US3760799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sonic teeth-cleaning apparatus and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-02
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Granted: 1973-09-25
•
Expires: 1992-03-02
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for cleaning teeth with liquid dentifrice, optionally mixed with dental-disease-inhibiting agents, comprising: a transducer of a size and nature adapted to be held in the mouth for producing ultrasonic (or subsonic) vibrations in the mouthinclosed liquid; a handle attached to the transducer; a circuit leading to the transducer, including an electric oscillator, an optional automatic time control, a switch actuator (optionally a pushbutton), and an electric cord that goes thru the handle. The portion of the transducer assembly that fits between the lips is sufficiently small in vertical thickness to allow the lips to seal around this portion against escape of the dental solution. The invention includes a simple and efficient method of cleaning teeth comprising filling the mouth with liquid dentifrice and sonically (ultrasonically or subsonically) agitating and circulating the liquid into all areas of the mouth.
Inventors
- 👤 D Crowson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
Teeth-cleaning apparatus, comprising: a transducer assembly for transforming electrical pulses into sonic vibrations, adapted for insertion into the space between the roof and tongue of the mouth of a user and into mouth-held dentifrice placed in the mouth before said insertion, including: a transducer; a transducer sheath comprising waterproof and electrically-insulating material around the transducer, having a vertical thickness that is less than the distance between the roof and the tongue of the closed mouth of the user and a horizontal width that is less than the horizontal span between jaw teeth of any prospective user; and a transducer-assembly neck, comprising waterproof material, the said neck having a vertical thickness that is less than that of said transducer sheath and sufficiently small to permit sealing of the lips around the neck against escape of dentifrice from the mouth; a handle, rigidly connected to said neck, adapted to be manually held outside the mouth; and an electrical circuit, connected to said transducer, including: an electrical oscillator, for producing electrical pulses; electricity-conducting means, comprising conductors connected to said oscillator, extending thru the said handle and thru said neck, and connected to said transducer; currenttransmitting connecting means, connected to said oscillator and adapted to be connected to a source of electric current; and switching means for opening and closing the circuit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
Teeth-cleaning apparatus, comprising: a transducer assembly for transforming electrical pulses into sonic vibrations, adapted for insertion into the space between the roof and tongue of the mouth of a user and into mouth-held dentifrice placed in the mouth before said insertion, including: a transducer; a transducer sheath comprising waterproof and electrically-insulating material around the transducer, having a vertical thickness that is less than the distance between the roof and the tongue of the closed mouth of the user and a horizontal width that is less than the horizontal span between jaw teeth of any prospective user; and a transducer-assembly neck, comprising waterproof material, the said neck having a vertical thickness that is less than that of said transducer sheath and sufficiently small to permit sealing of the lips around the neck against escape of dentifrice from the mouth; a handle, rigidly connected to said neck, adapted to be manually held outside the mouth; and an electrical circuit, connected to said transducer, including: an electrical oscillator, for producing electrical pulses; electricity-conducting means, comprising conductors connected to said oscillator, extending thru the said handle and thru said neck, and connected to said transducer; currenttransmitting connecting means, connected to said oscillator and adapted to be connected to a source of electric current; and switching means for opening and closing the circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said sonic vibrations are ultrasonic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
inserting an electrically connected sonic transducer into space between the roof and tongue in the mouth, and thus into the dentifrice;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
inserting an electrically connected sonic transducer into space between the roof and tongue in the mouth, and thus into the dentifrice;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
sealing the lips and mouth against escape of the dentifrice, by clamping the lips around the electrical connection to the traNsducer;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
sealing the lips and mouth against escape of the dentifrice, by clamping the lips around the electrical connection to the traNsducer;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said switching means comprises time-control means for automatically opening the said circuit on expiration of a desired teeth-cleaning period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
sending electric pulses thru the electrical connection, thus vibrating the transducer and liquid dentifrice, agitating and circulating the dentifrice over the teeth and gums;
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
sending electric pulses thru the electrical connection, thus vibrating the transducer and liquid dentifrice, agitating and circulating the dentifrice over the teeth and gums;
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said switching means comprises a manually operable switch on said handle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said switching means comprises: a manually operable switch on said handle for closing said circuit and beginning a desired period of operation of said transducer; and time-control means for automatically opening said circuit at the end of said period.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
4 words
stopping the electrical pulses;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
4 words
stopping the electrical pulses;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
7 words
taking the transducer from the mouth; and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
7 words
taking the transducer from the mouth; and
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said waterproof material of the sheath and the waterproof material of said neck are integral, and comprise plastic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
7 words
removing the dentifrice out of the mouth.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
7 words
removing the dentifrice out of the mouth.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
6 words
A method of cleaning teeth, comprising:
Claim 21
Independent Claim
6 words
A method of cleaning teeth, comprising:
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as set forth in claim 7, in which step (4) comprises the production of ultrasonic vibrations in the mouth and dentifrice.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-24 | 1977-03-26 | 1977-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-24 | 1981-03-26 | 1981-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-24 | 1985-03-26 | 1985-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |