阅读说明：本技术 自动暂停控制重置机构 (Automatic pause control reset mechanism ) 是由 E·奥尔布赖特 高岩 R·R·约翰逊 J·格罗夫斯 于 2020-04-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及用于自动重置口腔冲洗器上的暂停控制的系统和方法。该方法使用弹性设备,该弹性设备在口腔冲洗器接通或暂停控制功能关断时存储势能。然后,当口腔冲洗器关断或放置在其立件上时,存储的势能被释放并将暂停控制功能开启。暂停控制组件包括被耦合到阀门的滑动件,其中滑动件具有第一凸出部；与滑动件的第一凸出部接触的返回部；以及止动件,在关闭位置阻止返回部移动。自动暂停控制重置还可以包括压力板和压力室,它们响应流体压力的变化以允许暂停控制阀的打开。(The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically resetting pause controls on an oral irrigator. The method uses a resilient device that stores potential energy when the oral irrigator is turned on or the pause control function is turned off. Then, when the oral irrigator is turned off or placed on its stand, the stored potential energy is released and the pause control function is turned on. The pause control assembly comprises a slider coupled to the valve, wherein the slider has a first projection; a return portion that contacts the first projection of the slider; and a stopper that prevents the return portion from moving in the closed position. The automatic pause control reset may also include a pressure plate and a pressure chamber that respond to changes in fluid pressure to allow for pausing of the opening of the control valve.)

1. A method of resetting a pause control mechanism of an oral irrigator, the method (10) comprising:

providing (20) the oral irrigator, which includes a handle having a bistable pause control element;

placing (30) the oral irrigator in an activated state to allow fluid to flow through a fluid passage of the handle of the oral irrigator;

operating (40) a valve via the bistable pause control element to allow fluid flow through a valve of the handle of the oral irrigator;

compressing (50) the elastic device from a first position to a second position;

locking (60) the elastic device in the second position via a locking mechanism;

releasing (70) the locking mechanism by placing the oral irrigator on a stand or switching the oral irrigator to an off state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: upon release of the locking mechanism, expanding the resilient device (220, 232) from the second position to the first position and setting the pause control element to inhibit fluid flow.

3. An oral irrigator system (100) comprising an oral irrigator (104), the oral irrigator (104) comprising a housing (112) having a cavity (116) disposed therein, the cavity comprising a pause control assembly (120), the pause control assembly (120) comprising:

a valve (140);

a slider (152) coupled to the valve, wherein the slider is configured to move between a first position (156) and a second position (160), the slider further comprising a first protrusion (164);

a return portion (168), the return portion (168) comprising:

a first portion (172) extending along a first direction, the first portion including a first end (176) and a second end (180), wherein the first end is in contact with the first projection of the slider; and

a second portion (184) extending along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the second portion having a third end (188) and a fourth end (192), wherein the second portion further comprises a through-hole (196), the through-hole (196) arranged to receive a valve body;

wherein the second end of the first portion and the third end of the second portion are interconnected to each other;

a stop (208) having an open position (212) and a closed position (216), wherein the stop (208) is arranged to prevent movement of the return portion (168) in a third direction opposite the first direction.

4. The oral irrigator handle of claim 3, wherein the pause control assembly is configured such that the first position of the slider (152) corresponds to a closed state of the valve (140) and a second position (160) of the slider corresponds to an open state of the valve, wherein the return (168) is moved from a first position (200) to a second position (204) when the slider is moved from the first position to the second position, and the stop (208) is arranged to engage and secure a fourth end (192) of the return when the return is moved to the second position.

5. A flusher handle according to claim 3, wherein the pause control assembly further comprises a resilient device (220), the resilient device (220) being arranged to bias the return portion (168) in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

6. The flusher handle of claim 3, wherein the pause control assembly further comprises a hinge, the hinge comprising:

a first hinge member (228) disposed on the valve body (128); and

a second hinge member (232) disposed on the stop (208);

wherein the hinge is configured to allow the stopper to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.

7. The oral irrigator handle of claim 6, wherein the stopper (208) further comprises a first portion (236) and a second portion (240), the first portion (236) extending from the second hinge member (232) in the first direction, the second portion (240) extending from the second hinge member in the third direction.

8. The oral irrigator handle of claim 7, further comprising a valve body (128) having a second biasing element (244) arranged to bias the first portion (236) of the stopper in the second direction; and

wherein when the return portion (168) is in the second position (204), the stop is arranged to rotate about a hinge (224) in the first rotational direction and to engage and secure the fourth end (192) of the return portion in a locked state; and

wherein the first portion of the stop member (208) further comprises a catch (248) and a ledge (252), the catch (248) projecting in the first direction, the ledge (252) projecting in the second direction, wherein when the stop member (216) is in the second position (216), the return is in the locked state, the ledge is arranged to apply a force in the first direction and the catch is arranged to apply a force in the second direction.

