Universal dental tool

Abstract

This invention discloses an oral care cleaning system with a handle with an adapter at one end with a means to accept different oral hygiene instruments. The instruments are configured such that they attach to the adapter contained in the handle. The handle contains a means to vibrate, oscillate, pulsate, slowly rotate or more rapidly rotate/spin the adapter. The adapter is driven by a motor. The device has a selection of oral hygiene instruments that connect to the adapter. Each instrument is preferably dedicated to a single use but can have multiple uses. These instruments include but are no limited to, a toothbrush, flosser, gum massager, tooth pick, whitener/polisher, mirror, tongue scraper, sonic cleaner, fixed toothbrush, pick wand, and water discharge nozzle connected to a water source. These instruments can be either manually operated or motorized, and they can be permanent or single service use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an oral care system. More particularly it relates to a system, which has a single handle and power source and multiple dedicated instruments that interconnect to handle. Each instrument is dedicated to one functional use. The current market place has many powered dental instruments but each instrument has its own power source. Thus, if the individual has a power tooth-brush and a power-flosser, the individual has two power handles. The individual has to purchase, store and maintain two power handles. This costs extra money and requires extra storage and resultant clutter.

Therefore there is a need for an oral care system that has a single power source and multiple instruments. Because of the compactness and simplicity of this system, each individual can have their own system.

Further, this invention allows the replacement of worn/dirty instruments or the use of single service/disposable instruments without the replacement of the handle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an oral care cleaning system with a handle with an adapter at one end with a means to accept different oral hygiene instruments. The instruments are configured such that they attach to the adapter contained in the handle. The handle can contain a means to vibrate, oscillate, pulsate, slowly rotate or more rapidly spin the adapter. The handle can have one or more pressure switches or slide switches to actuate one or more of the motions of the adapter. The adapter is driven by a battery-powered electric motor or a low voltage cord powered electric motor. In the case of a battery powered motor the batteries can be located in the handle and can be either single service/disposable or re-chargeable. The handle can contain a power receptacle or electrical contacts to charge the rechargeable battery

The device has a selection of oral hygiene instruments that connect to the handle. These instruments include but are not limited to, a toothbrush, flosser, gum massager, tooth pick, whitener/polisher, mirror, tongue scraper, sonic cleaner, and water discharge nozzle connected to a water source. These instruments can be either manually operated or motorized, and they can be permanent/reusable or single service/disposable use. The oral hygiene instruments connect to the handle by twist lock, pressure fit or any other means of interconnection. The handle can have a storage compartment in the end opposite from the adapter for the storage of dental supplies.

The handle and the oral hygiene instruments are stored in a compact watertight storage case that has a dedicated location for each oral hygiene instrument and the handle. It may also have a storage location for the means to charge the batteries and a location to store the power cord. The compact storage case can also contain storage locations for dental supplies. The compact storage case is made from a non-breakable material with a mean of locking/closure. The compact storage case can additionally function as a travel, organizing and storage case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is plan view of the motorized handle with the toothbrush instrument attached.

FIG. 2 is a view of the storage case with the handles and all the instruments in dedicated locations within the storage case.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage case with the lip in an partially open position.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views of the flosser instrument.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of the massager instrument.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views of the whitener instrument.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views of the polisher instrument.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views of the mirror instrument.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are views of the manual handle.

FIG. 16 is a view of the storage handle.

FIGS. 17 and 18 are views of the water discharge nozzle.

FIG. 18 is a view of the water discharge nozzle hose.

FIGS. 19 and 21 are the views of the fixed toothbrush.

FIGS. 22 and 23 are the views of the pick wand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 depicts the motorized handle 1 with the removable toothbrush instrument affixed to the adapter. The rotating toothbrush instrument 2 is removable from the adapter and is connected by a pressure fit connection such that it is firmly attached. Alternatively, it can be connected to the adapter by a twist lock connection or by a hole and pin mechanism. The toothbrush instrument is only one of many instruments later described that can be attached to the adapter. Preferable the instruments perform one dedicated function, however an instrument can perform more than one function. The switches 3 control the on-off function and the type of motion of the adapter. The adapter can vibrate, pulsate, slowly rotate, or spin. At 4 within the handle is housed the power source and the motor. 5 are the connectors for charging the power source.

FIG. 2 is the storage case for the handles and the instruments. Each item has a dedicated location with a depression shaped to fit each handle and instrument in the storage base 6. A hinge 9 connects the base 6 and the cover 7. When the cover 7 is closed onto the base 6 each handle and instrument is securely held in place. The cover 7 and the base 6 are held together by means of clapse 8. Further, FIG. 2. shows a selection of handles: motorized handle 1, storage handle 10, and manual handle 12, and instruments: pick wand 22, fixed toothbrush 21, flosser instrument 13, massager instrument 14, mirror instrument 18, polisher instrument 16, whitener instrument 15, rotating toothbrush 2, water discharge nozzle 19 and water nozzle discharge hose 20.

FIG. 3 shows the side view of the storage case with the lid 7 partially open from the base 6.

FIG. 4 is the front view of the flosser instrument 13 and FIG. 5 is the side view of the flosser instrument. Like all the instruments this instrument can be attached any of the handles; motorized as shown in FIG. 2 as item 1, manual as shown in FIG. 2 as item 12, or storage handle as shown in FIG. 2 as item 10. This instrument like all the instruments can be a permanent instrument or a limited service or single service item.

FIG. 6 is the front view of the massager instrument 14 and FIG. 7 is the side view; FIG. 8 is the front view of the whitener wand 15 and FIG. 9 is the side view; FIG. 10 is the front view of the polisher instrument 10 and FIG. 11 is the side view; and FIG. 12 is the front view of the mirror wand 18 and FIG. 13 is the side view. FIG. 20 is the front view of the fixed toothbrush; and FIG. 21 is the side view. FIG. 23 is the front view of the pick wand and FIG. 23 is the side view.

FIG. 14 is the front view of the manual handle 12 and FIG. 15 is the side view. 17 is the adapter that interconnects the instruments with the handle 12. This is the same configuration for the handle 1 in FIG. 1 or the storage handle 10 in FIG. 16. This adapter can be a pressure fit or a twist-lock such that it firmly affixes the instrument to the handle.

FIG. 15 is the storage handle 10. The handle has a coverable opening 22 that allows entry to the storage compartment in the handle. This compartment can be used for storage or oral care supplied.

FIG. 17. is the front view of the water nozzle and FIG. 18 is the side view. The port 23 is connected to the water supply hose 20 as show in FIG. 19. The hose is connected to a water source by connector 21 in FIG. 19.

Claims

1. A handle with an adapter at one end with a means to accept a plurality of oral hygiene instruments;

A plurality of oral hygiene instruments each dedicated to a single function that are configured for attachment to the adapter contained in the handle.

2. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a means to vibrate the adapter.

3. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a means to slowly rotate or more rapidly rotate/spin the adapter.

4. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a means to oscillate the adapter.

5. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a mean to pulsate the adapter.

6. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains one or more pressure switches to actuate the various motions of the adapter.

7. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains one or more slide switches to actuate the various motions of the adapter.

8. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to make the adapter move is a battery and an electric motor.

9. The device as in claim 1 wherein the batteries are rechargeable.

10. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a power receptacle to charge the batteries.

11. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle contains a one or more electrical contacts to charge the batteries.

12. The device as in claim 1 wherein the batteries are non-rechargeable batteries.

13. The device as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of oral hygiene instruments and the handle are stored in a compact watertight storage case that has a dedicated location for each oral hygiene instrument and the handle.

14. The device as in claim 1 wherein the storage case has a dedicated location for the means to charge the batteries and a place to store the power cord for the means to charge the batteries.

15. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument can perform one or more dental hygiene functions.

16. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is either a fixed or rotating toothbrush.

17. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is either a manual or motorized flosser.

18. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is either a manual or motorized gum massager.

19. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is either a manual or motorized toothpick.

20. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is either a manual of motorized whitener/polisher.

21. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a dental mirror.

22. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a manual or motorized tongue scraper.

23. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a sonic cleaner.

24. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a water discharge nozzle connected to a water source.

25. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instruments are single service/disposal or permanent.

26. The devise as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a fixed toothbrush

27. The device as in claim 1 wherein the oral hygiene instrument is a pick wand.

28. The device as in claim 1 wherein the instrument and the adapter are interconnected by a means of connection.

29. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to connect the adapter to the oral hygiene instrument is a twist lock mechanism.

30. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to connect the adapter to the oral hygiene instrument is a pressure fit.

31. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to connect the adapter to the oral hygiene instrument is a pin in the adapter and a hole in the corresponding location in the oral hygiene instrument.

32. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to connect the adapter to the oral hygiene instrument is a pin in the oral hygiene instrument and a hole in the corresponding location in the adapter.

33. The device as in claim 1 wherein the means to connect the adapter to the oral hygiene instrument is a screw and thread.

34. The device as in claim 1 wherein the handle has a storage compartment in the end opposite from the adapter for the storage of dental supplies.

35. The device as in claim 1 wherein the compact storage case contains storage locations for dental supplies.

36. The device as in claim 1 wherein the compact storage case is made from a non-breakable material with a base and top with a means of connection between the base and top and a means of locking/closure between the base and top.

37. The device as in claim 1 wherein the compact storage case can additionally function as a travel, organizing and storage case.