CN108013941A - Cleaning appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

A tooth cleaning appliance comprising: a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to teeth of a user; a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir including a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and a cap having a fluid port, and wherein the cover is movable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow refilling of the fluid reservoir and a second position in which the fluid inlet Blocked by cover.

Description

cleaning utensils

technical field

The invention relates to a cleaning appliance. The cleaning implement is preferably a hand-held cleaning implement, and preferably a surface treating implement. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the appliance is a tooth cleaning appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance is an electric toothbrush having a fluid delivery system for delivering fluid to the user's teeth. This fluid is a dentifrice, or fluid for improved interdental cleaning. Alternatively, the implement may not include any bristles or other elements for brushing teeth, and may be in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning implement. The invention also relates to cleaning implements for dental cleaning appliances.

Background technique

Electric toothbrushes typically include a cleaning implement that is attached to a handle. The cleaning tool includes a rod and a brush head carrying bristles for brushing teeth. The brush head comprises a fixed section, which is connected to a rod, and at least one movable section, which is movable relative to the fixed section, for example reciprocating, oscillating, vibrating, pivoting or rotating One of the movements to impart brushing movement to the bristles mounted thereon. The rod houses a drive shaft that is coupled to a transmission unit within the handle. This transmission unit is in turn connected to an electric motor driven by a battery housed in the handle. The drive shaft and transmission unit convert the rotational or oscillatory movement of the motor into the desired movement of the movable section of the brush head relative to the fixed section of the brush head.

An assembly is known to be incorporated into electric toothbrushes for generating a jet of fluid for interdental cleaning. For example, US 8,522,384 describes an electric toothbrush in which the handle of the toothbrush defines a fluid chamber for storing fluid, such as water, and a sliding cover for enabling the fluid chamber to be accessed for user refilling. The fluid path connecting the fluid chamber to the nozzle is located on the fixed part of the brush head. A pump positioned within the fluid path is actuated upon user manipulation of an actuator on the handle to pump liquid from the fluid chamber to the nozzle for release from the nozzle under pressure.

Contents of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a fan assembly comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to the user's teeth;

a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir including a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and

a cap having a fluid port, and wherein the cap is movable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to refill, and a second position in the second position Medium fluid inlet blocked by cap.

The cover may be biased away from the first position so that the fluid inlet is generally not exposed. In this case, the user must push the cover to the first position to expose the fluid inlet so that the fluid reservoir can be replenished. A resilient element, such as a spring, may be provided for urging the cover away from the first position.

The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and preferably water, and thus the fluid reservoir can be accessed by a user by positioning the fluid inlet under a domestic tap with the cover in the first position, opening the tap so that water travels from the tap through the fluid port into the fluid memory, which is replenished. Where the cap is biased away from the first position, the appliance may include a catch for retaining the cap in the first position to facilitate refilling of the fluid reservoir by the user. Alternatively, the user may keep the cap in the first position during filling. In this case, after the fluid reservoir has been filled, the user simply releases the cap so that it automatically moves away from the first position to block the fluid inlet, preventing leakage of working fluid from the fluid reservoir through the fluid inlet.

Alternatively, the cap is movable between a stable first position and a stable second position which prevents the user from having to hold the cap in the first position during filling of the fluid reservoir.

When the cover is in the second position, the fluid inlet can engage a seal that prevents leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet. The seal may be on a surface of the cover facing the fluid inlet when the cover is in the second position.

The cover is movable toward and away from the fluid reservoir when the cover is moved between the first position and the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir is mounted on a stem of the appliance and the cover is movable along the stem between a first position and a second position. Preferably, the cover is rotatable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position and a second position, preferably about the longitudinal axis of the stem. The cover is preferably annular in shape, and thus the cover preferably extends around the rod. Alternatively, the cover may be curved, arcuate or linear in shape.

The fluid reservoir preferably comprises an outer wall in which the fluid inlet is formed. The cover is preferably positioned adjacent the outer wall of the fluid reservoir. The outer wall of the fluid reservoir is preferably the base or bottom wall of the fluid reservoir, which faces the handle on which the stem is mounted, and thus the cover is preferably positioned adjacent to the bottom wall of the fluid reservoir. At least a portion of the outer wall of the fluid reservoir is preferably transparent, and is preferably formed from a transparent plastic material, to allow a user to see the amount of working fluid within the fluid reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall has one of a curved shape, a convex shape and a faceted shape. The outer wall may have a curvature which is one of ellipsoidal, spheroidal and spherical.

