support structure of a dental cleaning device according to a second embodiment;
Figure 9 is a schematic view of the air and control paths of a dental cleaning device in accordance with the second embodiment; and
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a dental cleaning device according to a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application or its uses.
The description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with principles of the present invention is intended to be read in relation to the attached Figures, which should be considered as part of the entire written description. In the description of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is intended simply for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “above”, “below”, “superior” and “inferior”, as well as derivatives of these (e.g. “horizontally,” “downward,” “upward,” etc.) should be interpreted as referring to the orientation being described or as shown in the figure being discussed. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation, unless explicitly stated to do so. Terms such as “attached”, “fixed”, “connected”, “coupled”, “interconnected” and the like refer to a relationship where structures are fastened or linked to each other either directly or indirectly through intermediate structures, as well as movable or rigid unions or relationships, unless otherwise expressly described. Furthermore, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the invention should not be expressly limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; The scope of the invention is defined by the claims attached hereto.
As used throughout the description, ranges are used as shorthand to describe each and every value that falls within the range. Any value within the interval can be selected as the term of the interval. Additionally, all references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between a definition in this disclosure and that of a cited reference, this disclosure will govern.
Looking at the figures in detail, Figure 1 illustrates the dental support structure of a dental cleaning device 11 (also referred to herein as an oral care implement or an electric toothbrush in some embodiments) that includes a first support structure 13 and a second support structure 15. In this illustrative embodiment, the first support structure 13 and the second support structure 15 are configured identically. Therefore, in the following description, the details concerning the first support structure 13 apply equally to the second support structure 15. In certain other embodiments, the first support structure 13 and the second support structure 15 may have configurations that vary from each other, such that one of the support structures is specifically configured to clean the upper teeth, and the other support structure is specifically configured to clean the bottom teeth. As will be evident from the description below, the first support structure 13 and the second support structure 15 may vary with respect to one or more of the number and location of the air chambers, the number and location of the dental cleaning pads, the orientation of the cleaning pads relative to each other, among other types of potential variations.
Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiment is shown to have both the first and second tooth support structures 13, 15, it should be understood that certain embodiments of the tooth cleaning device 11 may include only one of the first or second tooth support structures. 13, 15. In such embodiments, a single dental support structure may first be used on the upper or lower teeth of a user, and
MA a. ZUZZ U Ί ¿oou then turned over to be used on the other of the user's upper or lower teeth. Referring again to Figure 1, the first support structure 13 includes a denture channel 17 having a shape such that at least a part of a user's denture, namely, at least a part of the upper or lower teeth of the user, can be received in the denture canal 17. The denture canal 17 is defined by a facial wall 19, a lingual wall 21, and a canal floor 23. In certain embodiments, the first support structure 13 may be made of a material that is suitable for use within the mouth of a user, such as, for example, polyetheretherketone. As seen in Figures 1-3, the air chambers 25 are positioned adjacent to each of the facial wall 19, the lingual wall 21, and the canal floor 23, and the dental cleaning pads 27 are attached to the air chambers 25. The air chambers 25 may be attached to the first support structure 13 within the denture canal 17 by any appropriate means, such as glue, tape, fasteners, brackets, and the like. The dental cleaning pads 27 may be attached to the air chambers 25 by any appropriate means, such as glue or tape. In certain embodiments, the dental cleaning pads 27 may be used to secure the air chambers 25 adjacent to any one or more of the facial wall 19, the lingual wall 21, and/or the canal floor 23. In certain embodiments, the dental cleaning pads 27 may be formed integrally with the air chambers 25.
In the illustrative embodiment, the air chambers 25 may be made of one of an elastic material such as a silicone rubber or a polyurethane. The material from which the air chambers 25 are made may have a Shore hardness between and including 15-30 A. And in the illustrative embodiment, the dental cleaning pads 27 may be made of a polyurethane. The material from which the dental cleaning pads 27 are made can have a Shore hardness between and including 30-40 A. Of course, other materials can be used for both the air chambers 25 and the dental cleaning pads 27, and the materials used may have a hardness outside the indicated ranges. As shown in Figure 2, the face wall 19 of the first support structure 13 may include a first face wall part 19a, a second face wall part 19b, a third face wall part 19c, a fourth face wall part facial 19d, and one fifth of facial wall 19e. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into the mouth of a user, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture channel 17, the first, second and third facial wall parts 19a-c are positioned facing the facial surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth, and the fourth and fifth facial wall parts 19d-e are positioned facing the facial surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth. In certain embodiments, any two or more of the facial wall portions 19a-e may be integrally formed. For example, the entire facial wall 19 may be formed integrally, so that there is no visible distinction on the facial wall 23 between the facial wall portions 19a-e. In such embodiments, the positioning of the air chambers 25 along the facial wall 19 may serve to distinguish between different facial wall portions 19a-e. In certain embodiments, the second and third facial wall portions 19b-c may be integrated with the first facial wall portion 19a. In still other embodiments, the second and fourth facial wall portions 19b, 19d may be integrated, and the third and fifth facial wall portions 19c, 19e may be integrated. The respective sizes and positions of the facial wall portions 19a-e may vary to accommodate the difference in mouth and tooth sizes of different users and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.
The lingual wall 21 of the first support structure 13 may include a first lingual wall portion 21a, a second lingual wall portion 21b, and a third lingual wall portion 21c. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into the mouth of a user, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first lingual wall portion 21a is positioned facing the lingual surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth, and the second and third wall portions 21b-c are positioned facing the lingual surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth. In certain embodiments, any two or more of the lingual wall portions 21a-c may be formed integrally. For example, the entire lingual wall 21 may be formed integrally, so that there is no visible distinction on the lingual wall 21 between the lingual wall portions 21a-c. In such embodiments, the positioning of the air chambers 25 along the lingual wall 21 may serve to distinguish between the different portions of lingual wall 21a-c. The respective sizes and positions of the lingual wall portions 21a-c may vary to accommodate the difference in mouth and tooth sizes of different users and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.
The channel floor 23 of the first support structure 13 can be seen to include a first floor portion 23a, a second floor portion 23b, and a third floor portion 23c. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into the mouth of a user, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first floor portion 23a is positioned facing the biting surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth, and the second and third floor parts 23b-c are positioned facing the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth. In certain embodiments, any two or more of the floor portions 23a-c may be formed integrally. For example, the entire channel floor 23 may be formed integrally, so that there is no visible distinction in the channel floor 23 between the floor parts 23a-c. In such embodiments, the positioning of the air chambers 25 along the floor channel 23 may serve to distinguish between the different floor portions 23a-c. The respective sizes and positions of the floor portions 23a-c may vary to accommodate the difference in mouth and tooth sizes of different users and are not intended to be limiting of the invention.
The illustrative embodiment includes, along the facial wall 19, a first facial air chamber 31 adjacent to the first facial wall portion 19a, a second facial air chamber 33 adjacent to the second facial wall portion 19b, a third facial air chamber 35 adjacent to the third facial wall part 19c, a fourth facial air chamber 37 adjacent to the fourth facial wall part 19d, and a fifth facial air chamber 39 adjacent to the fifth facial wall part 19e. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into a user's mouth, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture channel 17, the first, second and third facial air chambers 31, 33, 35 are positioned between the facial surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth, and the respective first, second and third facial wall parts 19a-c, and the fourth and fifth air chambers 37, 39 They are positioned between the facial surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth and the respective fourth and fifth facial wall parts 19d-e. In certain embodiments, additional air chambers 25 may be included adjacent to the facial wall 19. In still other embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in Figure 8, fewer air chambers 25 may be included adjacent to the facial wall 19.
Along the lingual wall 21, the illustrative embodiment includes a first lingual air chamber 41, a second lingual air chamber 43, and a third lingual air chamber 45. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into a user's mouth, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first lingual air chamber 41 is positioned between the lingual surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth and the first part of lingual wall 21a, and the second and third air chambers 43, Four. Five They are positioned between the lingual surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth and the respective second and third lingual wall parts 21-bc. In certain embodiments, more or fewer air chambers 25 may be included adjacent to the lingual wall 21.
Along the channel floor 23, the illustrative embodiment includes a first floor air chamber 47 and a second floor air chamber 49. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into the mouth of a user, with the teeth of the user positioned in the denture canal 17, the first and second floor air chambers 47, 49 are positioned between the biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth and the respective second and third floor parts 23b-c. In certain embodiments, additional air chambers 25 may be included adjacent to the channel floor 23. For example, an air chamber 25 may be included along the first floor portion 23a. As another example, the second and third floor portions 23b-c may have two or more air chambers adjacent thereto.
The dental cleaning pads 27 along the facial wall 19 extend continuously around the facial wall 19 and engage the air chambers 25 adjacent to the facial wall 19. Similarly, the dental cleaning pads 27 along of the lingual wall 21 extend continuously around the lingual wall 21 and engage the air chambers 25 adjacent to the lingual wall 21. In the illustrative embodiment, the dental cleaning pads 27 extend between any gaps that may be formed between the air chambers 25. In certain embodiments, the gaps may be left between the dental cleaning pads 27, wherein said gaps are closed upon pressurization. of the air chambers 25. Two floor dental cleaning pads 57 are positioned in the channel floor 23. In the illustrative embodiment, the floor cleaning pads 57 are contiguous. However, in certain other embodiments, the floor dental cleaning pads 57 may extend continuously along the channel floor 23.
In the illustrative embodiment, the dental cleaning pads 27 along the lingual wall 19 include a first facial dental cleaning pad 61 coupled to the first facial air chamber 31, a second facial dental cleaning pad 63 coupled to the second facial air chamber 33, a third facial dental cleaning pad 65 coupled to the third facial air chamber 35, a fourth facial dental cleaning pad 67 coupled to the fourth facial air chamber 37, and a fifth facial dental cleaning pad 69 coupled to the fifth facial air chamber 39. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into a user's mouth, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first, second and third facial dental cleaning pads 61, 63, 65 are positioned to touch the teeth. facial surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth when the first, second and third coupled facial air chambers 31, 33, 35 respectively are pressurized, and the fourth and fifth facial dental cleaning pads 67, 69 They are positioned between the facial surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth when the fourth and fifth facial air chambers 37, 39 are pressurized. In certain embodiments, any two or more of the facial dental cleaning pads 61, 63, 65 may be integrally formed.
The dental cleaning pads 27 along the facial wall 21 include a first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 coupled to the first lingual air chamber 41, a second lingual dental cleaning pad 73 coupled to the second lingual air chamber 43 , a third lingual dental cleaning pad 75 coupled to the third lingual air chamber 45. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into a user's mouth, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 is positioned to touch the lingual surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth. when the first coupled lingual air chamber 41 is pressurized, and the second and third lingual dental cleaning pads 73, 75 They are positioned to touch the lingual surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth when the second and third lingual air chambers 43, 45 are pressurized. In certain embodiments, any two or more of the facial dental cleaning pads 61, 63, 65 may be integrally formed.
Referring to Figure 3, the dental cleaning pads 27 along the channel floor 23 include a first floor dental cleaning pad 77 coupled to the first floor air chamber 47 and a second floor dental cleaning pad 79 coupled to the second floor air chamber 49. When the first support structure 13 is inserted into a user's mouth, with the user's teeth positioned in the denture canal 17, the first and second floor dental cleaning pads 77, 79 are positioned to touch the biting surfaces. of the premolar and molar teeth when the first and second floor air chambers 47, 49 are pressurized. In the illustrative embodiment, each air chamber 25 has one of the dental cleaning pads 27 attached to it. In certain other embodiments, each air chamber 25 may have more than one of the dental cleaning pads 27 attached to it.
As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the plane of the figure, which is in a plane bisecting the facial and lingual walls 19, 21, the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 is positioned at a first angle with respect to to the first floor portion 23a of the first support structure 11 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 is positioned at a second angle with respect to the first floor portion 23a of the first support structure 11, where the first angle is different from the second angle. With such orientations, an acute angle, a, is formed between the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71. In the illustrative embodiment, the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 is perpendicular to the first part floor portion 23a, and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 is at an oblique angle with respect to the first floor portion 23a. The respective angles of the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 help to more efficiently clean the facial, lingual and biting surfaces of the incisors and canines. Particularly, having the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 at an oblique angle with respect to the first floor portion 23a helps clean the lingual and biting surfaces of the incisors and canines without the need to add a dental cleaning pad located along along the first part of the 23rd floor. It should be noted that in certain embodiments, the first channel floor (or at least a portion thereof, such as the first floor portion 23a) may simply be in the form of a line or apex formed by the convergence of the first facial wall and the first lingual wall (or parts thereof).
The dental cleaning pads other than the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 may be located at a third angle, and this third angle may be different from the first and second angles, or may be the same as the first angle. In certain embodiments, the dental cleaning pads 27 other than the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 are positioned perpendicular to the channel floor 23. In certain other embodiments, the angles of all dental cleaning pads 27 can vary along the facial and lingual walls 19, 21, and said variation in angle can provide improved cleaning of all exposed tooth surfaces through better contact of the dental cleaning pads 27, when the air chambers 25 are pressurized, with the exposed tooth surfaces. The invention, however, should not be limited by the respective angles of the various dental cleaning pads 27 unless otherwise limited in the claims. In certain embodiments, the dental cleaning pads 27 may all be positioned at the same angle with respect to the channel floor 23.
To further improve cleaning of exposed tooth surfaces, the channel floor 23 can vary in width. In the illustrative embodiment, the first floor portion 23a of the first support structure 11 has a first width and the second and third floor portions 23b-c of the first support structure 11 have a second width, wherein the first width is less than the second width. The first width may be such that the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 adjacent to the first facial wall portion 19a and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 adjacent to the first lingual wall portion 21a are closer than the cleaning pads. dental 27 opposite each other in other parts of the facial and lingual walls 19, 21. The narrowness of the first width, compared to the second width, is an additional factor, along with the respective angles of the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71, in the exclusion of dental cleaning pads 27 along with the first part of the 23rd floor. In certain embodiments, the first width of the first floor portion 23a may be reduced to a line of intersection between the first facial wall 19a and the first lingual wall 21a. The combination of the respective angles of the first facial dental cleaning pad 61 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 and the first width of the first floor portion 23a may result, in certain embodiments, in that the first dental cleaning pad facial 61 and the first lingual dental cleaning pad 71 come into contact with each other, or are almost in contact with each other, adjacent to the first floor portion 23a before pressurization of the respective air chambers 31, 41. The differences in widths help adapt the denture channel 17 better to the widths of the teeth being cleaned. Generally speaking, incisors and canines are narrower in width than premolars and molars. Therefore, the denture canal 17 is constructed so that the part of the canal intended to receive the incisors and canines, namely, the first floor part 23a, has a narrower width than the part of the canal intended to receive the premolars and molars, namely the second and third floor parts 23b-c. Of course, the invention should not be limited in this way, and in certain embodiments, the entire channel floor 23 may have a constant width.
Although not shown in the figures depicting the first embodiment of the dental cleaning device 11, the first (and second) support structure 13 includes air supply ducts extending from an inlet duct to each of the chambers. 25. Air supply ducts are included to supply pressurized air to all air chambers. The air supply ducts are shown schematically in Figure 9, which describes a second embodiment of the dental cleaning device.
As will be evident from the following description, during use of the dental cleaning pads 27 along the facial wall 19 touch and clean the facial surface of a user's teeth, the dental cleaning pads 27 along of the lingual wall 21 touch and clean the lingual surface of a user's teeth, and dental cleaning pads 27 along the channel floor 23 touch and clean the biting surfaces of a user's premolars and molars. Each dental cleaning pad 27 is coupled to an air chamber, and each air chamber, when pressurized, expands to move the dental cleaning pads 27 into the denture canal 17 to contact the respective tooth surfaces.
