U.S. patent number 3,593,707 [Application Number 04/762,397] was granted by the patent office on 1971-07-20 for jet tooth brush.
Invention is credited to George William Pifer.
United States Patent |
3,593,707 |
Pifer |
July 20, 1971 |
JET TOOTH BRUSH
Abstract
A toothbrush with a jet nozzle at its end extending angularly
toward the same side as the brush bristles and having a detachable
handle, a flexible fluid duct from a fluid source, such as an
adjustable hot and cold water spigot, and a valve for regulating
the fluid for the jet, which valve may be at the source and/or in
the handle. The handle may be hollow for connection to the flexible
duct, or may be an electric or mechanical toothbrush handle, or a
water jet or water pick handle. A source of dentrifrice and/or
disinfectant may be provided either in the jet brush attachment, in
its handle, or from a reservoir connected by a separate duct to the
jet brush attachment.
Inventors: |
Pifer; George William (Maumee,
OH) |
Family
ID: |
25064925 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/762,397 |
Filed: |
September 25, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
601/163; 401/289;
401/46; 601/165 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
17/032 (20190501); A46B 11/063 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
11/00 (20060101); A46B 11/06 (20060101); A61C
17/00 (20060101); A61C 17/02 (20060101); A61h
009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/62,66,229
;239/302,310 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Trapp; L. W.
Claims
I claim:
1. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source from a hot and cold water lavatory spigot having
a threaded open end for an aerator,
b. a flexible duct for said fluid between said source and the jet
nozzle of said jet toothbrush,
c. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush, having:
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom,
4. a duct in said body portion for supplying fluid from said source
to said jet nozzle and connectable to said flexible fluid duct,
d. a bypass valve means infinitely variable between limits and
detachably connected to said threaded open end of said spigot for
controlling the flow and pressure of said fluid to said jet nozzle
to avoid injury of gum tissue, and
e. an aerator connected to said valve means for the fluid not
bypassed to said jet nozzle,
said bypass valve means being of the reciprocating piston type with
finger buttons at each end of the piston, and said piston being
transverse of the flow of liquid through said valve means from said
spigot to said aerator.
2. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said spigot
includes a manually operated valve therefor.
3. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said fluid source
also includes a reservoir of liquid dentifrice.
4. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source comprising a lavatory spigot for controlling the
flow of said fluid to the jet nozzle of said jet toothbrush,
b. a reservoir of liquid dentifrice,
c. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush,
d. flexible ducts from said source and said reservoir to said
handle,
e. a jet brush attachment for said jet nozzle and said toothbrush
removably attached to said handle, said attachment comprising:
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom, and
4. a duct in said body portion for supplying fluid from said source
to said jet nozzle, and
f. valve means in said handle for connecting said dentifrice in
said reservoir to said jet nozzle.
5. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said fluid source
includes a means for pulsating the fluid before being applied to
said handle.
6. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said handle has a
duct therein and includes means at one end of said handle duct for
removably and rotatably connecting an attachment having said jet
brush mounted thereon, and means at the other end of said handle
duct to connect one end of said flexible duct.
7. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said handle
includes a valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said
jet nozzle.
8. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said handle
comprises an electromechanical vibrating means.
9. A jet toothbrush according to claim 8 including an attachment
having said jet brush mounted thereon and having a connection for
said flexible duct.
10. A jet toothbrush according to claim 8 including an adapter
between said attachment and said handle.
11. A jet toothbrush according to claim 10 wherein said adapter
includes a connection for said flexible duct.
12. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said handle
includes a base portion for said bristles, which base portion may
be removably attached to said body portion of said handle adjacent
said jet nozzle.
13. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said bristles of
said brush are arranged to provide a cavity in the central portion
thereof for the holding of a paste-type dentifrice.
14. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said bristles
extend radially outwardly from the longitudinal center line of said
longitudinal body portion of said handle.
15. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said duct in said
handle includes a chamber for a slowly dissolving dentifrice.
16. A jet toothbrush according to claim 4 wherein said valve is a
venturi-type valve having two passageways, one for said fluid and
the other for said dentifrice.
17. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source,
b. a flexible duct for said fluid between said source to the jet
nozzle of said jet toothbrush,
c. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush,
d. a jet brush attachment for said jet nozzle and said toothbrush
having:
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom,
4. a first duct in said body portion for supplying fluid from said
source to said jet nozzle and connectable to said flexible fluid
duct, and
5. a second duct in said body portion connected to apertures among
said bristles,
e. means to removably attach said attachment to said handle,
and
f. a valve means in the duct between said source and said jet
nozzle for controlling the flow of said fluid to said jet
nozzle.
18. A jet toothbrush according to claim 17 wherein said handle
means includes a second valve means for controlling the flow of
fluid to said apertures.
19. A jet toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein said outwardly
extending angle of said jet from said bristles is about
45.degree..
20. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source from a lavatory spigot,
b. a reservoir for liquid dentifrice,
c. separate flexible ducts for said fluid and said dentifrice
between said source and said reservoir and the jet nozzle of said
jet toothbrush,
d. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush,
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom,
4. ducts in said body portion for supplying fluid from said source
and said reservoir to said jet nozzle and connectable to said
flexible fluid ducts, and
5. valve means for controlling the flow of said dentifrice to said
jet nozzle, and
e. a bypass valve means detachably connected to said spigot for
controlling the flow of said fluid to said jet nozzle.
21. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source from a lavatory spigot,
b. a reservoir of liquid dentifrice,
c. separate flexible ducts for said fluid and dentifrice between
said source and said reservoir and the jet nozzle of said jet
toothbrush,
d. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush, having:
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom,
4. separate ducts in said body portion for supplying fluid from
said source and dentifrice from said reservoir to said jet nozzle
and connectable to said flexible fluid ducts, and
5. a venturi-type valve means between said ducts for controlling
the amount of said dentifrice in said fluid, and
e. a bypass valve means detachably connected to said spigot for
controlling the flow of said fluid to said jet nozzle.
22. A jet toothbrush comprising:
a. a fluid source from a lavatory spigot,
b. a flexible duct for said fluid between said source and the jet
nozzle of said jet toothbrush,
c. a handle for said jet nozzle and toothbrush, having:
1. a longitudinal body portion,
2. bristles of said toothbrush extending laterally outwardly from
one side of said body portion near the outer end thereof,
3. a jet nozzle projecting outwardly from the outer end of said
body portion and on the same side thereof as said bristles but at
an outwardly extending angle therefrom,
4. a first duct in said body portion for supplying fluid from said
source to said jet nozzle and connectable to said flexible fluid
duct, and
5. a second duct in said body portion connected to apertures around
said bristles, and
d. a bypass valve means detachably connected to said spigot for
controlling the flow of said fluid to said jet nozzle.
23. A jet toothbrush according to claim 22 wherein said handle
includes a valve means for controlling the flow of fluid to said
apertures.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many different types of oral cavity cleaners and toothbrushes are
known including mechanical toothbrushes, fountain toothbrushes,
pulsating and nonpulsating water jets, etc. However, so far there
is no known single instrument which combines all three of these
major methods of cleaning teeth, namely (1) brushing, (2) picking,
and (3) flushing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking this invention deals with a toothbrush having an
adjacent nozzle tor a jet stream of liquid, which jet brush
combines all three of the major methods of cleaning teeth, namely,
brushing, picking, and flushing, in a single simple instrument.
Thus this instrument requires a source of fluid which may be
obtained directly from a spigot or faucet, preferably one which
mixes hot and cold water so as to obtain a temperature which
approaches that of the mouth, a handle for the instrument so it can
be manipulated, a flexible fluid duct connection or hose to the
fluid source, and the jet brush instrument or attachment to the
handle, which may be readily swivelable relative to the handle by
means of the fingers of the operator, as well as being
interchangeable with other similar instruments or attachments of
other persons who may use the same handle and fluid source
attachments. Also the jet brush instrument or attachment may be
provided with specific adapters so it can be attached to the
handles of other known dental instruments now on the market such as
electromechanical toothbrushes and water picks.
The fluid source may comprise an adapter which readily fits a
spigot in the bathroom or wash basin of the user. This adapter may
be provided with a bypass valve so that the amount, pressure, and
the temperature of the water used may be adjusted before being
bypassed through the flexible duct to the jet brush. This valve may
be operated by one hand of the user while the handle on the brush
may be manipulated with the other hand. Also the source may
comprise a reservoir of liquid which is pumped through a pulsator
for the jet, and/or a reservoir for a liquid dentifrice and/or
antiseptic which may be selected for injection into the mouth or
against the teeth at the will of the user.
Usually the handles for the jet brush attachment are hollow or
tubular, to one end of which the flexible tube or hose may be
connected and to which other end the interchangeable jet brush
attachment may be removably connected. This handle may be provided
with a pushbutton-operated valve for regulating the flow of liquid
to the jet, such as after the teeth have been brushed by the brush,
and then the liquid jet may be used for picking the cracks or
interspaces between the teeth and/or washing out the plaque and
dentifrice remaining from the brushing operation. This dentifrice
may be supplied, as stated above, from a reservoir through a
separate tube to the handle and controlled by a separate venturi
valve, or it may be supplied from a slowly dissolving product
located in one of the liquid ducts between the source and the jet
nozzle. Furthermore, the handle may be mechanically powered by
either a battery or cord powered electric motor, however, a
battery-powered motor handle is preferred in that two flexible
connections to the instrument of this invention could get
intertwined and cause inconvenience and difficulties.
The jet brush attachment itself comprises an elongated tubular
device, preferably made of a durable plastic that may be readily
sterilized and washed without deterioration, which may be readily
snapped on to the end of the handle, either directly or by means of
an adapter to fit a particular powered handle or liquid source. The
brush itself may have a cavity in the center of its bristles into
which a paste-type dentifrice may be placed before the brush is
used. The bristles on the brush also may diverge radially from one
side of the tubular device to permit more flexibility. At the far
end of this attachment from the connection with the handle is
provided a jet nozzle which preferably extends, at an angle of
about 45.degree. to the longitudinal axis of the tubular device or
attachment as well as at 45.degree. to that of the bristles, and in
the same direction as the bristles, so as not to interfere with the
bristles when the brush is being used, and so that the bristles
will not interfere with the jet nozzle when the jet is being used.
Also if desired, a separate duct may be provided through the
attachment for a liquid dentifrice which may be introduced at the
base of the bristles, and a separate push button control valve
therefor may be provided in the handle.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a single
jet brush implement for cleaning, stimulating and flushing oral
tissues, which may be readily attached to a bathroom spigot or
fixture, readily controlled, and/or readily adapted to known
electromechanical toothbrushes and/or water picks.
Furthermore another object is to provide such a jet brush in which
liquid dentifrice and/or antiseptic may be applied selectively
and/or automatically through this instrument.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above-mentioned and other features, objects, and advantages,
and a manner of attaining them are described more specifically
below by reference to embodiments of this invention shown in the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hot and cold water source with a
bypass valve and flexible duct or hose to a simple jet brush and
its handle according to one embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of another type of regulating
bypass valve for attachment between a spigot and the flexible duct
of the jet brush of this invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a wash basin with a reservoir
connected in the flexible duct between a spigot and an enlarged jet
brush, partly in section, according to another embodiment of this
invention, which reservoir may be provided with a dentifrice or
antiseptic, and/or a pulsator and hook for supporting replaceable
jet brush attachments, and which jet brush embodiment shows a
plurality of valves in its handle for controlling both the jet
nozzle and fountain for the brush;
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the jet brush and its
handle shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a back view of the jet brush attachment shown in FIGS. 1
and 4;
FIG. 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of the jet brush
attachment shown in FIG. 4 showing radially divergent bristles that
may be used for the brush;
FIG. 7 is a jet brush attachment and its handle according to
another embodiment of this invention disclosing a handle with a
control valve therein and a side connection for the hose which
supplies liquid to the jet nozzle;
FIG. 8 shows still another type of jet brush attachment with a side
connection for the water supply to the jet nozzle and an adapter
for connecting it to an electromechanical brush handle;
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section of another type of an adapter for
the type of handle shown in FIG. 8 wherein the hose connection for
the jet nozzle of the brush is in the adapter in the socket part of
a jet brush attachment like that shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5;
FIG. 10 discloses another embodiment of a jet brush attachment in
which the brush may be snapped or fused onto the jet tube adjacent
the jet nozzle end thereof;
FIG. 11 is a back or plan view of the brush end of the jet brush
embodiment shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an end view of the jet brush embodiment shown in FIGS.
10 and 11; and
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of a jet brush attachment
similar to that of FIG. 4 showing a slowly dissolving solid
dentifrice or disinfectant material inserted into the hollow body
portion thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I FLUID SOURCES
Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown spigots 20 and 21,
respectively, through which a mixture of hot and cold water may be
controlled by means of hot and cold valves 22, 23 and 24, 25, such
as may be provided in a bathroom or lavatory for a wash basin 26
with a drain 27 as shown in FIG. 3.
In place of the aerator or screen usually screwed into the
internally threaded open outer end of the spigot 20 or 21, there
may be provided a metal or plastic bypass valve 30, 31 or 32 as
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, which valve may be
provided with one or more adapter rings as ring 33 as shown in FIG.
1, for fitting different size and shape spigots. These bypass
valves 30, 31 or 32 may also be provided with their own external
aerator 34 and 35 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Each bypass valve 30,
31 or 32 also includes a manual control for its valve, such as the
reciprocating piston 36 having end finger operated buttons 37 shown
in FIGS. 1 and 3, or the rotatable ring 38 shown in FIG. 2, by
which the amount and pressure of the liquid bypassed from the
liquid flowing through the spigot may be infinitely varied between
limits in the branch ducts 39 and 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A
flexible plastic or rubber hose 41, 42, or 43 as shown in FIGS. 1,
2 and 3, respectively, may be removably attached to these ducts 39
and 40, which hose should be sufficiently long for easy
manipulation of the jet brush and its handle connected to its other
end. These hoses 41, 42, and 43 may be slipped over an external
annular rib or ridge 44 as shown in FIG. 2 for providing a better
connection to their bypass ducts 39 and 40, and/or also may be
provided with a slipover external sleeve or collar 45 as shown in
FIG. 1 for further retaining the hoses and preventing them from
slipping off of their bypass ducts when fluid pressure is applied
to them.
In FIG. 3 there is shown attached to a wall 48 behind the basin 26,
a fluid or liquid reservoir 50 which may be externally provided
with a plurality of hooks 51 for other jet brush attachments for
other members of the family, and also top supporting brackets 52
for the handle of the jet brush attachment. Access to this
reservoir may be had through a removable cover 53 for the placing
therein a liquid dentifrice or antiseptic, which may be sucked
therefrom through a separate or second duct in the dual duct
flexible hose 57 connected from an outlet of the reservoir 50 to
the jet brush and handle embodiment 80 described later. One of
these dual ducts 55 is for water from the spigot source 21 and the
other duct 56 is for the liquid dentifrice or antiseptic.
Also if desired, the reservoir 50 may contain a pressure pulsating
pump, which may be activated through an electrical connecting cord
58, and controlled by "off" and "on" pushbuttons 59 of an electric
switch mounted on the reservoir container or reservoir 50. Such a
pulsating liquid source massages as well as rinses and cleans the
dental tissues.
Thus the temperature and the amount of fluid pressure which is
supplied from the fluid or water source to the jet brush of this
invention may be manually regulated by the manual valves 22, 23,
24, 25, 36, 37, and 38 as well as the pulsator control buttons
59.
II HANDLES
One of the simplest embodiments of the handle for the removable jet
brush attachments of this invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 which
comprises an elongated truncated conical hand plastic member 60
which may have a longitudinal central aperture 61. It also may have
outward circumferential ribs 62 at its inlet end, over one of which
may be attached the other end of the tube 41 and held in place by a
collar 65, similar to the collar 45 described above. The other end
of this tubular handle 60 may be conically tapered as a hollow plug
portion 66 for insertion into the socket end of the removable jet
brush attachment described later. At the junction between this
socket and this plug portion 66 there may be provided a metallic
sleeve 68 for covering the junction between the handle and the jet
brush attachment, which sleeve 68 may be either permanently
attached to the handle 60 or the jet brush attachment. This
connection may be such that it will permit relative rotation of the
jet brush attachment with respect to the handle 60, which may be
performed by the fingers of the operator holding the handle 60.
However, in order to stabilize the direction of the bristles of the
brush, this connection usually is not easily rotatable. Thus, the
liquid to be supplied to the jet brush attachment passes directly
through the axial duct 61 in the handle 60 of the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1 and 4.
If desired, the flexible connecting hose or duct 41 may be
connected to the side of a handle 70, such as that shown in FIG. 7,
having an L-shaped duct 71 in which may be provided a push button
valve 75 for easy regulation of the flow of the liquid to the jet
nozzle of the jet brush attachment. Such a valve 75 may be employed
in place of or in addition to the valve 36, 37, or 38 described at
the spigot in Section I above. Also such a pushbutton valve may be
placed in the duct 61 shown in FIG. 4, if desired. This valve 75
may be normally closed by means of a spring 76 shown in FIG. 7 and
opened by pressing on the button portion 77 thereof when liquid is
desired to be applied to the jet nozzle portion of the jet brush
attachment.
In FIG. 3 there is shown another embodiment of a handle 80 which
may be provided with a pair of parallel longitudinal ducts 81 and
82 connected respectively to the flexible ducts 55 and 56 in the
hose 57. Ducts 81 and 55 may be for liquid or water directly from
the spigot 41 through duct 43, while ducts 56 and 82 may be for a
liquid dentifrice or antiseptic which may be supplied from the
reservoir 50. For controlling the flow of the liquid dentifrice or
antiseptic from the reservoir 50 to the jet nozzle and/or bristles
of the jet brush attachment, there may be provided a venturi-type
valve 90 which is operated by pressing the button 91 on the handle
80 to open the valve 92 in the duct 82 connected to the throat of a
venturi 93 in the duct 81. This causes suction of the dentifrice or
antiseptic liquid into the outlet duct 94 from the handle where it
is mixed with the water applied to the oral cavity. This mixture
may be directed to the jet nozzle, or to the base of the bristles
in a fountain type brush described later.
This selection of direction for the water and dentifrice mixture
may be provided by an additional spring operated valve 100 with an
operating push button 101 provided in the handle 80. Thus the
outlet duct 94 from the venturi 93 is divided into two channels so
that the first one to the jet nozzle is opened by pressing the
pushbutton 101 of the valve 100 part way into the handle 80 against
the action of the spring 102, and then by pressing the pushbutton
101 further, the first channel is closed through the duct 103 in
the valve 100 and the second channel to the fountain brush is
opened through the other duct 104 in this valve 100. However, if
desired, only the valve 100 may be provided in the handle 80 so
that only water can be applied either to the fountain brush or the
jet nozzle.
Another type of handle to which the jet brush attachment of this
invention may be applied may be an electromechanical handle 110
such as shown in FIG. 8, which handle 110 may be either connected
by an electric cord 111 to a power source or may contain its own
battery; the latter being preferred in view of the fact that the
jet brush of this invention is also supplied with a flexible tube
41 for liquid, and more than one flexible connection to the handle
110 could cause entanglement difficulties. In FIG. 8 the tube 41 is
shown attached to the jet brush attachment and does not connect to
or pass through the handle 110 as in the previous embodiments
described in this Section II. Thus there is provided an additional
part, such as a special adapter or conical plug 112 or adapter 113
shown in FIG. 9, which has a conical plug portion 114 or 115
similar to the portion 66 in FIG. 4, that fits into the socket
portion of the jet brush attachment with a sealing O-ring 116. The
other ends of these adapters 112 and 113 are then provided with a
pin socket 117 of hexagonal, semicircular, or other irregular cross
section for attachment to the vibrating or oscillating pin 118 at
the end of the electromechanical handle 110, which then vibrates or
oscillates the whole jet brush attachment. Instead of requiring a
different jet brush attachment with its own branch duct for its
liquid supply, the adapter can be provided with such a branch duct
119 as shown in FIG. 9, so that the jet brush attachment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4 may be used with the electromechanical handle 110.
These adapters 112 and 113 also may be provided for the connection
to other types of toothbrush handles or water picks which are on
the market, without departing from the scope of this invention.
III JET BRUSH ATTACHMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 9 and 13, there is disclosed a
simple single-piece body plastically molded jet brush attachment
120 according to one embodiment of this invention, which may be
readily slipped over the plug 66 and in the sleeve 68 or over the
adapter 113. This attachment body 120 is preferably also made of a
durable hard plastic material which may be readily sterilized, and
comprises an elongated truncated conical member with an axial
opening or duct 121 through which fluid or liquid may pass directly
to the jet nozzle 122 at the outer end. Its other end has a socket
123 that fits either over the conical plug portion 66 of the handle
member 60 or 70 or over the conical plug portion 114, or 115 of the
adapters 112 or 113 respectively. This jet nozzle 122 is preferably
at an angle of about 45.degree. to the centerline of the attachment
120, and extends in the same direction as the bristles 125 of the
brush portion adjacent the outer end, but does not extend quite as
far as the outer ends of the bristles 125 so that the nozzle 122
will not interfere with their brushing operation. However, the
outer end of the nozzle 122 is spaced sufficiently away from the
outer ends of the bristles 125, so as to stimulate a relatively
broad area of the oral tissue, that is broader than if the jet
itself were placed right against the gum line or in between the
teeth. Nevertheless, such closer contact of the nozzle 122 may be
obtained by tilting the attachment and its handle at an angle of
45.degree. to the oral surface to be flushed and/or picked.
The bristles 125 are mounted in a base portion 126 which may be
molded as an integral part of the longitudinal hollow conical body
120, and these bristles may be parallelly inserted therein or
radially divergent from the center line of the body 120 as shown in
FIG. 6. Also the central portion of the bristles 125 may be
eliminated or shortened to provide a cavity 128 as shown in FIG. 4
for the placement of a paste-type dentifrice. Although the radially
divergent bristles shown in FIG. 6 are more flexible than the
parallel ones, they still provide enough bristle action to break
the plaque loose from the teeth so that the water jet from the
nozzle can wash this plaque away as well as massage the gums.
Another form of a jet brush attachment 130 is shown in FIGS. 10, 11
and 12 wherein its body portion comprises an elongated conical tube
having central aperture 131, with a socket end 133 similar to
socket 123 and a bent over jet nozzle 132 at its outer end. The
base portion 136 for the bristles 135, however, may be formed from
a separate piece of plastic with a groove 137 molded in its side
opposite the bristles 135 so it can be fused, glued, or snapped
onto the tubular body 130 adjacent the nozzle 132. This may be for
the convenience of manufacture and assembly of the jet brush
attachment.
When the jet brush attachment is to be adapted to an
electromechanical toothbrush handle 110 as shown in FIG. 8, the
attachment to the duct 41 for the fluid supply to the jet nozzle
should then be through an adapter 113 as shown in FIG. 9, or
through an integral branch duct 144 from the side of the body of
the attachment 140 as shown in FIG. 8. This branch duct 144
communicates with an internal longitudinal duct 141 to its jet
nozzle 142 at its outer end adjacent the base 146 for the bristles
145. This branch duct 144 is preferably located adjacent the socket
end 143 of the attachment 140, into which the adapter 113 may be
sealingly inserted so as to prevent leakage or escape of the liquid
in the duct 141. In this case the valve for controlling the supply
of the liquid to the jet nozzle 142 is by the valve 36, 37 or 38 at
the spigot 20 or 21. However, an additional control valve may be
provided either in the branch 144 on the attachment 140, or in the
hose 41 adjacent the handle 110 without departing from the scope of
this invention.
In FIG. 3 there is shown still another embodiment of jet brush
attachment 150 in which the jet nozzle 152 is provided adjacent a
fountain brush base 156 which supplies liquid dentifrice and/or
water through one or more apertures 157 between the base of the
bristles 155 through a second or separate duct 161 from the jet
nozzle supply duct 151 in the body of the attachment 150. This
particular attachment 150 preferably is not relatively rotatable
with respect to the handle member 80, and the separate ducts 151
and 161 may be separately fed with liquid by means of a control
valve 100 in the handle 80 as described in section II above.
However, such a selector valve 100 may be used apart from the
dentifrice supply venturi valve 90, or together therewith without
departing from the scope of this invention. Thus in operating a jet
brush of this type shown in FIG. 3, the operator may first press
the push button 101 of valve 100 all the way in, as well as the
button 91 of valve 90 to the supply a dentifrice or antiseptic
through the apertures 157 at the bristles 155, and then by a
brushing motion clean the plaque from the teeth. Then the button 91
for the valve 90 is released, and the button 101 of the valve 100
is partly released so as to apply the jet nozzle 152 only through
its duct 151 with water for washing off the teeth and massaging the
gums.
Furthermore if desired, the frustoconical chamber or duct 121 shown
in the jet brush attachment 120 in FIG. 13 may be provided with a
tubular slowly dissolving solid dentifrice or antiseptic 165 having
a longitudinal axial aperture 166 therethrough, so that as the
liquid is passed through it, it will slowly dissolve the dentifrice
or antiseptic for application through the jet nozzle 122 to the
oral cavity or mouth. Then the jet nozzle is usually operated both
at the beginning and at the end of the brushing action.
Alternately, such a slowly dissolving dentifrice or antiseptic 165
may be provided in the reservoir 50 shown in FIG. 3, or in the
handle 60, without departing from the scope of this invention,
however, a chamber should be provided therefor larger than the duct
61 shown in FIG. 4.
Thus, the jet brush attachment of this invention may be readily
adapted to different standard types of dental or oral cleaning
apparatus, both electromechanical and/or liquid. Furthermore, the
apparatus of this invention may be not only portable for attachment
to the spigots in different homes, hotels or motels, but also may
be permanently attached to one's lavatory in the home, either at
the wash basin, as shown in FIG. 3, or in the shower.
Accordingly, the jet brush of this invention has made simple and
practical all three of the methods for oral hygiene, namely,
cleaning, stimulating, and flushing, and thereby this invention has
effected greater cooperation and maximum results from these
methods. This all enables a greater reduction in reparative
procedures which can reduce tremendously personal, national, and
insurance health costs.
While there is described above the principles of this invention in
connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood
that this description is made only by way of example, and not as a
limitation to the scope of this invention.
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