Abstract:
An oral care device has a drive shaft with an eccentrically revolving proximal end. A socket or other member constrains an intermediate position of the drive shaft such that both ends of the drive shaft tend to revolve. Depending on the particular design, the drive shaft may also rotate about its own axis while the ends are revolving. The constraining member may be user adjustable in a manner that alters the amplitude of movement of the drive shaft at the head end.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The field of the invention is electric toothbrushes and flossing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new electronic toothbrush having greater head speeds. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The common toothbrush is a mainstay in today&#39;s society. It is considered a necessary part of dental and physical hygiene. Additionally, in order to maintain tooth form and avoid decay, the toothbrush and toothpaste have been used to promote the same. Typical traditional prior art toothbrushes required manual manipulation of the brush in the user&#39;s mouth. Additionally, it required the user to use enough force to agitate and displace particulates. This type of prior art toothbrush could be very cumbersome and tended to lead to inadequate cleansing and oral hygiene. Additionally, the use of a toothbrush did not clean between the teeth, requiring the separate use of a hand-held floss that would have to be manually manipulated by the user before or after use of the toothbrush. Later developments were toothbrushes that allowed for electrical automatic manipulation of the brush. These electrical toothbrushes tend to have spinning or revolving heads that provide the agitation that the user is sometimes not capable of or forgets to utilize. 
         [0003]    Generally, there are two types of automatic electric toothbrushes and flossers. One type of automatic electrical toothbrushes are those in which the head spins or travels more than approximately 1 mm. These types of electric toothbrushes are commonly known as rotational or translational devices. The second type are those in which the head moves less than or about 1 mm. These types of devices are typically referred to as vibrational devices. Both types of devices have adherents, and indeed there are advantages and disadvantages to both types of movements. 
         [0004]    The known rotational and translational devices are typically gear driven, and therefore have a realistic upper speed of only tens or low hundreds of cycles per second. Such speeds are sufficient to clean teeth and gums, but fail to provide the massaging and plaque reducing effects achievable from higher (sonic) speeds. 
         [0005]    The known vibrational devices provide much higher speeds, often in the 10-30 kilohertz range (tens of thousands of cycles per second). But the motion is essentially random, and quite small. In addition, vibrational devices typically develop the vibrational movement using an electrically powered eccentric weight located in the handle. That design tends to provide for low efficiency because the handle loses vibrational energy to the user&#39;s hand during use, and the source of the vibration is relatively far from the brush or floss. These problems exist regardless of whether the weight is rotated directly by a drive shaft, or whether it is driven magnetically. 
         [0006]    One solution is to place the vibrational source inside the head. Disclosures along those lines were set forth in my previously filed United States provisional application No. 60/540866, and previously filed U.S. patent utility application Ser. No. 10/783276. While having considerable advantages over the prior art, those new devices still produce motion at the distal (head) end that is somewhat random and relatively small. 
         [0007]    A need therefore exists for an improved electric toothbrush device and apparatus. Additionally, a need exists for an improved toothbrush device having mechanisms that produce larger motions at the distal end of the toothbrush. Moreover, a need exists for an improved electrical toothbrush whereby the toothbrush may provide both traditional toothbrush and flossing techniques while utilizing large motions at the distal end at greater speeds than the prior art electric toothbrush. 
         [0008]    Further, a need exists for an improved electronic toothbrush wherein the vibrational source is inside the head and/or distal end of the toothbrush to provide better velocity and efficiency of the rotation means. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a new and improved electronic toothbrush and/or flosser. The electronic toothbrush embodies an apparatus having one end of a drive shaft that is coupled to an operating head (toothbrush, flosser, etc), and the other end is eccentrically revolved about a central point. Additionally, the electronic toothbrush has an intermediate position of the drive shaft (between the two ends) that may be constrained so that both ends of the drive shaft tend to revolve. 
         [0010]    To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an oral care product is provided. The oral care product has an operating head removably coupled to a housing and a drive shaft having a distal end that moves the head along a closed, substantially curved path, and a proximal end that is disposed to revolve about a center. Additionally, the oral care product has a motor that supplies power to eccentrically drive the proximal end about the center. 
         [0011]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a proximal end of the drive shaft that is eccentrically coupled to a spinning member at a pivot. 
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a spinning member that is substantially disk shaped. 
         [0013]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a spinning member that is eccentrically weighted to produce a vibration that is imparted to the drive shaft. 
         [0014]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a spinning member that is eccentrically weighted to reduce a vibration that is imparted to the drive shaft. 
         [0015]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a pivot that comprises a pin. 
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a drive shaft that rotates about an internal axis as it revolves about the center. 
         [0017]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has 8. The product of claim  1  where the curved path is substantially circular. 
         [0018]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a socket positioned to constrain movement of the shaft at an intermediate position between the distal and proximal ends of the shaft. 
         [0019]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a socket that includes a flexible core that at least partially surrounds the intermediate position. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a position of the socket on the handle that is adjustable by a user, and where such adjustment alters a characteristic of the curved path. 
         [0021]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a position of a socket on the handle that is adjustable by a user, and wherein such adjustment alters a characteristic of the curved path wherein the characteristic is an amplitude. 
         [0022]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a speed control that operates the motor at a plurality of different speeds. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a head portion which comprises a length of floss. 
         [0024]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a head portion that comprises a removable floss cartridge. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a splayer that increases tension of the floss wherein the cartridge is installed in the product. 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a head wherein the head comprises a brush. 
         [0027]    In an exemplary embodiment, the oral care product has a head wherein the head comprises a plastic probe. 
         [0028]    Depending on the particular design, the drive shaft may also rotate about its own axis while the ends are revolving. 
         [0029]    In yet another aspect, the constraining position may be user adjustable, in a manner that alters the amplitude of movement of the drive shaft at the head end. 
         [0030]    In an exemplary embodiment, an improved electric dental apparatus is provided. 
         [0031]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may be used solely as a flossing tool. 
         [0032]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may be used solely as a toothbrushing tool. 
         [0033]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may be used as a combination flossing and toothbrushing tool. 
         [0034]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided whereby the dental apparatus may have a tongue scrubber portion. 
         [0035]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may have a constraining position that may be user adjustable. 
         [0036]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may have a head portion and a drive shaft portion. 
         [0037]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may have a motor to rotate the head. 
         [0038]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided whereby the dental apparatus may utilize a power means. 
         [0039]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an  20  improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may utilize a power means whereby the power means may be a battery, may be plugged into a conventional wall outlet, may be magnetically charged, light powered, or any other suitable power source that would cause the dental apparatus to function under power. 
         [0040]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the dental apparatus may have a control button whereby the control button may be utilized by a user to activate and/or de-activate the unit. 
         [0041]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided whereby the dental apparatus may have a rotating connector whereby the rotating connector is driven by a powered motor. 
         [0042]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a disk provided to cause the rotation of the head portion about the base portion. 
         [0043]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a neck whereby the neck may accommodate a plurality of different head portions. 
         [0044]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a neck portion whereby the neck portion may accommodate a flossing tool. 
         [0045]    In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided whereby the dental apparatus may have a neck portion that may accommodate a polishing tool. 
         [0046]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the apparatus may have a neck portion that may accommodate a toothbrush tool. 
         [0047]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a neck portion whereby the neck portion may accommodate different tools for dental purposes including flossing, brushing, polishing, application of toothpaste and the like. 
         [0048]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus whereby the apparatus may have a drive shaft used to rotate and/or revolve the neck and head portions of the apparatus. 
         [0049]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a handle that may be sized and shaped in any suitable manner for use by an individual. 
         [0050]    Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a floss cartridge contained therein for disbursement and use of floss material. 
         [0051]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a plurality of floss cartridges stored therein for dispensing floss when desired by a user. 
         [0052]    A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a floss cartridge that may be attached at the distal end of the neck of the apparatus. 
         [0053]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided wherein the apparatus may have a floss cartridge contained therein whereby a release mechanism may be provide for dispensing the floss cartridge when the apparatus runs out of floss. 
         [0054]    Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a floss cartridge therein whereby the floss cartridge includes a body from which extends two tines and wherein the floss extends between the two tines. 
         [0055]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a spreader that may force separation of the tines from one another. 
         [0056]    In yet another exemplary embodiment, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided wherein the apparatus may have a spreader portion whereby the floss may extend from a first side of the spreader to a second side of the spreader. 
         [0057]    A further exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an improved electric dental apparatus that may have a socket whereby the socket connects the drive shaft to the neck portion of the apparatus. 
         [0058]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus is provided whereby the apparatus may be constructed of any suitable material. 
         [0059]    In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an improved electric dental apparatus may be provided whereby the apparatus may be constructed of plastic. 
         [0060]    Yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electric dental apparatus whereby the apparatus may allow for rotation of the distal end of the apparatus 360 degrees about the proximal end of the apparatus. 
         [0061]    Still a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide an electric dental apparatus whereby the apparatus may allow for better cleaning of an individual user&#39;s oral elements. 
         [0062]    Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
         [0063]    Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described herein, and will be apparent from the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0064]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of an inventive flosser. 
           [0065]      FIG. 2  is a non-exploded view of the flosser of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0066]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a floss cartridge in cooperation with a spreader on an alternative embodiment of the inventive flosser. 
           [0067]      FIG. 4  is three different views of a prototype flosser. 
           [0068]      FIGS. 5-7  depict alternative heads for the flosser handle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0069]    Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 7 figures, the invention is depicted in  FIG. 1  and illustrates a dental apparatus I that may be utilized by an individual to cleanse and promote dental health. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a dental apparatus  1  in the form of a flossing apparatus is provided. The dental apparatus  1  may have a handle  10 , and a neck  60 . Additionally, the dental apparatus may also have a socket  20 , a drive shaft  30 , and a floss cartridge  40 . 
         [0071]    In an exemplary embodiment, the handle  10  may generally include a first side  10 A and a second side  10 B. Additionally, the handle may have a battery  12  and a motor  14 . Still further, the handle  10  of the dental apparatus  1  may also include a control button  16 , and a rotating connector  18 . Rotation of the connector  18  may be driven by motor  14 , and controlled by button  16 . The disk  18  is coupled to the proximal end  32  of the drive shaft  30  using a pin  33 , such that rotation of the connector  18  causes the proximal end  32  of the drive shaft  30  to revolve about a center  19 . The handle  10  of the dental apparatus may rest in optional removable stand  1 . It should be noted that the handle described is only an exemplary embodiment of dental apparatus  1  and may be reconfigured in any desired way to produce the same result. 
         [0072]    The handle  10  of the dental apparatus  1  may be sized and shaped in any suitable manner, however; in an exemplary embodiment, the handle  10  may be substantially tubular shaped as shown in the figures. In an exemplary embodiment, the dental apparatus  1  and handle  10  may be constructed of plastics. However, it should be understood that the dental apparatus  1  may be constructed of any material suitable for use by an individual. The handle  10  also may house the power source  12  which in an exemplary embodiment may be a battery which could be preferably user-replaceable, and/or inductively rechargeable according to known principles. The control button  16  can comprise a simple on-off switch, or can provide variable voltage/current to the motor. However, the power source  12  may be a conventional power source such as DC current in the form of a traditional plug-in apparatus. Additional power sources  12  are contemplated as are known in the art. 
         [0073]    Connector  18  can be substantially round (i.e. disk shaped) as shown, or “I” shaped. However, the connector  18  may have any other suitable shape. The connector  18  may be balanced about its center  19  to reduce vibration and/or may be unbalanced to produce a desired amount of vibration. Connector  18  can have any desired weight from very light to relatively heavy, at which point it acts as a miniature flywheel. 
         [0074]    Drive shaft  30  can connect to the connector  18  in any suitable manner, including the use of a simple pin  33  as shown. Another contemplated system uses a ball and socket (not shown), but indeed all suitable connection mechanisms are contemplated. Depending on the connection mechanism used, the drive shaft can be made to rotate about its own internal axis as it revolves about the center  19 . These terms “rotate” and “revolve” are used in the sense of the local solar system, in which the earth rotates about its own axis as it revolves about the sun. 
         [0075]    The neck  60  of the flosser  1  can either contain the drive shaft  30 , or the neck can be the shaft  30 . 
         [0076]    Socket  20  has a lumen  22  that receives drive shaft  30  at a point or points intermediate of the proximal  32  and distal  34  ends of the drive shaft  30 . Drive shaft  30  is preferably quite stiff, and the lumen  22  has a rubber, silicone or other resilient material  24  (not shown) disposed about the lumen  22  to accommodate what amounts to wobbling of the drive shaft  30  as it passes through the socket  20 . Movement of the drive shaft  30  is thus constrained such that there is little wobbling motion of the drive shaft  30  at the point or points of constraint as compared with the ends  32 ,  24 . The constrained point or points of the drive shaft  30  also function as a fulcrum, such that the proximal  32  and distal  34  ends of the drive shaft  30  move in opposite relationship. Thus, as the proximal end  32  of the drive shaft  30  moves generally in circles about the center  19  of the connector  18 , the distal end  34  of the drive shaft  30  similarly move in circles. 
         [0077]    Socket  20  can optionally be adjusted up or down the drive shaft  30 , and in that manner alter the movement of the distal end  34  of the drive shaft  30 . In general, the closer the socket  20  is to the connector  18 , while still permitting rotation of the connector  18 , the greater will be the motion of the distal end  34  of the drive shaft  30 . 
         [0078]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other means of constraining the motion of the drive shaft are likewise suitable. For example, motion of the drive shaft may be constrained by forming a ball on the drive shaft intermediate the ends thereof and by capturing the ball within a socket. 
         [0079]    Floss cartridge  40  is attached at the distal end  34  of neck  30 , and attached by a suitable mechanism. A release button  36  releases a used cartridge  40  for replacement. 
         [0080]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the floss cartridge  40  is shown. The floss cartridge  40  may include a body from which extends two tines  42 . A length of floss  44  is affixed at its ends by the tines  42 . In an exemplary embodiment of the apparatus  1 , the neck  60  of the dental apparatus  1  may include a spreader  62  that forces separation of the tines  42  from one another. The three smaller images show sequentially how this operates. 
         [0081]    Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that floss cartridge  40  can be replaced by other oral care devices. It is contemplated that a plurality of different devices and/or tools may be utilized as illustrated in  FIGS. 5-7 , including for example, toothbrush tool  72 , probe tool  74 , tongue scraper tool  76 , or indeed other flosser devices such as spooled floss holder (not shown). However, it should be understood that a plurality of different dental tools may be utilized and/or configured to be adaptable with the dental apparatus  1 . Many or all such embodiments are expected to provide better 360-degree cleaning and reduced production costs, relative to the prior art. 
         [0082]    Thus, specific embodiments and applications of the inventive subject matter have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted to the embodiments disclosed herein. Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps can be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.