The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus, and methods for supplying water to a dental workstation. The present disclosure relates more particularly to dental water bottles having improved internal accessibility, internal or external dental water bottle treatment assemblies, and adapters providing for the connection of a dental water bottle and associated apparatus to workstation bottle mounting bracket.
Many dental or oral surgery procedures require invasion of the patient's tooth, gum, bone, vascular or other tissues. Accordingly, proper dental practice requires that significant steps be taken to prevent or minimize the risk of any infection occurring because of the dental procedure.
One of many steps taken to minimize infection occurring because of a dental procedure is the use of a dedicated dental water supply to provide the water used for any purpose within a patient's mouth.
A separate, dedicated dental water supply is typically located at each dental operatory chair or other workstation in a dental or oral surgery workspace. The water in the dental water supply is typically contained within a bottle connected by supply lines to various dental handpieces, tools, syringes, cuspidors, or other equipment. Dental water supplies are low flow systems with relatively small diameter supply lines. Environmental microorganisms will inevitably form a biofilm on system surfaces exposed to water and compromise the water supply. Therefore, steps are typically taken to minimize or eliminate biofilms and otherwise maintain acceptable water quality within the dental water supply system.
It is desirable to periodically access the elements of a dental water supply system for various maintenance tasks, including but not limited to, refilling the bottle, performing a chemical shock treatment to minimize and remove accumulated biofilms, replace water filter elements, dispensing or administering a continuously present low level antimicrobial chemical, adding compounds, or apparatus, or replacing a water bottle or other component after a specified expiration date or useful life. Some of these operations require access to structures such as water uptake tubes or filters operationally housed within or adjacent to the water bottle.
Many dental water supply systems feature a bottle having a relatively narrow opening in the neck of the bottle. Thus, it can be difficult to access the interior of such a bottle for cleaning, other maintenance, filter replacement, or similar tasks. In addition, the size and configuration of any filter element, which in use is designed to be placed within the bottle, can be constrained by the diameter of the opening passing through the bottle neck.
Thus, access to the interior of known dental water storage system bottles or filter housings, and access to associated apparatus for routine maintenance, cleaning, replacement, refilling, chemical shock treatment, or other procedures can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for dental office staff who are not specifically trained to disassemble and reassemble dental water storage systems. In addition, some bottles may not be mountable to some mounting brackets or sockets. The mentioned difficulties can also lead to improper reassembly of the components and failure of the system to perform as intended. The embodiments disclosed herein are directed toward overcoming one or more of the above problems.
One embodiment includes a system for attaching a dental water supply bottle to a bottle mounting bracket associated with dental equipment. The system includes a collar configured to be attached to a neck region of a dental water supply bottle, one or more attachment openings defined by the collar, and a quick release adapter. The adapter may include one or more mounting bracket attachment slots and one or more quick release structures. Thus, the adapter can be mounted to the collar by placing the one or more quick release structures into the one or more attachment openings, and the adapter can be disengaged and removed from the collar by manually articulating the quick release structures without the use of tools.
In addition, the adapter can be removably mounted to the bottle mounting bracket using the mounting bracket attachment slots.
Another embodiment includes a method of attaching a dental water supply bottle to a bottle mounting bracket. The method of attaching includes providing a dental water supply bottle and an original collar assembly, removing the original collar from the dental water supply bottle, and attaching a replacement collar to the dental water supply bottle. The replacement collar may include one or more attachment openings. The method further includes providing an adapter having one or more mounting bracket attachment slots, and one or more quick release structures. The method further includes mounting the adapter to the replacement collar by placing the one or more of the quick release structures into engagement with the one or more attachment openings. Then the dental water supply bottle, replacement collar, and adapter assembly may be attached to the bottle mounting bracket by engaging the one or more bracket attachment slots with the bottle mounting bracket.
Other embodiments include a dental water supply system having a dental water bottle with an upper bottle portion and a lower bottle portion separable from the upper bottle portion. The dental water supply bottle also includes a sealed joint between the upper bottle portion and the lower bottle portion providing for the upper bottle portion to be separated from the lower bottle portion by a user. Additional embodiments include methods of securing an upper bottle portion to a lower bottle portion with a watertight seal, in some embodiments without the use of tools.
Other disclosed embodiment includes a dental water bottle as described above.
Other disclosed embodiments include dental water system treatment assemblies and methods of treating dental water system supply water. Disclosed treatment assemblies can include a lower end cap, one or more housing barrels, and a top cap, where at least one of the lower end cap, one or more housing barrels, and top cap are separable from an adjacent component without the use of tools.
Other disclosed embodiments include an external dental water treatment assembly and methods of treating a dental water supply with an external treatment assembly. The external treatment assembly embodiments include an upper engagement structure for engagement with a bottle mounting bracket, a housing, and a lower engagement structure for connection to a dental water bottle. In external treatment assembly embodiments, the housing can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the neck of the bottle.
Other embodiments include a dental water supply system having a threaded adapter as disclosed herein, which threaded adapter may include a threaded connector configured to be threadably engaged with a threaded mounting bracket of a dental apparatus, an adapter body defining a water channel and an air channel through the adapter. Threaded adapter embodiments may also include an attachment structure configured for attachment to a quick release adapter. The system also includes the quick release adapter having a mating attachment structure configured for engagement with the threaded adapter, a quick release adapter body defining a water channel and an air channel through the adapter, and a quick release mechanism, configured to mount to a dental water bottle. The system also includes the dental water bottle. In some embodiments, the dental water bottle includes an access guard configured to selectively limit or allow access to the quick release mechanism.
Other embodiments include a dental water supply system with a threaded adapter having a threaded connector configured to be threadably engaged with the threaded mounting bracket of a dental apparatus, an adapter body defining a water channel and an air channel through the adapter, an attachment structure configured for attachment directly to a dental water supply bottle, and the dental water supply bottle.
Other embodiments include a threaded adapter having a threaded connector configured to be threadably engaged with the threaded mounting bracket of a dental apparatus, an adapter body defining a water channel and an air channel through the adapter, and an attachment structure configured for attachment to a quick release adapter or a dental water supply bottle.
Other embodiments include a quick release adapter having an attachment structure configured for engagement with a threaded adapter or a dental water supply bracket, a quick release adapter body defining a water channel and an air channel through the adapter, and a quick release mechanism, configured to mount to a dental water bottle.
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. Several embodiments are described herein, and while various features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should be appreciated that the features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single feature or features of any described embodiment should be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the invention may omit such features.
Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to express quantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise.
Bacteria or other organisms can be present in municipal tap water when initially placed into a dental water supply system. Over time, these organisms reproduce and typically will form a biofilm over system surfaces, including but not limited to the interior surfaces of any bottle, uptake tube, filter, other treatment assembly, water supply line, and other water contacting apparatus. In addition, tap water may include detrimental inorganic compositions or materials, including but not limited to particulate matter and residual chlorine.
For example, a dental water supply system may be shocked periodically by applying a biocidal composition to the water at a sufficient concentration to kill and remove accumulated biofilms. A system may be shocked by adding a strong oxidizer such as a chlorine, bromine, or iodine containing composition to the water. After the shock treatment has completed, the water and shock chemicals in the system are typically removed and the system is refilled. Subsequently, it may be advantageous to provide a maintenance level of anti-microbial compounds or filtration as the system is used to supply water to dental instruments. The embodiments disclosed herein can enhance both periodic “shock treatment” type maintenance processes and daily or continuous use maintenance processes.
As shown in
In some embodiments, the upper bottle portion 12a and lower bottle portion 12b can be mated together or disconnected from each other without the use of tools. For example, as shown in
As also shown in
As illustrated in
Thus, the illustrated insert clip structures 22 are separable from the upper bottle portion 12a, rather than being co-molded or otherwise co-formed portions of the upper bottle portion. Separate or separable insert clips may provide manufacturing advantages. In embodiments featuring separate or separable insert clips, the insert clips 22 may be held captive in the upper aperture 34 by appropriately positioned notches, tabs, pins, or other structures which retain the insert clips 22 in the upper aperture 34, while still permitting the pivoting motion described above. Thus, the insert clips 22 may be mounted in the upper aperture 34 as a preliminary step during the initial assembly of an upper bottle portion 12a. Alternatively, the insert clips 22 may be freely removable from the upper bottle portion 12a.
In the illustrated embodiments, the upper bottle portion 12a and the lower bottle portion 12b may be connected by placing the upper bottle portion 12a having insert clips 22 received in upper apertures 34 into proximity with a lower bottle portion 12b. Specifically, the opening 32 of each connection slot 30 defined by each insert clip 22 may be positioned to correspond with a locking button 20 on each connector 16 associated with the lower bottle portion 12b. Then, the bottle portions 12a, 12b may be pressed together while the locking buttons 20 engage with corresponding connection slots 30. The upper bottle portion 12a may then be rotated to capture each locking button 20 in a portion of the connection slot 30 away from the opening 32. The dimensions and configuration of the connectors 16, insert clips 22, and connection slot 30 can be coordinated to assure that the upper bottle portion 12a and lower bottle portion 12b are closely mated when each locking button 20 is captured in a corresponding connection slot 30 away from the opening 32. In certain embodiments, a main O-ring 33, gasket, or similar structure may be provided between or mounted to one bottle portion or the other to assure that the sealed joint 14 is watertight when the upper bottle portion 12a is fully mounted to the lower bottle portion 12b.
Some embodiments may include a hole 35 formed in one or more of the connection slots 30, as shown in
Some embodiments may include a lower aperture 36 defined or formed in the lower bottle portion 12b that is configured to capture a bottom portion of the connection region 28 of an insert clip 22 when the upper bottle portion 12a and lower bottle portion 12b are fully mated together. In certain embodiments, a notch, tab, clip, ledge, or other structure formed on an interior surface of the lower aperture 36 may capture a corresponding structure on an insert clip 22 when the insert clip 22 is rotated into a locked position. Thus, lower aperture 36 in an embodiments having a capture structure will serve to prevent undesired motion of the insert clips 22 and limit inadvertent release of any locking button 20 from a corresponding connection slot 30.
The upper bottle portion 12a and lower bottle portion 12b may be separated from each other by substantially reversing the attachment processes. If at least one hole 35 has been provided to engage with the corresponding locking button 20, a user may manually depress the locking button 20 through the hole 35 to disengage these elements. Then, the upper bottle portion 12a and the attached insert clips 22 may be rotated slightly in the direction opposite the capture direction such that that any locking button 20 is positioned in the corresponding connection slot 30 adjacent to the opening 32. If the lower aperture 36 includes structure to capture the insert clip 22 and lock it into place, it may be necessary to depress the insert clip toward the upper bottle portion 12a or otherwise disengage any locking mechanism before the upper bottle portion/insert clip assembly is rotated to release the connectors 16. The insert clip 22 can be depressed toward the upper bottle portion 12a since it can pivot within the upper aperture or is otherwise designed to be flexible. The locking button 20 is similarly free to be depressed inwardly through action of the flexible arm 18. When the locking buttons 20 are positioned adjacent corresponding openings 32, the upper bottle portion 12a and the lower bottle portion 12b may be separated. In some embodiments, an exterior surface of the connection slot 30 or another structure may include an indicia 38, for example the arrow shown in
Alternative structures can be provided to engage, disengage, secure, and prevent the unintentional disengagement of the upper bottle portion 12a from the lower bottle portion 12b. For example, the upper bottle portion 12a and lower bottle portion 12b may define corresponding threads providing for a threaded engagement between these portions at the sealed joint 14. Alternatively, a separate rotatable but otherwise captured collar may be provided on one of the bottle portions to engage with threads on the other bottle portion. Alternatively, the upper and lower bottle portions 12a, 12b may be engaged and disengaged using any style of clip, snap, screws, external connectors, and the like certain alternative bottle embodiments are described below.
In one alternative bottle 12 embodiment, as shown in
As described in detail below, the bottle 12 of
A third embodiment of bottle 12 having upper and lower bottle portions 12a, and 12b, is shown in
Returning to
In some bottle embodiments, for example the embodiment of
The illustrated quick release neck 58 of
As noted above, it can be desirable that the interior of a bottle 12 and any associated apparatus located within the bottle 12 be accessible for routine maintenance, treatment assembly replacement, or similar operations. With some disclosed embodiments, the entire bottle assembly, including the upper and lower bottle portions 12a and 12b plus any apparatus contained therein may be removed by simply rotating the quick release neck 58 out of engagement with the bottle mounting bracket 56. The assembled bottle 12 may then be refilled from a conventional tap through an upper opening in the quick release neck 58. If necessary for routine maintenance however, the entire bottle 12 assembly may be taken to a convenient location, for example a back-office workbench for maintenance operations. Access to any internal filters, treatment assemblies, or other structures is provided by separating the upper and lower bottle portions 12a, 12b as described above. It is important to note that both the removal and installation of a bottle 12 from a bottle mounting bracket 56, and the separation or reconnection of the upper and lower bottle portions 12a, 12b may be accomplished in some disclosed embodiments without the use of tools.
The bottle 12 embodiment of
The access guard 70, when mounted, can be rotated with respect to the upper bottle portion 12a. The access guard 70 may include one or more channels 76 which correspond with one or more raised portions 78 associated with the upper bottle portion 12a or associated with the quick release bottle adapter 69. When the access guard 70 is mounted and rotated, each raised portion 78 can ride within the corresponding channel 76, and furthermore each raised portion 78 may become temporarily seated in sockets 80 formed in the access guard 70. The raised portions 78 can be mounted on flexible arms 82. Thus, interaction between one or more channels 76, raised portions 78, sockets, and flexible arms 82 provide for the access guard 70 to be fixed in a first rotated position, with the raised portions 78 seated in corresponding sockets 80, until sufficient force is applied to the access guard 70 to unseat the raised portions and permit rotation to a second position. The above assembly thus provides security against inadvertent rotation but permits the access guard to be easily rotated intentionally.
The rotating access guard 70 is advantageous because the access guard 70 includes one or more windows 84. When the access guard 70 is in the first rotational position, the windows 84 can be positioned to block access to any buttons, levers, or other structures associated with the quick release bottle adapter 69, which are used to disconnect the bottle 12 from the quick release bottle adapter 69 as described below. Similarly, when the access guard is in a second rotational position, the window 84 is positioned to permit access to the structures necessary to disconnect the bottle 12 from quick release water bottle adapter 69.
In use, a bottle 12 may be engaged with an appropriate bottle mounting bracket 56 using whichever one of a quick release neck 58, or quick release bottle adapter 69 is provided with the bottle 12. In either instance, the bottle 12, or the bottle 12 and adapter 69 assembly can be removed from the mounting bracket 56 without the use of tools. Access to the interior of the bottle may be accomplished by separating an upper bottle portion 12a from a lower bottle portion 12b, or through the relatively wide neck of a bottle 12 configured for use with a quick release bottle adapter 69, after the quick release bottle adapter 69 is removed. Other advantages of the bottles 12 and quick release bottle adapters 69 described above are disclosed in detail below.
As noted above, a dental water supply system 10 including any embodiment of bottle 12 described herein can enhance access to internal system elements including but not limited to filters or other treatment assemblies positioned within the bottle 12 during use.
Both shock treatments and continuous dental water supply filtration, treatment and/or maintenance can be provided with any appropriate combination of mechanical and/or chemical filtration elements. Mechanical filtration, including but not limited to microfiltration or nanofiltration, serves to capture suspended particles or microorganisms. Chemical treatment, chemical filtration and/or the use of anti-microbial compounds utilize various compositions to capture undesirable chemicals, to eliminate bacteria or other organisms, and/or to capture organic contaminants. Representative chemical filtration or anti-microbial treatment compositions include but are not limited to activated carbon, iodinated resins, silver, copper, or other metal-containing resins or compositions, deionization resins, and others.
The dental water supply treatment strategies necessary to ultimately provide properly treated water to a dental tool may change over time and can be cyclical. For example, the municipal tap water initially placed into a dental water supply system may have, or may develop over time, an unacceptable level of particulate matter, bacteria and viruses. The municipal tap water may also have a residual level of chlorine or bromine ions from the municipal water treatment processes. Although not inherently harmful, residual chlorine or bromine will quickly diminish the capacity of an iodinated treatment resin to kill bacteria and viruses. Thus, it is sometimes important that various filtration steps be accomplished in a desired order. For example, a treatment assembly 86 may include mechanical microfiltration at an input followed by activated carbon filtration to remove residual chlorine or bromine, followed by mechanical filtration, and an iodinated resin anti-microbial stage. The embodiments of treatment assembly 86 disclosed herein are in many instances modular and can therefore be configured during manufacture or by an end-user to accomplish specific filtration goals or to accomplish specific filtration steps in a desired order.
Various embodiments of treatment assembly 86 are illustrated in the figures. It is important to note that many of these embodiments can be used with any dental water supply system 10 or bottle 12 including the disclosed bottles 12 and other available dental water supply bottles. One class of treatment assembly 86 is substantially tube shaped, and in use is configured to be positioned within a bottle 12 between the bottle mounting bracket 56 and the bottom of the bottle 12. Thus, this class of treatment assembly 86 will typically be positioned in place of a simple uptake tube, straw, or other structure providing for water to flow out of a bottle 12 to various downstream dental tools or appliances. A substantially tube-shaped treatment assembly 86 will include an inlet 88 which in use is positioned toward an interior bottom surface of a bottle 12. A substantially tube-shaped treatment assembly 86 also include an upper outlet which in use is typically connected to outgoing water supply lines at or near the bottle mounting bracket 56. In this configuration, water is typically forced through the treatment assembly 86 by providing pressurized air to the interior of the bottle 12 to displace water and force it through downstream system elements.
Some embodiments of substantially elongated tube-shaped treatment assembly 86 include a lower end cap 92 corresponding with the inlet 88. The lower end cap 92 will include one or more intake holes 94 opening from an exterior surface of the end cap 92 to an interior channel 96 defined within the treatment assembly 86 between the inlet 88 and outlet 90. The intake holes 94 may be positioned on a side and/or bottom surface of the lower end cap 92. In some embodiments, for example as shown in
An initial mechanical filter, for example fiber filter 100 may be positioned within the interior channel 96 at or near the lower end cap 92. Fiber filter 100 can serve to filter suspended particulate matter from the water contained within the bottle 12 as it enters the interior channel 96 of a treatment assembly 86 to limit fouling of downstream treatment assembly modules. In some embodiments, fiber filter 100 is held in place by a filter retainer 104 or filter positioning tabs 107. Although the illustrated embodiments include a fiber filter 100, initial mechanical filtration could alternatively be provided by any sort of porous substrate, filter paper, or other substance suitable for providing mechanical filtration. For example, the embodiments of
The substantially tube-shaped treatment assemblies 86 can include one or more housing barrels 106 connected to the lower end cap 92 and further defining the interior channel 96. For example, the treatment assembly 86 embodiment of
In the illustrated embodiments, each housing barrel 106 is removably connected to the lower end cap 92 and any upstream housing barrel 106 or a top cap 108 using tabs 110 that are configured to mate with corresponding receiver slots 112 formed through the adjacent cap 92, 108, or housing barrel 106. Thus, a treatment assembly 86 having any desired length and any desired number of chambers may be assembled by connecting one lower end cap 92 to a selected number of housing barrels 106 and a top cap 108. All connections may be made with tabs 110 received in corresponding receiver slots 112. Alternatively, any needed connections between the lower end cap 92, housing barrels 106, and a top cap 108 may be formed with threaded connections, permanent bonds, other snap-fit connections, or friction fit connections of any type.
