Air-driven interproximal toothbrush

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016296309-A1
Application number	US-201415037148-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 20, 2014
Priority date	Nov 21, 2013
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The interproximal toothbrush includes an appliance body and neck with a nozzle member having a nozzle tip shaped to fit into interproximal teeth spaces. Bursts of air or air/liquid mixture are generated, exiting through the nozzle tip. A helix member or, alternatively, a spring, is supported within a channel in the nozzle member. The helix member is free to rotate as air or the air/liquid mixture is moved through the channel. A set of bristles is attached to a forward end of the helix member, so that it rotates with the helix member. Alternatively, a set of bristles is attached to the distal end of the spring so that successive bursts of air or the air/liquid mixture produce an in-and-out movement of the set of bristles toward and away from the teeth.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An air-driven interproximal cleansing appliance, comprising:
an appliance body having a handle portion and a nozzle having an extended neck, with a nozzle tip, with an exit opening at a distal end of the nozzle, shaped to fit into interproximal teeth spaces; a source of air for providing bursts of air or an air/liquid mixture in response to the appliance being activated successively, via control member by a user; and a solid helix member having at least one full turn, supported within a channel in the nozzle tip, so that the helix member is free to rotate as air or the air/liquid mixture is moved through the channel, the helix member further having a set of bristles attached to a forward end thereof, such that the set of bristles rotate with rotation of the helix member in response to air or the air/liquid mixture being moved through the channel and out the exit opening of the nozzle tip, rotating the set of bristles for cleansing of the interproximal teeth surfaces.

2 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the bursts of air/liquid comprise a spray or jet.

3 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the helix member comprises between one and five turns.

4 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein air flow within the channel in the nozzle tip and out the exit opening comprises turbulent air flow.

5 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the channel has a diameter within the range of 3-10 millimeters.

6 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the helix has a diameter of approximately 2-5 millimeters.

7 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the volume of each air burst is 0.5 milliliters to 0.2 milliliters.

8 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the velocity of the air bursts is 50-170 meters per second.

9 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the momentum is approximately 0.009 to 0.005 kilogram meters per second.

10 . The appliance of claim 1 , including a channel opening longitudinally through the helix member, and wherein the set of bristles surrounds the exit opening.

11 . The appliance of claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water or a liquid other than water.

12 .- 16 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Koninklijke Philips Nv

Inventors

• Schmalhurst Lisa Bethany
• Chang Yu-Wen

Classifications

• A46B2200/108

  Inter-dental toothbrush, i.e. for cleaning interdental spaces specifically · CPC title

• A61C17/225

  Handles or details thereof · CPC title

• A61C15/00 Primary

  Devices for cleaning between the teeth · CPC title

• A61C17/0217

  having means for manually controlling the supply of two or more fluids, e.g. water and air · CPC title

• A61C1/05

  with turbine drive · CPC title