US3847662A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for sonic cleaning of human teeth
Assignee: MASSA DONALD P COHASSET
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Filing: 1972-06-28
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1992-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A sonic transducer is held inside the mouth, gripped by human teeth, and sealed by human lips. A cup containing a cleaning fluid is connected via a hollow tube into the interior of the mouth. The level of the cleaning fluid rises to a predetermined level inside the mouth, which level is controlled by the position of an overflow tube associated with the transducer. The transducer energizes the fluid inside the mouth with sonic energy to clean the teeth.
Inventors
- 👤 F Massa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61C; A61C17/00; A61C17/16; A61C17/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
AN APPARATUS FOR SONICALLY CLEANING NATURAL HUMAN TEETH COMPRISING AN ELECTROCOUSTIC TRANSDUCER MEANS SHAPED AND DIMENSIONED TO FIT INSIDE THE MOUTH CAVITY BEHIND THE TEETH AND BE SEALED THEREIN BY THE LIPS SUPPORT MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TRANSDUCER MEANS AND SHAPED TO BE HELD CLAMPED BETWEEN THE FRONT TEETH WHILE SAID TRANSDUCER IS SEALED INSIDE THE MOUTH CAVITY BY THE LIPS LIQUID CONVEYOR MEANS ATTACHED
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
AN APPARATUS FOR SONICALLY CLEANING NATURAL HUMAN TEETH COMPRISING AN ELECTROCOUSTIC TRANSDUCER MEANS SHAPED AND DIMENSIONED TO FIT INSIDE THE MOUTH CAVITY BEHIND THE TEETH AND BE SEALED THEREIN BY THE LIPS SUPPORT MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TRANSDUCER MEANS AND SHAPED TO BE HELD CLAMPED BETWEEN THE FRONT TEETH WHILE SAID TRANSDUCER IS SEALED INSIDE THE MOUTH CAVITY BY THE LIPS LIQUID CONVEYOR MEANS ATTACHED
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in claim 1 and support means associated with said transducer means to be held clamped between the teeth while said transducer is placed inside the mouth.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
using lips to seal the mouth cavity into a container for holding the transducer;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
using lips to seal the mouth cavity into a container for holding the transducer;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
filling the sealed mouth cavity to a predetermined level with a sound conducting liquid which is fed into the mouth cavity through an opening contained within the portion of the transducer which is held between the pressed lips while the face is pointing downwardly; and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
filling the sealed mouth cavity to a predetermined level with a sound conducting liquid which is fed into the mouth cavity through an opening contained within the portion of the transducer which is held between the pressed lips while the face is pointing downwardly; and
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention in claim 2 wherein said liquid conveying means is associated with said transducer support means to enable said liquid to flow from an external source into the mouth cavity, after said transducer support means is clamped by said teeth.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in claim 3 and liquid overflow means associated with said transducer support means for establishing a predetermined level of said liquid in the mouth cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
applying energy means for driving said transducer to generate sonic energy in said sound conducting liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
applying energy means for driving said transducer to generate sonic energy in said sound conducting liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention in claim 1 wherein said transducer includes a polarized ceramic tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention in claim 1 wherein said transducer includes at least one polarized ceramic disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in claim 6 wherein said transducer driving means comprises means for supplying alternating current of a frequency corresponding approximately to the planar resonant frequency of the ceramic disc.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in claim 6 wherein a portion of the peripheral edge of said ceramic disc is covered with a low acoustic impedance pressure release material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention in claim 6 wherein the portion of the peripheral edge of said ceramic disc occupying a projection of the throat and nasal area is covered with a low acoustic impedance pressure release material.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for sonically cleaning human teeth comprising a waterproof electroacoustic transducer means shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the mouth cavity behind the teeth and sealed thereto by the lips, support means associated with said transducer means and shaped to be held clamped between the front teeth while said transducer is sealed inside the mouth cavity by the lips, liquid conveyor means attached to said support means to enable passage of a liquid into the entirety of the mouth cavity with the face pointing downwardly, said liquid being conveyed into the mouth cavity through said support means, overflow means attached to said support means for controlling the level of the liquid in the mouth cavity, and means for driving said electroacoustic transducer to generate sonic energy within the liquid inside said mouth cavity.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for sonically cleaning human teeth comprising a waterproof electroacoustic transducer means shaped and dimensioned to fit inside the mouth cavity behind the teeth and sealed thereto by the lips, support means associated with said transducer means and shaped to be held clamped between the front teeth while said transducer is sealed inside the mouth cavity by the lips, liquid conveyor means attached to said support means to enable passage of a liquid into the entirety of the mouth cavity with the face pointing downwardly, said liquid being conveyed into the mouth cavity through said support means, overflow means attached to said support means for controlling the level of the liquid in the mouth cavity, and means for driving said electroacoustic transducer to generate sonic energy within the liquid inside said mouth cavity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention in claim 10 wherein said transducer means includes a cylindrical tube of polarized ceramic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention in claim 10 and means comprising a liquid storage container attached to said liquid conveyor means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in claim 10 wherein said transducer means includes a polarized ceramic disc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in claim 10 wherein said transducer driving means comprises means for supplying alternating current of a frequency corresponding approximately to the planar resonant frequency of the ceramic disc.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention in claim 13 and a pressure release means blocking transmission of sonic energy from said Disc toward the user''s throat.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
12 words
A method for sonically cleaning natural human teeth including the following steps:
Claim 25
Independent Claim
12 words
A method for sonically cleaning natural human teeth including the following steps:
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |