Abstract:
A portable hand held tongue vacuum cleaner that includes a small vacuum pump and power supply contained within a hollow housing. A removable cleaning head is attached to a vacuum port which extends out from the housing. The cleaning head includes bristles and a centrally located vacuum tube whose end terminates just below the height of the bristles. The cleaning head is oriented at a forty-five degree angle with respect to the cleaning head extension tube. A removable filter trap is located inside the extension tube to catch debris removed from the surface of the tongue.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to the field of tongue cleaning devices and more specifically to portable tongue vacuum cleaner. 
         [0005]    It is a known fact that the human tongue can be a breeding ground for bacteria that may prove to be harmful to an individual if not removed periodically. Methods for removing bacteria from the tongue include brushing, scraping and mouthwash. However, all these techniques can still leave bacterial debris on the tongue because the tongue&#39;s surface is like a miniature deep pile carpet, and some debris remain in the deeper crevices of the tongue&#39;s surface. In dental offices, some dentists take advantage of the availability of a vacuum system normally used for removing liquid from a person&#39;s mouth, and add a vacuum scraping tool to the vacuum tube to scrape clean the patient&#39;s tongue. 
         [0006]    Sajid Khan in his patent application 2005/0050676 describes a hand held tongue vacuum cleaner. Although Kahn describes the basic concept of using a vacuum to clean the tongue, the specific details of the device&#39;s construction and use have not been delineated in either drawing form or written form and therefore make it very difficult to imagine a device that can be reduced to practice. For example Kahn talks about dirty matter passing through into a detachable waste chamber, but does not say how or where this occurs. Additionally, there is talk of a filter to allow clean air to pass into an exhaust port but also does not show how or where this acutely occurs. Finally, there is no discussion of the shape, angle or surface characteristics of the cleaning head. Therefore, although the idea of a portable vacuum cleaner for a tongue has been shown in the prior application sited, the specific and novel mechanism for the ideal execution of this idea has not been previously described or illustrated. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The primary object of the invention is to provide a portable hand held device for cleaning a person&#39;s tongue. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to provide a tongue cleaning device that uses a vacuum and bristles to help remove debris from the tongue. 
         [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide a tongue cleaning device that uses an angled removable cleaning head that includes bristles, a central vacuum aperture and a filter trap for trapping debris as it is sucked from the surface of the tongue. 
         [0010]    A further object of the invention is to provide a tongue cleaning device that securely holds and locks the cleaning head in the correct orientation for use until the user removes the head. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tongue cleaning device that is water resistant and can be recharged by an induction type charger. 
         [0012]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed tongue vacuum cleaner comprising: a hollow housing, a diaphragm type vacuum pump, a pump connection tube, a pair of O rings, a motor, an on-off switch, a cleaning head, a cleaning head extension tube, a filter trap, an extension tube retaining assembly, a battery power supply, a recharging station, said vacuum pump, motor, switch and battery contained within said hollow housing, said on-off switch mounted on the front surface of said housing just below said cleaning head extension tube, said battery powering said motor, said motor powering said vacuum pump, said pump connection tube fixedly attached to said vacuum pump and extending outwardly in a perpendicular fashion from the upper portion of said housing, said O rings surrounding said pump connection tube, said cleaning head including a flat rigid plate having a plurality of bristles extending there-from and having a central tubular aperture extending to just below the height of said bristles, said cleaning head fixedly attached to said cleaning head extension tube, said cleaning head extension tube capable of being slidably inserted or removed over said pump connection tube and said O rings, said filter trap removably retained within said cleaning head extension tube between said cleaning head and the end of said pump connection tube, said extension tube retaining assembly attached to the outside of said housing and engaging in a spring biased manner at least one detent located on the outside wall of said cleaning head extension tube, and the base of said housing capable of being inserted into a recharging station for recharging said battery power supply. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable tongue cleaner and recharging station of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side section view that bisects the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the filter trap. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front section view of the extension tube and tube retaining assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial side section view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a partial side section view of a second alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 1  we see a perspective view of the tongue cleaner  100  of the present invention and a recharging stand  50 . A hollow housing  2  contains a pump  24  and motor  30  as will be explained in  FIG. 2 . An on off button  14  is placed at the front of the housing  2  so that it can be easily turned on by a user&#39;s thumb while holding the main body  2  in his or her hand. A cleaning head  10  is attached to a cleaning head extension tube  4  which has been slid onto a pump extension tube  46  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 . A retaining assembly  16  helps lock the extension tube  4  to the rest of the main body during use. 
         [0025]    The cleaning head  10  includes a rigid flat plate  6  that has a plurality of bristles  16  emanating from it. The bristles are all approximately one quarter of an inch tall. A central vacuum tube tip  8  is centrally fixed onto plate  6  and extends out to almost the same length as the bristles. The entire cleaning head  10  is angled at approximately a forty-five degree angle with respect to the cleaning head extension tube  4 . This is an ideal ergonomic angle for the intended function of holding housing  2  in ones hand and brushing ones tongue with bristles  16 . In operation, the bristles  16  tend to dislodge debris from the carpet-like surface of the tongue while the vacuum tip  8  sucks the loosened debris into the extension tube  4 . Housing  2  base  3  can be inserted into a receptacle  5  in recharging station  50  to so that the batteries  32  inside the housing  2  can be recharged. The side section view  FIG. 2  shows one of two batteries that are placed side by side in the housing  10 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a section view that bisects the invention  100 . Inside housing  2  is a battery power supply  32 , a DC motor  30  and a diaphragm type vacuum pump  24 . An offset shaft  28  causes the diaphragm  26  to pulse in and out creating a vacuum that causes suction into pump extension tube  46 . Cleaning head extension tube  4  is slide over pump extension tube  46  and associated O rings  22  that fit in grooves in the tube  46  creating an air tight seal. A filter trap  20  is located between the tip of extension tube  46  and the rear of plate  6  and can catch debris that are sucked into the trap  20  during use. The filter trap is shaped to match the inside wall of extension tube  4  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The filter trap  20  is made of expanded polyethylene and has a trade name of Porex. The air holes in the walls of the trap  20  are large enough to let air through, but small enough to not let liquids or debris through. The filter  20  includes a pull tab  21  to make it easy for the user to remove the filter trap  20  after use. The unique location and construction of the filter trap  20  is important because it eliminates the requirement for a separate debris holding chamber and helps retain the air tight requirements of the entire assembly  100  because the filter  20  is trapped within the extension tube  4  so that O rings  22  are the only air tight seal needed in the assembly  100  other than the standard seals located in the vacuum pump  24 . 
         [0027]    After each use, the user can remove the cleaning head assembly  10 ,  4  and pull out the filter trap  20  by pull tab  21 , and then clean the filter trap  20  under running water before returning it to the extension tube  4  making it ready for the next use. Optionally, the entire cleaning head  10 ,  5  and filter  20  can be discarded after each use. 
         [0028]    Coils  36  inside the bottom area of housing  2  interact with induction coils  38  and associated electronics  44  in the recharging station  50  to recharge batteries  32 . This type of recharging system allows the housing  2  to remain water resistant because no apertures are needed within the housing to gain access to metal connectors. The recharging stand is powered by standard 110VAC electricity from plug  42  and cord  40 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of the invention  100 . The diameter of housing  2  is approximately one and one half inches which is the ideal diameter for grasping in one&#39;s hand. One of the retaining members of retaining assembly  16  can be clearly seen.  FIG. 5  shows a section view as defined by section line  180  in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  shows the tips  52 ,  53  of spring biased tabs  168 ,  166  engaged with detents  170 ,  171  in the side walls of pump extension tube  46 . The tabs  168 ,  166  are hinge pinned  166 ,  158  to an extension arm  174  off the main body  2 . A compression spring  164  spans the distance between the two tabs  160 ,  162  to provide inward force to tips  52 ,  53 . To remove the extension tube  4  and attached cleaning head  10 , the user presses the two tabs  160 ,  162  between his or her thumb and fore finger thereby releasing tips  52 ,  53  from detents  170 ,  171 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of the invention. Detent  52  can be clearly seen, as well as filter trap  20  as it is ready to be installed into extension tube  4 . O rings  22  are clearly seen surrounding the pump extension tube  46 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  is a partial side section view of the invention  200  where in place of the air filter  20 , a saliva reservoir  261  can catch excess saliva that is drawn in through opening  218  and directed downward by L shaped tube  204 . The vacuum pump  208  terminates in an upwardly directed L shaped suction port tube  220 . O ring  206  creates a vacuum retaining seal between removable head  250  and main body  214 . The upward orientation of tube  220  and the downward orientation of tube  204  helps insure that the saliva that is drawn into the reservoir  216  does not accidentally enter vacuum suction port tube  220 . Pump motor  210  and diaphragm pump member  208  operate in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. Tongue bristles  202  also operate in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a partial side section view of a second embodiment of the invention  300  which is similar in concept to the version shown in  FIG. 7  except that The vacuum tube  314  coming from pump and motor area  302  is in a vertical position, as is the saliva exit tube  312  coming from brush head  316  as it enters the brush head at central aperture  318 . The head body  310  is removable from the main body  320  and is made air tight by gasket  308 . When the user applies the tool  300 , any excess saliva and or debris is sucked into area  306 . The saliva is precluded from entering upwardly disposed vacuum tube  314  because tube  314  terminates at a much higher position than downwardly disposed saliva vacuum tube  312 . Push button  322  operates in the same fashion as the main embodiment. 
         [0033]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.