Electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus

US6050818A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The Braun Corporation · DE

Inventors

• Bernhard Boland · Frankfurt, DE
• Werner Haczek · Idstein, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 4, 1996
• Grant date: Apr 18, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 4, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61C17/26
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrically powered dental cleansing apparatus in which a cleansing implement is coupled to a drive sleeve and adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. The coupling is effected by a resilient member, in particular a spring which includes a slip coupling and/or a buffer zone. Under normal conditions, the slip coupling provides a non-rotative connection between the drive sleeve and the cleansing implement. However, in the event of the cleansing implement seizing in an interproximal space, for example, the slip coupling will slip, thus avoiding potential damage. The buffer zone acts to prevent displacement of the cleansing implement--although intended by the user--in cases where, for example, the cleansing implement is positioned against a tooth surface rather than against an interproximal space.