Personal hygiene device and method

Abstract

A water-driveable personal hygiene device may be used to operate multiple, interchangeable personal hygiene implements. A water-driven rotary wheel, located in the handle of the device and connected to a driveshaft, creates either a back-and-forth or semi-rotating oscillating motion or a first personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush. An independently operated water-driveable second personal hygiene implement may be used to cause water to flow to the first personal hygiene implement or to be independently used. A method of using the device is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a multipurpose, water-driveable personal hygiene device and method of using such device. The device utilizes pressurized water to rotate a pump that is located in the handle of the device. The pump is attached to a driveshaft for causing movement of a personal hygiene implement, such as a toothbrush. Optionally, a second water-driveable personal hygiene implement may be included in the device. Although any such second device may utilize a common pressurized water supply, it may be operated independently and separately from the other personal hygiene implement, if so desired. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Water-driven dental hygiene devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,675 utilizes a turbine for imparting rotary motion to a toothbrush bristle assembly. The device of this patent utilizes an external pump located in the base of a sink bowl. The pump is a sprocket design turbine. The pump and a cable driv...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The present invention relates to a water-driveable personal hygiene device adapted to be connected to a pressurized water supply. The device has a handle containing a rotatable water pump having a generally round shape and open to the passage of the pressurized water supply at an entry location, thereby causing rotation of the pump as the water passes through the pump and then exits from the pump into an exit line. An on / off valve permits water flow through the pump when opened and prevents water flow when closed. The rotatable pump is connected to a driveshaft at an off-center location on the pump, thus causing the driveshaft to achieve a back-and-forth motion as the pump rotates. The driveshaft is also connected to a personal hygiene implement to cause a desired type of oscillating motion of such implement.

Problems solved by technology

None of the above-mentioned prior art devices locate a water-driven pump in the handle of a personal hygiene device or contain more than one personal hygiene implement.

Obviously, none of the above-mentioned prior art devices provide for combinational or separate operation of the respective personal hygiene implements.

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