IP Library Granted Patent US 10,105,201
Granted Patent B2
US 10,105,201 · App. 14/052,601 · Granted Oct 23, 2018

Interdental cleaner using water supply

Inventors: Brian J. Woodard (Boulder, CO); Jeffrey M. Garrigues (Firestone, CO)
Assignee: Water Pik, Inc.
A61C15/046A61C1/0061A61C15/00A61C17/0202A61C17/0214
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,105,201
App. No.
14/052,601
Granted
Oct 23, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is related to an interdental cleaner for operably connecting to an external water supply. The interdental cleaner includes a mounting bracket having a bracket inlet fluidly connected to the external water supply and a pressure regulation assembly operably connected to the mounting bracket. The pressure regulation assembly includes a regulation outlet fluidly connected to the bracket inlet. The interdental cleaner further includes a water flosser operably connected to the mounting bracket and fluidly connected to the regulation outlet. During use, water pressure of water at the regulation outlet is lower than a water pressure of water at the bracket inlet.

Claims (25)

1. An interdental cleaner for operably connecting to an external water supply comprising

a mounting bracket having a bracket inlet fluidly connected to the external water supply;

a pressure regulation assembly operably connected to the mounting bracket, the pressure regulation assembly having a regulation outlet fluidly connected to the bracket inlet, wherein the pressure regulation assembly is housed within the mounting bracket and comprises

a sealing member positioned within a flow path between the external water supply and the regulation outlet;

a diaphragm operably connected to the sealing member; wherein the diaphragm moves the sealing member between a first open position and a second sealed position; and

a biasing member operably connected to the diaphragm, wherein the biasing member moves the sealing member to the first open position from the second sealed position;

a regulator body receiving the sealing member and the diaphragm, the regulator body having a length and defining a flow cavity that extends through the length, and a sidewall, wherein the regulation outlet is defined through the sidewall;

in the first open position a portion of the regulator body is in fluid communication with the bracket inlet; and

in the second sealed position, the portion of the regulator body is not in fluid communication with the bracket inlet such that water within the flow cavity flows out through the regulation outlet, reducing a water pressure between the diaphragm and the sealing member; and

a water flosser operably connected to the mounting bracket and fluidly connected to the regulation outlet; wherein

the regulator body provides a water flow having a substantially constant pressure; and

a water pressure of water at the regulation outlet is lower than a water pressure of water at the bracket inlet.

2. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket further comprises

a showerhead outlet for connecting to a showerhead; wherein

the showerhead outlet is in fluid communication with the bracket inlet and a water pressure at the showerhead outlet is substantially the same as the water pressure at the bracket inlet.

3. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , wherein

the sealing member includes a body having a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a second width; and

the pressure regulation assembly further comprises a poppet seal having a sealing wall defining a poppet aperture; wherein

the sealing member is at least partially received in the poppet seal;

in the first open position the first portion is received in the poppet seal; and

in the second sealed position the second portion is received in the poppet seal and abuts against the sealing wall.

4. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , wherein as the water pressure between the diaphragm and the sealing member reduces, a biasing force exerted by the biasing member returns the diaphragm to the first open position, preventing water from flowing out of the regulation outlet.

5. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is a coil spring.

6. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , wherein the pressure regulation assembly further comprises a piston operably connected to the biasing member, the diaphragm, and the sealing member.

7. The interdental cleaner of claim 1 , further comprising a pump positioned within the water flosser, wherein the pump pumps water received from the regulation outlet to a flosser outlet in the water flosser.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 25, 2013
From: WOODARD, BRIAN J.; GARRIGUES, JEFFREY M.
To: WATER PIK, INC.
Reel/Frame 031673/0025 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61712771 · Oct 11, 2012
Related Publication 20140106296A1 · Apr 17, 2014
Cited By (1)
US 12,569,323