Figures 6A-B and 7A-B show two different illustrative embodiments of the dental cleaning pads 27a, 27b. Referring to the dental cleaning pad 27a shown in Figures 6A-B, the dental cleaning pad 27a includes a substrate layer 81 and multiple dental cleaning elements 83. In certain embodiments, the substrate layer 81 can be a surface of an air chamber 25. In certain other embodiments, the substrate layer 81 is attached to a surface of an air chamber 25. The dental cleaning elements 83 can serve at least two functions during use of the cleaning device 11. First, the dental cleaning elements 83 can serve at least two functions during use of the cleaning device 11. dental cleaning device 11 may serve to support the dental cleaning device 11 within the user's mouth during use. To help meet this first purpose, the dental cleaning elements 83 are supported by a sufficiently large surface area (i.e., the air chambers 25) and are constructed to have adequate rigidity when the air chambers 25 are pressurized. and press the dental cleaning elements 83 against the exposed tooth surfaces. Therefore, the dental cleaning elements 83, in the illustrative embodiment, are formed from an appropriate material, as described above, and are formed to have a density to ensure sufficient contact with the exposed tooth surfaces when applied. air chambers are pressurized. The second function of the dental cleaning elements 83 is to provide the desired cleaning of the exposed tooth surfaces. To fulfill both of these functions, the dental cleaning elements 83 of Figures 6A-B are formed as truncated cones 83. The truncated cone dental cleaning elements 83 have a large base end coupled to the substrate layer 81, where the larger base helps provide the desired support and rigidity, and a smaller tip end, which touches the exposed tooth surfaces to help provide the desired support and provide the desired clean. The truncated cones 83 are positioned on the substrate 81 to form a hexagonal grid, thus providing the desired density. Figures 7A-B show a second embodiment for the dental cleaning pads 27. In this embodiment, the dental cleaning elements 93 attached to the substrate layer 91 are formed as truncated pyramids. Like the truncated cones, the truncated pyramid dental cleaning elements 93 have a large base end coupled to the substrate layer 91 and a smaller tip end. Similarly, the truncated pyramid dental cleaning elements 93 are positioned on the substrate 81 to form a hexagonal grid. In certain embodiments, the dental cleaning elements may take other shapes, such as bristles, as the invention should not be limited by the shape of the dental cleaning elements.
Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a dental cleaning device 101 and the positions of the air chambers with respect to the dental support structure 103; Canal walls and dental cleaning pads are omitted for greater clarity. The dental cleaning device 101 is shown with two sets of air chambers 25, one set as part of a first support structure (the air chambers with reference numerals ending with a) and the other set as part of a second support structure (air chambers with reference numbers ending with b). It should be understood that, as with the first embodiment described above, each air chamber of this second embodiment is positioned adjacent a respective wall portion, which defines the denture canal, and is coupled to a respective dental cleaning pad. The dental cleaning device 101 includes a first facial air chamber 105, a second facial air chamber 107, a third facial air chamber 109, a first lingual air chamber 111, a second lingual air chamber 113, a third chamber lingual air chamber 115, a first floor air chamber 117 and a second floor air chamber 119. These various air chambers are positioned in the dental support structure 103 in a manner described above to effect cleaning of the facial, lingual and biting surfaces of a user's teeth during use.
The dental cleaning device 101 is shown schematically in Figure 9, and includes an air flow subsystem 121 for pressurizing the air chambers. The air flow subsystem 121 is operatively coupled to a control unit 131, which operates the air flow subsystem 121 to pressurize and control the air pressure in the air chambers. The predetermined pressure, then the control unit 131 sends a signal to the air valves 135—145 to move to the closed position and turns off the air pump 147. The predetermined pressure can be set ensuring that the dental cleaning elements completely touch the exposed tooth surfaces inside a user's mouth without separation.
In the closed position, air valves 135-145 seal the air chambers 25 of the air pump 133 so that the air chambers 25 remain pressurized. As noted above, when the air chambers 25 are pressurized, the dental cleaning pad associated with each air chamber 25 moves into the respective denture canal. At any time during or after the brushing process, the control unit 131 can depressurize the air chambers 25 by sending a signal to the air valves 135-145 to move to the open position and sending a signal to the air valve 135-145 to move to the open position. discharge 149 to move to the open position, so that the pressurized air within the air chambers 25 is released to the atmosphere through the discharge valve 149.
Each valve 135-145 is coupled to a set of air chambers 25, and each set of air chambers 25 includes at least one air chamber 25. While in the illustrative embodiment the control unit 131 operates the valves 135-145 as one unit to pressurize and depressurize all of the air chambers 25, in certain embodiments the control unit 131 may operate one or more of the valves 135-145. individually to pressurize or depressurize specific sets of air chambers 25 independently of the other sets of air chambers 25.