The fluid reservoir preferably includes a fluid outlet spaced from the fluid inlet of the fluid reservoir. The fluid outlet is also preferably formed in the bottom wall of the fluid reservoir. The cover is preferably arranged to cover the fluid outlet in its first position and expose the fluid outlet in its second position to allow fluid to be drawn from the tank. The fluid port may be arranged to expose the fluid outlet when the cover is in the second position. Preferably, to reduce the extent of cover movement when the cover is moved from the first position to the second position, the cover includes a second fluid port exposing the fluid outlet when the cover is in the second position. The fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir is preferably blocked by the cover when the cover is in the first position. The cover is preferably arranged to prevent leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet when the cover is in the first position. For example, the fluid outlet may engage a second seal that prevents leakage of working fluid from the fluid outlet. The seal may also be located on a surface of the cover facing the fluid outlet when the cover is in the first position.

When the cover is in the second position, the fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir may be placed in fluid communication with a fluid delivery system for delivering working fluid from the fluid reservoir to the nozzle. The handle preferably includes a fluid inlet of the fluid delivery system that is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir when the cover is in the second position. The fluid inlet of the fluid delivery system is preferably positioned on the end surface of the handle.

The implement preferably includes a handle and a stem extending between the handle and the nozzle, and the fluid reservoir is preferably mounted on the stem. The fluid reservoir preferably extends at least partially around the rod. Preferably, the fluid reservoir surrounds the rod.

A cover is mountable to the fluid reservoir for movement relative thereto. Alternatively, the cover may be mounted to the rod for movement relative to the fluid reservoir. The cover can also be moved relative to the rod, for example along or around the rod. The cap is preferably mounted on the end portion of the rod remote from the nozzle. The rod preferably includes a connecting member for connecting the rod to the handle, and the cover may be mounted to the connecting member, eg to the outer periphery of the connecting member.

The rod is removably connected to the handle. The cover is only accessible by the user when the lever is detached from the handle. For example, when the rod is mounted on the handle, the cover may be sandwiched between the fluid reservoir and the handle such that the user cannot access the cover. Alternatively, the cover can be moved by the user while the rod is mounted on the handle. For example, user-accessible tabs may be disposed on the periphery of the cap to allow a user to rotate the cap relative to the fluid reservoir when the lever is mounted on the handle. This may allow a user to move the cap to a position where both the fluid inlet and fluid outlet of the fluid reservoir are blocked by the cap, thereby sealing working fluid in the fluid reservoir and preventing working fluid from being drawn from the fluid reservoir by the fluid delivery system.

The nozzle preferably forms part of the fluid delivery system of the appliance. The fluid delivery system preferably includes a pump and control circuitry for actuating the pump to draw working fluid from the fluid reservoir and send a burst of working fluid toward the nozzle. When the nozzle is moved between adjacent teeth of the user, the user may press a button of the user interface provided on the handle of the appliance to activate the pump assembly to fire the working fluid from the nozzle. Alternatively, the appliance may be configured to automatically actuate the delivery of the working fluid to the user's teeth in dependence on the magnitude of the output of the sensor for detecting the nozzle positioned in the interdental space. For example, the sensor may be in the form of a light detector (such as a video camera or a light sensor) for receiving light (such as visible or infrared light reflected off a user's teeth). As a further alternative, the appliance may be configured to automatically actuate the delivery of the working fluid to the user's teeth at a fixed frequency (eg, between 0.5 and 5 Hz).

The nozzle, wand and fluid reservoir preferably form part of a cleaning tool that is detachably connected to the handle.

The appliance may be in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning appliance for cleaning between the spaces between a user's teeth. Alternatively, the appliance may be in the form of a toothbrush with the additional function of improving interdental cleaning by sending working fluid to the interdental spaces. Where the implement is in the form of a toothbrush, the cleaning implement or rod preferably comprises a plurality of bristles. The bristles are preferably arranged around the nozzle, and may be arranged circumferentially around the nozzle. The plurality of bristles may be attached to a stationary section of the cleaning implement that is immovable relative to the handle. Alternatively, or in addition, a plurality of bristles may be attached to a movable section of the cleaning implement, the section of which is movable relative to the handle. In a preferred embodiment, the appliance comprises a brush unit comprising a bristle carrier and a plurality of bristles mounted on the bristle carrier, wherein the bristle carrier is movable relative to the handle.

As mentioned above, the rod or the entire cleaning tool is preferably detachably connected to the handle. This may allow appliances to be provided with a similar set of cleaning tools, each with their own different markers. This also allows the appliance to be provided with a different set of rods or cleaning tools. For example, the set of cleaning implements can be selected from a first type of cleaning implement having a nozzle and a movable brush unit, a second type of cleaning implement having a nozzle and a fixed brush unit, and a third type of cleaning implement having a nozzle and no bristles. Choose from two or more. A number of correspondingly different cleaning implements of the same type may be provided, for example a first type of cleaning implement in which the bristles have correspondingly different stiffnesses, or in which the nozzles have correspondingly different fluid outlet sizes.

The appliance is preferably a hand-held appliance comprising all the above-mentioned components of the appliance.

The cleaning tool may be sold as a stand-alone item, for example, as a spare accessory or as a replacement cleaning tool for use with existing handles.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning implement for a tooth cleaning implement comprising a handle to which the cleaning implement is detachably connected, the cleaning implement comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to the user's teeth;

a fluid reservoir for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir including a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and

a cap having a fluid port, and wherein the cap is movable relative to the fluid reservoir between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to refill, and a second position in the second position Medium fluid inlet blocked by cap.

In an alternative configuration, the fluid reservoir is movable relative to the cover to expose the fluid inlet through the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to be replenished. For example, the cover may be attached to the stem, wherein the fluid reservoir is movable relative to the stem between a first position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow the fluid reservoir to refill, and a second position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port. In position the fluid inlet is blocked by the cover.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a tooth cleaning appliance comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to the user's teeth;

rod;

a fluid reservoir mounted on the rod for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir including a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and

a cap connected to the stem, the cap including the fluid port, and wherein the fluid reservoir is movable relative to the cap between a first position and a second position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow refilling of the fluid reservoir , the fluid inlet is blocked by the cover in the second position.

The fluid reservoir may be biased away from the first position such that a user must push the fluid reservoir towards the first position to expose the fluid inlet to enable the fluid reservoir to be replenished. A resilient element, such as a spring, is preferably provided between the cover and the fluid reservoir for urging the fluid reservoir away from the first position.

The working fluid is preferably a liquid working fluid, and preferably water, and thus the fluid reservoir can be accessed by the user by positioning the fluid port under a household tap, with the fluid reservoir in the first position, opening the tap so that water travels from the tap through the fluid port Fluid storage while being replenished. Where the fluid reservoir is biased away from the first position, the appliance may include a catch for retaining the fluid reservoir in the first position to facilitate refilling of the fluid reservoir by the user. Alternatively, the user may keep the fluid reservoir in the first position during filling. In this case, after the fluid reservoir has been filled, the user only needs to release the fluid reservoir so that it automatically moves away from the first position. The fluid reservoir is automatically blocked by the cover, preventing working fluid from leaking from the fluid reservoir through the fluid inlet.

Alternatively, the fluid reservoir is movable between a stable first position and a stable second position, which prevents the user from having to hold the fluid reservoir in the first position during filling of the fluid reservoir.

When the fluid reservoir is in the second position, the fluid inlet can engage a seal that prevents leakage of working fluid from the fluid inlet. The seal may be located on a surface of the cover facing the fluid inlet when the fluid reservoir is in the second position.

The fluid reservoir is movable toward and away from the cover when the fluid reservoir is moved between the first position and the second position. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid reservoir is movable along the rod between a first position and a second position. Preferably, the fluid reservoir is rotatable relative to the cap between a first position and a second position, preferably about the longitudinal axis of the stem. The cover is preferably annular in shape, and thus the cover preferably extends around the rod. Alternatively, the cover may be curved, arcuate or linear in shape.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning implement for a tooth cleaning implement comprising a handle to which the cleaning implement is detachably connected, the cleaning implement comprising:

a nozzle for delivering a jet of working fluid to the user's teeth;

stem;

a fluid reservoir mounted on the rod for storing working fluid, the fluid reservoir including a fluid inlet through which the fluid reservoir is replenished; and

a cap connected to the stem, the cap including the fluid port, and wherein the fluid reservoir is movable relative to the cap between a first position and a second position in which the fluid inlet is exposed by the fluid port to allow refilling of the fluid reservoir , the fluid inlet is blocked by the cover in the second position.

The characterizations described above in relation to the first aspect of the invention apply equally to each of the second to fourth aspects of the invention, and vice versa.

Description of drawings

Preferred features of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1(a) is a right side view of the tooth cleaning appliance, Figure 1(b) is a front view of the appliance, and Figure 1(c) is a left side view of the appliance;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates components of a fluid delivery system for delivering a stream of working fluid to a user's teeth;

Figure 3 is a right side perspective view from above of a first embodiment of the appliance cleaning tool;

Figure 4 is a right side perspective view from above of the handle of the appliance;

5 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the cleaning tool of FIG. 3;

Figure 6(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid reservoir of the cleaning tool of Figure 3 with the diaphragm of the fluid reservoir in a fully retracted configuration, and Figure 6(b) is a view similar to Figure 6(a), but with the diaphragm In a partially deployed configuration, Figure 6(c) is a view similar to Figure 6(a), but with the septum in an almost fully deployed configuration;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the appliance with the cleaning tool of Figure 3 detached from the handle;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a cleaning implement connectable to a handle;

9 is a perspective view from below of the cleaning tool of FIG. 8 with the cover of the cleaning tool in a first position relative to the fluid reservoir; and

10 is a perspective view from below of the cleaning tool of FIG. 8 with the cover of the cleaning tool in a second position relative to the fluid reservoir.

