초록 ▼

The guidance assembly is used for precise cleaning of interproximal spaces of teeth. The guidance assembly includes a base portion (30) for contacting the surfaces of teeth and gum region, adjacent the interproximal space, the base portion being approximately 12 mm in diameter to provide stable cont

The guidance assembly is used for precise cleaning of interproximal spaces of teeth. The guidance assembly includes a base portion (30) for contacting the surfaces of teeth and gum region, adjacent the interproximal space, the base portion being approximately 12 mm in diameter to provide stable contact with the teeth and gum region. The guidance assembly also includes a tip portion (28) which extends forward of the base portion and includes an opening (31) through which the droplet spray is directed coincident with the plane of the interproximal space.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A guidance member for a liquid droplet spray appliance for cleaning teeth, the guidance member positioned at a distal end of a guidance assembly, said guidance assembly defining a longitudinal axis, said guidance member comprising: a base portion for contacting surfaces of adjacent teeth and gum

1. A guidance member for a liquid droplet spray appliance for cleaning teeth, the guidance member positioned at a distal end of a guidance assembly, said guidance assembly defining a longitudinal axis, said guidance member comprising: a base portion for contacting surfaces of adjacent teeth and gum region, between which teeth is an interproximal space, said base portion positioned at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the guidance assembly when said guidance assembly is in a rest position; anda tip portion which extends forward from a surface of the base portion, the tip portion terminating at an end which is dimensioned and configured to fit into the interproximal space, wherein the tip portion and the base portion are configured so as to provide a reliable, accurate alignment of the tip portion relative to the interproximal space, the tip portion extending forward of the base portion and including an opening through which a liquid droplet spray is directed, wherein due to the position of the base portion, a centerline of the opening of the tip portion, during use of the guidance member, aligns with a plane of the interproximal space. 2. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion is sufficiently large that it contacts the adjacent teeth and gums when the centerline of the opening is approximately 1.5 mm from the gum region. 3. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the tip portion comprises a hard plastic material. 4. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a soft elastomeric material. 5. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion includes a peripheral forward rim which extends around the circumference of the base portion, the peripheral rim extending approximately 1 mm forward from its point of contact with the remainder of the base portion. 6. The guidance member of claim 5, wherein the base portion has a diameter of approximately 12 mm. 7. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion has a diameter within the range of 8-16 mm. 8. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the opening in the free end of the tip portion is approximately 1 mm in diameter, and wherein the free end has a diameter of approximately 2 mm. 9. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion other than the peripheral rim is at least 2 mm thick. 10. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the base portion is approximately circular in configuration. 11. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is centrally positioned with respect to the base portion. 12. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the peripheral rim of the base portion has a forward contacting surface which is substantially flat and continuous. 13. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the contacting surface of the peripheral rim includes a plurality of raised elements or protrusions which contact the surface of the adjacent teeth and gum region. 14. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the tip portion is spring loaded, providing variable positioning of the tip portion relative to the base portion. 15. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the tip portion tapers outwardly for a distance from the free end thereof in the direction of the base portion. 16. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the peripheral rim has a rounded forward edge. 17. The guidance member of claim 1, wherein the guidance member is positioned at the distal end of a nozzle and guidance assembly which is removably connected to a handle portion of the appliance.