Personal hygiene device and method
A water-driveable personal hygiene device may be used to operate multiple, interchangeable personal hygiene implements. A water-driven rotary wheel, located in the handle of the device and connected to a driveshaft, creates either a back-and-forth or semi-rotating oscillating motion or a first personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush. An independently operated water-driveable second personal hygiene implement may be used to cause water to flow to the first personal hygiene implement or to be independently used. A method of using the device is also disclosed.
This invention relates to a multipurpose, water-driveable personal hygiene device and method of using such device. The device utilizes pressurized water to rotate a pump that is located in the handle of the device. The pump is attached to a driveshaft for causing movement of a personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush. Optionally, a second water-driveable personal hygiene implement may be included in the device. Although any such second device may utilize a common pressurized water supply, it may be operated independently and separately from the other personal hygiene implement, if so desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWater-driven dental hygiene devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,675 utilizes a turbine for imparting rotary motion to a toothbrush bristle assembly. The device of this patent utilizes an external pump located in the base of a sink bowl. The pump is a sprocket design turbine. The pump and a cable drive system cause rotation of a brush head in a circular motion. This brush head requires a constant flow of water to drive a turbine, which in turn drives an externally mounted cable, which then drives the brush head. Accordingly, the user must constantly expel water from the mouth during tooth brushing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,281 provides another example of water-driven dental hygiene devices. In this instance, a shower mounted dental device comprising a multipurpose direction valve to direct water to a showerhead, a dental hygiene device, or both is employed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,220,914; 5,746,595; 6,217,372; and 6,383155 disclose various water-driven dental treatment devices.
None of the above-mentioned prior art devices locate a water-driven pump in the handle of a personal hygiene device or contain more than one personal hygiene implement. Obviously, none of the above-mentioned prior art devices provide for combinational or separate operation of the respective personal hygiene implements. These and other novel inventive features lead to significant advantages because the device is more compact and easier to use, water flushing during tooth brushing may be intermittent, and an oscillating (back-in-forth or semi-rotating) brushing motion may be achieved, if desired. Other advantages will be evident to those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a water-driveable personal hygiene device adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply. The device has a handle containing a rotatable water pump having a generally round shape and open to the passage of the pressurized water supply at an entry location, thereby causing rotation of the pump as the water passes through the pump and then exits from the pump into an exit line. An on/off valve permits water flow through the pump when opened and prevents water flow when closed. The rotatable pump is connected to a driveshaft at an off-center location on the pump, thus causing the driveshaft to achieve a back-and-forth motion as the pump rotates. The driveshaft is also connected to a personal hygiene implement to cause a desired type of oscillating motion of such implement.
In another embodiment, a second water line is located in the handle of the device and is adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply at a location prior to the entry location of water into a rotatable pump, such as a paddle wheel pump. The second water line has an on/off water line valve located at a position where opening and closing of such valve does not effect water flow into the pump thereby resulting in independently controlled flow of water through the second water line and the pump. Such second water line is adapted to be connected to and cause operation of an additional personal hygiene implement when the valve is open.
The method of the invention involves the use of the above-described device. As will be understood, opening the pressurized water supply line will cause water to pass through and exit from the pump causing rotation thereof. Because the rotating pump is connected to a driveshaft at on off-center location of the pump, the rotating pump causes back-and-forth oscillation of the driveshaft. When the driveshaft is connected to a personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush, movement is also imparted to the implement. Depending upon the type of connection of the driveshaft to the implement, the implement may oscillate in a back-in-forth or semi-rotating motion.
The method of the invention may also include the use of a second personal hygiene implement, such as a source of rinse water for the toothbrush, an irrigator, or a face or mouth sprayer. Such second implement is driven from the same pressurized water source that may used to power the first implement. The respective implements may be used in combination or separately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The water-driveable personal hygiene device of the present invention may comprise one or more personal hygiene implements capable of independent operation or capable of functioning in combination with each other.
Water inlet line 1 and water exit line 2 may be connected to handle 14 through connector 18 to enhance structural integrity of the device.
