Abstract: The present disclosure is related to an interdental cleaner for operably connecting to an external water supply. The interdental cleaner includes a mounting bracket having a bracket inlet fluidly connected to the external water supply and a pressure regulation assembly operably connected to the mounting bracket. The pressure regulation assembly includes a regulation outlet fluidly connected to the bracket inlet. The interdental cleaner further includes a water flosser operably connected to the mounting bracket and fluidly connected to the regulation outlet. During use, water pressure of water at the regulation outlet is lower than a water pressure of water at the bracket inlet.
Abstract: An oral irrigator including a handle through which fluid flows to a tip. Fluid flows to the tip during irrigate mode, and fluid flow may be interrupted by selecting a pause mode. The handle includes a mechanically controlled actuator for selecting the pause mode. The actuator may include a rack gear operably connected to a pinion gear formed on a valve spool inside the handle. The valve spool may include a ball that blocks fluid flow to the tip during pause mode but not during irrigate mode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 26, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2018
Assignee:
Water Pik, Inc.
Inventors:
Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
Abstract: A dental water jet provides a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. A flow control knob may be turned to selectively adjust the water pressure supplied by the tip between a minimum and a maximum value. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue.
Abstract: An apparatus for providing a pressurized water stream for cleaning gums and teeth. The embodiment includes a base unit defining a cavity. The cavity contains a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be secured within the cavity by at least one vibration reduction mount. Fluid may flow from the reservoir and ultimately into the tip to provide oral irrigation and/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. Also, the base may include a basin for receiving a reservoir. The basin may include a reservoir valve initially biased to a closed position and operationally attached to the reservoir, and a tube projection connected to the base unit and opening the valve when the reservoir is received within the basin. The basin and the reservoir are configured to guide the reservoir valve adjacent to the tube projection.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 18, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 3, 2018
Assignee:
Water Pik, Inc.
Inventors:
Brian Boyd, Brian R. Williams, Kurt M. Taylor
Abstract: A sonic toothbrush system including an electric motor, a brush shaft, a drive assembly, a fluid conduit connected to a pressurized, pulsed water source, and a water jet nozzle positioned on the brush head and connected to the fluid conduit. The electric motor includes a drive shaft. When the electric motor is caused to operate, the drive shaft continuously rotates until the motor is caused to stop. The drive assembly is coupled between the drive shaft and brush shaft. The drive assembly is configured to convert the rotation of the drive shaft into sonic oscillation of a toothbrush supported on an end of the brush shaft. The drive assembly further forms part of the fluid conduit to deliver a pulsed water stream to the jet nozzle.
Abstract: An apparatus for oral hygiene is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a base unit containing a reservoir, an oral irrigation handle, a sonic toothbrush, and an accessory container. The apparatus may include a pump, which may move pressurized water from a reservoir to a tip in fluid communication with the pump. The apparatus contains a drive mechanism in a gear housing that is continually drained by one or more apertures in the base. The base may include a plurality of footings that elevate the base unit above a surface supporting the base unit. The oral irrigation handle includes a pause switch that translates longitude motion into rotational motion to close a valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 6, 2015
Date of Patent:
May 29, 2018
Assignee:
Water Pik, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert Wagner, Kurt M. Taylor, Harold A. Luettgen, Jeremy James Johnson
Abstract: An irrigating device including a reservoir for storing fluid, a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a pump operative to draw fluid from the reservoir and propel the fluid to the tip. The irrigating device further includes at least one reed valve positioned to regulate fluid between at least one of an inlet port or an exhaust port of the pump.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 12, 2014
Date of Patent:
May 29, 2018
Assignee:
Water Pik, Inc.
Inventors:
Clifford J. Snyder, Gary L. Sokol, Roberta L. Callaghan