CA1215880A - Oral hygiene methods and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ORAL HYGIENE METHODS AND APPARATUS

ABSTRACT

Oral hygiene methods and apparatus for producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through an inlet in a pump housing from a reservoir employ an arrangement in which the reservoir in an inverted position serves also as a cover for the pump housing or inlet. For optimum compactness, the inlet is provided laterally at the pump housing. In particular, the inlet may be located in a side wall laterally of a part of the pump housing serving as a first supporting base in an upright position thereof, and the pump housing has a second supporting base laterally of the first base. In practice, the pump housing is laid on its side or second supporting base, whereby the inlet comes to face upwardly. Liquid is then pumped from the reapplied reservoir while the pump housing is lying on its side.

Description

~2~5~

ORAL HYGIENE METHODS AND APPARATUS

The invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing a liquid jet and, more specifically, to oral hygiene methods and apparatus which project a liquid jet against a person's teeth and gums.

Half a century ago, attempts were made to provide a pump unit for generating a pulsating liquid jet for dental hygiene and gum massaging purposes, as may be seen from British Patent Specifications 369,661 and 382,430 and US
Patent 1,995,424 corresponding whereto. Practical success and consumer acceptance, however came only with applicant's oral hygiene methods and apparatus disclosed for instance, in US Patents 3,227,158, 3,393,673, Rev 27,274, 3,425,410, 3,453,969, 3,467,083, 4,108,167 and their counterparts in various countries. Commercial embodiments-which have in-eluded the inventions of those patents have usually involved an attractively styled unit with a removable cover that, when inverted t serves as reservoir for waxer supplied to the unit. Within the unit is a motor-driven pump the outlet of which LO coupled through a flexible hose to a hand held-nozzle that the user employs to direct pulsating jets against his teeth and gums.

In an effort to achieve durability while at the same time effecting manufacturing economy, attention has been given to the formation of as many components as possible from plastic material. For example, even the pump cylinder block and the cooperating piston as well as the piston rod have successfully been entirely molded and formed from plastic materials.

Although the various embodiments described in the alone-mentioned patents have all been developed primarily for I
. I

I

use in the dental field the same apparatus also have found usage in other implementations such as wound deride-Monet the cleaning of the ear canal and other medical applications, In addition, some of the mechanical and s electrical improvements involved have been of a nature to lend themselves to use in entirely different environments.

In at least one case, a number of the earlier device devil-opments were implemented in an oral hygiene appliance which was particularly suitable for portable use. That is, the appliance was arranged to have a form factor and compact size that made it more suitable than some of the standard models for packing and storage within a suitcase or the like, so as to be available when traveling Although advantageous in many respect, the* unit was still too bulky for convenient storage for transport in smaller containers such as briefcases, handbags, shaving kits, pouches or coat pockets An attempt at providing a compact dental cleaning and massaging device is also apparent from US Patent 3,800,786.
One drawback of that kind of device is however, that the entire unit, including motor, pump, bulletin reservoir and pressure-regulating mechanism, has -to be lifted up to the user's mouth and held there during an entire cleaning and massaging operation. This naturally places an impede-mint on the achievable deftness in the use of that appliance and tends to limit the attainable reservoir volume.

Jo be described in detail is a specific embodiment of an improved oral hygiene appliance At the same time, it will be recognized that detailed features of improvement also have application to other forms of oral hygiene appliances as well as to devices other than those useful strictly in that field. Accordingly, it is a general obey of the present invention to provide a new and improved oral hygiene appliance as well as features that have beneficial applique-lion elsewhere.

From one aspect thereof, the invention is intended to remedy the prior art lack of very compact equipment of the type described which is fully capable of achieving the desired and appropriate results In particular, the invention according to this aspect provides methods and apparatus for producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through a pump housing from a reservoir. To this end, the invention employs the reservoir in an inverted position as a partial cover for the pump housing, and establishes a supply of liquid from the reservoir into the pump housing only upon mutual reorientation of the pump housing and the reservoir in coupling and orthogonal different relationship with said housing.
A preferred embodiment of the invention provides the inlet laterally at the pump housing, and provides for coverage of such laterally provided inlet by the reservoir prior to its removal from the pump housing for reception of a liquid supply in the reservoir This embodiment also lays the pump housing on its side from an upright position, with the inlet coming to face upwardly away from that side. The removed reservoir is then placed on the reservoir lying on its side and the liquid supply is connected to the laterally provided then upwardly facing inlet. Liquid is then pumped from the supply while the pump housing is lying on its side.

In apparatus terms, a partial cover for the pump housing consists of the reservoir in an inverted position, and the invention provides means for establishing a supply of liquid from the reservoir into the pump housing only upon mutual reorientation of the pump housing and the reservoir in coupling and orthogonally different relationship with said housing.
In an embodiment of the invention, an inlet is located in a side wall of the pump housing laterally of a part of the pump housing serving as a first supporting base in an upright position thereof, and the pump housing has a second base laterally of the first base and opposite the mentioned side I

wall for supporting the pump housing and the reservoir positioned on the mentioned side wall when the pump housing is lying on its side.

From another aspect thereof, the invention is intended to provide improved methods and apparatus for producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through an inlet in a pump housing prom a reservoir The invention according to this aspect employs the reservoir in an inverted position also as a cover for the liquid inlet and stoves a jet-worming nozzle assembly on an upper panel of the pump housing alongside the reservoir positioned in its use orientation on the pump housing after having been located on the pump housing to cover the liquid inlet Specific ways of carrying out the invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings which illustrate only specific embodiments, and in which:

Fig 1 is an isometric view of an oral hygiene Apple ante according to an embodiment of the subject invention, with a-reservoir disposed in a storage position on a housing, Fig 2 is a front elevation Al view of the appliance with the reservoir and housing in operative positions and with additional components mounted on the housing, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2, the additional components having teen removed, 3q Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 2, Fig 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged cross-sectional view of a fluid coupling assembly shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a fragmentary and enlarged cross-sectional view of a pump assembly and coupling shown in Figs. 4-5, ! - 5 -Fig. 7 is a fragmentary and e~iarged cross-sectional view of a motor assembly shown in Fig. 3, Fig. 8 is a fragmentary end enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupling element in a storage position as shown in Figs 2 and 4, Fig. 9 is an enlarged isometric view of an electrical connection assembly shown in Fig 3, Fig 10 is an enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view of coupling components shown in Figs. 2 and 4 but fitted together in operative position, Fig. 11 is an enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view of an electrical switch and connector assembly shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 12 is an exploded isometric view of thy switch assembly shown in Fig. 11.

Thy illustrated oral hygiene appliance or device 20 according .
to a preferred embodime~t.of the invention includes a housing 22 associated with a reservoir 24 and nozzles 26. In use, reservoir 24 contains a supply of water or other liquid that is supplied to and propelled by a pump 28, located within housing 22, and delivered by a selected one of nozzles 26 to the point of use within a person's mouth for cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums.
Housing 22 is formed by shells 29 and 30 which mate together to define a cavity 32 thus bounded by a surrounding wall 34 and opposing end walls 36 and 38, using Fig. 4 for reference as to "end". Reservoir 24 it closed at one end 40 and open at its other end 42. As shown in Fig. 1, reservoir 24 has a shape which is in conformity with housing 22, so as to telescope there over in covering relationship with most of surrounding wall 34 and its end wall 36 for storage when the appliance is not in use and -for convenience during transport.

1 21S8~3() Defined in reservoir end 40 is a valve seat 46 that cooperates with a valve 48. The valve is normally closed to the valve seat when reservoir 24 contains water and is removed from its telescopically covering relationship with housing 22. In liquid communication with valve seat 46 on end 40 of reservoir 24 is coupling 50. Mutable with the latter in further liquid communication is a coupling member 52 disposed in surrounding wall 34 of housing 22 upon placement of reservoir end wall 40 adjacent to sun-rounding wall 34 and in a position to overlie member fox. 4 and 5).

Disposed in end wall 38 of housing 22, for communication with nozzle 26, is an outlet opening 54 that is so located as to be free of any part of reservoir 24 when the latter is placed in its aforementioned covering relationship with respect to the housing. Pump 28 is disposed within cavity 32 and connected between coupling member 52 and outlet I opening 54.

It will be observed that surrounding wall 34 is of generally I; rectangular cross section, so as to have space-opposed Jo generally-planar panels 55 and 56 along longer sides of that cross section. For use, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, reservoir 24 is to be placed with its end wall 40 adjacent to the upper panel 55, and the other opposed panel 56 serves as a supporting base for the entire device as when resting on a bountertop or the like.

Seated within cavity 32 is an electric motor 58 connected to drive pump 28 and associated with a switch 60 for ever-giving the motor. Switch 60 includes an operator or button 62 disposed in shell 29 of housing 22 in a location which is free of all portions of reservoir 24 when the latter is placed in position for use as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, button 62 is in its "off" position. When I, ~Z15813~) Defined in reservoir end 40 is a valve seat 46 that cooperates with a valve 48. The valve is normally closed to the valve seat when reservoir 24 contains water and is removed from its telescopically covering relationship with housing 22. In liquid communication with valve seat 46 on end 40 of reservoir 24 is coupling 50. Mutable with the latter in further liquid communication is a coupling member 52 disposed in surrounding wall 34 of housing 22 upon placement of reservoir end wall 40 adjacent to sun-rounding wall 34 and in a position to overlie member fox. 4 and 5).

Disposed in end wall 38 of housing 22, for communication with nozzle 26, is an outlet opening 54 that is so located as to be free of any part of reservoir 24 when the latter is placed in its aforementioned covering relationship with respect to the housing. Pump 28 is disposed within cavity 32 and connected between coupling member 52 and owlet opening 54.
It will be observed that surrounding wall 34 is of generally rectangular cross section, so as to have space-opposed generally-planar panels 55 and 56 along longer sides of that cross section. For use, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, reservoir 24 is to be placed with its end wall 40 adjacent to the upper panel 55, and the other opposed panel 56 serves as a supporting base for the entire device as when resting on a counter top or the like.

Seated within cavity 32 is an electric motor 58 connected to drive pump 28 and associated with a switch 60 for ever-giving the motor. Switch 60 includes an operator or button 62 disposed in shell 29 of housing 22 in a location which is free of all portions of reservoir 24 when the latter is placed in position for use as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. As shown in Fig. 2, button 62 is in its "off position. When wall is sufficiently flexible to provide a spring action so that lugs 79 and 80 are c~mmed over detents 81 and into a locked position upon insertion of plug 71 into place.

Also seated within cavity 32 is a battery 82 for ever-giving motor 58 and removably insertable through an opening 84 defined in a side wall portion 86 of surrounding wall 34. Opening 84 is closed by a cover plug 88.

Button 62 normally rests in a position which is flush with panel 55 of surrounding wall 34 and end wall 38 within which it is disposed, and the button is located to be free of reservoir 24 when either in its storage position as shown in Fig. 1 or in its use position as shown in Figs.

2 and 4. In the orientation of Fig. 1, a portion on button 62 and outlet opening 54 in end wall 38 are con-coaled from view on the underside of the unit. On the other hand, coupling member 52 is disposed in panel 55 of surrounding wall 34 to he concealed from external view when reservoir 24 is inverted as in Fig. 1 to face its closed end 40 upwardly and is telescoped into covering relationship with housing 22 a end wall 38 rests on a substrate.

Pump 28 includes a generally T-shaped hollow body 90, and a chamber 92 is defined in its leg 94 (Fig. 6). Disposed for reciprocation within clamber 92 is a piston 96 coupled by a rod 98 eccentrically to a face gear 100 driven in rotation by a spur gear 102 on the output shaft of motor I (Fig. 7).

One arm 106 of pump body 90 is disposed at and effectively coupled to outlet 54 by an integral extension which defines well 70. Beneath well 70 in arm 106 is a cross-wall in which is defined an exit orifice 107. The other arm 108 of pump body 90 is coupled to member 52. A check valve 110, laudably within a valve guide 112, is disposed within ~2~1Lr~

arm 108 and poled by a compression spring 114 to pass liquid only prom coupling member 52 and on into chamber 92 (Fig I Valve guide 112 also forms a fluid seal.

Coupling element 50 includes a snout 116 that projects outwardly from end 40 of reservoir 24 and is aligned for liquid communication with valve seat 46. Coupling member 52 includes a well 118 defined in panel 55 of surrounding wall 34 and Mattel in liquid communication with snout 116 upon placement of end wall 40 against panel 55 of housing 22 and in a position to overlie well 118.
An opening 122 is defined in the bottom of well 118.
Coupled at one end to pump 28 and forming an integral lateral projection from an end cap 123 on arm 108 of pump body 90 is a tube 124. Tube 124 it disposed to project its free end through opening 122.
. .
A seal 126 disposed within opening 122 includes a sleeve 128 seated between opening 122 and tube 124. Seal 126 also includes a skirt 130 that is flared away from sleeve 128 and into engagement with the interior wall of snout 116 when reservoir 24 is mounted as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Tube 124 is tapered in wall thickness as shown to cause sleeve 128 to flare outwardly on assembly and thereby become locked in position.

Valve 48 includes a tube-shaped operator portion 134 that faces the free end of tube 124 which sexes as an abutment.
That free end is disposed in a position to engage operator 134 and open valve 48 when end wall 40 of reservoir 24 is placed into the use position. Operator 134 is a coupler which moves inside valve seat 46. Included as a part thereof are a plurality of circumferentially-spaced resilient fingers 136 each of which has a laterally-facing us lip 138 that is insertable through the inside of valve seat 46 to snap into place adjacent to the surface of reservoir end wall 40 opposite seat 46. Valve 48 is thereby I

captivate between open and closed positions.
.

Defined on the interior of end wall 40 of reservoir 24 is a recess thought surrounds valve seat 46. Included on valve 48 are a plurality of circumferential flutes 144 that face the internal wall of recess 142 and define therewith a strainer when valve 48 is open with respect to valve seat 46. That is, valve 48 is formed to combine in but one part the operations of both a strainer element and a valve element. Valve 48 is lifted only enough to open a fluid path between fingers 136, while yet creating a restriction against the passage into the pump body of any large particles of foreign matter..

15 Button 62 is depress ably mounted in its exposed position on housing 22. Defined within the housing is a barrel 150 beneath button 62 (Figs. 11 and 12). An opening 152 is defined longitudinally through the wall of barrel 150.
Slid able longitudinally within the carrel is a spool 154 that has a circumferential central V-shaped groove 156 to present a first surface 157 which faces opening 152 and is axially spaced from a second surface 158 on a remaining portion of the external wall of spool 154.
That is, the bottom of groove 156 is spaced a different distance from opening 152 than is surface 158.

Spool 154 is movable axially within barrel 150 between first and second positions in alternate directions upon successive depressions of button 620 A resilient conduct live finger 160 projects through opening 152 and against the exterior wall of spool 154. Movement of the spool between its first and second positions aligns respective different ones of groove 156 and surface 158 in engagement with finger 160, so as correspondingly to change locations of a contact portion 162 on finger 160. A conductive contact element 164 is disposed in the path of contact portion 162 and is engage able and disengage able with the I

latter upon its change between such locations. Contact portion 162 and contact element 164 are connected in circuit with motor 58 and battery 82.

Moving spool 154 between its two different positions is a rotatable cam cylinder 168 disposed within barrel 150 adjacent to spool 154. A plurality of cam operators 170 an stops 172 defined on and circumferential space alternatively around the inner wall of barrel 150 cooperate with cam surfaces 174 correspondingly circumferential-spaced around the circumference of cylinder 168. Pro-jetting inwardly from button 62 is a driver 176 on which are defined I elements 178 that also cooperate with cam surfaces 174. A compression spring 180, disposed on the end of spool 154 opposite cylinder 168, urges spool 154, cylinder 168 and driver 176 together. Projecting into-rally onward also from button 62 a and having a diameter less trap that of arriver issue a spindle 182 upon which cylinder 168 and spool 154 are longitudinally sIidableO
Barrel 150 projects above the bottom of-recess 63 as -a boss 184, serving to prevent water that leaks around the edges of button from entering the interior of the housing. In this case, a writing screw 185 serves to secure the internal switch parts into operative relation-ship and Jo hold button 62 in place twig. 11).

