# US 2014/0193774 A1 · Irrigating device with variable pressure pulse > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0193774 A1 - Document ID: US20140193774A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/207,095 - Filed: 2014-03-12 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2002-12-31 - Assignees: Water Pik, Inc. - Applicants: Water Pik, Inc. - Inventors: Clifford J. Snyder; Gary L. Sokol; Roberta L. Callaghan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140193774A1 ## CPC - A61C 17/032: using pressurised tap-water {, e.g. rinsing devices specially adapted for being connected to the main water supply} - A61C 17/02: Rinsing or air-blowing devices, e.g. using fluid jets {or comprising liquid medication} (combined with receptacles for spittle A61C17/14; combined with power-driven cleaning or polishing devices A61C17/16) - A61C 17/0202: {Hand-pieces} - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) ## Abstract An irrigating device including a reservoir for storing fluid, a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir, and a pump operative to draw fluid from the reservoir and propel the fluid to the tip. The irrigating device further includes at least one reed valve positioned to regulate fluid between at least one of an inlet port or an exhaust port of the pump. ## Claims ### Claim 1 (canceled) ### Claim 2 An oral irrigating device comprising a reservoir for storing fluid; a housing connected to the reservoir; a tip fluidly connected to the reservoir; a pump positioned within the housing and operative to draw the fluid from the reservoir and propel the fluid to the tip, the pump comprising an inlet port and an exhaust port; a motor positioned within the housing; a drive mechanism positioned within the housing, operably connected to and between the motor and the pump, and configured to drive the pump; and a control structure operably connected to the motor and configured to receive a user input; wherein a motion of the drive mechanism varies in response to a user input to the control structure; and an output pressure and a pulsation rate of fluid exiting the tip is variable in response to the motion of the drive mechanism. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The oral irrigating device of claim 2, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a motor shaft extending from the motor; and a linkage assembly connecting the motor shaft to the pump; wherein the motor is in electrical communication with the control structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The oral irrigating device of claim 3, wherein the linkage assembly further comprises a motor gear connected to the motor shaft; a pump gear coupled with the motor gear; and a connecting rod connected to the pump gear and the pump; wherein motion of the connecting rod determines the output pressure of fluid exiting the tip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The oral irrigating device of claim 4, wherein the pump gear comprises: an outer disc having motor teeth that mesh with corresponding teeth on the motor gear; an eccentric shaft connected to the outer disc and connected to the connecting rod; wherein a position of the eccentric shaft relative to the outer disc determines the movement of the connecting rod vary at least one of the pulsation rate or the output pressure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The oral irrigating device of claim 5, wherein the eccentric shaft is offset from a center of the outer disc defining an offset distance. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The oral irrigating device of claim 6, wherein the offset distance is related in a direct relationship to the pulsation rate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The oral irrigating device of claim 6, wherein an increase in the offset distance corresponds to an increase in the pulsation rate. ### Claim 9 The oral irrigating device 2, wherein in response to the user input the control structure varies a voltage applied to the motor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The oral irrigating device of claim 2, wherein the control structure comprise a pressure control button and in response to the user input the pressure control button selectively activates the motor. ### Claim 11 A method for irrigating an oral cavity of a user comprising: receiving an input from a user through a first control button or a second control button on an oral irrigation device; if the first control button is selected, providing a first voltage to a motor causing a first fluid pressure output by a pump; and if the second control button is selected, providing a second voltage to a motor causing a second fluid pressure output by the pump. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising setting a pulsation rate of the pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the pulsation rate of the pump is variable. ### Claim 14 A handheld oral irrigator comprising a reservoir defining a fluid cavity; a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir; a motor connected to the pump and configured to selectively activate the pump; a battery connected to the motor; and a control structure connected to the battery, wherein the control structure selectively varies a voltage from the battery provided to the motor to vary at least one output characteristic of the motor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The handheld oral irrigator of claim 14, wherein the control comprises at least one button; and a switch in mechanical contact with the button and in selective electrical contact with the battery; wherein selection of the at least one button places the switch in electrical contact with the battery. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The handheld oral irrigator of claim 14 further comprising a first button; a first switch in mechanical contact with the first button and in selective electrical contact with the battery via the control structure; a second button; a second switch in mechanical contact with the second button and in selective electrical contact with the battery via the control structure; wherein user selection of the first button provides a first voltage to the motor that corresponds to a first pressure output of the pump; and user selection of the second button provides a second voltage to the motor that corresponds to a second pressure output of the pump. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The handheld oral irrigator of claim 14, further comprising a drive mechanism connected between the motor and the pump, wherein the drive mechanism determines a pulsation rate of the pump. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The handheld oral irrigator of claim 17, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a pump gear connected to the motor; and a connecting rod connected to the pump gear and the pump; wherein motion of the connecting rod determines an output pressure of a fluid exiting the pump.