Field of the Disclosure

[0001] The present disclosure is directed generally to oral cleaning devices, for example, handheld oral cleaning devices, in particular to systems and methods for adjusting the pulse generated by a handheld oral cleaning device.

Background

[0002] Oral cleaning devices, specifically, oral care flossers, are arranged to generate a pulse of a fluid, a pulse of air, or a pulse that combines fluid and air and expel that pulse within a user’s mouth as a means for flossing between the users teeth and gums. Previous systems, provide a pulse or burst at a fixed flow rate. The inability to adjust the intensity of the pulse of the fluid and/or air expelled from the device leads to decreased user experience and potentially damage to a user’s teeth and gums.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for adjusting the pulse intensity of a handheld oral cleaning device. For example, a pivotable adjustment mechanism may be provided such that at varying rotational positions of the pivotable adjustment mechanism, the intensity of the pulse generated by a pump or cylinder within the handheld oral cleaning device can be diminished by directly impeding or restricting the flow of the pulse between the pump or cylinder and the tip of the device prior to expelling the pulse of fluid and/or air into a user’s mouth. [0004] In one aspect, a handheld oral cleaning device is provided, the handheld oral cleaning device including a handle having an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a cylinder having an inlet port and an exhaust port, the inlet port in fluid communication with a reservoir within the handle, the cylinder arranged to create a pulse of a fluid, a pulse of air, or a combination pulse of the fluid and the air and wherein the exhaust port is arranged to emit the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air. The internal cavity further including a pivotable adjustment mechanism having a first aperture wherein the pivotable adjustment mechanism is arranged to at least partially impede the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port. [0005] In one example, the handheld oral cleaning device further includes a diffuser plate fixedly secured to the cylinder, the diffuser plate including a second aperture arranged proximate to the inlet port of the handle and a third aperture arranged proximate to the exhaust port of the handle.

[0006] In one example, the third aperture of the diffuser plate is arranged to receive an umbrella valve.

[0007] In one example, the inlet port is arranged to receive a duckbill valve.

[0008] In one example, the pivotable adjustment mechanism further includes a radial proj ection arranged to extend through a handle aperture such that the radial projection extends past an outer surface of the handle during operation of the handheld oral cleaning device.

[0009] In one example, the pivotable adjustment mechanism is arranged to pivot to a first radial position, a second radial position, and a third radial position, wherein the first radial position allows the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port unimpeded; wherein the second radial position is arranged to impede approximately 25% of the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port; and wherein the third radial position is arranged to impede approximately 50% of the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port.

[0010] In one example, the pivotable adjustment mechanism is arranged to continuously pivot from a first rotational stop position to a second rotational stop position.

[0011] In one example, the handheld oral cleaning device further comprises a tip arranged to be removable secured to the handle, wherein the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port is arranged to travel through a channel in the tip and be emitted from the tip during operation of the handheld oral cleaning device.

[0012] In an aspect, there is provided a handheld oral cleaning device including a handle (102). The handle includes an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a cylinder having an inlet port 128, a first exhaust port, and a second exhaust port, the inlet port in fluid communication with a reservoir within the handle, the cylinder arranged to create a pulse of a fluid, a pulse of air, or a combination pulse of the fluid and the air, and wherein the first exhaust port or the second exhaust port is arranged to emit the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air. The handheld oral cleaning device further includes a rotatable diffuser plate having a first aperture arranged proximate to the inlet port of the cylinder and a second aperture wherein the rotatable diffuser plate is arranged to rotate to a first rotational position and a second rotational position, first rotational position corresponding to a substantial alignment between the second aperture and the first exhaust port and the second rotational position corresponding to a substantial alignment between the second aperture and the second exhaust port, where the second exhaust port is arranged to at least partially restrict the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air.

[0013] In one example, the handle further comprises a slider interface arranged to translate with respect to the handle, the slider interface fixedly secured to a tapered member arranged within the handle, the tapered member having a tapered surface arranged to slidingly engage with a connecting element, the connecting element arranged to pivotably connect to the rotatable diffuser plate such that translation of the slider interface corresponds to a rotation of the rotatable diffuser plate.

[0014] In one example, the handle further comprises a rotating knob interface arranged to rotate in a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, the rotating knob interface having a first bevel gear arranged to engage with a second bevel gear within the handle, the second bevel gear arranged to rotate the rotatable diffuser plate such that rotation of the rotating knob interface corresponds to a rotation of the rotatable diffuser plate.

[0015] In one example, the inlet port is arranged to receive a duckbill valve.

[0016] In one example, the handheld oral cleaning device further comprises a tip arranged to be removably secured to the handle, wherein the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port is arranged to travel through a channel in the tip and be emitted out of the tip during operation of the handheld oral cleaning device.

[0017] In an aspect, there is provided a handheld oral cleaning device including a handle having an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a cylinder having an inlet port and an exhaust port, the inlet port in fluid communication with a reservoir within the handle, the cylinder arranged to create a pulse of a fluid, a pulse of air, or a combination pulse of the fluid and the air, and wherein the exhaust port is arranged to emit the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air, the handle further includes a diffuser structure having a first aperture arranged proximate to the exhaust port, a second aperture arranged to receive the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port, and a plurality of pivotable flaps arranged about the second aperture wherein the plurality of pivotable flaps are arranged to vary a diameter of the second aperture and at least partially impede the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port.

[0018] In one example, the handheld oral cleaning device further comprises a tip arranged to be removable secured to the handle, wherein the pulse of the fluid, the pulse of air, or the combination pulse of the fluid and the air emitted out of the exhaust port is arranged to travel through a channel in the tip and be emitted out of the tip during operation of the handheld oral cleaning device.

[0019] These and other aspects of the various embodiments will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment s) described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the various embodiments.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an oral cleaning device according to the prior art.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective representation of an oral cleaning device according to the prior art.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective representation of a handheld oral cleaning device according to the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective representation of a handheld oral cleaning device according to the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 5A is a perspective schematic view of a cylinder according to the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5B is a perspective schematic view of a cylinder having a pivotable adjustment mechanism according to the present disclosure. [0027] FIG. 6A is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder having a pivotable adjustment mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6B is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder having a pivotable adjustment mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 6C is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder having a pivotable adjustment mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a front perspective partially-exploded view of the components of a handheld oral cleaning device according to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 8A is a perspective schematic view of a cylinder according to the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 8B is a perspective schematic view of a diffuser plate according to the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 9A is a perspective schematic view of a cylinder according to the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 10A is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 10B is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. IOC is a top plan schematic view of a cylinder mechanism according to the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 11 is a side elevational schematic view of a slider interface according to the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a side elevational schematic view of a rotatable knob interface according to the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional schematic view of a diffuser structure according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0040] The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for adjusting the pulse intensity of a handheld oral cleaning device. For example, a pivotable adjustment mechanism may be provided such that at varying rotational positions of the pivotable adjustment mechanism, the intensity of the pulse generated by a pump or cylinder within the handheld oral cleaning device can be diminished by directly impeding or restricting the flow of the pulse between the pump or cylinder and the tip of the device prior to expelling the pulse of fluid and/or air into a user’s mouth. [0041] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an oral cleaning device 10 according to the prior art. Oral cleaning device 10 includes a handle 12 and a tip 14 arranged to produce a pulse or burst of a fluid or fluid/air mixture into the mouth of a user during operation of oral cleaning device 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, oral cleaning device 10 includes a cylinder 16 arranged within handle 12 of oral cleaning device 10, arranged to generate the pulse or burst of fluid or transfer the pulse of burst of fluid through tip 14 and into the mouth of the user. Cylinder 16 may include an inlet hole 18 and a plurality of exhaust holes 20. The inlet hole 18 is arranged to receive a fluid, and cylinder 16 is arranged to pressurize the fluid and project the pressurized fluid through plurality of exhaust holes 18 and into tip 14 of oral cleaning device 10. Importantly, the arrangement provided by the prior art utilizes nine discrete exhaust holes 18 that have a fixed total flow area, i.e., the total amount of flow through the exhaust holes 18 is dependent on the cross-sectional area of the holes and is therefore fixed to uses corresponding to a single or multiple pulses or bursts of the fluid into the users mouth at a fixed intensity or flow rate.