Detailed ways

1( a ) to 1( c ) show external views of an embodiment of a tooth cleaning appliance 10 . In this embodiment, the appliance is in the form of a handheld appliance in the form of an electric toothbrush with integrated components for dispensing a working fluid for improved interdental cleaning.

The appliance 10 includes a handle 12 and a cleaning tool 14 . The handle 12 includes an outer body 16 which is gripped by a user during use of the appliance 10 . The body 16 is preferably formed from plastics material and is preferably generally cylindrical in shape. The handle 12 includes a plurality of user-operable buttons 18, 20, 22 located within corresponding apertures formed in the body 16 for user access. The handle 12 may include a display positioned so as to be visible to the user during use of the appliance.

The cleaning tool 14 includes a stem 26 and a head 28 . The stem 26 is of elongated shape, which serves to space the head 28 from the handle 12 to facilitate user maneuverability of the implement 10 . In this embodiment, the head of the cleaning tool 14 includes a brush unit 29 comprising a bristle carrier 30 and a plurality of bristles 32 mounted on the bristle carrier 30 . However, in other embodiments the cleaning implement 14 may be provided without the brush unit 29 so that the implement is in the form of a dedicated interdental cleaning implement for cleaning between the spaces in the user's teeth.

The cleaning tool 14 also includes a fluid reservoir 34 for storing a working fluid and a nozzle 36 for delivering one or more bursts of working fluid to the user's teeth during use of the appliance 10 . The fluid reservoir 34 is connected to the rod 26 . The fluid reservoir 34 extends at least partially around the rod 26 . In this embodiment it comprises a brush unit 29 which extends at least partially around the nozzle 36 .

The nozzle 36 forms part of a fluid delivery system 40 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the user's teeth during use of the appliance 10 . The tip of the nozzle 36 includes a fluid outlet 42 through which a burst of working fluid is delivered to the user's teeth. The fluid delivery system 40 is shown schematically in FIG. 2 . Generally speaking, the fluid delivery system 40 includes a fluid inlet 44 for receiving working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 . In this embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid working fluid, which is preferably water. The fluid delivery system 40 includes a pump assembly 46 for drawing working fluid from the fluid reservoir 34 through the fluid inlet 44 and for delivering a burst of working fluid to the nozzle 36 . The pump assembly 46 is located within the handle 12 and includes a positive displacement pump 48 and a driver for driving the pump 48 . The drive preferably includes a motor 50 . Also located in the handle 12 is a battery 52 for supplying electrical power to the motor 50 . The battery 52 is preferably a rechargeable battery.

A first conduit 54 connects the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40 to the fluid inlet 56 of the pump 48 . A first one-way valve 58 is located between the fluid inlet 44 and the pump 48 to prevent water from flowing back from the pump 48 to the fluid reservoir 34 . A second conduit 60 connects the fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36 . A second one-way valve 64 is located between the pump 48 and the nozzle 34 to prevent water from flowing back into the pump 48 . The control circuit 66 controls the actuation of the motor 50 and thus the motor 50 and the control circuit 66 provide the driving force for operating the pump 48 . The battery 52 supplies power to the control circuit 66 . The control circuit 66 includes a motor controller that supplies power to the motor 50 .

In this embodiment, the control circuit 66 receives signals generated when the user presses the buttons 18 , 20 , 22 located on the handle 12 of the appliance 10 . Alternatively, or in addition, the control circuit 66 may receive a signal generated by a sensor located within the appliance, or a signal from a remote control device such as a display or personal device. For the sake of brevity, in the following description, the control circuit 66 receives a signal generated when one of the buttons 18, 20, 22 is operated by the user.

A cleaning tool 14 is detachably connected to the handle 12 . Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 , the handle 12 includes a male connector, preferably in the form of a plug 70 , which is received by a complementary female connector, preferably in the form of a female connector 72 of the cleaning tool 14 . The female connector 72 defines a generally cylindrical recess 73 for receiving the plug 70 . The bung 70 preferably protrudes outwardly from an end surface 74 of the body 16 , preferably in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 12 . The end surface 74 defines an annular seat 76 for receiving an annular bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning implement 14 is mounted on the handle 12 . The annular seat 76 includes the fluid inlet 44 of the fluid delivery system 40 . The fluid inlet 44 receives fluid from the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 when the cleaning tool 14 is mounted on the handle 12 .

Second conduit 60 , which connects fluid outlet 62 of pump 48 to nozzle 36 , includes a handle conduit section within handle 12 and a cleaning implement conduit section within cleaning implement 14 . A handle conduit section extends from the fluid outlet 62 of the pump 48 to a handle fluid outlet port 82 positioned adjacent to the bung 70 . The cleaning implement conduit section 84 extends from a cleaning implement fluid inlet port 86 to the nozzle 36 . The cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 protrudes from the bottom of the female connector 72 . The female connector 72 is received within and connected to a relatively wide bottom section 88 of the rod 26 .

As mentioned above, the cleaning implement 14 includes a bristle carrier 30 that is movable relative to the stem 26 . The implement includes a drive mechanism for driving the movement of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the rod 26 . The drive mechanism comprises a transmission unit (connected to the bristle carrier 30 ) and a drive unit (for driving the transmission unit 52 to move the bristle carrier 30 relative to the stem 26 ).

The handle 12 comprises a drive unit of the drive mechanism. The drive unit comprises an electric motor, preferably in the form of a DC motor, which is activated by the control circuit in response to the user pressing one or more of the buttons of the handle 12 . The drive unit motor is connected by a gear set to a rotatable drive unit coupling member 90 (which protrudes outwardly from the bung 70 and rotates relative to the body 16 when actuated by the drive unit motor).

The cleaning tool 14 includes a transmission unit of a drive mechanism. The transmission unit includes a transmission unit coupling member 92 that couples with and preferably receives the drive unit coupling member 90 when the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12 . The transmission unit coupling member 92 is connected to and is preferably integrally formed with one end of a connecting rod 94 housed within the rod 26 . The other end of the connecting rod 94 is connected to the side surface of the bristle carrier 30 so that periodic rotation of the connecting rod 94 at an angle of about 15 degrees results in a sweeping movement of the bristle carrier 30 relative to the rod 26 at an angle of 15 degrees.

A fluid reservoir 34 is mounted to the shaft 26 of the cleaning tool 14 and extends at least partially therearound. In this embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is annular in shape and thus surrounds the rod 26 . The fluid reservoir 34 is preferably positioned at or near the end of the rod 26 remote from the head 28 and thus extends around the bottom section 88 of the rod 26 in the present embodiment. The fluid reservoir 34 preferably has a capacity in the range of 5 to 50 ml, and in this embodiment has a capacity of 25 ml.

The fluid reservoir 34 is filled through a reservoir fluid inlet port 100 formed in the outer wall of the fluid reservoir 34 . The fluid inlet port 100 is preferably formed in an annular outer side wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 . The reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is sealed by a closure member 102 . The closure member 102 is movable relative to the fluid reservoir 34 between a closed position (as shown in FIG. 3 , wherein the closure member 102 prevents leakage of working fluid from the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 ) and an open position. In this embodiment, the closure member 102 is pivotally connected to the fluid reservoir 34 . The closure member 102 may be located within the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 and form a fluid seal against the container fluid inlet port 100 . The closure member 102 includes a head 104 that can be gripped by a user to move the closure member 102 from the closed position to the open position and that can be pushed by the user toward the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 to push the closure member 102 back to the closed position.

The closure member 102 may be connected to the fluid reservoir 34 by a pair of arms 106 . One end of each arm 106 is connected to the closure member 102 and the other end of each arm 106 is connected to the fluid reservoir 34 . In this embodiment, the arms 106 are integrally formed with the closure member 102, with the portion of each arm remote from the closure member 102 being connected to the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34, for example using an adhesive or by welding. Each arm 106 includes a hinge 108, which may be formed by a portion of the arm 106 having a locally reduced thickness so that that portion of the arm 106 (which is connected to the closure member 102) can be positioned relative to other portions of the arm 106 ( It is connected to the fluid reservoir 34) to pivot.

To fill fluid reservoir 34 , the user detaches cleaning tool 14 from handle 12 , as described in more detail below, grasps head 104 of closure member 102 between fingers and thumb and pulls it outward from reservoir fluid inlet port 100 . The fluid reservoir 34 can then be filled by the user, for example by positioning the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 under a running tap. Once the fluid reservoir 34 has been filled, the user pushes the head 104 of the closure member 102 back into the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 and reconnects the cleaning tool 14 to the handle 12 . When the cleaning tool 14 is mounted on the handle 12, the pivotal connection between the closure member 102 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 prevents accidental loss of the closure member 102 when the reservoir fluid inlet port 100 is exposed, and allows the closure member to The junction between 102 and fluid reservoir 34 can be between handle 12 and fluid reservoir 34 . As shown in FIG. 3 , when the closure member 102 is in its closed position, the lower portion of the arm 106 of the closure member 102 is located within the recessed section of the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 such that the lower portion of the arm 106 The bottom surface of the portion is generally flush with the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 .

At least a portion of the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 is preferably transparent to allow a user to view the interior of the fluid reservoir 34 and thereby assess whether the fluid reservoir 34 needs to be replenished before the appliance 10 is expected to be used. The outer wall 110 preferably has a shape that is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14 . The outer wall 110 preferably has a curved shape, more preferably a convexly curved shape, but alternatively the outer wall 110 may have a polygonal or faceted shape. In this embodiment, the outer wall 110 has a spherical curvature. As described below, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide bottom section 88 of the rod 26, and thus the outer wall 110 has opposing round holes centered on the longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool 14 to allow the bottom of the rod 26 to Section 88 runs through there.

Fluid reservoir 34 also includes an inner wall 112 that is connected to outer wall 110 . The inner wall 112 is tubular in shape. The ends of the inner wall 112 are preferably circular in shape and are connected to the outer wall 110 to form a fluid-tight seal between the outer wall 110 and the inner wall 112 . In the present embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is formed from two housing parts. The first housing part 114 comprises an outer wall 110 and an upper section of an inner wall 112 , and thus the upper end of the inner wall 112 is integrally formed with the upper section of the outer wall 110 . The second housing part 116 includes the lower section of the outer wall 110 and the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 .

The fluid reservoir 34 also includes a diaphragm 118 . The diaphragm 118 is tubular in shape and surrounds the inner wall 112 of the fluid reservoir 34 . The ends 120 , 122 of the diaphragm 118 may be connected to the outer wall 110 or to the inner wall 112 . The membrane 118 thus has an outer surface which faces the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 and which together with the outer wall 110 delimits the volume of the fluid reservoir 34 . Since the membrane 118 is visible to the user through at least a portion of the outer wall 110 , the outer surface 124 of the membrane 118 may have markings for the user to identify the cleaning implement 14 . For example, the indicia may be a colored portion of the outer surface 124 of the diaphragm 118 , or one or more alphanumeric characters molded or otherwise formed on the outer surface 124 of the diaphragm 118 .

Figures 5 and 6(a) show the fluid reservoir 34 when it is full of working fluid. The thickness of diaphragm 118 and the material forming diaphragm 118 are selected such that when working fluid is drawn from fluid reservoir 34 by pump 48, at least a portion of diaphragm 118 is movable relative to outer wall 110 in response to a pressure differential established across diaphragm 118. In this embodiment, the diaphragm 118 is expandable in response to a pressure differential created across the surfaces 124 , 126 of the diaphragm 118 when working fluid is drawn from the fluid reservoir 34 . Figure 6(a) shows the diaphragm 118 in a fully retracted configuration or state in which the capacity of the fluid reservoir 34 is maximized.

In this embodiment, the cleaning tool 14 includes an expansion chamber 128 positioned adjacent the inner wall 112 . The expansion chamber 128 has a volume that increases as the volume of the fluid reservoir 34 decreases. In this embodiment, expansion chamber 128 is open to air to allow atmospheric air to enter expansion chamber 128 as inner wall 112 moves toward outer wall 110 when a working fluid is supplied to fluid delivery system 100 . The inflation chamber 128 is shown in Figures 6(b) and 6(c), which show the diaphragm 118 in a partially inflated configuration, and a nearly fully inflated configuration, respectively. The expansion chamber 128 is defined by the inner surface 126 of the diaphragm 118 and the outer surface 130 of the inner wall 112 . One or more holes or ports 132 are formed in inner wall 112 to allow atmospheric air (eg, from an air flow path extending between stem 26 and inner wall 112 ) to enter expansion chamber 128 as diaphragm 118 expands.

As the diaphragm 118 expands toward its fully expanded configuration, the size and shape of the diaphragm 118 approximates the size and shape of the outer wall 110 . In other words, when the diaphragm 118 is in the fully expanded configuration, which occurs when the fluid reservoir 34 is substantially empty, the diaphragm 118 is substantially the same size and shape as the outer wall 110 of the fluid reservoir 34 . Accordingly, the maximum volume of the expansion chamber 128 is preferably substantially the same as the maximum volume of the fluid reservoir 34 .

As noted above, the fluid reservoir 34 is mounted on the relatively wide bottom section 88 of the stem 26 . To mount the fluid reservoir 34 on the rod 26, a circular hole formed in the first housing portion 114 of the fluid reservoir 34 is aligned with the free end of the bottom section 88 of the rod 26, and the fluid reservoir 34 is pushed onto the rod. 26 on. The inner surface of the inner wall 112 of the fluid reservoir 34 abuts the bottom section 88 of the rod 26 such that the friction therebetween prevents the fluid reservoir 34 from falling off the rod 26 . Movement of the fluid reservoir 34 along the rod 26 is limited by a flange 140 that extends radially outward from the rod 26 and is located at the upper end of the bottom section 88 of the rod 26 . The flange 140 is annular in shape and is arranged to engage an annular planar end portion or recess 142 of the first housing portion 114 of the fluid reservoir 34 . When the recess 142 of the fluid reservoir 34 engages the flange 140 of the rod 26, the fluid reservoir 34 is in the correct axial position along the rod 26 for subsequent fluid flow from the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 to the fluid delivery system 40. Inlet 44 connections. To aid in the angular alignment of fluid reservoir 34 relative to stem 26, flange 140 and recess 142 may be provided in a non-circular shape, such as a C-shape. Additionally, the fluid reservoir 34 may be visually aligned angularly by the user relative to the head 28 , for example so that the head 104 of the closure member 102 is aligned with the nozzle 36 .