As shown in Figure 9, the air chambers are grouped into sets as follows (as identified by the air ducts leading to the respective sets of air chambers 25):
Assembly A: the first facial air chamber 105a of the first support structure and the first facial air chamber 105b of the second support structure (this assembly is coupled to the air pump 133 through the valve 135);
Assembly B: the first lingual air chamber 111a of the first support structure and the first lingual air chamber 111b of the second support structure (this assembly is coupled to the air pump 133 through the valve 137);
Assembly C: the second facial air chamber 107a and the third lingual air chamber 115a of the first support structure and the second facial air chamber 107b and the third lingual air chamber 115b of the second support structure (this assembly is couples to the air pump 133 through valve 139);
Assembly D: the second lingual air chamber 113a and the third facial air chamber 109a of the first support structure and the second lingual air chamber 113b and the third facial air chamber 109b of the second support structure (this assembly is coupled to the air pump 133 through the valve 141);
Assembly E: the first and second floor air chambers 117a, 119a of the first support structure (this assembly is coupled to the air pump 133 through the valve 143); and Assembly F: the first and second floor air chambers 117b, 119b of the second support structure (this assembly is coupled to the air pump 133 through the valve 145).
As can be seen from these groupings, the facial air chambers 105a, 105b of Set A are located opposite the respective denture canals of the lingual air chambers 111a, 111b of Set B. With respect to Set C and Set D, each of the air chambers 107a-b, 115a-b of Set C is located opposite the respective denture canals of one of the air chambers 109a-b, 11 Safa of Set D. Finally, each of the air chambers 117a-by 119a-b of Set E and Set F is located adjacent to a channel floor. Other groupings of the air chambers 25 are possible and may be advantageous during operation. As such, unless expressly stated in the claims, the invention should not be limited by the groupings of the air chambers.
As shown, one of the transfer pumps 151-155 is operatively coupled between two of the air chamber assemblies 25. In certain embodiments, the transfer pumps 151-155 may be dual-chamber diaphragm pumps, although they may be used other types of pumps that can perform the function of transfer pumps 151-155 as described herein. Transfer pump 151 is operatively coupled between Assembly A and Assembly B, transfer pump 153 is operatively coupled between Assembly C and Assembly D, and transfer pump 155 is operatively coupled between Assembly E and Assembly F. When the air chambers 25 are pressurized and the valves 135-145 are closed, the transfer pumps 151-155 can be operated by the control unit 131 to redistribute air between the sets of chambers 25 coupled thereto. The redistribution of air between the sets of chambers 25 creates a positive pressure change in one set and a negative pressure change in the other set. As described below, the redistribution of air between sets of chambers can be used to generate movement of the cleaning device 101 relative to the user's mouth. The control unit 131 can selectively operate the transfer pumps 151-155 in any manner or sequence. For example, in certain embodiments, the transfer pumps 151-155 may be operated simultaneously; In certain other embodiments, the transfer pumps 151-155 may all be operated sequentially; and in still other embodiments, any two or more of the transfer pumps may be operated simultaneously.
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During use, when the user's denture parts are placed in the first and second denture canals, the device is placed in a mouth with the upper teeth positioned in the first denture canal and with the lower teeth positioned in the second denture channel, operation of the first transfer pump 151 produces a first cleaning movement in a first direction with respect to the user's denture; operation of the second transfer pump 153 produces a second cleaning movement in a second direction with respect to the user's teeth; Operation of the third transfer pump 155 produces a third cleaning movement in a third direction with respect to the user's teeth. In the illustrative embodiment, the three directions of each of the three cleaning movements are different from each other. As an example, when the first transfer pump 151 redistributes air between the air chambers 25 of Set A and Set B, a movement of the cleaning device 101 is generated in a first forward and backward direction relative to the user's jaw. This first direction of movement generates a first cleaning movement of other air chambers 25 that are not in Set A or Set B against the facial, lingual and biting surfaces of the premolar and molar teeth. When the second transfer pump 153 redistributes air between the air chambers 25 of Set C and Set D, a movement of the cleaning device 101 is generated in a second direction from left to right relative to the user's jaw. This second direction of movement generates a second cleaning movement of other air chambers 25 that are not in Set C or Set D against the facial, lingual and biting surfaces of the incisor and canine teeth. When the third transfer pump 155 redistributes air between the air chambers 25 of Set E and Set F, a movement of the cleaning device 101 is generated in a third up-and-down direction relative to the user's jaw. This third direction of movement generates a third cleaning movement of other air chambers 25 that are not in Set E or Set F against the facial and lingual surfaces of all the teeth. In each of these modes of operation, generating the cleaning motion moves certain of the dental cleaning pads 27 back and forth across one or more surfaces of the user's teeth to effect a more thorough cleaning.
