Hydro pulse water flosser with reservoir

Abstract

The present invention provides an advanced water flosser utilizing a direct water source, such as, but not limited to, an attachment to a shower head, that also may embody a reservoir and/or compartment capable of introducing other desirable substances designed to enhance the teeth cleaning process, such as, but not limited to fluoride, antibiotics, mouthwash, whiteners and the like.

Claims

1. An oral hygiene device comprising: (i) a fitting for connection to a water supply further comprising a valve for engaging a water flow from said water supply into said device; (ii) a hydro pulse module further comprising a paddle wheel housed in a first chamber and a water pulsing wheel housed within a separate second chamber wherein the paddle wheel and first chamber are configured to have no pulsing function and the water pulse wheel is configured to have at least one water through hole for allowing water flow through it only when the at least one through hole is aligned properly with a corresponding outlet contained within the separate second chamber and wherein the first and second chambers are physically isolated such that water flow is restricted from passing from one chamber to the other and wherein said paddle wheel and said water pulsing wheel rotate simultaneously when engaged along a central axis and said water flow is configured to enter into both the first and second chambers simultaneously; (iii) a nozzle; and (iv) a nozzle valve.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir for delivery of desired substances into the water flow prior to said water flow through the nozzle.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir for delivery of desired substances into the water flow prior to entrance into the hydro pulse module and prior to said water flow through the nozzle.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a reservoir for delivery of desired substances into the water flow after exiting the hydro pulse module and prior to said water flow through the nozzle.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said substances may be any one or more substances chosen from the following group: whitener, mouthwash, oral antiseptic, antibiotic, vitamins, flavoring, and fluoride.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the reservoir is interchangeable.

7. The device of claim 2 further comprising an adjustment valve for choosing the concentration of substance delivered into the water flow.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising an off/on button valve to control the flow of water.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a splash guard.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the basic structural components of one embodiment of the device of the present invention. The water source is connected to the water line-in (1) and the water flow is allowed into the device of the present invention by a valve (2). A reservoir or other substances container (not shown here) is attached and controlled by separate valves (3, 4). The hydro-pulse mechanism (5 and detailed below), nozzle valve (6), rotator (7) and nozzle (8) are shown.

(2) FIG. 2A shows another view of the basic structural components of one embodiment of the device of the present invention with one embodiment of a reservoir or other substances container (9). FIG. 2B shows a close up view of the water valve (2) and other substances flow valve (3). Also shown is one embodiment of an input connection for the other substances reservoir or container (10) wherein such substance is introduced into the water line prior to any entry into the hydro pulse chamber.

(3) FIGS. 3A and 3B show a view of one embodiment of the hydro-pulse mechanism of the device of the present invention. In one embodiment, FIG. 3A, the water flow is divided by a Y-line (18) so that water flows directly into both the hydro wheel chamber and the pulse chamber. In one embodiment, FIG. 3B, the hydro wheel chamber is formed with a housing (13) containing a paddle wheel (12), a cover (11), a water inlet (16) and a water outlet (17). In one embodiment, the water is contained in the hydro wheel chamber by the wall of the pulse wheel (14) which is also contained within the housing (13) to create the pulse flow through the nozzle (8) with water being contained in the pulse chamber with a cover (15).

(4) FIGS. 4A-4C show close up views of one embodiment of the hydro-pulse mechanism shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 4A shows a view of the partially assembled mechanism with the cover (11) removed. FIGS. 4B and 4C show alternate orientations of the pulse wheel. FIG. 4A shows one embodiment of the paddle wheel (12). FIG. 4B shows one embodiment of the external view of the hydro-pulse mechanism showing the relationship between the paddle wheel chamber (13A) and the pulse wheel chamber (13B). FIG. 4C shows an internal view of the hydro-pulse mechanism showing the relationship of the paddle wheel (12) within its chamber and the pulse wheel (14) within its chamber and the connection along an axis (12A).

(5) FIG. 5A shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention with an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing housing with one on-off button (19). FIG. 5B shows one embodiment of the device of the present invention showing how the hydro-pulse chamber (20) fits inside such a housing.

(6) FIG. 6A-6C show different perspective views of another embodiment of the device of the present invention showing an ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing housing with a splash guard (21).

(7) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention showing a schematic of an alternative placement of the hydro-pulse module within the housing.

(8) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the hydro-pulse mechanism depicting alternative configurations of the hydro wheel housing (13), pulse wheel (14), paddle wheel (12), axis connector (12A) and covers (11, 15) and the water inlet outlet tubes (22, 23).

(9) FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention with an alternative placement and configuration for entry of reservoir substances (9A) and the configuration of the hydro pulse mechanism and housing (13) as they would fit within right and left assembly housing covers (25 and 26) and having an externally placed operator selector knob (24).

(10) FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention depicting how the reservoir (9) would attach to introduce its substance(s) into an entry port (9A).

(11) FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention depicting how the components of embodiments as described herein would be assembled into an aesthetically pleasing and ergonomic housing.

(12) FIG. 12 shows one embodiment of the device of the present invention and potential paths of water flow wherein the reservoir substances enter the water stream after the hydro pulse module.

(13) FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the device of the present invention and potential paths of water flow wherein the reservoir substances enter the water stream before the hydro pulse module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) For clarity of disclosure, and not by way of limitation, the detailed description of the invention is divided into the following subsections that describe or illustrate certain features, embodiments or applications of the present invention.

The Device of the Present Invention

(15) In one embodiment, the present invention provides an oral hygiene device comprising: i. a fitting for connection to a water supply further comprising a valve for engaging the water flow into said device; ii. a hydro pulse module further comprising a paddle wheel and a water pulsing wheel contained within a housing wherein said paddle wheel and said water pulsing wheel rotate simultaneously when engaged along a central axis; iii. a nozzle; and iv. a nozzle valve.

(16) In another embodiment, the present invention provides an oral hygiene device as described further comprising a reservoir for delivery of desired substances into the water flow prior to said water flow through the nozzle.

(17) In one embodiment, the reservoir would be an interchangeable hydro-cassette containing fluid substances and introduced into the water line via a siphon and valve.

(18) In one embodiment, the reservoir may be encased within a larger housing encasing the entire oral hygiene device.

(19) In one embodiment, the reservoir would be integral with the overall housing design.

(20) In one embodiment, the reservoir would contain dry ingredients that would be dissolved into the water flow.

(21) In one embodiment, the reservoir would contain compartments for introduction of multiple substances at the choice of the operator.

(22) In one embodiment, the reservoir r would further comprise an adjustment valve for any or all of the substances to be introduced into the water flow to control the concentration of such substance in the water flow.

(23) In one embodiment, the reservoir would be a removeable squeeze bottle.

(24) In one embodiment, the device would further comprise a variable valve that controls water pressure and the flow of liquid from the water source and a two-part connector that splits the flow of water and injects the reservoir substance into one water line leading directly to the pulsing wheel chamber and allows water to pass directly to the turbine paddle wheel side of the hydro pulse chamber. This connector incorporates a reduced size orifice in the whitener side of the connector and connects at an angle resulting in reduced pressure where the whitener joins the main water line. The pressure drop at the end of the connector means the reservoir substance is injected into the water stream at reduced pressure, and goes directly to the pulse side of the hydro pulse module and ultimately pulsed onto the teeth and gums.

(25) In one embodiment, the hydro pulse module may be removed from the handset and located within the external reservoir squeeze bottle assembly thereby simplifying the hydraulic attachments and allowing the reservoir substance to be introduced after the hydro pulse module, thereby avoiding any negative effects associated with any particular reservoir substance passing through the hydro pulse module.

(26) In one embodiment, the oral hygiene device would have replaceable and/or rotatable tips. Such tips may include various styles and/or end tips for use specifically with flossing, teeth whitening, and the like.

(27) In one embodiment, the water supply connection would be in an ordinary shower, said fitting adapted to fit between the water supply and the shower head.

(28) In one embodiment, the oral hygiene device would have a water off/on control such that once the water supply is turned on, the water flow would be controlled to the oral hygiene device.

(29) In one embodiment, the hydro pulse module would operate by having the water flow rotate the paddle wheel which in turn would rotate the water pulsing wheel which when aligned properly in the housing would allow water to flow through the nozzle and when misaligned would prevent water flow through the nozzle.

(30) In one embodiment, the hydro pulse module would have replaceable water pulsing wheels for different number of times of proper alignment allowing water flow through to the nozzle per 360 rotation.

(31) For example, in one embodiment the water pulsing wheel would have only one through hole that would align properly every 180 rotation and provide a water pulse twice per revolution.

(32) In one embodiment, the water pulse wheel through holes would contain an aeration function which would reduce the overall water required and increase the effectiveness of teeth cleaning.

(33) In one embodiment, such aeration would be introduced in the water pulse wheel by a fine screen.

(34) In one embodiment, the fine screen would be located in the nozzle or between the nozzle and the hydro pulse mechanism.

(35) In one embodiment, the screen would be of various mesh sizes for variable aeration.

(36) In one embodiment, such water aeration function would be variably adjusted.

(37) In one embodiment, the water in line is divided into two separate lines entering into the hydro pulse module wherein one line enters into the paddle wheel compartment and one line enters into the pulse wheel compartment.

(38) In one embodiment, the chamber within the hydro pulse module that contains the paddle wheel is completely separate from the chamber that contains the pulse wheel except that the paddle wheel and the pulse wheel are connected via an axle that penetrates both chambers, However, water is restricted from flowing between the chambers.

(39) In one embodiment, this water line division would occur prior to the delivery of the reservoir substances such that those substances are not wasted in the turning of the paddle wheel, but only delivered through the water pulse wheel.

(40) In one embodiment, the oral hygiene device would further comprise a splash guard to protect the face and eyes during operation.

(41) In one embodiment, parts of the oral hygiene device will be molded from plastic.

(42) In one embodiment, parts of the oral hygiene device will be molded from metal.

(43) In one embodiment, parts of the oral hygiene device may be made from any non-corrosive, hygienic material suitable for containing water pressure and delivering a precision stream of water and other substances as disclosed herein.

(44) In one embodiment, parts of the oral hygiene device may be made from any combination of materials.

EXAMPLES

(45) For clarity of disclosure, the following examples are based on this device being attached in a typical shower environment. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many embodiments of the device of the present invention, for example, and not by way of limitation, installation at a bathroom sink.

(46) In a typical installation, installation would require simply unscrewing a shower head from the shower nozzle and screwing the fitting of the device of the present invention in place and then screwing the shower head back on into a specially adapted fitting.

(47) Thereafter, the device of the present invention would work by simply turning the shower water on and depressing a button on the device to make water flow through it and releasing the button to stop water from flowing through it.

(48) When this device is used in the shower, there would be no need for worry about the mess of spilled water or other messes.

(49) In a preferred embodiment, one or more reservoirs would contain one or more a liquid substances such as mouthwash, oral antiseptic, teeth whitener, gum health substances and the like, any or all of which can be siphoned into the water flow according to the foregoing description that will be delivered through the nozzle.

(50) The operator would then direct the nozzle tip at a space in the mouth for cleaning such as directly at the teeth or in between teeth or at the gums and then depress the button to begin the flow of treated water.

(51) At any time, the operator would simply release the button and the flow would stop.

(52) By turning off the shower, water flow to the inlet line would cease and release any pressure in the device.

(53) Publications cited throughout this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Although the various aspects of the invention have been illustrated above by reference to examples and preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is defined not by the foregoing description but by the following claims properly construed under principles of patent law.

(54) Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combination of two or more of such features, is included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in such a combination are not mutually exclusive.