US4078558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Oral hygiene apparatus
Assignee: Les Produits Associes Broxo SA
•
Filing: 1976-07-12
•
Granted: 1978-03-14
•
Expires: 1996-07-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene which includes a reservoir removably fitted on a casing for containing a liquid supply, and, furthermore, structure is provided for receiving a dispenser of a hygienic, cosmetic or therapeutic product, in particular a dentifrice solution, for addition to the liquid in the reservoir. For facilitating bucco-dental hygiene, the apparatus also includes a hydraulic pump within the casing connected by a flexible tubing to a handpiece having any particular type of spray head. The reservoir is adapted to supply liquid to the pump and, at the same time, is designed to receive the dentifrice solution from the dispenser. The dispenser structure can be independently formed and mounted on the apparatus casing or can be incorporated into the reservoir structure. The apparatus is also designed to serve as a cleaning device for dentures, and in this connection, the dispenser would contain a cleaning fluid for dispensing into the reservoir. An appropriate agitator can be employed as part of the structure when it is used for cleaning dentures.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe-Guy E. Woog
- 👤 Michel Antoine C. Moret
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 08:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/02; A61C17/036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising: a casing, the casing enclosing a hydraulic pump connected by a flexible tubing to a handpiece, a reservoir removably fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply and for supplying the liquid to the pump, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, the additive being a hygienic, cosmetic or therapeutic product, and means for receiving the dispenser.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising: a casing, the casing enclosing a hydraulic pump connected by a flexible tubing to a handpiece, a reservoir removably fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply and for supplying the liquid to the pump, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, the additive being a hygienic, cosmetic or therapeutic product, and means for receiving the dispenser.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the dispenser is removable and replaceable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the receiving means for the dispenser defines a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including means defining a duct in the casing forming an outlet nozzle for the fitted dispenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising, a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising, a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir, the reservoir having a pivoted lid which can be opened and closed without obstruction by said nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir, the reservoir having a pivoted lid which can be opened and closed without obstruction by said nozzle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir, said casing having a lateral projection defining a shelf on which the reservoir rests, and said reservoir having lateral walls and a pivoted lid which when the reservoir is fitted on the casing lie in extension of corresponding faces of the casing, said recess being located in a zone of the casing adjacent the reservoir and having a depth such that the greater part of the height of the dispenser is contained in the recess.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
173 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the receiving means for the dispenser defining a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser, the dispenser having an outlet nozzle which, when the dispenser is in said recess, is directed into the fitted reservoir, without obstructing manipulation of the reservoir, said casing having a lateral projection defining a shelf on which the reservoir rests, and said reservoir having lateral walls and a pivoted lid which when the reservoir is fitted on the casing lie in extension of corresponding faces of the casing, said recess being located in a zone of the casing adjacent the reservoir and having a depth such that the greater part of the height of the dispenser is contained in the recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 in which the dispenser includes dosing valve means for dispensing equal doses each time the valve is actuated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispensing, the dispenser including dosage valve means for dispensing equal doses each time the valve is actuated, the dosing valve means acts by air pressure and is controlled by a push button.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispensing, the dispenser including dosage valve means for dispensing equal doses each time the valve is actuated, the dosing valve means acts by air pressure and is controlled by a push button.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving means is incorporated in the casing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving means is incorporated in the reservoir.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, said receiving means being incorporated in the reservoir, the dispenser being receiving on an inner face of a lid of the reservoir.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, said receiving means being incorporated in the reservoir, the dispenser being receiving on an inner face of a lid of the reservoir.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein said lid has an opening through which a press-button of the dispenser is accessible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition of the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, said receiving means being incorporated in the reservoir, the reservoir having a handle which receives the dispenser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition of the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, said receiving means being incorporated in the reservoir, the reservoir having a handle which receives the dispenser.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the reservoir has a lid formed integrally with the dispenser as a removable unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
81 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein a lid is coupled with the reservoir and is adapted to be shifted between an open and closed position, the dispenser is in said recess, its outlet nozzle being below the level of the lid of the reservoir, the walls of the reservoir and of the casing adjacent said recess having an opening for passage of the nozzle for the delivery of the product to the reservoir even when said lid is closed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein the dispenser nozzle is in the form of an integral projection adapted to extend into the opening.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16 wherein the upper part of the dispenser substantially lies in the same plane as the upper face of the casing and the lid when closed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 wherein the dispenser is removably mounted on the inner face of a lid of the reservoir.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, safety means being on the dispenser to provide for the dispensing of only a predetermined amount of solution into the reservoir when the dispenser is in position for actuation with further manipulation of the dispenser being required for further dispenser of solution.