The control unit 131 may operate the transfer pumps 151-155 at a predetermined flow rate to achieve a predetermined frequency in redistribution of air between the coupled sets of air chambers 25. In certain embodiments, the predetermined frequency may be between and include approximately 2 Hz to 30 Hz. Frequencies outside this range may be used in certain other modalities. In still other embodiments, a variable frequency may be used for any one or more of the transfer pumps 151-155. The frequency at which any one or more of the transfer pumps 151-155 is operated may depend on the user, depending on, for example, the user's tolerance to the movement that is generated or the amount of scale and/or plaque that is generated. the user has in their teeth. The control unit 131 can be preprogrammed with specific operating programs of the transfer pumps 151-155 to clean the user's teeth. Each program may include instructions for operating the transfer pumps in a particular sequence, either simultaneously or sequentially, or some combinations of both, and the instructions may designate operating frequencies, or frequency intervals, or even change in a sequence of two or more. designated frequencies.
The manner in which the control unit 131 operates one or all of the transfer pumps 151-155, including the sequence in which they are operated and/or the frequency at which they are operated, is not intended to be limiting of the invention unless as otherwise expressly stated in the claims.
Figure 10 illustrates an illustrative dental cleaning device 201 that includes a handle 203 and a cleaning unit 205. The cleaning unit 205 includes a first and a second support structures 207, including air chambers and dental cleaning pads. , as described in relation to one or more of the above embodiments. The handle 205 is manufactured so that it is possible to accommodate an air flow subsystem as described above in Figure 9, including the control unit, valves, transfer pumps, and the necessary power sources (for example, rechargeable battery ) inside the accommodation. The handle 203 includes a button 209 that is operatively coupled to the control unit and/or the power source so that the user can start and stop the airflow subsystem. The handle 203 may further include a connection port (not shown) for connecting the airflow subsystem to a power source to recharge the battery. In certain embodiments, the battery can be recharged through the use of wireless inductive charging.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including currently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the systems and techniques that were described above. It should be understood that other modalities may be used and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
Contents6
6 sheets
Sheet 1 Sheet 2 Sheet 3 Sheet 4 Sheet 5 Sheet 6
30 members in 6 offices
Priority claims2
| Document | Office | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15291760 | United States of America | – | |
| 201615291760 | United States of America | A |
Members30
| Document | Office | Kind | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2018098832A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| WO2018071271A1 | World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) | A1 | |
| AU2017342841A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| CN109890321A | China | A | |
| MX2019004035A | Mexico | A | |
| EP3525721A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| US10420633B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| AU2017342841B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| AU2017342841A8 | Australia | A8 | |
| US2019358007A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| AU2020200902A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| AU2020200902B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| EP3525721B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US10966806B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| EP3799827A1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | A1 | |
| AU2021202174A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| US2021177559A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN109890321B | China | B | |
| CN114404094A | China | A | |
| MX2022012880AThis record | Mexico | A | |
| MX2022012880AThis record | Mexico | A | |
| US11654007B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| AU2021202174B2 | Australia | B2 | |
| EP3799827B1 | European Patent Office (EPO) | B1 | |
| US2023255736A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| AU2023241356A1 | Australia | A1 | |
| US12070366B2 | United States of America | B2 | |
| US2024415623A1 | United States of America | A1 | |
| CN114404094B | China | B | |
| AU2023241356B2 | Australia | B2 |
Numbers
- Publication
- 2022012880
- Application
- 2022012880
Titles2
- Spanish
- DISPOSITIVO DE LIMPIEZA DENTAL
- English
- DENTAL CLEANING DEVICE
Classification
- CPC, 6
- A61C17/349
- A61C17/228
- A61C17/222
- A61C17/221
- A61C17/224
- A46B9/005
- IPC, 3
- A61C17 22
- A46B9 00
- A61C17 34