[0042] FIGS. 3-12 illustrate a handheld oral cleaning device 100 according to the present disclosure having user adjustable pulse or burst control. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a front perspective view and a schematic front partial cross-sectional view of handheld oral cleaning device 100, respectively, according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that, although the present disclosure illustrates and describes handheld oral cleaning device 100 as a handheld flosser device, e.g., the Philips Sonicare AirFloss ® flosser, handheld oral cleaning device 100 can be any oral cleaning device capable of producing the adjustable pulse or burst control discussed herein. Handheld oral cleaning device 100 includes handle 102 and tip 104. Handle 102 includes an internal cavity 106 (shown in FIG. 4) and outer surface 108. Internal cavity 106 (shown in FIG. 4) is intended to be a hollow interior portion of handle 102 that is arranged to house and secure the various components utilized to produce the pressurized bursts or pulses of fluid and/or air discussed below. Tip 104 includes a channel 110, and a head 112. Channel 110 has a first end 114 integrally connected to head 112, and a second end 116 fixedly secured to cylinder 118 (illustrated in FIG. 4). Channel 110 is arranged in fluid connection with cylinder 118 and arranged to transfer the pressurized fluid and/or pressurized air generated by cylinder 118 from second end 116 to first end 114 through tip 104 and out of head 112 and into a user’s mouth during operation of handheld oral cleaning device 100. Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, handle 102 may further include a handle aperture HA arranged to receive radial projection 144 (discussed below).

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, internal cavity 106 may further include a pump 120 and a reservoir 122. Reservoir 122 is arranged to store fluid 124 and is in fluid communication with pump 120 and/or cylinder 118. Fluid 124 may be water, mouth wash, or other known oral cleaning solutions in a liquid form. Pump 120 and/or cylinder 118 are arranged to pressurize fluid 124 and generate a pressurized pulse or burst and/or a series of pressurized pulses or bursts of fluid 124 as discussed above. Additionally, cylinder 118 and/or pump 120 may be arranged to mix air 126 with fluid 124 during pressurization to generate a combination of fluid 124 and air 126 to be transported through channel 110 out of head 112 into the user’s mouth. It should be appreciated that cylinder 118 and pump 120 may be integrated within a single device, e.g., cylinder 118 may include pump 120 as an integral component of cylinder 118. Additionally, the pulses or bursts generated by cylinder 118 and/or pump 120 may be generated by a reciprocating piston arrangement (not shown) or other known methods of pressurizing fluids within a container or chamber.

[0044] In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 A and 5B, cylinder 118 may include an inlet port 128 arranged on a top plate 130, and an exhaust port 132. Inlet port 128 is arranged to receive fluid 124 and/or air 126 from reservoir 122 and has total diameter that is substantially equal to the total area of the nine exhaust holes 18 illustrated in FIG. 2. The components of pump 120 (which may be an integral component of cylinder 118) are then arranged generate a pressurized fluid 124, pressurized air 126, or a combination of pressurized fluid 124 and air 126 and expel the fluid 124, air 126, or the combination of the fluid and/or air through exhaust port 132 in the form of a pulse. For example, pump 120 and/or cylinder 118 may be arranged to generate a pulse of fluid PI, a pulse of air P2, or a pulse of a combination of fluid and air P3 (shown in FIG. 3). Top plate 130 may be fixedly secured to cylinder 118 or integrally formed as a part of cylinder 118. Top plate 130 is intended to be a cylindrical portion of cylinder 118 with a portion missing, e.g., radial wedge portion 134, i.e., a portion of the cylindrical body of top plate 130 arranged to received pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 (discussed below). Within radial wedge portion 134 of top plate 130 and cylinder 118, a pivot post 136 is provided which is arranged to slidingly engage with a pivot aperture 140 of pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 (discussed below). [0045] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is arranged to pivotably and/or slidingly engage with pivot post 136. To this end, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 includes a pivot aperture 140 at a proximate end 142 and a radial projection 144 at a distal end 146. Pivot aperture 140 is arranged to slidingly and pivotable engage with pivot post 136 and radial projection 144 is arranged to provide the user with an interface to pivot pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 about pivot post 136. Pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 further includes an aperture, i.e., first aperture 148. As will be discussed below with respect to FIGS. 6A-6C, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is arranged to be pivoted to a plurality of positions where at least one position allows pressurized fluid 124 and/or pressurized air 126 to pass through first aperture 148 unimpeded. Furthermore, cylinder 118 may further include a plurality of clips CLP arranged to engage with at least a portion of handle 102 and/or the other components within internal cavity 106 such that cylinder 118 remains translationally and rotatingly locked with the other components discussed herein.