9. The oral irrigator handle of claim 3, further comprising a riser (264), the riser (264) being arranged to receive the oral irrigator handle and being arranged to engage the stopper (208).

10. The oral irrigator handle of claim 9, wherein the riser (264) includes a magnet (268), the magnet (268) arranged to bias the second portion of the stopper (240); alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

the upright comprises a mechanical lug (272), the mechanical lug (272) being arranged to engage with the second portion of the stop.

11. An oral irrigator system (100), the oral irrigator system (100) having an oral irrigator (104) with a handle (300) that includes a housing (304) having a cavity (306) disposed therein, the cavity comprising:

a fluid channel (308), wherein when the oral irrigator is in an activated state, a fluid flow (312) moves in a first direction substantially parallel to a first axis (316);

a valve (320) arranged to inhibit and allow the flow of fluid through the fluid passage when the valve is in a closed state and an open state, respectively;

a pressure plate (324) arranged to move in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction or a third direction opposite the second direction when pressure in the fluid passage increases due to the fluid flow;

an elastic device (232) arranged to compress along the second direction or the third direction;

a gated path component (336) having a body (340) comprising:

a first channel (344) disposed within the body and extending along the second or third direction, the first channel having a first end (348) and a second end (352);

a second channel (356) disposed within the body extending along the first direction and at a first angle (382) relative to the first axis (316), the second channel (356) having a third end (360) and a fourth end (364);

wherein the second end (362) of the first channel (344) and the third end (360) of the second channel (356) are integrally connected to each other.

12. The oral irrigator system of claim 11, wherein the handle further comprises:

a slider (368) arranged to move from a first position (400) to a second position (404), wherein the first and second positions correspond to the closed and open states of the valve (320), respectively;

a guide pin (372) disposed within the cavity (306) of the oral irrigator handle, the guide pin disposed to move within the first and second channels (344, 356) of the gating path component;

a tab (376) fixedly secured to the slide, the tab including a third channel (380) extending along the second or third direction and arranged to slidingly engage the guide pin;

wherein the fluid flow (312) in the fluid channel (308) creates a first force on the pressure plate in the second direction or the third direction, transitioning the oral irrigator to an unlocked state.

13. The oral irrigator system of claim 12, wherein in the unlocked state, the slider (368) is arranged to move from the first position (400) to the second position (404), the slider arranged to move the guide pin (372) along the second channel (356) of the gated path component, wherein a transition of the slider from the first position to the second position corresponds to a transition of the valve (320) from the closed state to the open state.

14. The oral irrigator system of claim 12, wherein when the oral irrigator (104) is in a disconnected state, the slider (368) is arranged to move from the second position (404) to the first position (400) and the slider (368) is arranged to move the guide pin (372) along the second channel (356) of the gated path component (336), wherein a transition of the slider (368) from the second position (404) to the first position (400) corresponds to a transition of the valve (320) from the open state to the closed state.

15. The oral irrigator system of claim 12, wherein in the disconnected state, the guide pin (372) is further arranged to move within the first channel (344) of the gated path component (336) from the second end (352) to the first end (348), transitioning into a locked state.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an automatic pause controlled reset mechanism, and in particular to use in a flusher.

Background

Some personal care appliances, such as oral irrigators, include a pause mechanism that allows a user to temporarily stop use of the personal care appliance when the personal care appliance is turned on. Typically, the controller allows the user to start or stop the appliance using a button, slider, or some other control mechanism designed to be operated by the same hand that holds the personal care appliance or its handle.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to automatically resetting a pause control valve in a pause control mechanism located on a personal care appliance, such as an oral irrigator. When the appliance is turned off or returned to its handle, the pause control is reset to a pause state, which prevents operation of the appliance until the user turns off the pause control when the user is ready to use the appliance and is holding the handle of the appliance.

In general, in one aspect, a method of resetting a pause control mechanism of an oral irrigator is provided. The method comprises the following steps: providing an oral irrigator comprising a handle having a bistable pause control element; placing the oral irrigator in an activated state to allow fluid to flow through the fluid passage of the oral irrigator handle; operating the valve via the bistable pause control element to allow fluid flow through the valve of the oral irrigator handle; compressing the resilient device from a first position to a second position; locking the resilient device in the second position by a locking mechanism; the locking mechanism is released by placing the handle of the oral irrigator on the upright or by switching the oral irrigator to the off state.

In one aspect, the method further comprises the steps of: the resilient device is expanded from the second position to the first position after releasing the locking mechanism and a pause control element is provided to inhibit fluid flow.

In general, in one aspect, an oral irrigator system is provided that includes an oral irrigator handle that includes a housing having a cavity disposed therein. The cavity includes a pause control assembly, the pause control assembly including: a valve; a slider coupled to the valve, wherein the slider is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the slider further comprising a first projection; a return section; and a stopper. The return section includes: a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first portion having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is in contact with the first projection of the slider; the second portion having a third end and a fourth end, wherein the second portion further comprises a through hole arranged to receive the valve body; wherein the second end of the first portion and the third end of the second portion are connected to each other. The stop has an open position and a closed position, wherein the stop is arranged to prevent movement of the return in a third direction opposite to the first direction.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly is configured such that the first position of the slider corresponds to a closed state of the valve and the second position of the slider corresponds to an open state of the valve, wherein when the slider is moved from the first position to the second position, the return is moved from the first position to the second position, and when the return is moved to the second position, the stop is arranged to engage and secure the fourth end of the return.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly further comprises a resilient device arranged to bias the return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the pause control assembly further comprises a hinge, wherein the hinge is configured to allow the stop to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. The hinge includes a first hinge member disposed on the valve body and a second hinge member disposed on the stop.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the stop further comprises a first portion extending from the second hinge member in the first direction and a second portion extending from the second hinge member in the third direction.

In one aspect, the system further includes a valve body having a second biasing element arranged to bias the first portion of the stop in the second direction. When the return portion is in the second position, the stop is arranged to rotate about the hinge in the first rotational direction and to engage and secure the fourth end of the return portion in the locked state. The first part of the stop member further comprises a finger grip protruding in the first direction and a ledge protruding in the second direction, wherein the ledge is arranged to exert a force in the first direction and the finger grip is arranged to exert a force in the second direction when the return portion is in the locked state when the stop member is in the second position.

In one aspect, the system further comprises a riser arranged to receive the oral irrigator handle and arranged to engage the stopper.

In one aspect, the upright comprises a magnet arranged to bias the second portion of the stop member, or the upright comprises a mechanical tab arranged to engage the second portion of the stop member.

In general, in one aspect, an oral irrigator system is provided having an oral irrigator with a handle that includes a housing having a cavity disposed therein. The cavity includes: a fluid channel, wherein when the oral irrigator is in an activated state, fluid flow moves in a first direction substantially parallel to the first axis; a valve arranged to inhibit and allow fluid flow through the fluid passage when in a closed state and an open state, respectively; a pressure plate arranged to move in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction or a third direction opposite to the second direction when a pressure in the fluid passage increases due to a fluid flow; a resilient device arranged to compress in the second or third direction; and a gated path component. The gated path component has a body comprising: a first channel disposed in the body and extending in the second or third direction, the first channel having a first end and a second end; a second channel disposed in the body in the first direction and extending at a first angle relative to the first axis, the second channel having a third end and a fourth end; wherein the second end of the first channel and the third end of the second channel are integrally connected with each other.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that the handle further comprises: a slider arranged to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the first and second positions correspond to a closed state and an open state of the valve, respectively; a guide pin disposed in a cavity of the oral irrigator handle, the guide pin being arranged to move in first and second channels of the gated path component; a tab fixedly secured to the slide, the tab including a third channel extending in the second or third direction and arranged to slidingly engage the guide pin; wherein fluid flow in the fluid passage produces a first force on the pressure plate in the second direction or the third direction to transition the oral irrigator to the unlocked state.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that in the unlocked state, the slide is arranged to move from the first position to the second position and the slide is arranged to move the guide pin along the second channel of the gated path component, wherein a transition of the slide from the first position to the second position corresponds to a transition of the valve from the closed state to the open state.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that when the oral irrigator is in the disconnected state, the slide is arranged to move from the second position to the first position and the slide is arranged to move the guide pin along the second channel of the gated path component, wherein a transition of the slide from the second position to the first position corresponds to a transition of the valve from the open state to the closed state.

In one aspect, the system is further configured such that in the disconnected state, the guide pin is further arranged to move in the first channel of the gated path component from the second end to the first end to transition to the locked state.

These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Drawings

In the drawings, like reference numerals generally refer to like parts throughout the different views. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of various embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing steps for implementing an automatic pause control reset mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an illustration of an oral irrigator system according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is an assembled view of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the interior of a valve assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is an illustration of a return according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is an illustration of a stop according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is an illustration of a grip and ledge of a stop according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a pause control assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 and 11 are schematic views of a stopper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 and 13 are schematic views of oral irrigator stands according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14, 15, 16 and 17 are schematic diagrams illustrating how the components of the pause control assembly work together.

Fig. 18, 19 and 20 are schematic views of a fluid pressure resettable pause control mechanism.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates to a mechanism that automatically resets the oral irrigator to a pause state when the oral irrigator is turned off or returned to its handle. A pause control button or other user contact on the oral irrigator handle will be used to resume fluid flow through the oral irrigator nozzle when the oral irrigator is in a pause state. If the oral irrigator is not in a pause state when it was previously turned off, for example if it needs to add more water to its reservoir, when the oral irrigator is turned on or removed from the handle, liquid may accidentally flow out of the nozzle, possibly spraying water on walls, mirrors, floor, etc. By automatically resetting the oral irrigator to a pause state, the user will have more control over the operation of the appliance when the user wants to resume use of the oral irrigator and turn the power on or remove the appliance from its handle. For example, the user may release the pause control when the oral irrigator handle is brought close to the mouth.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically resetting pause controls on an oral irrigator. The method uses a resilient device that stores potential energy when the oral irrigator is turned on or the pause control function is turned off. Then, when the oral irrigator is closed or placed on its stand, the stored potential energy is released and the pause control function is turned on. A system for automatically resetting pause control has a pause control assembly that may include: a slider coupled to the valve, wherein the slider has a first protrusion; a return portion that contacts the first projection of the slider; and a stopper that prevents the return portion from moving in the closed position. The system for automatic reset pause control may further include a pressure plate and a pressure chamber that are responsive to changes in fluid pressure to allow for the opening of the pause control valve.

Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 10 of resetting a pause control mechanism of an oral irrigator 104. At step 20, an oral irrigator 104 (such as shown in FIG. 2) having a bi-stable pause control element is provided. A bi-stable pause control element is a pause control that can remain in an on or off state indefinitely without continuous user input. For example, a non-bistable pause control would require the user to hold the pause control to keep the system in a pause state, thereby resuming normal operation when the user releases the control. The bistable pause control element may include any mechanism that prevents or allows fluid flow through the fluid path, including the use of valves and slides or user contacts that allow fluid flow to remain inhibited or flow until a user input is provided that changes the state of the pause control element. This includes a mechanism to prevent and allow fluid flow through the valve to the oral irrigator nozzle shown in figures 2 to 20. At step 30, the oral irrigator 104 is turned on. The oral irrigator includes means for generating a pressurized flow, for example, using a pump and motor. The oral irrigator pump provides fluid that flows through the fluid passage of the oral irrigator handle, for example, as shown in fig. 2-20. At step 40, the pause control mechanism is turned off, meaning that the pause control mechanism does not inhibit fluid flow. For example, the pause control valve is opened to allow fluid to flow through the fluid passage of the oral irrigator handle and through the valve to the nozzle, as shown in fig. 2-20.

At step 50, a resilient device that can store potential energy as part of an oral irrigator system is compressed. For example, the resilient device may be compressed due to fluid pressure in the fluid channel of the oral irrigator, as shown in fig. 18-20. The resilient device may also be compressed due to movement of other components of the pause control assembly, for example due to mechanical forces of moving components such as the return, as shown in fig. 3-9. At step 60, the resilient device is locked in its compressed position. For example, the locking may involve using a mechanical device to apply a force along the compression direction of the elastic device. This force may be applied by a stopper as shown in fig. 3-11 or fluid pressure generated during operation of the oral irrigator as shown in fig. 18-20. At step 70, the oral irrigator is turned off, for example by stopping the power to the motor of the oral irrigator, or the oral irrigator is placed on its stand, and the locking mechanism is released. At optional step 80, after the locking mechanism holding the resilient device in the compressed state is released, the stored potential energy of the resilient device is used to switch the pause control element (e.g., the slider and/or the valve) to an activated state (meaning the pause control element inhibits fluid flow) to prevent future fluid flow through the valve to the oral irrigator nozzle.

Referring to the drawings, fig. 2 is an illustration of an oral irrigator system 100. The system includes an oral irrigator 104. Oral irrigator 104 may include water reservoir 101, motor 103, pump 105, pressure relief valve 107, mechanical strength control valve 111, valve 140 and nozzle 109. The reservoir 101 contains a liquid that is released by the oral irrigator through the nozzle 109. The motor 103 and pump 105 generate a pressurized flow from the water reservoir 101 to the oral irrigator handle 108 and nozzle 109. As shown in fig. 2, the oral irrigator has a handle 108, 300, the handle 108, 300 having a housing 112, 304, the housing 112, 304 enclosing a cavity 116, 306, the pause control assembly 120 being received in the cavity 116, 306. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the pause control assembly 120. Fig. 4 is an assembly view of the components of the pause control assembly 120.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the pause control assembly 120 comprises a valve assembly 124, the valve assembly 124 having a valve body 128, wherein the valve body 128 has a first end 132 and a second end 136. The valve body 128 also has a valve 140 positioned between the first end 132 of the valve body 128 and the second end 136 of the valve body 128. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the interior of the valve body 128. The interior of the valve body 128 contains a fluid passageway 144 through which a fluid flow 148 can flow from the first end 132 of the valve body to the second end 136 of the valve body in a first direction dr1 when the port flusher 104 (shown in FIG. 2) is in the activated state S1. When valve 140 is closed, valve 140 blocks fluid passage 144 and blocks fluid flow 148 through fluid passage 144 to nozzle 109 (shown in FIG. 1). The valve 140 may be arranged to completely block the fluid flow 148 when the valve is fully closed and to partially block the fluid flow 148 when the valve 140 is partially closed.

Referring to fig. 3, the pause control assembly 120 also has a slider 152, the slider 152 being located outside the valve body 128 and having a first end 154 and a second end 158, a first projection 164 on the first end 154. The first projection 164 extends along a second direction dr 2. The slider 152 also has a user contact 162, the user contact 162 being a protrusion on a surface 163 of the slider facing away from the valve body 128. The user contact 162 is designed such that a user of the oral irrigator 104 can access the user contact 162 from outside the housing 112. The user contacts 162 may be buttons, sliders, tabs, or any contact that can be moved from one position to another to move the slider from the first position 156 to the second position 160 and/or from the second position 160 to the first position 156 (as shown in fig. 14 and 15).

Pause control assembly 120 further includes a return 168 positioned between valve body 128 and slide 152. As shown in fig. 6, the first portion 172 of the return portion 168 extends in a first direction dr1 and the second portion 184 of the return portion 168 extends in a second direction dr2 that is orthogonal to the first direction dr 1. The first portion 172 has a first end 176 and a second end 180 on opposite ends of the first portion 172. The second portion 184 has a third end 188 and a fourth end 192 on opposite ends of the second portion 184. The end 180 of the return portion 168 and the third end 188 of the return portion 168 are connected to each other and may be integrally connected to create one unit. As shown in fig. 3, 4 and 6, the first projection 164 of the slider 152 contacts the first end 176 of the return portion 168. Second portion 184 of return portion 168 has a through-hole 196 through which valve body 128 is positioned between third end 188 and fourth end 193 of the return portion.

Returning to fig. 3, pause control assembly 120 further includes a stop 208, stop 208 being located outside of valve body 128 and opposite return 168 and slide 152. The valve body 128 also includes a resilient device 220, the resilient device 220 being located outside the valve body 128 and between the first end 132 and the second end 136 of the valve body 128. The resilient device 220 is positioned such that it is in contact with the return 168 at one end and in contact with the valve body 128 at the opposite end. The resilient device 220 may be a spring, or the resilient device 220 may be any device capable of storing and releasing potential energy or compressing and expanding in response to movement of the return portion 168.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the pause control assembly 120 further comprises a hinge 224, the hinge 224 having a first hinge member 228 and a second hinge member 232. The first hinge member 228 is positioned on the valve body 128 between the first end 132 and the second end 136 of the valve body. The first hinge member 228 is secured to the valve body 128 and is oriented such that it can work in conjunction with the second hinge member 232 located on the stop 208. The valve body 128 also includes a second biasing element 244, the second biasing element 244 being secured to the valve body 128 between the first end 132 and the second end 136. The second biasing element 244 is positioned such that it may contact the stop 208. The second biasing element 244 may be a spring or any flexible material capable of storing and releasing potential energy. The second biasing element 244 is positioned such that it may exert a force 246 substantially along the second direction dr 2.

As shown in fig. 7, the stop 208 further includes a first portion 236, the first portion 236 extending from the second hinge member 232 in a first direction dr1, and a second portion 240, the second portion 240 extending from the second hinge member 232 in a third direction dr3 opposite the first direction. The first portion 236 of the stop member has a grip 248 and a ledge 252 on the end of the first portion 236 opposite the end of the first portion 236 having the hinge member 232. As shown in fig. 8, the hand grip 248 extends along the first direction dr1 and has a first surface 250 that extends along the first direction dr1 and faces the second direction dr 2. The ledge 252 extends along the second direction dr2 and has a first surface 254 extending along the second direction dr2 that has a surface facing the first direction dr 1. The first surface 254 of the ledge 252 does not extend beyond the first portion 236 of the stop member 208 in the second direction dr 2. The first surface 250 of the hand grip 248 and the first surface 254 of the ledge 252 are positioned such that they are adjacent and perpendicular to each other and opposite the first surface 250 and the first surface 254 and create a cavity in the space between the first surface 250 and the first surface 254.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the components of the pause control assembly 120. The slide 152 is in a second position 160 (which corresponds to the valve 140 being opened). Adjacent to the slide 152 in the second direction dr2 is a return 168. The return 168 is also in its second position 204. First projection 164 of slide 152 contacts first end 176 of return 168. The valve body 128 is received in the through bore 196 of the return portion 168 (not shown) and between the third end 188 and the fourth end 192 of the return portion 168. The stopper 208 is in its second and closed position 216. The stop member 208 is arranged such that the finger grips 248 and ledges 252 positioned on the first portion 236 of the stop member 208 receive the fourth end 192 of the return portion 168. The hand grip 248 exerts a force on the return portion 168 in the second direction dr 2. The ledge 252 of the stop 208 exerts a force on the return portion 168 in the first direction dr1 and prevents the return portion 168 from moving in the third direction dr 3. The return 168 is in a locked state.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, as return 168 (not shown in fig. 10 and 11) moves from its first position 200 to its second position 204 and along first direction dr1, along stop 208, the stop rotates about hinge 224 in first rotational direction RD 1. This compresses the second biasing element 244, 232, which second biasing element 244, 232 exerts a force on the stopper 208 in the second direction dr 2. As the fourth end of the return portion 192 moves in the first direction dr1, it falls into the cavity created by the finger 248 and ledge 252 of the stop member. The force from the second biasing element 244 against the stop 208 in the second direction dr2 and the force exerted by the finger 248 in the second direction dr2 prevent the stop from rotating further in the first rotational direction rd1 and prevent the through-hole 196 of the return portion 168 from extending beyond the ledge 252 of the stop 208. The return portion is prevented from moving in a third direction dr3 opposite the first direction dr 1. When the second portion 240 of the stop member 208 is pulled further in the second direction DR2 and the stop member 208 rotates the hinges 224, 232 further in the first rotational direction DR1, the through hole 196 of the return portion 168 moves past the ledge 252 of the stop member 208 and the return portion may move in the third direction DR 3.

Referring to fig. 12 and 13, the oral irrigator system 100 further includes a riser 264, the riser 264 being arranged to receive the oral irrigator handle 108. The riser 264 is configured to have an exterior on which the oral irrigator handle 108 can be placed in a fixed and regular position. In one example (as shown in fig. 12), the riser 264 includes a magnet 268, the magnet 268 being disposed in or on the riser 264 such that it is proximate to the pause control assembly 120 located inside the housing 112 of the oral irrigator handle 108. The magnet 268 is arranged to exert a force Fma toward the magnet 268 on the second portion 240 of the stop 208 of the pause control assembly 120 and in a second direction dr2 away from the valve body 128 of the pause control assembly 120 located in the housing 112. In another example (as shown in fig. 13), the riser 264 includes a mechanical tab 272, the mechanical tab 272 being located on the exterior of the riser 264 and arranged such that it can be in contact with the oral irrigator handle 108. The mechanical tab 272 contacts the stop 208 of the pause control assembly 120 through the through-hole 114 of the housing 112 and through the through-hole 242 of the second portion 240 of the stop 208 such that the mechanical tab exerts a force Fme on the stop 208 in a second direction dr2 away from the valve body 128 of the pause control assembly 120 and toward the upright 264.

Fig. 14 provides a schematic diagram of the components of the pause control assembly 120. With the use of the slide 152 and the toothed contact 276 on the valve 140 (see also fig. 3), the slide 152 contacts the valve 140 so that the valve 140 can move and open and close as the slide 152 moves. The slider 152 and the return 168 are also interconnected such that the return 168 may move with the slider 152 as the slider 152 moves in the first direction dr 1. As shown in fig. 3, 4 and 9, the first projection 164 of the slider 152 contacts the first end 176 of the return portion 168 such that the slider 152 moves the return portion 168 in the first direction dr1 when the slider 152 moves from its first position 172 to its second position 176 in the first direction dr1 (as shown in fig. 15). When the slider 152 moves in the third direction dr3, the slider 152 does not move the return portion 168 in the third direction dr 3. The contact between the first projection 164 of the slider 152 and the first end 176 of the return portion 168 does not generate a force in the third direction dr3 on the return portion 168.

As shown in fig. 14 and 15, when the slider 152 moves from the first position 156 to the second position 160 (shown in fig. 15), the valve 140 also changes from the closed state to the open state (shown in fig. 15). The return 168, which is in contact with the slide 152 such that it moves with the slide 152 in the first direction dr1, also moves from its first position 200 to its second position 204 (as shown in fig. 15). When valve 140 is opened, fluid flow 148 through fluid passageway 144 moves to nozzle 109. As shown in fig. 15, fluid flow 148 through fluid passage 144 may be halted by moving slide 152 from second position 160 to first position 156, which transitions the valve from the open state to the closed state. When the return portion 168 moves from the first position 200 to the second position 204, the return portion 168 compresses the resilient device 220 (as shown in fig. 15), which resilient device 220 now stores potential energy that may be released. Additionally, when the return 168 moves to the second position 204, the stop moves from the first and open positions 212 (shown in fig. 14) to the closed and second positions 216.

As shown in fig. 16, fluid flow 148 through fluid passage 144 to nozzle 109 may be restored by moving slide 152 from first position 156 to second position 160, which transitions valve 140 from the closed state to the open state. As shown in fig. 16 and 17, after the slider 152 is moved to the second position 160, the stop is in the second and closed position 216, which locks the return 168 so that the return 168 does not move and the resilient device 220 maintains the compressed state of stored potential energy. Fig. 17 shows how the stopper is unlocked or moved from the closed and second position 216 to the open and first position 212. When the oral irrigator handle 108 is placed in the riser 264 (as shown in fig. 12 and 13), a force F is applied in the second direction dr2 toward the riser 264. This force moves the stop 208 toward the riser 264 and from the closed position 216 to the open position 212. The return 168 is no longer prevented from moving. The potential energy stored in the compressed elastic device 220 is released and the elastic device 220 expands. A resilient device 220 (shown in fig. 3) in contact with return 168 moves return 168 from second position 204 to first position 200. When the return 168 and the slider 152 are in contact where the projection 164 of the slider 152 meets the first end 176 of the return 168, the force from the resilient device 220 in the third direction dr3 on the return 168 also moves the slider 152 from the second position 160 to the first position 156, which moves the valve 140 from the open state to the closed state. If the valve 140 is already in the closed state and the slider is in the first position 156, when the handle 108 is placed on the riser 264, the resilient device 220 exerts a force on the return 168 to move it from the second position 204 to the first position 200, such that the return 168 and the slider 152 are now in contact with each other, with the first projection 164 meeting the first end 176 of the slider 152.

