US 2023/0404252 A1 · ORAL CARE SYSTEM WITH SANITIZATION FUNCTION

Abstract

An oral care system (10) comprises an oral care device (12). The oral care device is designed to either comprise or attach to a cleaning or treatment portion (14), e.g. a brush head or mouthpiece. The oral care device thus has a cleaning or treatment function. The oral care device is further provided with an electromagnetic (EM) field or radiation generator (22) adapted to generate and emit radio or microwave frequency electromagnetic energy in a space around an emitter arrangement (24) (sanitization area) used to emit the radiation or field. The EM emissions are configured to have electromagnetic properties suitable for heating water or water-containing fluid located within the sanitization area (34). This allows for a sanitization or disinfection function in a dedicated mode, wherein the EM emissions of the EM generator causes heating to a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably at least 70° C., of water on any surfaces of the cleaning or treatment portion located within the sanitization area, the heating having a sanitization or disinfection effect.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An oral care device operably coupleable to a cleaning or treatment portion, comprising:

a signal generator operable to generate radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation when said generator is operatively coupled to an emitter arrangement, and selectively operable in an oral cleaning or treatment mode to generate signals for causing the emitter arrangement to generate electromagnetic radiation for performing an oral cleaning treatment or function,
wherein the signal generator is further selectively operable in a sanitization mode in which the signal generator is adapted to generate signals for causing the emitter arrangement to generate RF and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation in a sanitization area around the emitter arrangement, the radiation suitable for causing heating to a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably at least 70° C., of water in contact with an exposed surface of the cleaning or treatment portion located in the sanitization area.

An oral care system comprising:

an oral care device operably coupleable to a cleaning or treatment portion;
a signal generator operable to generate radiofrequency and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation when said generator is operatively coupled to an emitter arrangement, and selectively operable in an oral cleaning or treatment mode to generate signals for causing the emitter arrangement to generate electromagnetic radiation for performing an oral cleaning or treatment function,
wherein the signal generator is further selectively operable in a sanitization mode in which the signal generator is adapted to generate signals for causing the emitter arrangement to generate RF and/or microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation in a sanitization area around the emitter arrangement, the radiation suitable for causing heating to a temperature of at least 50° C., preferably at least 70° C., of water in contract with an exposed surface of the cleaning or treatment portion located in the sanitization area;
an electromagnetic shield unit configurable in a deployed configuration in which the electromagnetic shield unit is arranged in a defined spatial relationship with respect to the sanitization area around the emitter arrangement and is adapted to at least partially inhibit escape of electromagnetic energy from the sanitization area.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Oral care system with sanitization function

Life of this patent

Oral care system with sanitization function

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16