US4148309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personal hygiene device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-06-03
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1997-06-03
Abstract
Abstract An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing portions of the human anatomy by means of ultrasonic vibrations. The disclosed embodiment includes a fluid compartment, an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic implement surrounding the transducer, and a fluid delivery pump which is connected between the compartment and the ultrasonic implement. The fluid delivery pump is operable to fill a human anatomical cavity with fluid and is designed to shut itself off once the cavity has been filled. The ultrasonic implement delivers ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer to the fluid within the cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action to all regions of the cavity for removal of foreign material such as food particles. During this cavitating action, the ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary and is not required to be moved in and around the cavity to assure cleansing of all areas.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter R. Reibel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing various anatomical cavities which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement constructed of a size and shape so as to be insertable within one of said anatomical cavities, said ultrasonic implement enclosing said transducer and having a passageway therethrough for the passage of fluid to fill said cavity; a fluid delivery device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the cavity into which said ultrasonic implement is inserted; said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibrations from said transducer to the fluid filling said cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all internal surfaces of said cavity while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary; and a timer electrically coupled to said generated means for controlling the duration of ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing various anatomical cavities which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement constructed of a size and shape so as to be insertable within one of said anatomical cavities, said ultrasonic implement enclosing said transducer and having a passageway therethrough for the passage of fluid to fill said cavity; a fluid delivery device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the cavity into which said ultrasonic implement is inserted; said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibrations from said transducer to the fluid filling said cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all internal surfaces of said cavity while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary; and a timer electrically coupled to said generated means for controlling the duration of ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 1 which further comprises a control unit which includes said compartment and said fluid delivery device and said ultrasonic implement is connectible to said control unit by means of a fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 2 in which said ultrasonic implement is disconnectible from said fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 3 in which said control unit further includes a current interrupter which is operable to stop current flow in the event of an electrical malfunction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 2 in which said fluid delivery device is operable to turn itself off in response to back pressure created when said cavity is filled with fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 3 in which said ultrasonic implement is sized and shaped to fit within a human's mouth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 3 in which said ultrasonic implement is sized and shaped to fit within a human's ear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 3 in which said ultrasonic implement is sized and shaped to fit within a female's vagina.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 6 in which said ultrasonic implement is U-shaped so as to conform to the general curvature of a human's row of teeth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 9 in which said ultrasonic implement is covered with a deformable organic polymer compound.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing various anatomical cavities which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement constructed of a size and shape so as to be insertable within one of said anatomical cavities, said ultrasonic implement enclosing said transducer and having a passageway therethrough for the passage of fluid to fill said cavity; a fluid delivery device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the cavity into which said ultrasonic implement is inserted; said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibrations from said transducer to the fluid filling said cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all internal surfaces of said cavity while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary; and said fluid delivery device has means operable to turn itself off in response to back pressure created when said cavity is filled with fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing various anatomical cavities which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement constructed of a size and shape so as to be insertable within one of said anatomical cavities, said ultrasonic implement enclosing said transducer and having a passageway therethrough for the passage of fluid to fill said cavity; a fluid delivery device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the cavity into which said ultrasonic implement is inserted; said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibrations from said transducer to the fluid filling said cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all internal surfaces of said cavity while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary; and said fluid delivery device has means operable to turn itself off in response to back pressure created when said cavity is filled with fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 11 which further comprises a control unit which includes said compartment and said fluid delivery device and said ultrasonic implement is connectable to said unit by means of a fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 12 in which said ultrasonic implement is disconnectable from said fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 13 in which said control unit further includes a current interrupter which is operable to stop current flow in the event of an electrical malfunction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing a human's teeth which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement having a substantially flat, U-shaped configuration designed and arranged to be contacted simultaneously by each of the teeth in both upper and lower rows of teeth; a fluid deliveryy device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the mouth cavity wherein said ultrasonic implement is located; and said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibration from said transducer to the fluid filling said mouth cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all external surfaces of said teeth while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
135 words
An oral and personal hygiene device for cleansing a human's teeth which comprises: a fluid compartment having a drain aperture therein; means for generating ultrasonic vibrations including an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic implement having a substantially flat, U-shaped configuration designed and arranged to be contacted simultaneously by each of the teeth in both upper and lower rows of teeth; a fluid deliveryy device connected between said drain aperture and said ultrasonic implement for the delivery of fluid from said compartment to the mouth cavity wherein said ultrasonic implement is located; and said ultrasonic implement communicating ultrasonic vibration from said transducer to the fluid filling said mouth cavity whereby ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in the form of cavitating action through the fluid to all external surfaces of said teeth while said ultrasonic implement remains virtually stationary.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 15 which further comprises a control unit which includes said compartment and said fluid delivery device and said ultrasonic implement is connectible to said control unit by means of a fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 16 in which said ultrasonic implement is disconnectible from said fluid-carrying tube and electrical wire arrangement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 17 in which said control unit further includes a current interrupter which is operable to stop current flow in the event of an electrical malfunction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The oral and personal hygiene device of claim 18 in which said fluid delivery device is operable to turn itself off in response to back pressure created when said mouth cavity is filled with fluid.
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) | 1982-04-09 | 1982-10-09 | 1983-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-04-09 | 1986-10-09 | 1987-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-04-09 | 1990-10-09 | 1991-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |