US20030099502A1

US20030099502A1 - Structure of water-jet toothbrush

Info

Publication number: US20030099502A1
Application number: US10/012,152
Authority: US
Inventors: Kuo-Liang Lai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-28
Filing date: 2001-11-28
Publication date: 2003-05-29

Abstract

The present invention discloses an improved structure of a water-jet toothbrush, comprising a hollow base in the front part of the handle to receive and store the replaceable bristle head firmly, a hollow pipe being associated with the rear part of the handle, a source of water being connectable to the rear part of the pipe, a water controller be fixedly mounted to connect the handle and the pipe and to control the flowing of water toward the jet head at the anterior portion of the toothbrush head, a water passage being formed and extended axially from the pipe to the handle and curved inwards within the toothbrush head to connect with the spiral jet head, thereby such curvature direct a strong water stream to clean the residues stored on the tooth crevices and massage the gums effectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a toothbrush, more particularly to the structure of a water-jet toothbrush having a replaceable bristle head and a spiral jet head that can thoroughly clean the tooth crevices and massage the gums.

One of the most common and widely used dental instruments for promoting oral hygiene is the toothbrush. There are different kinds of toothbrushes for the user to choose, for example, manual, electric and hydro-powered toothbrushes. This invention relates to a hydro-powered toothbrush and, in particular, relates to a water-jet toothbrush.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, the structure of a conventional water-jet toothbrush as shown in FIG. 1, mainly comprises a

bristle head

1 being fixed on the front part of the handle, a fluid supply being associated with the handle, the fluid supply being connectable to a source of fluid, and several water-jet exit orifices 2 being emerged evenly in the bristles on the toothbrush head. After the toothbrush is used, some residues may be stored up in the bristles and therefore clog the tiny discharge orifices. Further, since the discharge orifices are spread evenly in the bristles, the water jet exiting from the discharge orifices cannot be concentrated to provide a strong power to clean the tooth crevices and massage the gums effectively. Additionally, the handle part of the toothbrush is integrally united with the head, with the water passage of the head continuing through the handle. It is not economic to replace the whole toothbrush just because the bristle head is worn out.

Therefore, in summation of the above description of the structural design of the toothbrush, particularly a water-jet toothbrush is the research and development subject for enhancement. The inventor of the present invention based on years of experience in the related industry conducted extensive research to enhance the structure of a water-jet toothbrush herein which is hereby submitted for patent application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a replaceable bristle head and a spiral jet head that can be conveniently replaced to meet all individual requirements. It is not necessary to replace the whole toothbrush, just because the bristle head is worn out, as with prior art toothbrushes. It is another object of the present invention to provide a spiral jet head to clean the tooth crevices and massage the gums more effectively and therefore reduce oral diseases.

The present invention discloses an improved structure of a water-jet toothbrush, comprising a hollow base in the front part of the handle to receive and store the replaceable bristle head firmly, a hollow pipe being associated with the rear part of the handle, a source of water being connectable to the rear part of the pipe, a water controller be fixedly mounted to connect the handle and the pipe and to control the flowing of water toward the jet head at the anterior portion of the toothbrush head, a water passage being formed and extended axially from the pipe to the handle and curved inwards within the toothbrush head to connect with the jet head, thereby such curvature direct a strong water stream to clean the residues stored on the tooth crevices and massage the gums effectively.

To make it easier for our examiner to understand the objective of the invention, its structure, innovative features, and its performance, we use a preferred embodiment together with the attached drawings for the detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment. The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0010]
FIG. 1 shows the illustrative structure of a conventional water-jet toothbrush. [0011]
FIG. 2 shows the three-dimensional diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0012]
FIG. 3 shows the three-dimensional diagram of the disassembled parts of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 4 shows the sectional diagram of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0014]
FIG. 5 is an enlarged diagram showing the handle with a replaceable bristle head and a spiral jet head of the present invention. [0015]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the replaceable bristle head being stored in the hollow base of the handle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0016]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of a spiral jet head of the present invention. [0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a water-jet toothbrush is shown having a [0018] replaceable bristle head 30, a spiral jet head 15 at the anterior portion of the toothbrush head A, and a handle 10 being extended to connect with a hollow pipe 20. The other end of the pipe 20 is connectable to a source of water B.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the front part of he handle [0019] 10 is a hollow base 101 to receive and store a replaceable bristle head 30 firmly. An elastic plate 31 is disposed at one, or both, end of the replaceable bristle head 30. A blocking bottom is projected from the elastic plate to fit the blocking hole 103 at the lateral wall of the hollow base 101, so that the bristle head 30 and the handle 10 are clipped together to prevent a rotary movement, as shown in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 again, at the anterior end of the toothbrush head A is a [0020] groove 102 being covered with a spiral jet head 15. Several discharge orifices 150 are symmetrically allocated on the spiral jet head 15. In order to prevent leakage, an anti-leakage ring 151 is mounted around the spiral jet head 15. A C-shaped locating pin 16 is clipped into the groove 102 to fixedly fasten the spiral jet head 15, as shown in FIG. 5. A water passage 100 is formed and extended axially from the pipe 20 to the handle 10 and curved inwards within the toothbrush head to connect with the spiral jet head 15, as shown in FIG. 6, thereby such curvature direct a strong water stream to clean the tooth crevices.
Referring to FIG. 7, under the [0021] discharge orifice 150 are several drop-shaped channels 151 being connectable with the water passage 100. The water stream from the water passage 100 through the drop-shaped channels 15 imparts an outward pressure to push the spiral jet head 15, causing the spiral jet head 15 to rotate and produce different water jets to massage the gums effectively. Further, since the spiral jet head 15 is separated from the bristle head 30, the discharge orifices 150 are prohibited from being clogged by the residues.
Referring to FIG. 3, a [0022] water controller 40 is fixedly mounted to connect the handle10 and the pipe 20, and to control the flowing of water toward the spiral jet head 15. The water controller 40 consists two portions, a front connector 41 and a rear connector 42. At the front end of the front connector 41 is a water passage 410, being associated with the handle 10. At the outer diameter of the water passage 410 are the threads 411, be fixedly fastened with handle 10. The rear connector 42 is fitted axially into the groove 412 at the rear part of the front connector 41. At the rear part of the rear connector 42 is an extended ring 421 with threads 423 at the outer diameter, being fastened with the screw hole 21 of the pipe 20. Referring to FIG. 4, the drop-shaped groove 422 at the rear part of the rear connector 42 is associated with the water outlet 200 in the pipe 20 to form a contact area permitting water to pass in and out of. When the water controller 40 is adjusted with hand from the outer diameter, the contact area of the groove 422 and the water passage 410 is changed, and therefore the flowing of the water is controlled. Two anti-leakage rings C are disposed before the front connector 41 and the rear connector 42 respectively to prevent leaking.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures. [0023]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A water-jet toothbrush comprising a replaceable bristle head, a spiral jet head at the anterior portion of the toothbrush head, a handle being extended to connect with a hollow pipe, which is connectable to a source of water at the rear end.

2. The water-jet toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a hollow base at the front part of the handle is to receive and store a replaceable bristle head, an elastic plate is disposed at one, or both, end of the replaceable bristle head, a blocking bottom is projected from the elastic plate to fit the blocking hole at the lateral wall of the hollow base, so that the bristle head and the handle are clipped together to prevent a rotary movement.

3. The water-jet toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a groove at the anterior end of the toothbrush head is covered with a jet head. Several discharge orifices are symmetrically allocated on the spiral jet head, an anti-leakage ring is mounted around the jet head and a C-shaped locating pin is clipped into the groove to fixedly fasten the jet head; a water passage is formed and extended axially from the pipe to the handle and curved inwards within the toothbrush head to connect with the spiral jet head, thereby such curvature direct a strong water stream to clean the teeth.

4. The water-jet toothbrush of claim 1, wherein several drop-shaped channels are under the discharge orifices and are connectable with the water passage; the water stream from the water passage through the drop-shaped channels imparts an outward pressure to push the spiral jet head, causing the jet head to rotate and produce different water jets to massage the gums effectively.

5. The water-jet toothbrush of claim 1, wherein a water controller 40 is fixedly mounted to connect the handle and the pipe, and to control the flowing of water toward the spiral jet head; a water passage with threads at the outer diameter being associated with the handle, a rear connector being fitted axially into the groove at the rear part of the front connector, an extended ring with threads at the outer diameter, being fixedly fastened with the screw hole of the pipe, a drop-shaped groove being associated with the water outlet in the pipe to form a contact area permitting water to pass in and out of; the contact area of the groove and the water passage is changed according to the adjustment of the water controller from the outer diameter, and therefore the flowing of the water is controlled.