WO2013061251A1

WO2013061251A1 - Torroidal vortex fluid flow from a nozzle appliance for removing plaque from teeth

Info

Publication number: WO2013061251A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/055831
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yu-Wen Chang; John Theodore FERRIER
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2011-10-24
Filing date: 2012-10-23
Publication date: 2013-05-02

Abstract

The appliance includes a system (18, 20, 22, 24) for producing a spray of liquid effective in cleaning biofilm from teeth, including a nozzle assembly (14) with an opening (38) through which the spray exits at a distal end thereof. An obstruction member (40) is positioned within the nozzle opening, configured in size relative to the area of the nozzle opening to produce a torroidal vortex movement of liquid (48, 50) as the liquid exits from the nozzle opening.

Description

TORROIDAL VORTEX FLUID FLOW FROM A NOZZLE APPLIANCE FOR REMOVING PLAQUE FROM TEETH

This invention relates generally to spray nozzle type appliances designed to remove plaque from teeth, and more specifically concerns a nozzle for such an appliance arranged to create a torroidal vortex fluid (liquid) flow downstream of the nozzle exit.

It is well known that the presence of oral bio film on teeth must be minimized to maintain good oral health. This is particularly true relative to the oral biofilm in areas where conventional toothbrush bristles ordinarily cannot reach, including along and below the gum line, and between the teeth, referred to as interproximal spaces. Various means have been used to address the issue of oral biofilm in these spaces, including flossing devices and special bristle configurations. One additional possibility is the use of a liquid spray, which can be continuous or intermittent. However, a spray typically produces insufficient force to remove biofilm in the areas of concern; further, the volume of water used, particularly with a continuous stream, becomes uncomfortable for the user in normal course of use.

Accordingly, it would be desirable that a spray nozzle appliance have the capability of effectively removing biofilm especially along the gum line and in the interproximal areas, with a comfortable volume of fluid in the mouth at any one time.

Accordingly, an appliance for removing biofilm plaque from teeth is disclosed herein, comprising: a system for producing a spray liquid, continuous or intermittent, including a nozzle assembly having a spray tip with an exit opening from which the spray of liquid exits; and an obstruction member positioned within the spray tip, configured in size relative to the nozzle opening so as to produce a torroidal vortex movement of liquid as the liquid exits from the nozzle.

Figure 1 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of a spray appliance for cleaning teeth.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of a nozzle portion of the appliance of Figure

1.

Figure 3 is a front view of the distal end of the nozzle of Figure 2 showing the present invention.

Figure 4 is a side view of the nozzle of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the downstream flow of fluid from the nozzle of Figure 3.

Figures 7 and 7A and 8 and 8A are top and side views of alternative embodiments.

Figure 1 is a simplified view of a plaque-removing appliance which uses intermittent bursts of fluid (i.e. liquid) to clean plaque from teeth, particularly for use in the hard-to-reach places and to effectively clean those particular areas of the teeth, namely, along the gum line and the interproximal spaces. The appliance, shown generally at 10, includes a handle portion 12 and an extended nozzle portion 14, with a spray tip assembly 16. Positioned in handle 12 is a liquid reservoir 18, an air plunger/pump member 20, and conventional mechanical components 22 and electrical components 24 for the appliance. The liquid and air mix together at 27 before the nozzle. Typically, the electrical components will include a control microprocessor and a rechargeable battery. The device is operated by user- operated mechanical switches, including an on/off switch 23 and an actuation button 25, which activates the pump 20, producing individual bursts of liquid through the nozzle and out the spray tip assembly 16.

The appliance can take several different configurations. One particular nozzle configuration is shown in Figure 2. Nozzle 30 in Figure 2 shows more clearly an extended neck region 32, a connecting portion 33 with the handle and a spray tip assembly 34, which extends outwardly from the distal end 35 of the nozzle. In the present arrangement, an obstruction element 40 is positioned in the spray tip assembly 34, as shown in Figure 3. The obstruction element may take various forms, but in Figure 3 is shown as a pin 40 which extends across opening 38 in the vicinity of the distal end of the spray tip. Obstruction 40 produces a specific effect on the flow of the liquid downstream from the spray tip 34. In particular, the obstacle creates a torroidal vortex liquid flow effect. This torroidal vortex flow at the nozzle exit is shown in Figure 6. Figure 6 shows the inlet fluid flow in the nozzle prior to the pin, the pin element 40 in the spray tip, and resulting torroidal vortices 48 and 50. The individual vortices typically abut each other and the downstream pin surface, as shown in Figure 6.