[0046] In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, handheld oral cleaning device 100 is arranged to operate in a plurality of radial positions, e.g., first radial position 150 (illustrated in FIG. 6A), second radial position 152 (illustrated in FIG. 6B), and third radial position 154 (illustrated in FIG. 6C). In first radial position 150, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is arranged such that all or substantially all (approximately 100%) of the pressurized fluid and/or air generated by cylinder 118 is expelled through first aperture 148 unimpeded, i.e., unrestricted. It should be appreciated that first radial position 150 may be the default radial position when initially interacting with handheld oral cleaning device 100, for example. A user may, by making contact with radial projection 144 of pivotable adjustment mechanism 138, rotate or cause to pivot, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 about pivot post 136 in a first rotational direction RD1 to a second radial position 152 (illustrated in FIG. 6B). In second radial position 152, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is arranged such that approximately 75% of the pressurized fluid and/or air generated by cylinder 118 is expelled through first aperture 148 unimpeded. In other words, in second radial position 152, approximately 25% of the pressurized fluid and/or air generated by cylinder 118 is restricted or impeded. Similarly, from first radial position 150, a user may, by making contact with radial projection 144 of pivotable adjustment mechanism 138, rotate or cause to pivot, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 about pivot post 136 in a second rotational direction RD2, where second rotational direction RD2 is opposite first rotational direction RD1, to a third radial position 152 (illustrated in FIG. 6C). In third radial position 154, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is arranged such that approximately 50% of the pressurized fluid and/or air generated by cylinder 118 is expelled through first aperture 148 unimpeded and approximately 50% of the pressurized fluid and/or air generated by cylinder 118 is expelled unrestricted or unimpeded. It should be appreciated that, for the purpose of allowing the user the ability to interact with and engage with radial projection 144 as discussed herein, the outer surface 108 of handle 102 may further include a handle aperture HA such that radial projection 144 may extend in an outward radial direction through handle aperture HA and outside of handle 102. [0047] The rotations and/or pivots from first radial position 150 to second radial position 152 and third radial position 154 may be aided by a first rotational stop 156 and a second rotational stop 158, respectively. For example, when rotating from first radial position 150 to second radial position 152 in first rotational direction RD1, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 will rotate until the side wall of the pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is in contact with first rotational stop 156, indicating to the user that pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 has pivoted to second radial position 152. Similarly, when rotating from first radial position 150 to third radial position 154 in second rotational direction RD2, pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 will rotate until the side wall of the pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 is in contact with second rotational stop 158, indicating to the user that pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 has pivoted to third radial position 154. It should be appreciated that other mechanisms may be utilized to indicate to the user when the pivotable adjustment mechanism has arrive at the various radial positions discussed above, for example, the surface of radial wedge portion 134 may have indentations or apertures arranged to receive a projection on the downward facing surface of pivotable adjustment mechanism (e.g., the surface facing cylinder 118) such that as pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 pivots to or from each radial position, the projection may be arranged to sit within a respective indentation or aperture. It should be appreciated that first radial position 150, second radial position 152, and third radial position 154 may correspond to a first user setting, a second user setting, and a third user setting respectively. It should be appreciate that handheld oral cleaning device may allow for continuous motion of pivotable adjustment mechanism 138 between the first rotational stop 156 and the second rotational stop 158.

[0048] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded perspective view of handheld oral cleaning device 100 according to the present disclosure. As illustrated and discussed above, handheld oral cleaning device 100 includes cylinder 118 having a top plate 130 with an inlet port 128 an exhaust port 132 and a radial wedge portion 134 arranged to receive a pivotable adjustment mechanism 138. In the example illustrated, handheld oral cleaning device 100 further includes a diffuser plate 160 is arranged to be fixedly secured to top plate 130 of cylinder 118 and arranged to alter the fluid 124 or air 126 that exits exhaust port 132. In the example illustrated, diffuser plate 160 includes a second aperture 162 and a third aperture 164. Second aperture 162 of diffuser plate 160 is arrange such that, when diffuser plate 160 is engage with top plate 130 of cylinder 118, second aperture 162 is proximate inlet port 128 and arranged to receive a projected portion of inlet port 128, i.e., a portion of inlet port that projects away from the surface of top plate 130 and cylinder 118. Similarly, third aperture 164 of diffuser plate 160 is arranged such that, when diffuser plate 160 is engaged with top plate 130 of cylinder 118, third aperture 164 is proximate exhaust port 132. It should be appreciated that, as illustrated, diffuser plate may include a plurality of third apertures 164 arranged proximate exhaust port 128 such that the exhausted fluid 124 and/or air 126 may diffuse, i.e., be deflected at least partially in the radial direction such that the speed at which the pulse of fluid PI, pulse of air P2, or pulse of a combination of fluid and air P3 is reduced prior to proceeding through channel 110. Alternatively or in addition to providing a plurality of third apertures 164 on diffuser plate 160, at least one third aperture 164 may be arranged to engage with or receive an umbrella valve 166 to further diffuse or deflect the pulses generated by cylinder 118 prior to proceeding through channel 110 and into the mouth of the user. Additionally, it should be appreciated that a duckbill valve 168 or other one-directional or one-way valve may be positioned within inlet port 128 (and second aperture 162 when assembled).

[0049] In one example, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, the inlet port 128 may be positioned directly in the radial center of cylinder 118 such that a plurality of exhaust ports 132 are arranged about inlet port 128. In the embodiment illustrated, a diffuser plate 160 may be provided having a second aperture 162 located substantially at the center of diffuser plate 160 such that when diffuser plate 160 is secured to top plate 130 second aperture 162 is arranged to be positioned about inlet port 128. Additionally diffuser plate 160 may include a plurality of third apertures 164 arranged in three sets, i.e., a first set 164A, a second set 164B, and a third set 164C. Each set of apertures may have a similar cross-sectional area to allow a similar rate of flow from the plurality of exhaust ports 132 to pass into channel 110 of tip 104. Alternatively, each set of third apertures may have a cross-sectional area that differs from each other. For example, first set of third apertures 164A may have a first cross-sectional area, second set of third apertures 164B may have a second cross- sectional area, and third set of third apertures 164C may have a third cross-sectional area, where the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area and the second cross- sectional area is greater than the third cross-sectional area. As will be described below, this arrangement of sets of third apertures with differing cross-sectional areas may be used with a rotatable diffuser plate 160 to switch between different preferred user settings.

[0050] In one example, illustrated in FIG. 9 A- IOC cylinder 118 may include an inlet port 128 and a plurality of exhaust ports 132A-132C. Each exhaust port 132A-132C may have a total cross- sectional area that varies between exhaust ports. For example, first exhaust port 132A may have a first cross-sectional area, second exhaust port 132B may have a second cross-sectional area, and third exhaust port 132C may have a third cross-sectional area, where the first cross-sectional area is less than the second cross-sectional area, and the second cross-sectional area is less than the third cross-sectional area. It should be appreciated that the order of exhaust ports may be varied, i.e., the first exhaust port 132A may be between the second exhaust port 132B and the third exhaust port 132C, etc. In other words, the order or progression of the sizes of the exhaust ports is not intended to be limiting. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, a rotatable diffuser plate 160 may be provided where the rotating diffuser plate 160 includes a first aperture 162 and a second aperture 164. First aperture 162 is intended to engage with inlet port 128 when engaged with top plate 130 (shown in FIG. 5 A). Second aperture 164 is intended to dynamically align with at least one exhaust port 132A-132C depending on its current rotational position. For example, a user may rotate rotatable diffuser plate 160 into a first rotational position 170 (shown in FIG. 10A), a second rotational position 172 (shown in FIG. 10B), or a third rotational position 174 (shown in FIG. IOC), which correspond with a substantial alignment between second aperture 164 and exhaust ports 132A-132C, respectively. Thus, the user may, by rotating rotatable diffuser plate 160 in first rotational direction RD1 or second rotational direction RD2, rotate or pivot rotatable ifuser plate 160 to one of the first rotational position 170, the second rotational position 172, or third rotational position 174, and effectively alter the speed or flow of fluid 124 and/or air 126 being expelled from the cylinder 118.

[0051] To accomplish this rotation, i.e., a rotation between first rotational position 170 (shown in FIG. 10 A), second rotational position 172 (shown in FIG. 10B), and/or third rotational position 174 (shown in FIG. IOC), handheld oral cleaning device 100 may further include a slider interface 176 fixedly secured to a tapered member 178 arranged within the handle 102. The tapered member 178 has a tapered surface 180 arranged to slidingly engage with a connecting element 182. The connecting element 182 is intended to be a fixed rod or other solid structure that can be pivotably connected to the rotatable diffuser plate 160 as discussed above such that translation of the slider interface 176 in a first direction parallel with outer surface 108 of handle 102 (illustrated with motion lines D) corresponds to a rotation of the rotatable diffuser plate, e.g., from a first rotational position 170 to a second rotational position 172. It should be appreciated that slider interface 176 is intended to be a button or other slider switch such that a user may engage with slider interface 176 with at least one finger of the user’s hand. It should also be appreciated that the connection between interface 176 and tapered member 178 can exist through handle aperture HA as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0052] Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 12, a rotating knob interface and bevel gear arrangement may be provided as a means to rotate rotatable diffuser plate 160 between rotational positions. For example, handheld oral cleaning device 100 may include a rotating knob interface 184 arranged to be rotated by a user and position externally to the housing handle 102. The rotating knob interface 184 may be non-rotatably secured to a first bevel gear 186 arranged to transfer rotational motion approximately 90 degrees to a second bevel gear 188 non-rotatably secured to rotatable diffuser plate 160. There may be additional intermediary components provided between each of these features; however, rotation of the rotating knob interface 184 corresponds substantially with a rotation of the rotating diffuser plate 160 and can be utilized to switch between modes or user settings corresponding to the first rotational position 170, second rotational position 172, or third rotational position 174.

[0053] In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a diffuser structure 190 may be provided having a plurality of flaps 192. Diffuser structure 190, which includes plurality of flaps 192 is intended to simulate or function similarly to a propelling nozzle for a jet aircraft. For example, diffuser structure 190 may arrange plurality of flaps 192 such that they have a collective first diameter D1 and are pivotable in concert such that they then have a collective second diameter D2 where second diameter D2 is less than first diameter Dl. During operation of handheld oral cleaning device 100, the reduction from first diameter Dl to second diameter D2 can increase total pressure output of fluid 124 and/or air 126 exiting of an aperture of cylinder 118, e.g., an exhaust port 132. Conversely, actuation of diffuser structure 190 and plurality of flaps 192 from a first diameter D 1 to a second diameter D2 where the second diameter D2 is larger than the first diameter D1 will result in a decrease in total pressure output of fluid 124 and/or air 126 exiting an aperture of cylinder 118, e.g., an exhaust port 132. For example, slider interface 176 may be pivotably connected (via a rod as illustrated) to a plurality of flaps 192 that pivot about an aperture, e.g., an aperture that is concentric with an exhaust port of cylinder 118, such that motion or translation of slider interface 176 in motion direction D reduces the diameter D1 of a second aperture 164 of diffuser structure 190.

[0054] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0055] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0056] The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0057] 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” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

[0058] As used herein in the specification and in the 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 and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.

[0059] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0060] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed 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’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0061] 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 or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments 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, inventive embodiments 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 inventive scope of the present disclosure.