Fig. 18 and 19 illustrate an exemplary oral irrigator handle 300 having a pause control reset mechanism. The oral irrigator handle 300 includes a housing 304 having a cavity 306, the cavity 306 including a fluid passage 308. Referring to FIG. 19, when the oral irrigator 104 (shown in FIG. 1) is in the activated state S1, the fluid flow 312 moves in a first direction dr1 that is substantially parallel to the first axis 316. The oral irrigator handle 300 contains a valve 320, the valve 320 being arranged to prevent fluid flow 312 through the fluid passage 308 to the spray nozzle 109 when the valve 320 is closed 396 (shown in fig. 18) and to allow fluid flow 312 to the spray nozzle 109 when the valve 320 is opened 392 (shown in fig. 18). Cavity 306 contains a pressure plate 324 and a pressure chamber 328 (shown in FIG. 19) adjacent to fluid passageway 308 that are arranged to respond to pressure changes in fluid passageway 308 due to fluid flow 312. The pressure panel 324 extends in a first direction dr1 and has a surface facing a second direction dr2 or a third direction dr3, both the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3 being orthogonal to the first direction dr 1. Adjacent to the pressure plate 324, and on the opposite side of the pressure plate 324 from the fluid passage 308, a resilient device 332 is arranged to compress in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3 in response to the fluid pressure in the fluid passage 308 to generate a first force Fp against the surface of the pressure plate 324 in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr 3. When the first force Fp is applied to the pressure plate 324 and the pressure plate 324 moves, the elastic device 332 is compressed. The elastic device 332 may be a spring or any device capable of storing and releasing potential energy.

As shown in fig. 19, the gated path component 336 is positioned in the cavity 306 adjacent the pressure plate 324 with the resilient device 332 along a fourth direction dr4 orthogonal to the first direction dr1, the second direction dr2, and the third direction dr 3. As shown in fig. 20, gated path component 336 has a body 340, body 340 having a first channel 344 and a second channel 356. The first channel 344 extends in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3, and the first channel 344 has a first end 348 and a second end 352. The second channel 356 extends along a first direction dr1 and at a first angle 382 relative to the first axis 316, and the second channel 356 has a third end 360 and a fourth end 364. The second end 352 of the first channel 344 and the third end 360 of the second channel 356 are integrally connected to each other.

Referring to fig. 18 and 19, a guide pin 372 extending in a fourth direction dr4 is disposed between the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332 and in the body 340 of the gated path component 336. The guide pin 372 is located in the body 340 of the gated path component 336 and is movable along the first channel 344 and the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336. Since the guide pin 372 is located between the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332, the movement of the guide pin 372 is restricted by the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332. On the exterior of the oral irrigator housing 304, there is a slide 368, which slide 368 is movable from a first position 400 (shown in fig. 18) to a second position 404 (shown in fig. 19). The first position 400 of the slider 368 corresponds to the closed state 396 of the valve 320 (shown in fig. 18). The second position 404 of the slider 368 corresponds to an open state 392 of the valve 320, the open state 392 allowing the fluid flow 312 through the valve 320 (as shown in FIG. 19). The ear guard 376 is located in the cavity 306 of the oral irrigator handle 300 and is fixedly secured to the slide 368. The lug 376 has a third channel 380, which third channel 380 extends in the second direction dr2 or the third direction dr3, and the guide pin 372 is arranged such that it can slide along the third channel 380.

When the oral irrigator is turned off and in the off state S2, no fluid flows 312 through the fluid passage 308 of the oral irrigator handle (fig. 18). As shown in fig. 19, when the oral irrigator is turned on and in the activated state S1, the start of fluid flow 312 through the fluid passage 308 results in a first force Fp being generated in the fluid passage 308. The first force Fp pushes against the surface of the pressure plate 324 and moves the pressure plate 324 in the second direction dr2 or a third direction dr3 that is orthogonal to the first direction dr1 in which the fluid flow 312 moves. The first force Fp moves the pressure plate 324 and compresses the elastic device 332. The guide pin 372 is positioned between the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332 and also bears against Fp. The guide pin 372 is arranged to move along the third channel 380 of the ear guard and the first and second channels 344, 356 of the gated path component 336. When the oral irrigator is in the off state S2 and the slide 368 is in the first position 400 (corresponding to a closed valve 396), the third channel 380 of the tab 376 and the first channel 344 of the gated-path member 336 are aligned such that the guide pin 372 may move along the third channel 380 in the second third direction dr2 or dr3 and may move along the first channel 344 of the gated-path member 336 from the first end 348 to the second end 352 (see fig. 18 and 20).