Once pressurized water passes through water inlet line 1 upon the opening of valve 4, such water reaches a junction where a portion may enter into second water line 9, pump 5, or both line 9 and pump 5. When entering pump 5, the water enters at location 15 and passes through pump 5 thereby driving and causing rotation of the pump. Pump 5 is depicted as a conventional paddle-wheel type. However, other conventional types of rotary pumps known to those skilled in the art including sprocket, centrifugal, axial, vane, and the like, may be utilized in the invention. After passage through pump 5, water exits from pump 5 at location 16 and passes out of the device through water exit line 2 into a sink or other convenient water disposal device.
Driveshaft 17 is connected to pump 5 at location 6. Obviously, driveshaft 17 must be sufficiently rigid to perform its function. These two elements may conveniently be connected or attached together by conventional means such as a screw; a bolt, including a friction locknut; an E-clip or other type fastener; and the like. Attachment should be off-center of pump 5 to produce back-and-forth oscillation of driveshaft 17 as pump 4 rotates. Driveshaft 17, in turn, is connected to personal hygiene implement 11, which in this instance comprises a toothbrush head, at location 10. Rather than a toothbrush head, a cleaning brush head of various types and sizes or a razor head could be used. As specified above, connection or attachment may be made with conventional means such as a screw; a bolt, including a friction locknut; or an E-clip or other type fastener; and the like. Back-and-forth oscillation of the driveshaft will then cause toothbrush head 11 to oscillate in a back-and-forth motion provided that driveshaft 17 and toothbrush head 11 are connected to the center portion of toothbrush head 11. Once brushing of the teeth is concluded, closing valve 4 by pressing activation button 3 will cause the device to shut down. A push-type activation button is illustrated, but other types such as spring loaded or quarter turn and the like may be utilized.
As indicated previously, the above-described personal hygiene device may comprise a stand-alone unit. However, the combination of the device with another unit is also advantageously contemplated by the invention.
Such combination requires the use of second water line 9, which is connected to water inlet line 1. Upon application of pressure to activation button 7, valve 8 opens, thus permitting pressurized water to flow through second water line 9 and pass into personal hygiene implement 11. Valve 8 and activation button 7 may be the same or similar to previously described valve 4 and activation button 3. When a combination of personal hygiene implements is desired, valve 4 may conveniently be located as shown in
Once water flow is achieved in second water line 9, water may be directed into toothbrush head 11 at location 12 to aid rinsing of the teeth and the user's mouth while brushing is performed. Independent on and off control of the respective personal hygiene implements permits the user to apply rinse water on an intermittent basis rather than as a steady stream during the brushing sequence. Thus, the user is not required to constantly expel water from his or her mouth as would be required should a steady stream of water flow through the device into the toothbrush.
When included, a water-driveable second personal hygiene implement in the device may be used alone. In such instance, the second implement may serve as a tooth or mouth irrigator as shown in
As shown in
The device (handle and/or desired personal hygiene implement) may be conveniently cradled in a stand on or near a sink when not in use with the water inlet and exit lines attached to a “T’-junction located at a point on the water line intermediate a faucet and juncture of hot and cold water lines. The device is then ready for use with a minimum of preparation.
Claims
1. A water-driveable personal hygiene device having a handle, said device adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply line comprising:
- (a) Said handle containing a generally round-shaped, rotatable water pump within said handle, said water pump being open to water from said water supply line at an entry location that is capable of causing rotation of said pump during passage of said water through said pump and upon exit from said pump at an exit location into an exit line;
- (b) A valve located on said water supply line capable of opening and closing water flow through said exit line so as when said valve is open, water flows through said rotatable pump, causing rotation thereof, and then passes through said exit line; and when said valve is closed, water does not flow through said rotatable pump and does not pass through said exit line;
- (c) Said rotatable water pump connected to a driveshaft at an off-center location of the pump causing said driveshaft to achieve an oscillating motion upon rotation of said water pump; and
- (d) Said driveshaft adapted to be connected to and cause oscillation of a first personal hygiene implement.
2. The personal hygiene device of claim 1 further comprising:
- (a) A second water-driveable personal hygiene implement contained in said handle and adapted to be connected to said pressurized water supply line;
- (b) A second water line located in said handle and adapted to be connected to said pressurized water supply line at a location prior to said entry location of said rotatable pump; and
- (c) A second water line valve located on said water line at a position where opening and closing of said valve does not effect water flow into said rotatable pump thereby permitting independent operation of the water line from said rotatable pump, said water line adapted to be connected to and cause operation of said second personal hygiene implement when said water line valve is in an open position.
3. The personal hygiene device of claim 1, wherein said rotatable water pump comprises a generally round shaped paddle wheel.
4. The personal hygiene device of claim 1, wherein said first personal hygiene device comprises a toothbrush.
5. The personal hygiene device of claim 4, wherein said toothbrush is of generally round shape and said driveshaft is connected to said toothbrush at a center location whereby said toothbrush is capable of back-and-forth oscillation.
6. The personal hygiene device of claim 4, wherein said toothbrush is of generally round shape and said driveshaft is connected to said toothbrush at an off-center location whereby said toothbrush is capable of semi-rotating oscillation.
7. The personal hygiene device of claim 2 further comprising a pulsation element for imparting a pulsating flow of water into a second personal hygiene implement.
8. The personal hygiene device of claim 7, wherein said pulsation element is located between said second water line valve and said second personal hygiene implement.
9. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said second personal hygiene implement comprises a water line having an nozzle adapted to direct water flow into said first personal hygiene implement and said first personal hygiene implement comprises a toothbrush.
10. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said second personal hygiene implement comprises an irrigator.
11. The personal hygiene device of claim 7, wherein said second personal hygiene implement comprises an irrigator.
12. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said second personal hygiene implement comprises a spray.
13. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said second personal hygiene implement comprises a razor.
14. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said first personal hygiene implement comprises a cleaning brush.
15. The personal hygiene device of claim 1, wherein said valve is located on said exit line.
16. The personal hygiene device of claim 2, wherein said valve is located on said exit line.
17. The personal hygiene device of claim 1, further comprising a system to mix hot and cold water to produce tempered water located in said handle.
18. A method of using a personal hygiene device comprising opening a pressurized water line to cause said pressurized water to pass through and exit from a generally round, rotary pump thereby rotating said pump, said rotating pump connected to a driveshaft at an off-center location on said pump thereby causing back-and-forth oscillation of said driveshaft and oscillation of a first personal hygiene implement connected to said driveshaft.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said oscillation of said first personal hygiene implement is back-and-forth.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein said oscillation of said first personal hygiene implement is semi-rotating.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising opening a pressurized water line at a location not effecting rotation of said pump, thereby causing water to pass through said line, enter a second personal hygiene implement, and exit from said second personal hygiene implement.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said water exits into said first personal hygiene implement.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein said water exits onto a portion of a user's body.
24. The method of claim 18, wherein said driveshaft imparts an oscillating motion to said first personal hygiene implement.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein said first personal hygiene implement comprises a toothbrush.
26. The method of claim 21 further comprising passing pulsating water through said second personal hygiene implement.
27. The method of claim 21 further comprising directing water from said second personal hygiene implement into said first personal hygiene implement and said first personal hygiene implement comprises a toothbrush.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said second personal hygiene implement directs a stream of water to irrigate a user's mouth.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein said second personal hygiene implement directs a spray of water to clean a portion of a mouth of a user.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein said second personal hygiene implement directs a spray of water to clean a portion of a body of a user.
31. The method of claim 18, wherein said second personal hygiene device comprises a cleaning brush to clean an object.
32. The method of claim 21, wherein said second personal hygiene device comprises a razor to shave a portion of a body of a user.
33. The method of claim 18, wherein said pressurized water comprises tempered water.
34. The method of claim 21, wherein said pressurized water comprises tempered water.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 14, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2006
Inventor: Thomas Cleland (Crown Point, IN)
Application Number: 10/891,310
International Classification: A46B 13/06 (20060101);