To mount the cleaning tool 14 on the handle 12, as shown in FIG. 82 is aligned with cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 of cleaning tool 14 . The cleaning tool 14 is then pushed onto the bung 70 so that the handle fluid outlet port 82 is connected to the cleaning tool fluid inlet port 86 and so that the fluid reservoir 34 engages the annular seat 76 to connect the fluid outlet 80 of the fluid reservoir 34 to the fluid delivery system 40 fluid inlets 44 . The inner surface 150 of the connector 72 of the rod 26 abuts against the outer surface of the bung 70 so that the friction therebetween keeps the rod 26 on the handle 12 . The connector 72 is preferably formed from a resilient plastic material that flexes when the connector 72 is pushed onto the plug 70 to increase the friction therebetween. A spring clip 152 may be provided at least partially around the connector 72 for urging the inner surface 150 of the connector 72 against the plug 70 . To prevent accidental disengagement of the cleaning tool 14 from the handle 12, the connector 73 may include a stop 154 mounted on an arm 156 (which is hingedly connected to the connector 72). For example, arm 156 may be integrally formed with connector 72 and connected to the remainder of connector 72 by a resilient hinge. The stop 154 enters a recess (not shown) formed on the outer surface of the plug 70 when the cleaning tool 14 is pushed onto the plug 70 . Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in order to inhibit inadvertent rotation of the fluid reservoir 34 relative to the handle 12 , the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 34 may be provided with a male connector 160 which engages a female connection arranged on the annular seat 76 of the handle 12 device 162. In this embodiment, the male connector 160 at least partially surrounds the cleaning implement fluid inlet port 86 and the female connector 162 surrounds the handle fluid outlet port 82 . Alternatively, the fluid reservoir 34 may be provided with a female connector that receives a male connector on the handle 12 when the cleaning tool 14 is connected to the handle 12 .

To operate the appliance 10 , the user presses buttons 18 , 20 , 22 located on the handle 12 . The user turns on the appliance 10 by pressing the button 18 , which action is detected by the control circuit 66 . A user may select an operating mode of appliance 10 by pressing button 20 . For example, by pressing the button 20 once, the control circuit 66 can activate the motor to move the brush unit 29 relative to the handle 12 . Press button 20 again to switch off the motor. When the button 22 is pressed, a jet of water is emitted from the nozzle 36 . The control circuit 66 activates the pump 48 to cause a large volume of water to flow from the fluid chamber of the pump 48 to the nozzle 36 and to replenish the fluid chamber by drawing a volume of water from the fluid reservoir 34 .

The various connections between the handle 12, the stem 26 and the fluid reservoir 34 enable the appliance 10 to be easily disassembled by the user, for example allowing components of the appliance 10 to be replaced, for example due to wear. To replace the cleaning tool 14, the user grasps the rod 26 or fluid reservoir 34 with one hand and the handle 12 with the other hand, and pulls the cleaning tool 14 away from the handle 12, as shown in FIG. Under force applied by the user, the stop 154 moves away from the recess on the outer surface of the bung 70 to enable removal of the cleaning tool 14 from the handle 12 .

FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of a cleaning tool 160 that is detachably attached to the handle of the appliance 10 . Cleaning tool 160 has much of the same structure as cleaning tool 14 ; cleaning tool 160 includes the same shaft 26 , head 28 and connector 72 as cleaning tool 14 . In the second embodiment, the fluid reservoir 34 is replaced by a fluid reservoir 162 . Fluid reservoir 162 has the same size and shape as fluid reservoir 34 and includes the same outer wall 110 , inner wall 112 and diaphragm 118 as fluid reservoir 34 . In this fluid reservoir 162 , the fluid inlet 164 of the fluid reservoir 162 is positioned on the annular bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162 . The fluid inlet 164 is angularly spaced from the fluid outlet 80 about the longitudinal axis of the shaft 26 of the cleaning tool 160 .

The closure member 102 of the fluid reservoir 34 is replaced by a cap 166 mounted on the end of the connecting member 72 of the rod 26 . The cap 166 is annular in shape and has an inner circular perimeter 168 which is received within a cylindrical groove 170 defined in the bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162 and an annular rim extending around the end of the connecting member 72 172 so that cover 166 can rotate about the longitudinal axis of rod 26 relative to fluid reservoir 162 . The cover 166 is arranged to be manually movable by a user only when the cleaning tool 160 is detached from the handle 12 . In this embodiment, a cutout 174 is formed in an outer perimeter 176 of the cap 166 to define a recess 178 into which a user may insert the end of a finger to rotate the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162 . The bottom wall 78 of the fluid reservoir 162 includes a recessed portion 180 that aligns with the recess of the cover 166 when the cover 166 is in the first position relative to the fluid reservoir 162, as shown in FIG. Movement of the fluid reservoir 162 .

Cover 166 includes a first fluid port 182 and a second fluid port 184 spaced from first fluid port 182 . When cover 166 is in the first position relative to fluid reservoir 162, fluid inlet 164 of fluid reservoir 162 is exposed by first fluid port 182, so that the user can replenish fluid reservoir 162 through fluid inlet 164, and the fluid of fluid reservoir 162 Outlet 80 is closed by cap 166 . Once the fluid reservoir 162 has been filled by the user, the user rotates the cap 166 relative to the fluid reservoir 162, for example by grasping the fluid reservoir 162 with one hand and rotating the cap 166 with the fingertips of the other hand, to the second position, as shown in FIG. 10 shown. In the second position of cover 166 relative to fluid reservoir 162 , fluid inlet 164 of fluid reservoir 162 is closed by cover 166 and fluid outlet 80 of fluid reservoir 162 is exposed by second fluid port 184 . Cleaning tool 160 may then be connected to handle 12 in a manner similar to that of cleaning tool 14 to handle 12 such that working fluid may be drawn from fluid reservoir 162 by pump 48 .

Claims (30)

1. a kind of tooth cleaning device, including：

Nozzle, for transportation work fluid jet stream to user tooth；

Fluid storage, for storing working fluid, the fluid storage includes fluid inlet, and fluid storage passes through fluid Entrance is added；And

Lid, has fluid port, and wherein described lid can be transported between the first position and the second position relative to fluid storage Dynamic, fluid inlet is exposed to allow fluid storage to refill by fluid port in first position, is flowed in the second position Body entrance is covered stop.

2. utensil according to claim 1, its middle cover can be rotated relative to fluid storage.

3. utensil according to claim 1, its middle cover is annular shape.

4. utensil according to claim 1, wherein fluid storage include outer wall, wherein fluid inlet is formed in outer wall In, and lid be positioned as it is adjacent with the outer wall of fluid storage.

5. utensil according to claim 1, its middle cover is arranged to prevent working fluid from stream when covering in the second place Body entrance leaks.

6. utensil according to claim 1, its middle cover includes second fluid port, and fluid storage goes out including fluid Mouthful, and when covering in the second place, which is exposed by second fluid port.

7. utensil according to claim 6, wherein when covering in first position, the fluid outlet of fluid storage is covered institute Stop.

8. utensil according to claim 7, its middle cover be arranged to prevent when covering in its first position working fluid from Fluid outlet leaks.

9. utensil according to claim 1, including handle and the bar that extends between handle and nozzle, and wherein fluid is deposited Reservoir is mounted on bar.

10. around rod extends at least in part for utensil according to claim 9, wherein fluid storage.

11. utensil according to claim 9, wherein fluid storage surround bar.

12. utensil according to claim 9, its middle cover is mounted on bar.

13. utensil according to claim 9, its middle cover is movable relative to bar.

14. utensil according to claim 9, its middle cover is installed at or near the end of bar.

15. utensil according to claim 9, wherein bar include connecting elements, for connecting the rod to handle, and its middle cover It is mounted on connecting elements.

16. utensil according to claim 9, wherein bar are detachably connected to handle.

17. a kind of burnisher for the tooth cleaning device for being used to include handle, burnisher are detachably connected to the hand Handle, the burnisher include：

Nozzle, for transportation work fluid jet stream to user tooth；

Fluid storage, for storing working fluid, the fluid storage includes fluid inlet, and fluid storage passes through fluid Entrance is added；And

Lid, has fluid port, and wherein described lid can be transported between the first position and the second position relative to fluid storage Dynamic, fluid inlet is exposed to allow fluid storage to refill by fluid port in first position, is flowed in the second position Body entrance is covered stop.

18. burnisher according to claim 17, its middle cover can be rotated relative to fluid storage.

19. burnisher according to claim 17, its middle cover is annular shape.

20. burnisher according to claim 17, wherein fluid storage include outer wall, wherein fluid inlet is formed in In outer wall, and lid be positioned as it is adjacent with the outer wall of fluid storage.

21. burnisher according to claim 17, its middle cover is arranged to prevent workflow when covering in the second place Body is leaked from fluid inlet.

22. burnisher according to claim 17, its middle cover includes second fluid port, and fluid storage includes stream Body exports, and when covering in the second place, which is exposed by second fluid port.

23. burnisher according to claim 22, wherein when covering in first position, the fluid outlet of fluid storage It is covered to be stopped.

24. burnisher according to claim 23, its middle cover is arranged to prevent work when covering in its first position Fluid is leaked from fluid outlet.

25. burnisher according to claim 17, including bar, and wherein fluid storage is mounted on bar.

26. around rod extends at least in part for burnisher according to claim 25, wherein fluid storage.

27. burnisher according to claim 25, wherein fluid storage surround bar.

28. burnisher according to claim 25, its middle cover is mounted on bar.

29. burnisher according to claim 25, its middle cover is movable relative to bar.

30. burnisher according to claim 25, its middle cover is installed at or near the end of bar.