DEVICES

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to the technical field of systems or methods for cleaning removable dental prostheses or orthodontic devices, sanitizing and optionally polishing them. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for automatically cleaning removable dental prostheses or orthodontic devices.

Currently, cleaning and sanitizing removable dental prostheses or orthodontic devices can be performed manually, by rubbing the surfaces of the prosthesis against the bristles of a brush. However, this treatment has the drawback of requiring manual intervention. Therefore, it is not particularly practical and, at times, difficult for those with disabilities or without expertise. Moreover, manual cleaning of a dental prosthesis or orthodontic device is often somewhat inaccurate and cursory.

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a device for cleaning a removable dental prosthesis or a removable orthodontic device that allows the problems of the prior art, set forth above, to be solved.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a device capable of automatically performing accurate cleaning and sanitization of a removable dental prosthesis or a removable orthodontic device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of simple use, practical and easy to produce on an industrial scale, at competitive costs.

This aim and these objects, together with other objects that will be more apparent from the subsequent description and from the accompanying drawings, are achieved according to the invention, by a device for cleaning and sanitizing a removable dental prosthesis or a removable orthodontic device according to claim 1 and to the related dependent claims appended below.

In a general definition thereof, the device according to the invention comprises a box-shaped base and a lid operatively associated with said box-shaped base so as to define an inner volume of said device in which a removable dental prosthesis or a removable orthodontic device is housed.

The aforesaid box-shaped base comprises a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls. According to the invention, the device comprises a plurality of roller brushes mounted rotating in the inner volume of said device on respective side walls of the box-shaped base. Each roller brush has its rotation axis parallel to a respective side wall and to said bottom wall.

The device according to the invention comprises motor means operatively connected to said roller brushes to rotate said roller brushes about corresponding rotation axes.

Due to the particular arrangement of the aforesaid roller brushes along corresponding side walls of the box-shaped base, the device according to the invention is able to clean a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device housed in its inner volume at least at three sides of said dental prosthesis or orthodontic device.

Preferably, said roller brushes have directions of rotation such that the bristles of said roller brushes come into contact with a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device, housed in the inner volume of said device, with a movement having direction that goes from said lid to the bottom wall of said box-shaped base.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least three roller brushes.

According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises, besides the roller brushes, a first brush assembly mounted rotating in the inner volume of said device, at the bottom wall of said box-shaped base, and arranged with bristles facing said lid.

The aforesaid first brush assembly has its own rotation axis perpendicular to said bottom wall. The aforesaid motor means are operatively connected to said first brush assembly to rotate said first brush assembly about its rotation axis.

According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises, besides the roller brushes and, optionally, the first brush assembly, a second brush assembly mounted rotating in the inner volume of said device, at the lid of said device and arranged with bristles facing said bottom wall.

The aforesaid second brush assembly has its own rotation axis perpendicular to said lid.

The aforesaid motor means are operatively connected to said second brush assembly to rotate said second brush assembly about its rotation axis.

According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises at least one layer of soft shockproof material at least at one free side wall of said box-shaped base and/or at one or more free spaces that separate said roller brushes.

According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises a duct for feeding sanitizing liquid into the inner volume of said device.

According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises control means (for example control buttons) for switching said motor means on and off and for adjusting the rotation speed of one or more brushes of said device. According to an aspect of the invention, the device comprises electric power supply means for said motor means.

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one between said first brush assembly and said second brush assembly comprises a single brush of umbrella-shaped or circular type.

Preferably, said umbrella-shaped or circular brush is provided with a stem operatively connected to the bottom wall of said box-shaped base or to the lid of said device so as to b at adjustable height with respect to said bottom wall or to said lid.

According to some embodiments of the invention, at least one of said first brush assembly and second brush assembly comprises a first brush, of umbrella-shaped or circular type, and a second brush arranged at a free inner space defined by said first brush.

Said first and second brush are arranged coaxially with each other and rotate about a same rotation axis.

Preferably, said second brush has an upside-down truncated cone shape.

Preferably, said second brush is movable, along said same rotation axis, with respect to said first brush that is in a fixed position along said same rotation axis.

Preferably, said second brush is movable, along said same rotation axis, between a first position, at which said second brush rotates in a first plane of rotation of said first brush, and a second position, at which said second brush rotates at a second plane of rotation different from the first plane of rotation of said first brush.

The aforesaid first and second plane of rotation are, respectively, in proximal and distal position with respect to the bottom wall of said box-shaped base or with respect to said lid. Further characteristics and advantages of the device according to the invention will be more apparent with reference to the description given below and to the accompanying figures, provided purely for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, wherein:

- Fig. 1 illustrates in a perspective view the device of the invention with the front brush in an exploded view to allow the remaining internal parts to be viewed;

- Fig. 2 illustrates the device according to the invention in plan view and without the upper lid;

- Fig. 3 illustrates the lid of the device according to the invention in a view from the side of the brushes for cleaning the prosthesis;

- Fig. 4 illustrates the device according to the invention in a front view;

- Fig. 5 illustrates a brush assembly of the device according to the invention;

- Figs. 6-8 illustrate a brush assembly of the device according to the invention. With reference to the aforesaid figures, the present invention relates to a device 1 for cleaning a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device 23.

The device 1 comprises a box-shaped base 2 closed by a lid 3 fixed to this base 2, for example by means of hinges 4.

The box-shaped base 2 and the lid 3 thus define an inner volume 30 of the device that is intended to accommodate a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device 23.

The box-shaped base 2 comprises a plurality of side walls 6, 7, 8, 9 and a bottom wall 5.

According to the invention, the device 1 comprises a plurality of brushes 11, 12, 13 and, optionally, brush assemblies 10, 14 advantageously housed in the inner volume of said device. In particular, the device 1 comprises a plurality of roller brushes 11, 12, 13 mounted rotating at the inner surface 60, 70, 80 of respective side walls 6, 7, 8 of the box-shaped base 2.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises three roller brushes 11, 12, 13 mounted at a first, second, third side wall 6, 7, 8, respectively.

According to the invention, each roller brush 11, 12, 13 has its own rotation axis A parallel to the respective side wall 6, 7, 8 with which it is operatively associated and to the bottom wall 5.

According to the invention, the device 1 comprises motor means operatively connected to the roller brushes 11, 12, 13 to rotate said roller brushes about corresponding rotation axes A.

The motor means can advantageously comprise a first electric motor 17 operatively connected to the aforesaid roller brushes.

Preferably, the roller brushes 11, 12, 13 of the device 1 rotate according to directions of rotation such that their bristles 150 come into contact with a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device 23, housed in the inner volume 30 of said device, with a movement having direction that goes from the lid 3 to the bottom wall 5 of the box-shaped base 2.

For example, with reference to Fig. 4, the roller brushes 11, 12 have opposite directions of rotation so that the bristles 150 interfere with the surface of a dental prosthesis or an orthodontic device 23 with movements having a same direction that goes from the lid 3 to the bottom wall 5 (in practice from the top to bottom in normal use of the device 1).

Preferably, the device 1 comprises at least one layer 16 of soft shockproof material at least at one free side wall 9 of the box-shaped base 2 or at one or more free spaces 9 A that separate the roller brushes 11, 12, 13.

With reference to the preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in the cited figures, the device 1 comprises a layer of soft material 16 at the inner surface 90 of the free wall 9 of the box-shaped base 2 and the inner surface of any free spaces 9 A that separate the roller brushes 11, 12, 13.

The soft shockproof material 16 is advantageously adapted to avoid damaging the dental prosthesis or orthodontic device 23 during cleaning and to maintain the dental prosthesis or the orthodontic device 23 in the correct operating position during the cleaning process.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises a first brush assembly 10 mounted rotating in the inner volume 30 of the device, at the inner surface 50 of the bottom wall 5 of the box-shaped base 2, with bristles facing the inside of the box-shaped base.

The first brush assembly 10 has its own rotation axis B perpendicular to the bottom wall 5. Advantageously, the aforesaid motor means are operatively connected to said first brush assembly to rotate it about its rotation axis B.

The motor means can advantageously comprise the first electric motor 17 operatively connected to said first brush assembly (as well as to the roller brushes 11, 12, 13).

Preferably, the device 1 comprises a second brush assembly 14 mounted rotating in the inner volume 30 of the device, at the inner surface 90A of the lid 3, with bristles facing the inside of the box-shaped base.

The second brush assembly 14 has its own rotation axis C perpendicular to the lid 3.

Advantageously, the aforesaid motor means are operatively connected to said second brush assembly to rotate it about its rotation axis C.

The motor means can advantageously comprise a second electric motor 18 operatively connected to said second brush assembly.

Preferably, the first brush assembly 10 and the second brush assembly 14 rotate in opposite directions about the respective rotation axes B, C.

According to some embodiments of the invention (Figs. 1-5), the first brush assembly 10 and/or the second brush assembly 14 comprises a brush of umbrella-shaped or circular type 100 (Fig. 5) having a stem 24 operatively connected to the bottom wall 5 or to the lid 3 (and to the motor means 17, 18) and bristles 25 facing the inner volume 30 of the device.