Any non-permanent connection between the caps 92, 108 or housing barrels 106 may be sealed with O-rings 114, gaskets, or similar structures. Any O-ring 114 may be received and secured in an appropriate channel or groove formed in an inner wall of the structure(s) contacting the O-ring 114. In addition, as best shown in
The top cap 108 is positioned generally at the treatment assembly outlet 90 and includes an outlet fitting 118 providing for the treatment assembly 86 to be connected to downstream apparatus, including but not limited to a suitable connector extending from a lower surface of the upper bottle portion 12a, or a lower surface of the bottle mounting bracket 56. Virtually any type of outlet fitting 118 may be incorporated into the treatment assembly 86. For example, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
Alternative embodiments of fitting 118 may include alternative connection structures. Alternative connection structures include, but are not limited to threaded connections, press fit connections, hose barb and tubing connections, various sorts of quick-release connections and the like.
In certain embodiments, it is desirable to have a flexible connection between the fitting 118 and the corresponding downstream structure. For example, as shown in
The embodiments of
As shown in
The embodiment of
As noted above, the inlet 60 to the interior channel 68 of a treatment assembly 86 may include a fiber filter 100. Similarly, the top cap 108 may include a secondary fiber filter 156 received within the interior channel 68 at or near the outlet 90. Any number of ancillary mechanical filters may be included within the interior channel 68 of a treatment assembly 86 to accomplish specific filtration goals and to limit the fouling of downstream filter components. For example, the treatment assemblies 86 of
Typically, the interior channel 68 within each housing barrel 106 will contain one or more filtering, anti-microbial, or other water treatment compositions or materials. For example, a lower housing barrel 106b may include granular activated carbon (GAC), a carbon block 159, charcoal, or another carbon-based filter element. Carbon-based filter elements are known to effectively remove organic compounds, and various inorganic ions, including but not limited to chlorine or bromine ions which can be present in tap water from a municipal water treatment processes. As noted above, free ions such as chlorine or bromine and more complex halogen-based compositions can compromise the effectiveness certain downstream treatment compositions, including but not limited to iodinated resins.
Similarly, an upper housing barrel 106a may include an anti-microbial or water treatment composition such as an iodinated resin, an iodinated block 161, deionization resins, a silver, copper or other metal containing composition, or other materials. Iodinated resins, silver copper or other metal compositions, and similar compositions serve to kill and filter bacteria, certain viruses, or other organisms which may be present in the municipal water supply, or which may grow within a bottle over time. It is important to note that the treatment assemblies 86 described herein are not limited to any specific filtration or anti-microbial compositions or materials. The treatment assemblies 86 also are not limited to any specific order of different filtration compositions or materials. The modular nature of the illustrated treatment assemblies 86 permit any suitable filtration or anti-microbial material to be used, in any desired order. In addition, the modular treatment assemblies 86 may be refilled by a supplier, or on-site with any desired filtration or anti-microbial composition or material in a manufacturing step, or by an end-user.
The treatment assemblies 86 can be used to facilitate either shock treatment of a system, continuous use filtration and maintenance, or periodic filtration and maintenance of the water in a system. For example, a housing barrel 106 of a treatment assembly 86 may be supplied with a shock chemical to perform a shock treatment. Subsequently, the housing barrel 106 of the treatment assembly may be re-filled or replaced with a housing barrel having a long-term maintenance chemical or anti-microbial compositions or another filtration composition contained therein.
The generally elongated cylindrical treatment assemblies 86 described above can have a thin cross-section permitting them to fit through the opening in the neck of a dental water supply bottle 12. Alternatively, a generally cylindrical treatment assembly 86 may have a wider cross-section, as shown for example in
An alternative embodiment illustrated in
The external puck treatment assembly 164 has a female threaded socket 168 formed in the bottle-facing side of the assembly housing which is configured to receive the threaded neck 166 of a suitable bottle 12. The female threaded socket 168 also includes a lower hose barb 170 sized to receive the existing or a replacement take up straw 172. The lower hose barb 170 is hollow and defines the inlet to an internal filtration compartment 174. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal filtration compartment houses a coiled interior channel 176 leading to an upper hose barb 178. Alternative embodiments may include other internal configurations, including but not limited to multiple chambers in series, multiple chambers in parallel, or any combination or arrangement of chambers, channels, fluid pathways and the like. The upper hose barb 178 can be connected to downstream components including but not limited to a supply tube extending through the bottle mounting bracket 56. The external puck treatment assembly housing further defines a male threaded extension 180 extending upward and typically surrounding the upper hose barb 178. In use, the male threaded extension can be threaded into a female socket in the bottle mounting bracket 56 originally configured to receive the threaded neck 166 of a bottle 12. Thus, an external puck treatment assembly 164 may be installed between an existing bottle 12 and bottle mounting bracket 56 to provide water treatment to an otherwise unfiltered or under filtered system.
An alternative external puck treatment assembly 181 is illustrated in
The upper hose barb 178 can be connected to downstream components including but not limited to a supply tube extending through the bottle mounting bracket 56. The external puck treatment assembly housing further defines an upward facing quick release assembly 189, extending upward and typically surrounding the upper hose barb 178. In use, the upward facing quick release assembly 189 may be engaged in the bottle mounting bracket 56 originally configured to receive the quick release neck 185 of a bottle 12. Thus, an external puck treatment assembly 181 may be installed between an existing quick-release bottle 12 and bottle mounting bracket 56 to provide water treatment to an otherwise unfiltered or under filtered system. Alternative embodiments of external puck treatment assemblies may include any sort of different engagement structure corresponding to the engagement structure between an existing bottle mounting bracket 56 and bottle 12.
In any puck treatment assembly embodiment 162, 164 the main compartment may define multiple filtration or treatment chambers or multiple segments of any interior channel. The chambers or segments defined within a treatment channel may be provided with filtration, or anti-microbial materials, and other treatment compositions generally as described above. The internal treatment components within a puck treatment assembly embodiment 162, 164 may be serviceable or refillable, in particular if the puck housing can be opened. Alternatively, the entire puck 162, 164 and its contents may be disposable.
1. Adapters for Quick Release Mounting Brackets
Certain embodiments disclosed herein are configured to enhance the use of an existing bottle 12 and existing bottle mounting bracket 56. For example, as shown in
Disclosed embodiments designed to enhance the use of an existing bottle 12 and bottle mounting bracket 56 may include a collar 182 configured to attach to the neck of the existing bottle 12. As shown in
As shown in
The interface between the central column 194 or a similar structure on the collar 182 with the flange 188 or other upper surface of a bottle 12 may be sealed with a replaceable bottle O-ring 196, a gasket, or a similar structure. The replaceable bottle O-ring 196 provides a watertight seal between the bottle 12 and adjacent structures and prevents contamination of any water in the bottle 12 by outside materials.
The use of an existing bottle 12 and existing bottle mounting bracket 56 may be further enhanced by providing a quick release adapter 69 configured to engage at the upper end with the existing bottle mounting bracket 56 and to engage at the opposite end with the collar 182 attached to the bottle 12. For example, the embodiment of quick release adapter 69 shown in
Alternative embodiments of quick release adapter 69 will have a different structure at the upper end configured to mate with other styles of bottle mounting bracket 56. For example, an alternative quick release adapter 69 may include male or female threads configured to engage with corresponding but opposite male or female threads formed in the bottle mounting bracket 56.
As noted above, the bottle mounting bracket 56, may be, but is not necessarily, an existing structure attached to a dental operatory chair or other workstation. If a pre-existing system is improved according to this disclosure, the existing bottle 12 may already include a mounting collar attached to the existing bottle 12. Known mounting collars may effectively engage with known bottle mounting brackets, however, known mounting collars can cause problems accessing the interior of a bottle 12 or any associated water uptake tube, filter element, or other structure for replacement or routine maintenance. Therefore, any existing mounting collar is typically removed from the existing bottle 12 before the collar 182 described above is attached. Accordingly, the collar 182 is sometimes referred to as a replacement collar 182.
The end of the quick release adapter 69 opposite the twist lock grooves 200 or other bottle mounting bracket engagement structure will include structure or elements configured to removably engage with the collar 182, preferably without the use of tools. When the quick release adapter 69 is removed from the collar 182 as described below, internal structures including but not limited to water uptake tubes, in-line filters, or treatment assemblies 86 can be easily replaced or maintained.
For example, as shown in
It is important to note that the flexible arm 214 of a pushbutton connector 210 may be fabricated from a material that is inherently flexible. Alternatively, the flexible arm 214 may have hinges, springs, flexible portions, or other structure permitting a pushbutton connector 210 to operate as described herein. Also, in certain embodiments, the engagement surface 218 and/or capture surface 220 may define or include grooves, edges, ledges, undercuts, bevels, or other shaped surfaces configured to lock these surfaces 218, 220 together under the downward force provided by the weight of the bottle 12. This functionality can secure the bottle 12 and collar 182 assembly from unintentional disengagement with the quick release adapter 69. If optional locking structures are provided on the engagement surface 218 and capture surface 220, the quick release adapter 69 must be moved a short distance downward before disengaging any pushbutton 216 from the opening 212 in the collar 182. If locking structures are not provided, the bottle 12 and collar 182 assembly may be disengaged from the quick release adapter 69 without any initial movement.