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, safety means being on the dispenser to provide for the dispensing of only a predetermined amount of solution into the reservoir when the dispenser is in position for actuation with further manipulation of the dispenser being required for further dispenser of solution.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the dispenser having means thereon for dispensing the dentifrice material in the form of a tablet into the reservoir containing liquid.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the dispenser having means thereon for dispensing the dentifrice material in the form of a tablet into the reservoir containing liquid.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the apparatus being for a cleaning device for dentures wherein the reservoir is positioned to contain liquid with the dentures positioned therein and the dispenser is positioned to direct a solution for cleaning or hygienic purposes into the reservoir containing the dentures.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the apparatus being for a cleaning device for dentures wherein the reservoir is positioned to contain liquid with the dentures positioned therein and the dispenser is positioned to direct a solution for cleaning or hygienic purposes into the reservoir containing the dentures.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention in accordance with claim 22 wherein an agitator is on the casing to agitate the reservoir containing the dentures, liquid and solution received from the dispenser for facilitating cleaning of the dentures.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the apparatus being adapted to be turned upside down and interconnected with the remainder of the apparatus to act as the reservoir removably fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene comprising; a casing, a reservoir fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply, a dispenser of an additive for addition to the liquid in the reservoir, means for receiving the dispenser, the apparatus being adapted to be turned upside down and interconnected with the remainder of the apparatus to act as the reservoir removably fitted on the casing for containing a liquid supply.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in accordance with claim 24 wherein the dispenser is mounted in a lid positioned on the opened side of the cover when it is acting as the reservoir.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention in accordance with claim 24 wherein the dispenser is on the casing in position for dispensing solution into the cover when it is positioned to act as the reservoir.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention in accordance with claim 24 wherein the dispenser is located on the cover in position to dispense a solution into the cover when it is oriented to act as the reservoir.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the reservoir is removably fitted on the casing.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
81 words
A dispenser for use as part of an apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene, with the apparatus including a reservoir removably fitted on a casing for containing a liquid supply comprising; means on the dispenser to retain a dentifrice solution therein and to dispense the solution therefrom upon demand, and means for positioning the dispenser with respect to the apparatus so that solution can be dispensed from the dispenser into the liquid in the reservoir of the apparatus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
81 words
A dispenser for use as part of an apparatus for personal hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene, with the apparatus including a reservoir removably fitted on a casing for containing a liquid supply comprising; means on the dispenser to retain a dentifrice solution therein and to dispense the solution therefrom upon demand, and means for positioning the dispenser with respect to the apparatus so that solution can be dispensed from the dispenser into the liquid in the reservoir of the apparatus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the apparatus is for bucco-dental hygiene and includes a hydraulic pump enclosed by the casing and connected by a flexible tubing to a handpiece, the reservoir being removably fitted on the casing for supplying liquid to the pump.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein the casing includes means for receiving the dispenser in removable replaceable position thereon with the receiving means being in the form of a hollow recess in the upper part of the casing having a profile at least approximately adapted to the outer shape of the dispenser.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein the reservoir has a pivoted lid which can be opened and closed without obstruction by the dispenser.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be housed within the casing.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 30 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be housed in the lid of the reservoir.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser includes dosing valve means for dispensing equal doses each time the valve is actuated.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 35 wherein said dosing valve means acts by air pressure and is controlled by a push button.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be positioned in receiving means incorporated in the reservoir.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser includes safety means thereon to facilitate the dispensing of a predetermined amount of solution upon actuation of the dispensing and requiring further manipulation for dispensing of further solution thereby increasing the difficulty of dispensing more than a predetermined amount of solution.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser includes means thereon for dispensing a medium in a solid form into the liquid in a reservoir.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be associated with an apparatus for cleaning dentures whereby the dispenser includes means for dispensing a solution into a reservoir containing dentures to be cleaned and a liquid.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
69 words
The invention in accordance with claim 29 wherein the dispenser is adapted for use with an apparatus for oral hygiene, in particular for oral hygiene wherein the reservoir is formed by a reversible cover on the casing in position so that when the cover is shifted to the position forming a reservoir for containing liquid the dispenser is adapted to be positioned for dispensing a solution into the reservoir.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention in accordance with claim 41 wherein the dispenser is part of a lid adapted to be positioned on the cover when it is in the inverted position to form a reservoir.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention in accordance with claim 41 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be positioned on the casing in a location whereby fluid can be dispensed into the cover when it is in the position to act as a reservoir containing liquid.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention in accordance with claim 41 wherein the dispenser is adapted to be housed in a recess on the cover in position when the cover is inverted to form a reservoir containing liquid so that a solution can be dispensed from the dispenser into the reservoir.
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) | 1981-03-13 | 1981-09-12 | 1982-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-13 | 1985-09-12 | 1986-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-13 | 1989-09-12 | 1990-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |