Abstract: A drinking water filter assembly has a filter cartridge which includes a filter element contained in a pressure vessel for unitary disposal, the cartridge received on a base containing attachment fittings for ease in installation and replacement with limited exposure to contaminants during a filter change. A flow powered flow meter is provided which measures the quantity of flow through the filter for alerting the user to replace the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A drinking water filter assembly has a filter cartridge which includes a filter element contained in a pressure vessel for unitary disposal, the cartridge received on a base containing attachment fittings for ease in installation and replacement with limited exposure to contaminants during a filter change. A flow powered flow meter is provided which measures the quantity of flow through the filter for alerting the user to replace the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A fluid delivery powered toothbrush utilizes a removable/disposable neck assembly that contains a fluid reservoir, a fluid delivery system and a fluid path therein leading to a brush receptacle. No fluid is used in or passes through the toothbrush handle. Preferably a pump is located in the neck assembly and activated at the same time as the brush drive such that fluid is delivered during brushing. In one embodiment of the invention, the brush is replaced with a nozzle for providing fluid prior to or after brushing. The components for the neck assembly are disposable to minimize cross-contamination while enhancing fluid delivery to the teeth during brushing.

Abstract: In a dental prophylaxis angle, an angle housing defines a main passageway and an ancillary passageway communicating therewith and extending at an substantial angle thereto. A drive shaft extends through the main passageway, while a cup holder is rotatably disposed in the ancillary passageway, the cup holder being drivingly coupled to the drive shaft. A flexible prophy cup is mounted to the cup holder, and a bearing is rotatably disposed in the main passageway about the drive shaft. The bearing has a snap-lock element projecting into a recess provided in the housing, thereby fixing a longitudinal position of the bearing with respect to the housing and holding the drive shaft in driving engagement with the cup holder. The prophy cup is coupled to the cup holder via a ball and socket joint and is provided in a region about the ball and socket joint with a flexible skirt defining an annular groove, the cup holder having an annular seat projecting into the groove.

Abstract: A dental scaling system includes a scaling instrument with a handpiece and a scaling tip at the end of the handpiece. An ultrasonic transducer is connected to the scaling tip, and there is an irrigant outlet in the scaling tip. A cable is attachable to the handpiece and includes an irrigant passage and two lead wires for supplying irrigant and electrical energy to the handpiece. An irrigant supply bottle is releasably attachable on a housing, and the cable is attachable on the housing. The housing includes an air pump to pressurize and transfer irrigant liquid from the irrigant supply bottle through the cable to the handpiece. The housing also includes electronics to power and control the ultrasonic transducer. Each irrigant supply bottle includes a mounting member with a pair of wings, received in a forked docking assembly on the housing, with the mounting member lockable in the docking assembly.