As noted above, it is necessary that the interior of a bottle 12 and any associated apparatus be accessible for routine maintenance or replacement. With the disclosed embodiments, the entire quick release adapter 69, collar 182, and bottle 12 assembly (along with any ancillary structures within the bottle 12 or attached to the quick release adapter 69) may be removed from the system 10 by simply rotating the upper portion of the quick release adapter 69 out of engagement with the bottle mounting bracket. As shown in
Specifically, disengagement of the quick release adapter 69 from the collar 182 may be accomplished by pressing the pushbuttons 216 inward against the resistance provided by the flexible arm 214 of the pushbutton connector 210. This process is best illustrated in
The embodiment illustrated in the figures includes two opposing pushbutton connectors 210 descending from the quick release adapter 69. The opposing pushbutton connectors 210 correspond to two opposing openings 212 defined in the collar 182. This configuration is not limiting. This configuration is, however, particularly easy to use since dental office personnel can support the bottle 12 with one hand, while simultaneously depressing the two opposing pushbuttons 216 with a finger and thumb of the other hand. It is important to note that both the removal and installation of a quick release adapter 69 from a bottle 12 and collar 182 assembly can be completed without rotating the bottle 12 and without the use of tools.
As shown in
The apparatus described above provides for ready and tool-free access to structures such as water uptake tubes or filters which in use are positioned within the bottle. For example, as shown in
The hose barb 226 may be molded or co-formed as an integral part of the of the quick release adapter 69. Alternatively, enhanced durability may be provided by utilizing a separate metal hose barb 226 which is permanently bonded to the typically plastic quick release adapter 69. In addition, any separate metal hose barb 226 may be extended through the quick release adapter 69 to include an attachment point at the upper end for connection to a water line extending through the bottle mounting bracket 56. In each of these embodiments, the hose barb 226 is the entry point of a water channel extending through the quick release adapter 69.
As noted above, any style of hose barb 226 may be connected to a simple water uptake tube or connected to a treatment assembly 86 with a flexible connector 228. The treatment assembly 86 may be a tube or filter element which provides for the mechanical filtration or chemical treatment of water in the bottle 12. Biological contaminants will tend to foul any water uptake tube or treatment assembly 86 over time. Thus, these elements must be removed periodically for servicing. In embodiments featuring a hose barb 226 and flexible connector 228 the treatment assembly 86 or water uptake tube may be separated from the quick release adapter 69 by physically forcing the flexible connector 228 off the hose barb 226, or by cutting the flexible connector 228. As shown in
For example, the hose barb 226 extending from the quick release adapter 69 is, in the
As illustrated in
In addition to the above-described structures which enhance the ease of servicing a dental water supply system 10, the system 10 may include various O-rings, gaskets, seals, or internal channels necessary to transport water from the interior of the bottle to a dental appliance or tool. These ancillary structures include but are not limited to one or more water and/or air channels through the body of the quick release adapter 69, an O-ring 240 sealing the interface between the quick release adapter 69 and bottle mounting bracket 56 and a similar but appropriately sized O-ring 242 to seal the interface between the quick release adapter 69 and the collar 182 or central column 194. As noted above, O-ring 196 may seal the interface between the bottle flange 188 and a lower surface of the quick release adapter 69. Additional seals, gaskets, O-rings, openings, connectors, or channels may be provided as necessary.
In summary, the various embodiments disclosed herein permit dental office personnel to remove from a bottle mounting bracket 56, as one connected assembly, a bottle 12, collar 182 or replacement collar 182, quick release adapter 69, and all internal apparatus. Removal of the assembly may be accomplished without the use of tools. The bottle 12, collar 182, quick release adapter 69 assembly can be conveniently refilled with water without disassembling these parts. In addition, the quick release adapter 69 may be removed from the bottle and collar assembly 12, 182 without the use of tools. This provides dental office personnel with convenient access to any water uptake tube, treatment assembly 86, other filter, or other internal element for maintenance operations. Certain embodiments include treatment assemblies 86 or water uptake tubes which may be easily removed or replaced by disengaging these elements from the quick release adapter 69 at a cylindrical adapter 126 which does not require the use of tools. Reassembly of all described elements and remounting to a bottle mounting bracket may also be accomplished easily and without the use of tools.
2. Adapters for Mounting Brackets with a Threaded Socket
Many dental water supply systems 10 are originally supplied with a supply bottle having a relatively narrow neck and conventional, male threads at the top of the neck. These systems 10 include a threaded socket within, or associated with, the dental operatory chair, dental workstation, or another location. In use, the conventional bottle is threaded into the female socket after being filled with water. Within the female socket, a conventional system will have at least two openings, with the first opening being from a conduit connecting the female socket to an air supply, and the second opening being into a separate channel providing water to downstream dental tools.
In a conventional system, the second opening typically includes a hose barb or similar connector which can be connected to a simple uptake tube or straw which extends within the bottle toward the bottom. In use, pressurized air is supplied through the first opening, which forces water up through the uptake tube, through the second opening, and to downstream equipment.
In many dental water supply systems, the female socket, and corresponding threaded opening on a mating water bottle have a relatively narrow axial diameter. Thus, it is difficult or impossible with these systems to include any sort of treatment assembly 86 within a conventional bottle that has an axial diameter greater than the bottle neck opening. In addition, threaded bottles are not easily removed from threaded sockets. Certain embodiments described below feature adapters which permit the enhanced bottles 12 and treatment assemblies 86 described herein, or similar structures, to be used with dental water supplies 10 having a conventional threaded female socket.
For example, the assembly of
As noted above, the female socket assembly 250 will include at least an air outlet 252, and a water inlet 254. The water inlet 254 is typically connected through a hose barb to an uptake tube or other relatively thin water uptake straw extending into the conventional bottle. The threaded adapters 246 disclosed herein provide various structures and internal channels to provide a fluid pathway between the air outlet 252 and the interior of an enhanced bottle 12 and to provide a sealed fluid pathway between the water inlet 254 and any treatment assembly 86 a user desires to position within the bottle 12.
As shown in
After the threaded adapter 246a is fully seated, the opposite end of the flexible tube may then be connected to an adapter hose barb 262 generally extending downward from the underside of the threaded adapter 246a. The adapter hose barb 262 is the exit of a sealed fluid pathway 264 formed within the body 261 of the threaded adapter 246a, and beginning at adapter water inlet 266, also extending downward from the underside of the threaded adapter 246a. As detailed below, the adapter water inlet 266 is configured to engage with mating structures on the upper bottle portion 12a of a bottle 12. In the threaded adapter 246a embodiment, the internal passageway 260 also provides a channel for air to flow from the air outlet 252 through the threaded adapter 246a and into any bottle 12 attached to the threaded adapter 246a as described below.
An alternative apparatus for providing suitable air and water pathways through an adapter 246 is shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the illustrated threaded adapters 246a and 246b include structure to securely mount a bottle 12 to the threaded adapter 246. Specifically, the illustrated embodiments include downward facing arms 278 extending from the adapter body 261. The arms 278 included attachment fingers 280 at or near the end of each arm 278 away from the adapter body 261. In use, the fingers 280 engage with a slotted attachment structure 282. As shown in
Returning to the embodiment of
The bottle mounting process is complete when each finger 280 is engaged with a corresponding seating region 288 of the slotted attachment structure 282 away from an entrance 290 to the slotted attachment structure 282. The bottle 12 may be removed by reversing the above process while releasing air as described above using the air release channels 289, 291 or another method. While the dental water system 10 is under pressure, each finger is held firmly within the corresponding seating region 288, limiting or preventing inadvertent bottle removal.
The upper bottle opening 284, the lower cylinder 286, or both can include gaskets, O rings, mating surfaces, or similar structures to provide a watertight seal between the upper bottle portion 12a and the lower cylinder 286 of the threaded adapter 246a. In addition, a water channel from the bottle 12 to the adapter water inlet socket 266 must be provided. In the embodiment of
Opposite the upper water channel extension 290 on the threaded adapter 246a is a lower mounting stud 294 positioned to extend into the upper opening 284 of the bottle 12. The lower mounting stud 294 can have any configuration disclosed herein, or similar configurations, suitable for mounting a selected treatment assembly 86 to the underside of the upper bottle portion 12a. For example, as illustrated in
Certain bottles, for example the bottle 12 of
For example, the quick release bottle adapter 69 shown in
As shown in
It is important to note that the flexible arm 298 of a pushbutton connector 296 may be fabricated from a material that is inherently flexible. Alternatively, the flexible arm 298 may have hinges, springs, flexible portions, or other structure permitting a pushbutton connector 296 to operate as described herein. Also, in certain embodiments, the button opening 302 may define or include grooves, edges, ledges, undercuts, bevels, or other shaped surfaces configured to lock the pushbutton 300 and button opening 302 together under the downward force provided by the weight of the filled bottle 12. In addition, the assembly of
The quick release bottle adapter 69 includes internal fluid pathways for air and water extending from the underside of the quick release bottle adapter 69 to the underside of the threaded adapter 246b. In particular, the quick release bottle adapter includes a downward facing lower mounting stud 294 configured to receive a selected treatment assembly 86. A corresponding upper water channel extension 292 extends from the upper face of the quick release bottle adapter 69 and is received in a mating adapter water inlet socket 266 when a bottle 12 and adapter 69 assembly is engaged with a threaded adapter 246b. As best shown in
As illustrated in
Having described certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Hence, while various embodiments are described with—or without—certain features for ease of description and to illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the various components and/or features described herein with respect to a particular embodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among other described embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise. Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are described above, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63318089 | Mar 2022 | US | |
63318093 | Mar 2022 | US |