The resulting switch combination operates in a manners~milar in principle to that involved in connection with the push-push operation of one mechanism particularly employed in ball point pens for moving the reservoir and writing point within a barrel. Each depression of button 62 causes cylinder 168 to be rotated one step by driver 176 as a result of which the ends of cams 174 alternately are held downwardly against stops 172 and allowed to pass upwardly between cam operators 170. That alternate positioning serves correspondingly to cause the alternate 86~

opening and closing of contact member 162 with contact element 164, A principal difference from the mentioned mechanism employed in a ball-point pen resides in the separation of cylinder 168 from spool 154. Consequently, cylinder 168 is free to rotate even though spool 154 is under a side loading imposed by contact finger 160, -A plurality of integrally-formed webs 190 are disposed within each of shells 29 and 30 and arranged as shown in Figs. 3 an 4 to define a plurality of compartments.
Also projecting toward one another are a plurality of mating posts 192 that mate as between the respective shells so as to fasten them together upon the insertion of screws (not shown). Different ones of the wells as illustrated define appropriate recesses as at 194 so a Jo snugly captivate and seat pump body 90. Motor 58 is similarly seated and supported it recess 195. Moreover, lugs on the frame of motor 58 are trapped my the webs that define recess 195. This constrains motor movement as against the forces resulting from the eccentric drive system for the pump unit. A projection lg6 serves to mount contact element 164.

Also defined by the arrangement of webs 190 and as illustrated is a compartment for battery 82. Mounted within housing 22 and having a receptacle 198 exposed to the exterior through wall portion 86 is a plug 199 for connection to a separate battery charger. For contact against one end of battery 82 is a connector 200 (Figs.

3 and 9). Another connector 202 is correspondingly disposed so as to have one end portion engage able with the other end of battery 82 and another end portion en-gaugeable with receptacle 198. Conductive finger 160 is connected to and projects away from connector 200 so as to locate its contact member 162 alongside contact element 164. Suitable interconnecting leads as shown in Figs.

3, 7 and 11 are included so as to complete the circuitry between battery 82, motor 58 r contact element 164 charger receptacle 198 and connectors 200 an 202.

In this case formed on end welt 36 of housing 22 is a protrusion 210 in which is defined a somewhat V-shaped recess 212~ Recess 21~ may be used to mount the entire unit, when desired, upon a ma tingly shaped bracket snot shown that may he secured to a wall fox more permanent installation of the appliance. For transport r the entire assemblage preferably is container within a case provided with a plurality of recesses into which the different detachable components are seater.

Referring back to Figs. 8 and 10, it will ye voted what lower end 68 of nozzle issue secured with a snap fit in coupling 74 by a floating 0-r;ng 216. the latter is captivated in the bore of coupling byway retaining sleeve 218. The snap fit is effected by a groove 226 formed around the terminal end portion of lower end 68.

A compact and readily portable oral hygiene appliance results-~rom the construction an-d assembly describe.
The manner in which the different components and subcom-punts are formed permits quick and easy assembly or parts replacement. Except for the battery, motor and inductive elements, all of the various parts may be economically molded from a plastic material. Although a water pressure control is not specifically included in 26 the illustrated embodiment, adjustment with respect to that function is still available for the user by the provision of two or more different ones of interchange-able nozzles 26 respectively having different sizes of outlet orifices.
It may also be observed that different ones of the sub-components described have the capability of separate uti~ity-in other appliances and live devices For example, pump I together with motor 58 constitute a simple and yet quite effective liquid pumping unit easily capable to other worms of oral hygiene appliances an various devices of different kinds. The described switching mechanism has înde~endent us lily in other devices and environments.

Considering the subject disclosure, it is seen that the invention, from one aspect thereof, resides in a method of producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through an inlet 122 in the pump housing 23 from the reservoir 24. In act kerns with the currently discussed aspect of the invention, the inlet lZ2 it provided laterally at the pump housing 22, and the reservoir serves in an inver~ea position also as a partial cover for the pump housing and as a cover for the laterally provided inlet, as shown by way of example in Fig. I In apparatus terms, the inlet 122 is located in a side wall 55 of the pump housing 22 laterally of a part Of the pump housing serving as a first supporting base 38 in the upright position thereof shown in Fig. 1.

The invention thus provides for coverage of the laterally provided inlet 122 by the inverted reservoir 24, as shown in Fog. 1, prior to removal of that reservoir from the pump housing 22 for reception of a liquid supply in the reservoir. The invention according to its currently discussed aspect further includes the steps of laying the pump housing 22 on its side from the upright position shown in Fig. 1 to the operative position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, with the inlet 122 then coming to face upwardly away from the side 56 on which the pump housing 22 then rests, as seen in Fig. 4. The removed reservoir 24 is then placed on the pump housing 22 lying on its side and the liquid supply in the reservoir is connected Jo the laterally provided, but now upwardly facing inlet 122, as seen in Fig. 4, and liquid is then pumped from I
-- It --., .
the supply in the upright reservoir, such as upon`actua~ion of a switch operator 62 and switch 60, while the pump housing 22 is lying on its side as seen in Figs 2 and 4, as distinguished from Fig 1 In apparatus terms, the pump housing 22 has a second base 56 laterally. of its above mentioned first base 38 and opposite the above mentioned side wall 55 for supporting the pump housing and the reservoir 24 positioned on that side wall 55 when the pump housing is lying on its side as seen in Figs. 2 and 4.

As seen in Figs 1 and 4 and described above, the pump housing 22 rest on base 38 prior to its Bengal on its side 56, and an outlet hose 56 is coupled Jo pump 28 in the pump housing 22 while such pump housing is lying on its side. The pump outlet 54 or 70 is located laterally of the second base 56 and is accessible from the outside of the pump housing 22~ In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the outlet 54 is locate in the first supporting base 38 of the pump housing 22. The outlet hose 66 has a connect tying plug 71 lockable into the pump outlet 54, as seen in Figs. 4 an 6.

on structural terms the above mentioned second base 56 is larger than the first base 38. The reservoir 24 has a bottom 40 which is smaller than the side wall 55 on which it rests in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The side wall 55 has a recess 69 free of the positioned reservoir 24 for receiving an end portion 68 of a jet-forming nozzle connectable to the pump 28.

In particular, and according to another aspect thereof, the invention resides in a method for producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through an inlet 122 in a pump housing 23 from a reservoir 24 serving in a inverted ho position also as a cover for a liquid inlet 122~ The inventiorl, according to this aspect thereof, stores a jet-forminy nozzle assembly 67 on an upper panel 55 of the pump housing 22 alongside the reservoir 24 5 positioned in its use orientation shown in Figs. 2 and

4 on the pump housing 22 after having been located in an inverted position on the pump housing as shown in Fig 1 to cover the liquid inlet L22. us shown in Fig . 4, the upper panel 55 thus has an area O seen par-tidally also in Fig. 1, for storing the jet-forming nozzle assembly 67 as just described.

As particularly seen in Fig. 4, a recess 69 is foxed or located in the upper panel 55 or in a portion whereof r is and a lower end 68 of the nozzle assembly is seated in that recess alongside the reservoir 24 positioned on the top of the pump housing 22, as seen in Fig JO

In accordance with the embodiment of the subject invention seen from a comparison of Figs. 1 and 4, a smaller cross-section of the pump housing 22 is covered by the inverted reservoir 24 than the cross-section of the upper panel 55.
This dimensioning principle as to pump housing and reservoir may also be applied to arrangements and in con-texts other than those specifically shown herein. Theism applies, of course, also to other features disclosed herein.

A preferred embodiment of the subject invention thus provides an oral hygiene appliance 20 which includes a liquid reservoir 24, a pump 28 for propelling liquid from the reservoir and means, such as a hose 66, etch for delivering the propelled liquid from the reservoir to a point of use. The embodiment currently discussed resides more specifically in a pump housing 22 shape with respect to the reservoir 24 to accept the latter telescopingly in at least partially enclosing relation ship during storage of the appliance 20, a shown by way of example in Fig. 1. Further, coupling members 50, 52, etch, or other means are defined or provided in the reservoir 24 and in the housing 22 fox enabling thy supply of liquid, contained in the reservoir, into the housing and to the pump 28, only upon mutual no-orientation of the housing and the reservoir to present a mutually reversed aspect of the reservoir in coupling relationship with the housing as shown by way ox- example in Figs. 2 and 4.
By way of further example, the reservoir may cover one side 36 of the housing 22 during the mentioned storage, and may be inverted and then placed against another side 55 of the housing; which other side is orthogonally related to the mentioned one side 36, to effect the desired coupling relationship, as Sheehan for instance, in Figs 2 and JO

The reservoir 24, when telescoped and partially covering the housing 22, may conceal thereby from view all us-aesthetic portions of the housing not concealed by the then disposition of the housing, illustrated, for instance, in Fig. 1.
.
The housing 22 may include an outlet part 54 which remains uncovered by the reservoir 24 in either orientation thereof.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an oral hygiene appliance which includes a liquid reservoir yo-yo ~æ~ o a pump 28 for propelling pulsed jets of liquid from the reservoir, and means, such as a hose 66, etc., for de-livening the propelled liquid from the reservoir to the teeth and gums of the user comprises a coupling 74 S communicating with the pump for out letting pulses of the liquid. Thy appliance according to this embodiment further includes a plurality of nozzles 26, 67, each capable of being grasped to direct the liquid against the teeth and gums, and individually engage able with the coupling 74 for delivering the liquid therefrom.
The nozzles of this plurality individually have no-spectively different outlet orifice sizes to enable selection of outlet ted pressure of the liquid.

A method according to an aspect of the subject invention for producing a liquid jet by pumping liquid through a pump housing 22 Prom a reservoir 24 comprises the step of employing the reservoir in an inverted position as a partial cover for the pump housing; as seen, for instance, in Fig. land the step of establishing a supply of liquid from the reservoir 24 into the pump housing 22 only lpon mutual reorientation of the pump housing and the reservoir, as seen, for instance, in Figs. 2 and 4. In apparatus terms, a partial cover for the pump housing consists of the reservoir 24 in an inverted position, and means, including a reservoir outlet 50 and a pump housing inlet 52, are present for establishing a supply of liquid from the reservoir 24 into the pump housing I only upon mutual reorientation of the pump housing and the reservoir.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 24 is reoriented from an inverted position (see Fig. 1) for reception of a supply of liquid (see Figs. 2 and 4), the housing 22 is reoriented from a position in which ~Z~5~

it was partially covered by the reservoir (see Fig. 1), and the reoriented reservoir is positioned on the reoriented housing (see Figs. and I In other word, the reoriented reservoir is only position able on the housing 22 after reorientation of the housing from the position in which it was partially covered by the reservoir 24.

By way of example, one side 36 of the housing is completely covered by the reservoir 24 in its inverted position, and the reservoir 24 is reoriented and placed against another side 55 of the housing orthogonally related to the one side 36 to establish the supply of liquid from the reservoir into top pump housing, Preferably, the reservoir 24 is employed in its inverted position to conceal from view all otherwise unconcealed unesthetic portions of the housing (see Fig. I The housing 22 may be provide with an outlet port 54 or 70 which remains uncovered by the applied inverted reservoir 24.

. In practice, arrangements herein disclosed provide the user with maximum convenience in a relatively compact setting.