The torroidal vortex flow results in a larger resulting force on the teeth than that produced by a continuous or intermittent spray, while using only an acceptable volume of liquid. The spinning fluid (vortex flow), as shown in Figure 6, produces an improved removal effect on the biofilm, particularly in the interproximal and gum line areas. The vortex flow spray is also capable of cleaning other dental surfaces, as well as dental braces. An intermittent spray is desirable because it reduces the amount of water used; a continuous stream of liquid can, however, also be used.

In the embodiment shown, the opening 38 at the distal end of the spray tip is approximately 1.2 mm. The pin has a diameter of 0.4-0.5 mm, such that the tip opening area covered/blocked by the pin is approximately one-third of the opening. Generally the range of opening blocked will be 20%-80%. The obstruction element 40 can be rigid or somewhat flexible. However, the element 40 must be sufficiently rigid so as to produce the torroidal vortex-type flow. The velocity and flow of fluid in the nozzle leading to the obstruction element is sufficient to produce the torroidal vortex effect. In one arrangement, the exit velocity of the fluid flow and the inlet flow velocity is approximately 30 meters per second. However, a range of flow velocity , e.g. 5 m/s-80 m/s is possible. Also, the flow volume is important; in one embodiment, it is 1.5 ml per shot (intermittent) of fluid. Fluid pressure is also important. In the embodiment shown, the pressure is typically within the range of 25-85 psi. In some cases, 35 psi is preferred. The fluid itself can vary; it can, for instance be, water or other fluid, including mouthwash or a dentifrice.

The obstruction element of Figures 3-5 is a cylindrical pin 40. However, other obstruction element configurations can be used. Figures 7 and 7A shows front and side views of a cross arrangement 54, comprising two elongated members which cross each other at 90°, across opening 56 of the spray tip. In Figures 8 and 8 A, the obstruction element is in the form of a narrow plate 58, approximately 0.5 mm, with a plurality of openings 60 therein. Both of these arrangements provide the kind of obstruction in the spray tip opening necessary to produce the desired torroidal vortex flow at the exit.

The surfaces of the obstructive elements can be modified/roughened to increase the disruption of the nozzle flow, producing an increased effect in the torroidal vortex outlet flow. As indicated above, the flow velocity and volume through the nozzle, prior to the spray tip and the obstruction element must be sufficient to produce the torroidal vortex flow. The flow arrangement improves the cleaning of biofilm from the teeth, and is particularly advantageous for the interproximal and gum line areas.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims as follow.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An appliance for removing bio film plaque from teeth, comprising:

a system (18, 20, 22, 24) for producing a spray liquid, continuous or intermittent, including a nozzle assembly (14) having a spray tip (34) with an exit opening (38) from which the spray of liquid exits; and

an obstruction member (40) positioned within the spray tip, configured in size relative to the nozzle opening so as to produce a torroidal vortex movement of liquid (48, 50) as the liquid exits from the nozzle.

2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the torroidal vortex movement of liquid is continuous.

3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the torroidal vortex movement of liquid is intermittent.

4. The appliance of claim 3, including a user-controlled system (25) for timing of bursts of liquid comprising the torroidal vortex movement of the liquid.

5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element is a pin which extends across the exit opening.

6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element blocks approximately 20%-80% of the area of the exit opening.

7. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the obstruction element blocks approximately one-third of the area of the exit opening.

8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the obstruction comprises multiple separate obstruction elements.

9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element is in the form of a cross (54).

10. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the obstruction element is in the form of an obstruction plate (60) having a plurality of openings (58) therethrough, the openings being arranged and of a size so as to produce a torroidal vortex flow downstream of the obstruction plate.