Patent Application
20150118644
The present invention generally relates to gel dispensing apparatuses and more particularly to dispensing apparatuses for water jet devices.
Water jet techniques are used for a variety of purposes and a variety of devices such as water jet cutters enabling cutting through rigid materials such as stone or metal or dental water jet devices for dental cleansing.
Dental water jet devices also called oral irrigators are designed for applying water jets over the teeth and gum-line to remove food debris, stains and bacteria (plaque) from the tooth as well as from hard-to-reach areas in the oral cavity such as between dense teeth and between a tooth and its surrounding gums. Oral irrigators are also used to irritate the gums to further improve oral hygiene, tooth and gingival health. The type of the jet (continuous or pulsed) and the jet pressure and thickness determine its efficiency. When using water-jet devices it is often necessary to apply pharmaceutical or cleansing materials over the tooth and gum-line to enhance the operation of the water jet. Using dental water jet devices was proven to improve or even eradicate many dental problems and diseases such as gingivitis which often causes gums to bleed and/or recede, caries and others. Oral irrigators are extremely effective for subjects wearing orthodontic installations such as orthodontic braces.
Oral irrigators often include a spout portion connected to a water pipe, where the diameter of the outlet rim of the spout is significantly small to increase the jet pressure of the water when exiting the spout. The device can connect to a portal and Tillable water container or to a water faucet, depending on the product abilities and purpose.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a water jet device for enabling dispensing materials when using thereof, where the water jet device comprises: (i) a body comprising a jet tip including an outlet portion through which fluids can exit and a base portion and a connector for connecting to a water pipe for receiving water therethrough, the jet tip and connector having an inner cavity therein through which water jet can pass; and (ii) an applicator, which connects to said inner cavity through said body, said applicator is configured for economically dispensing of a material when the water jet is operated.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an applicator for dispensing materials therethrough when using a water jet device, wherein the applicator comprises a dispensing member comprising a cannular member creating an inner cavity therein, and at least one rim connected to the cannular member and protruding therefrom for creating a space defined by a recess created thereby over an outer surface of the cannular member. According to these embodiments, the cannular member comprises a plurality of openings thereover, wherein the recess is configured to allow forcing a material that is located therein through the plurality of openings into the cavity of the cannular member to enable dispensing allotted portions of the material when a respective water jet is directed towards a respective jet tip of the water jet device during the water jet flow through the cavity.
Optionally, the dispensing member is walled by an inner wall of the respective jet tip, creating a space between the wall and the cannular member defined by the recess in which the material is located, wherein once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity when directed towards the jet tip to exit the water jet device carry allotted portions of the material inserted to the water jet from the space and into the cavity.
According to some embodiments, the applicator further includes a cover walling the cannular member in such a manner that creates a space between the wall and the cannular member in which the material is located, wherein once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity when directed through the first rim towards the jet tip to exit the water jet device carry allotted portions of the material inserted to the water jet from the space and into the cavity. The wall may be made from a transparent rigid material to allow the user to see the remaining gel in the space therein.
The applicator is optionally configured to be installed between the jet tip of the water jet device and a water pipe connected thereto, for allowing the water to pass therethrough before exiting the jet tip. The applicator may further comprise a connector and an adaptor, wherein the connector allows removably connecting a first edge of the applicator to the jet tip and the adaptor allows connecting a second opposite edge of the applicator to the water pipe.
The applicator may further comprise a removable gel applying member including an elongated member having a plurality of openings thereover, wherein a frontal edge thereof is sealed, the elongated member is configured to be inserted through the applicator's inner cavity, the gel applying member is further configured to connect to a pressable gel container for enabling to insert the gel into the applicator through the elongated member, wherein the sealed edge also seals the first rime of the applicator and thereby forces the pressed gel only through the openings of both the elongated member and the cannular member.
According to some embodiments, the material dispensed by the applicator is at least one of: medical material, cosmetic material, cleansing material.
According to some embodiments, the material dispensed by the applicator is in the form of gel, paste, or powder.
According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a water jet device for enabling dispensing materials when using thereof, wherein the water jet device comprises: (i) a jet tip including an outlet portion through which fluids can exit and a base portion; (ii) a connector for connecting to a water pipe for receiving water therethrough; and (iii) an applicator for economically dispensing of a material therethrough when the water jet is operated, the applicator connects to the jet tip at one end thereof and to the water tube at the other end thereof. According to these embodiments, the applicator comprises a dispensing member comprising a cannular member creating an inner cavity therein, and at least one rim connected to the cannular member and protruding therefrom for creating a space defined by a recess created thereby over an outer surface of the cannular member, the cannular member comprises a plurality of openings thereover, wherein the recess is configured to allow forcing a material that is located within the recess through the plurality of openings into the cavity of the cannular member to enable dispensing allotted portions of the material when a respective water jet is directed towards a respective jet tip of the water jet device during the water jet flow through the cavity.
Optionally, the dispensing member is walled by an inner wall of the respective water jet device jet tip, creating a space between the wall and the cannular member in which the material is located, wherein once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity when directed towards the jet tip to exit the water jet device it carries allotted portions of the gel inserted to the water jet from the space and into the cavity
The water jet device may be a dental water jet device functioning as an improved oral irrigator device, allowing applying dental materials.
The water jet device may optionally further include a valve installed at the jet tip to allow users to en and close the water jet therethrough.
According to some embodiments, the base member is a narrowing tube shape, where its inner wall enables walling the applicator in such a manner that creates a space between the cannular member and the wall into which the gel is forced through the plurality of openings, wherein once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity when directed through the first rim towards the jet tip to exit the water jet device carry allotted portions of the gel inserted to the water jet from the space and into the cavity. The inner diameter of an edge rim of the base member may be configured to connect to the adaptor is substantially larger than the diameter of the outlet section of the jet tip.
According to some embodiments, the outlet section of the jet tip is curved at the edge.
Optionally, the applicator further comprises a wall covering the cannular member in such a manner that creates a space between the wall and the cannular member into which the gel is forced through the plurality of openings, wherein once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity when directed through the first rim towards the jet tip to exit the water jet device carry allotted portions of the material inserted to the water jet from the space and into the cavity.
The water jet device optionally further comprises a handle designed for a user to grab on thereto when applying a water jet, the handle comprises a valve mechanism for enabling the respective user to control water flow while holding the handle.
The material dispensed by the applicator may include at least one of: medical material, cleansing material, cosmetic material, and may be in the form of gel, paste, cream or powder.
According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a water jet device for enabling dispensing materials when using thereof, wherein the water jet device comprises: (i) a body comprising a jet tip including an outlet portion through which fluids can exit and a base portion and a connector for connecting to a water pipe for receiving water therethrough, the jet tip and connector having an inner cavity therein through which water jet can pass; and (ii) an applicator for economically dispensing of a material when the water jet is operated, the applicator comprises a container for containing a material for dispensing thereof and an edge configured for connecting to the water jet body, wherein the applicator is externally connected to the water jet device body and connects to the inner cavity thereof to allow the jet of water passing therethrough to enter the container for dispensing allocated portion of the material therefrom into the water jet whenever the water jet device is operated.
The container may be made from a flexible material.
Optionally, the applicator connects to the jet tip of the body.
According to some embodiments, the body further comprises a handle portion, wherein the applicator connects to the body at the handle portion thereof.
According to other embodiments, the applicator removably connects to the body for allowing replacing and/or refilling thereof.
The water jet device may optionally comprise a valve for allowing a user to control operation of the water jet device by controlling water flow therethrough.
According to yet other aspects of the present invention, there is provided an applicator for dispensing materials therethrough when using a water jet device, that includes: (a) a dispensing member comprising a cannular member having an inner cavity therein, and at least one rim connected to the cannular member and protruding therefrom for creating a space defined by a recess created thereby over an outer surface of the cannular member, where cannular member comprises a plurality of openings thereover; and (b) a cover covering the cannular member in such a manner that it encloses the recess to form the space between the cover and the cannular member in which the material is located, wherein this space is configured for containing a material therein to allow dispending the contained material through the plurality of openings into the cavity of the cannular member to enable dispensing allotted portions of the material when a respective water jet is directed towards a respective jet tip of the water jet device during the water jet flow through the cavity, and wherein the applicator is configured for removably connecting to the water jet device for allowing replacing and/or refilling thereof and for allowing using the water jet device without the applicator.