Any of the features shown in Fig. 5, any of the features shown in Fig. 6 and any of the features shown in Fig 11 may, however, be employed in systems and apparatus other than those shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

Moreover, the coupling shown in Fig. 10 and partially also in Fig. 8, may have independent utility as a coupling assembly comprising a coupling element 74 having an internal bore defining a passage for the flow of liquid and a lateral recess in such bore This Coupling assembly according to an embodiment of the invention also includes a coupling member 68 insertable into the internal bore in the coupling element 74 for continuing the mentioned passage for the flow ox liquid.
A circumferential groove 226 is defined on the exterior of an end portion of the coupling member 68 received in the mentioned bore, and an annular resilient element 216 is seated in the mentioned recess and is engage able into the groove 226 upon insertion of the coupling member 68 into the bore of the coupling element 74~

As seen in Figs. 8 and 10, the coupling assembly may lo include a sleeve 218 inserted in the bore of the coupling element 74 only to an extent which defines the recess in which the annular resilient element 216 is seated.
In practice, the inserted sleeve 218 may retain the annular element 216 in the coupling element 74, part-ocularly during removal of the coupling member 68 or nozzle 26 from the coupling element 74.

In this manner, a highly effective and efficiently operated fluid coupling is created. The term "liquid"
I herein employed is not intended to be limiting, but to stand for fluids in general.

The subject extensive disclosure suggests or renders apparent to those skilled in the art various modifications and variations within the spirit and scope of the subject invention and its various aspects.

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In apparatus which includes a pump for propelling liquid from a supply, and means for delivering the propelled liquid to a point of use, the improvement comprising a housing defining a cavity within which said pump is seated, a reservoir closed at one end and open at the other end, having a shape in conformity with said housing to telescope thereover in a covering relationship, a valve seat defined in said one end of said reservoir, a valve normally closed to said valve seat with said supply of liquid contained in said reservoir during removal thereof from said covering relationship, a coupling element on said one end of said reservoir and in liquid communication with said valve seat, a coupling member disposed in said housing and matable in liquid communication with said coupling element upon placement of said one end adjacent to said housing and in a position overlying said coupling member, an outlet disposed in a wall of said housing for fluid communication with said delivering means, means connecting said pump between said coupling member and said outlet, means defining a recess in said one end of said reservoir and surrounding said valve seat, and means defining a plurality of circumferential flutes on said valve and facing the internal wall of said recess to define therewith a strainer when said valve is opened with respect to said valve seat.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which said valve includes an operator portion movable inside said valve seat and defining a circumferential lateral lip engageable with a surface opposite said valve seat to captivate said valve between open and closed positions.

3. In apparatus which include a pump for propelling liquid from a supply, and means for delivering the propelled liquid to a point of use, the improvement comprising a housing defining a cavity within which said pump is seated, a reservoir closed at one end and open at the other end, having a shape in conformity with said housing to telescope thereover in a covering relationship, a valve seat defined in said one end of said reservoir, a valve normally closed to said valve seat with said supply of liquid contained in said reservoir during removal thereof from said covering relationship, a coupling element on said one end of said reservoir and in liquid communication with said valve seat, a coupling member disposed in said housing and matable in liquid communication with said coupling element upon placement of said one end adjacent to said housing and in a position overlying said coupling member, an operator portion on said valve and movable inside said valve seat, and a circumferential lateral lip on said operator portion and engageable with a surface opposite said valve seat to captivate said valve between open and closed positions.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said operator portion is composed of a plurality of circumferentially-spaced resilient fingers each having a laterally-facing lip portion insertable through the inside of said valve seat to snap into place adjacent to said surface,

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said coupling member includes means defining an abutment disposed in a position to engage said operator portion and open said valve upon said placement of said one end.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, which include an electric motor seated in said cavity for driving said pump and a switch for energizing said motor, said switch including a button depressably mounted in an exposed position in a wall portion of said housing, a barrel disposed in said housing beneath said button with an opening being defined through the wall of said barrel, a spool slidable longitudinally within said barrel and having a pair of axially-spaced external wall surfaces facing said opening individually at respective different distances therefrom, means coupled between said button and said spool for moving said spool axially between first and second positions in alternate directions upon successive depressions of said button, a resilient conductive finger projecting through said opening and against said spool, movement of said spool between said first and second positions aligning respective different ones of said surfaces in engagement with said finger and correspondingly changing locations of a contact portion on said finger, a conductive contact element disposed in the path of said contact portion and engageable and disengageable therewith upon change between said locations, and means for connecting said contact portion and said contact element in circuit with said motor.