Preferably, the stem 24 of the umbrella-shaped or circular brush 100 is arranged so as to have adjustable height with respect to the bottom wall 5 or to the lid 3 to which it is operatively connected.

In this way, it is possible to ensure interference of the bristles 25 of the brush 100 against the surface of dental prostheses or orthodontic devices 23 of different thickness.

According to some embodiments of the invention (Figs. 6-8), the first brush assembly 10 and/or the second brush assembly 14 comprises a first brush 101, of umbrella-shaped or circular type, and a second brush 102 arranged at a free inner space 103 defined by the first brush 101.

Preferably, the second brush 102 has an upside-down truncated cone shape.

The brushes 101, 102 are arranged coaxially to each other and rotate about a same rotation axis B or C, preferably with a same direction of rotation.

To this end, the brushes 101, 102 can be fixed with known connection means to a same supporting base 104 operatively connected to the bottom wall 5 or to the lid 3 (and to the motor means 17, 18).

Preferably, the second brush 102 is reversibly movable, along the same rotation axis B or C, with respect to the brush 101, which is instead in a fixed position along the rotation axis B or C.

In particular, the second brush 102 is reversibly movable between a first proximal position Pl, at which it rotates at a first plane of rotation Pi together with the first brush 101, and a second position P2, at which it rotates at a second plane of rotation P ₂ differing from the first plane of rotation IT of the first brush 101.

Preferably, the aforesaid planes of rotation P] P ₂ are, respectively, in proximal and distal position with respect to the bottom wall 5 or with respect to the lid 3.

The solution described above for the first brush assembly 10 and/or the second brush assembly 14 offers considerable advantages.

In general, the use of brushes of different shape for each brush assembly ensures deep cleaning of the dental prosthesis or orthodontic device 23.

The use of a second movable brush 102 ensures the cleaning of dental prostheses or orthodontic devices 23 of different thickness and/or shape.

Moreover, the brushes 101, 102 can advantageously be positioned in relation to one another so as to act on a same region or on differentiated regions of the dental prosthesis or orthodontic device 23.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises a duct 19 for sending sanitizing liquid into its inner volume 30, distributing said sanitizing liquid on the brushes of the device.

The duct 19 can be operatively connected to an external reservoir of said sanitizing liquid (not illustrated) that can be provided on the box-shaped base 2, on the lid 3 or on both.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises control means 20, 21 for switching on/off of the motor means 17, 18 and for adjusting the rotation speed of one or more brushes of said device. These control means can comprise an on/off button 20 for switching the motor means 17, 18 on and off and a button 21 for adjusting the speed of the brushes arranged at the box-shaped base 2.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises electric power supply means 22 for said motor means. These electric power supply means can comprise one or more electronic circuits connectable to the electricity power distribution network and/or to a rechargeable battery.

In use of the device, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the dental prosthesis or orthodontic device 23 is placed in the inner volume 30 of the device, between the brush assembly 10 and the roller brushes 1 1, 12, 13 of the box-shaped base 2, hence resting between these and retained in position through interference against the layer of soft material 16.

Subsequently, also the brush assembly 14 is brought into contact with the free surface of the dental prosthesis or orthodontic device 23, by closing the lid 3 on the box-shaped base 2.

The cleaning and sanitizing operation is then performed by controlling rotation of the brush assemblies 10, 14 and of the roller brushes 1 1, 12, 13 in the presence of an injection of sanitizing liquid and of water into the box-shaped base 2, through the aforesaid duct 19.

To ensure adequate cleaning of the dental prosthesis or of the orthodontic device 23, it is essential that the device 1 is provided at least with the side brushes 11, 12, 13.

According to some embodiments of the invention (not illustrated), the brush assembly 10 and/or the brush assembly 14 could be replaced by layers of soft shockproof material analogous to the material used to cover the free wall 9.

Alternatively, the inner surface 50 of the bottom wall 5 and/or the inner surface 90A of the lid 3 could be provided with fixed bristles.

The device 1 according to the invention has considerable advantages with respect to prior art. With respect to current techniques for cleaning dental prostheses or orthodontic devices manually, the device 1 offers the advantage of performing this operation automatically, thereby ensuring the quality and the repetition of the cleaning and sanitizing treatment.

The device 1 also offers the important advantage of simplifying the treatment to clean dental prostheses or orthodontic devices, simultaneously ensuring high quality of the sanitizing process.

The device 1 is characterized by its considerable flexibility of use given that it can efficiently treat dental prostheses or orthodontic devices having thicknesses and/or shapes very different from one another, for example upper and lower dental prostheses or orthodontic devices with or without a palate. The device 1 is easy and practical to use, has a very compact structure that can be easily produced on an industrial scale with components of known type, at competitive costs with prior art solutions.