In the following detailed description of various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part thereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, provides an applicator that allows dispensing material such as gel, paste, ointment, powder and the like therefrom through a water jet device in a moderated economical manner for dispensing allotted portions of the material during each water jet irrigation-session and during multiple utilizations thereof. The applicator, according to some embodiments, allows dispensing the material during the operation of the water jet device in an efficient manner both economically as well as medically and/or hygienically, by allowing both prolonging the utilization time of a predefined gel portion as well as enabling a substantially continuous emission of the material throughout each irrigation-session.
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the applicator is designed to dispense dental material such as Chlorhexidine gel, Xylitol, toothpaste, or any other dental material whether liquid gel or powder, through a dental water jet device (oral irrigator) for medical/cleansing/cosmetic purposes. Since the gel is dispensed during the dispensing of the water jet the dispensed dental material can be directed along with the water jet to a desired location such as between the tooth and its surrounding gum tissue to enhance the effect of the water jet as well as the effect of the dental material.
According to additional or alternative embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a water jet device including an applicator that is installed therein, where the applicator allows dispensing material therefrom into the water jet of the device in a moderated economical manner for dispensing allotted portions of the gel during each water jet irrigation-session and during multiple utilizations thereof.
The term “irrigation-session” refers to each period in which the water jet device is utilized where a jet of water is outputted from the water jet device.
Reference is now made to
As illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
The applicator 200 first rim 211 is slightly coned enabling fitting a designated water filter 115 to connect thereto through an O-ring 116. The cannular member 215 of the gel dispensing member 210 has a smaller diameter then that of its rims 211 and 213 to allow this section to be walled by the inner wall 114 of the base section 112 creating a space therebetween. In this configuration, when the material dispensing member 210 is inserted through the jet tip 110 the user may be able to force material through the second rim 213 to the space between the walls 114 of the base section 112 and the cannular member 215 by, for example using a removable applying member 40. To allow the user to easily fill the space between the applicator 200 and the inner wall 114 of the jet tip 110. The applying member 40 may include an elongated member 41 having at least one array of openings 42 positioned to fit the applicator's 200 array(s) of openings 212, where the elongated member 41 is sealed at its distal edge that is configured to be inserted into the inner cavity 216 of the applicator 200; and a connector 43 for connecting the applying member 40 to a pressable container such as a tube container of a dental cleansing material materials such as Chlorhexidine gel, tooth gel or paste and the like. Once the applying member 40 is connected to the tube container (e.g. through screwing threaded at its edge suitable for a standard male screw thread of typical material tube containers) the user can press the tube to force the material into the inner cavity 216 of the applicator 200 through the elongated member's 41 openings 42. The material will further be forced from the inner cavity 216 to the space between the jet tip 110 inner wall 114 and the cannular member 215 recess 201 surface through its openings 212. Once this space is filled (can be felt by the back pressure applied upon the tube container when the user continues pressing thereof), the applying member 40 can be removed and to connect the water jet device 100 to water supply through a water pipe (e.g. to a water container, which is a part of the water jet device or to a water faucet).
As illustrated in
According to these embodiments, once the material is inside the space between the inner wall 114 and the cannular member 215 and once the water jet device is assembled, connected to the water supply and operated, the water jet goes along the V0 trajectory through the inner cavity 216 of the cannular member 215 towards the outlet section 111 of the jet tip 110, some of the material returns through the openings 212 to the cavity 216 and is carried by the water jet outwardly towards the area the user is directing the outlet section 111. The space dimensions and volume may be designed to allow encapsulating enough material therein to allow using the amount of material filling this space for multiple irrigation session. The volume of this space (determined by the diameter and length of the inlet section 113 and base section 112 and the diameter and length of the cannular member 215) as well as the number, locations and size of the openings 212 should be designed/configured according to the type of water jet device 100 (e.g. dental or other and/or the jet pressure and type i.e. pulsed or continuous), the material types that it should dispense and their viscosity level, and the like, to allow optimal economical and efficient material dispensing.
For example, in case of an oral irrigator water jet device 100 the user is recommended to direct the outlet 111 to the gum-line area and therefore this method and device 100 allows inserting reasonable allotted portions of material through the water jet pressure through the gum-line into areas between the teeth and gums thereby allowing the material to adhere to the tooth in gum-covered areas by using the jet force that slightly separates the gums from the tooth in these area. This dramatically improves oral hygiene and can even help preventing surgery in some case since the material is actually forced to adhere to tooth surfaces otherwise inaccessible. If the material was merely rubbed over the gum-line before using the water jet rather than applied during the applying of the water jet as a part of the jet itself, most of the material was washed away by the water material wasting a major percentage thereof enabling only a very small portion to actually adhere to the covered teeth surfaces underneath the gum-line. The current configuration, method and applicator 200 allow much greater quantities of material to adhere to the covered teeth surfaces while using much less material in each irrigation-session.
As illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water jet device may further include a control button or valve conveniently located over the jet tip 110 for enabling the user to easily open and close water flow thereto.
Reference is now made to
As illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
The applicator 400 includes (i) a dispensing member 410 including a dispensing portion 411 having multiple openings 412, a first rime portion 415a and a second rim portion 415b; and (ii) a cover 420. According to some embodiments, as illustrated in
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the applicator 400 may be filled having the space 401 between its transparent cover 420 and dispensing member 410 already filled with applicator, while the openings of the rims 415a and 415b of the dispensing member 410 are sealable by removable sealers to allow the user to install the applicator 400 in the water jet device 300 by removing the sealers and inserting the applicator 400 into the handle 330 of the water jet device 300 and then connecting the handle 330 to the connector 350 for closing the water jet device 300. Since the cover 420 is transparent, the user can see when the applicator 400 needs refilling or replacing. In cases in which the applicators are marketed as dispensable applicators—the removable sealers may be designed so as not to allow resealing the rims 415a and/or 415b of the dispensing member 410. In other cases the applicator 400 includes sealers that can be reused to seal the rims 415a and 415b to refill the applicator 400 by using a material applying member that is similar in concept to the one described in relation to
Due to the structure of the applicator 410, once the water jet is applied through the applicator cavity 416 when directed through the first rim 415a towards the jet tip 310 outlet portion 311 to exit the water jet device 300 it carries allotted portions of the material that enter the cavity 416 and join the water jet to allow the material portion to be applied over the oral area along with the water jet flowing through this cavity 416.
The water jet devices such as 100 and 300 described in respect to some specific embodiments referring to oral irrigators can simply be used to describe other types of water jet devices using other types of materials depending on the purpose of the water jet device and/or its design.
The cross sectional view of
According to some embodiments of the present invention, the water jet device may also include a control unit that can electronically control mechanical and/or other functions of the water jet device and/or the applicator. For example, to control the valve mechanism or to notify the user (e.g. through visual and/or auditory alarms) that the material in the applicator is about to run out. To allow such indication, some mechanism that senses the amount of material in the space between the dispensing member and the wall surrounding it creating the space for the material to be stored in (either the inner wall of the jet base section or of the transparent cover of the applicator itself, depending on the specific embodiment) such as an optical sensor. Once the sensor identifies that the applicator is “empty” it operates a visual/auditory alarm signaling to the user that the applicator should be refilled/replaced.
Reference is now made to
According to some embodiments of the invention, the applicator 600 includes an external container 610 having a funnel shaped edge 620 for connecting to an inner cavity tube of the water jet device 500 through which the water jet passes. The container 610 is filled with material such as a dental cleansing gel allowing allocated dispensing of the material into the water jet. The container 610 externally connects to the water jet device 500 body through an opening in the water jet device 500 configured for connecting to the edge 620 thereof, for allowing easy replacement and/or refilling thereof.
The narrowing end of the funnel shaped edge 620 of the container 610 connecting into the water jet creates a suction pressure that draws water from the water jet into the container 610. The drawn water return into the jet while bringing some of the material in the container 610 into the water jet therewith at each operation of the water jet device 500 allowing thereby to dispense allocated portions of the contained material upon each utilization of the water jet device 500.
According to some embodiments, the applicator 600 is removably connected to the water jet device 500 body for allowing replacing and/or refilling thereof.
The funnel shaped edge 820 of the applicator 800 includes an opening 821 which connects to a designated opening 702 at the water jet device 700 (in this case the opening 702 is in the jet tip 710). The applicator 800 may include a connecting edge 820 configured for fastening to the water jet device 700 in a sealed manner.
Optionally, the container 820/620 is made from a flexible material allowing creating vacuum or partial vacuum therein once the water jet device 700/500 is operated.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following invention and its various embodiments and/or by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the invention is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the invention.
The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
Although the invention has been described in detail, nevertheless changes and modifications, which do not depart from the teachings of the present invention, will be evident to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are deemed to come within the purview of the present invention and the appended claims.
