Patents Assigned to Philips Oral Healthcare
  • Patent number: 6575203
    Abstract: The fluid delivery/refilling system includes a unit-of-use fluid reservoir for dentifrice or medication within a head portion of a power toothbrush, which is removable from the remainder thereof. A pump element is located in the brushhead and is configured so that the back and forth movement of the brushhead in operation results in fluid moving from the reservoir to a dispensing valve located in the brushhead. The dispensing valve has an end portion which is normally closed, opening under pressure of fluid from the pump. The refilling assembly is separate from the toothbrush and is configured to fit over the top of the toothbrush. Upward pressure exerted on the toothbrush when the toothbrush is within the refilling assembly results in movement of a core element in the refilling assembly, which in turn results in a hollow needle in the refilling assembly extending into a refiller valve in the head portion of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Philips Oral Healthcare
    Inventors: Scott E. Hall, James N. Larimer, Kevin Miller, Richard Taylor
  • Patent number: 6402410
    Abstract: The fluid delivery/refilling system includes a unit-of-use fluid reservoir for dentifrice or medication within a head portion of a power toothbrush, which is removable from the remainder thereof. A pump element is located in the brushhead and is configured so that the back and forth movement of the brushhead in operation results in fluid moving from the reservoir to a dispensing valve located in the brushhead. The dispensing valve has an end portion which is normally closed, opening under pressure of fluid from the pump. The refilling assembly is separate from the toothbrush and is configured to fit over the top of the toothbrush. Upward pressure exerted on the toothbrush when the toothbrush is within the refilling assembly results in movement of a core element in the refilling assembly, which in turn results in a hollow needle in the refilling assembly extending into a refiller valve in the head portion of the toothbrush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Philips Oral Healthcare
    Inventors: Scott E. Hall, James N. Larimer, Kevin Miller, Richard Taylor
  • Patent number: 6327734
    Abstract: The pressure sensing system includes a hinged member that is fixedly attached to a brushhead body. An arm member is attached at one end to said hinged member and pivots about a hinge portion of the hinged invention. The pivoting arm member and the brushhead member nestle within the toothbrush body. The brushhead member includes a striking element portion that extends away from a rear surface of the brushhead. Mounted on the toothbrush body beneath the brushhead member is a collapsible, recoverable dome member, which provides an alarm indication by collapsing when excessive pressure is applied by the user on the brushhead against the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Philips Oral Healthcare, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Meginniss, III, Matthew D. Bixby