Referring to fig. 18 and 19, when the oral irrigator is in the activated state S1 and the first force Fp in the fluid passageway 308 increases, the pressure plate 324 moves away from the fluid passageway 308 and the guide pin 372 can move along the third passageway 380 in the second or third direction dr2 or dr3 and can move along the first passageway 344 of the gated path member 336 from the first end 348 to the second end 352. Once the guide pin 372 reaches the second end 352 of the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336, the guide pin 372 may move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336. This (the guide pin 372 is able to move along the second passage 356) corresponds to the unlocked state S3. Because the slider 368 is coupled to the guide pin 372 via the lugs 376, the slider 368 cannot move in the first direction dr1 from the first position 400 (fig. 18) to the second position 404 (fig. 19) only when the guide pin 372 reaches the second channel 356 of the gated path member 336. Thus, when power to the oral irrigator is on S1, and after the first force Fp moves the guide pin 372 to the second channel 356 of the gate path member 336, the slide can only move to the second position 404 corresponding to the open state of the valve 392. As the slider is moved from the first position 400 to the second position 404, which opens the valve 320 and allows fluid flow 312 through the fluid channel 308 and into the nozzle 109 (shown in fig. 2), the guide pin 372 moves along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 from the third end 360 to the fourth end 364. When fluid is present in fluid passageway 308 that generates first force Fp against pressure plate 324, and guide pin 372 is movable along second passageway 356 of gated path component, the user can move the slide between first position 400 and second position 404 and back to first position 400 to pause and un-pause fluid flow to nozzle 109 (see fig. 19 and 20).

When the oral irrigator is turned off and the slide 368 is in the second position 404 (corresponding to the open valve 392), the fluid flow 312 through the fluid passage 308 will decrease and the force Fs (shown in fig. 18) from the compressed resilient device 332 moves the pressure plate 324 toward the fluid passage 308. The force Fs from the expanding resilient device 332 causes the guide pin 372 to move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 from the fourth end 364 to the third end 360 (as shown in fig. 20). The second channel 356 is positioned at a first angle 382 relative to the first axis 316 and when the guide pin 372 moves toward the fluid channel 308 in the second or third directions dr2 or dr3, the guide pin 372 also moves in a direction opposite the first direction due to the oblique orientation of the second channel 356. The force Fs of the expanding resilient device 332 causes the guide pin 372 to move along the second channel 356 of the gated path component 336 to the first channel 344. The guide pin 372 is coupled to a tab 376 coupled to the slider 368 and the slider 368 moves from the second position 404 to the first position 400 (corresponding to the closed valve 396). Once the guide pin 372 is in the first channel 344, it may move along the third channel 380 of the tab 376 and along the first channel 344 of the gated path component 336 in the second or third direction dr2 or dr3 from the second end 352 to the first end 348 toward the fluid channel 308. The guide pin 372 is positioned between the pressure plate 324 and the resilient device 332 such that as the resilient device 332 expands and moves the guide pin 372, the pressure plate 324 also moves toward the fluid passage 308. When the resilient device 332 has expanded and the guide pin 372 is located at the first end 348 of the gated path component, this corresponds to the locked state S4 (shown in fig. 18). When the oral irrigator is activated, the slide 368 cannot be moved to the second position 404 corresponding to the open valve 392 until a first force Fp is generated in the fluid passage 308 due to the fluid flow 312.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles "a" and "an" as used in the specification and in the claims are to be understood as "at least one" unless expressly specified to the contrary.

The phrase "and/or" as used herein in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "one or two" of the elements so combined, that is, the elements exist in combination in some cases and not in combination in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so connected. In addition to elements explicitly identified by the "and/or" phrase, other elements, whether related or unrelated to those explicitly identified elements, may optionally be present.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" and/or "should be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., including at least one, but also including more than one or a certain number of elements or series of elements, and optionally other unlisted items. Only terms explicitly indicated to the contrary, such as "only one of" or "exactly one of", or "consisting of … …", when used in the claims, will be referred to as including exactly one of the plurality of elements or list elements. In general, when "or" is preceded by an exclusive term, such as "either," "one of," "only one of," or "just one of," the term "or" as used herein should be interpreted merely to indicate an exclusive alternative (i.e., "one or the other but not both").

As used herein in the specification and claims, the phrase "at least one" in reference to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, nor excluding any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements explicitly identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related or unrelated to those explicitly identified elements.

It will also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or action, the order of the steps or actions of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or actions of the method are recited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as "comprising", "including", "carrying", "having", "containing", "involving", "holding", "… … consisting of and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e. to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of … … (consistent of)" and "consisting essentially of … … (consistent addressing of)" are respectively closed or semi-closed transitional phrases.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application for which the teachings of the present invention is used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.