Fluid control valve and a feedback control system therefor

A flow valve system for use with a fluid line, comprising:

• a flexible, resilient valve member positioned in a fluid tight relationship with a fluid line, wherein the valve member has an opening therethrough which is closed when the valve is not actuated and opens when the valve is actuated;
• an actuating element which substantially surrounds the valve member, positioned so that when the valve is to be opened, it moves so as to deform the valve member, such that when the valve opens, fluid moves through the valves;
• and
• means acting on the actuating element by magnetic action to move it to deform the valve member.

An electronic tooth brush having a fluid dispensing capability, comprising:

• an electronic toothbrush having a brushhead, a driving assembly for moving the brushhead in a selected manner, a reservoir for fluid and a fluid line connecting the reservoir with the brushhead;
• a flexible, resilient flow valve member positioned in a fluid-tight relationship in the fluid line, wherein the valve member has an opening therethrough which is closed when the valve is not actuated and opens when the valve is actuated;
• an actuating element in the form of a metal member which substantially surrounds the valve member, positioned so that when the valve is to be opened, it moves so as to deform the valve member, such that when the valve opens, fluid moves through the valve;
• and
• means, including a coil positioned adjacent the metal member, responsive to an electrical control signal through the coil for, acting on the actuating element to move it to deform the valve member.

A fluid refilling and dispensing system for a power toothbrush, comprising:

• a reservoir for fluid within a power toothbrush;
• a fluid line connecting the reservoir with a brushhead portion of the toothbrush;
• a refilling port connected to the fluid line for refilling the reservoir with fluid;
• a flexible, resilient flow valve member positioned in a fluid-tight relationship in the fluid line, wherein the valve member has an opening therethrough and is configured such that fluid under pressure can move through the valve member from the refilling port to the reservoir without the valve member being actuated, but cannot move from the reservoir through the valve and to the brushhead without the valve member being actuated;
• an actuating element which substantially surrounds the valve member, positioned so that when fluid is to be dispersed to the brushhead, the actuating element is moved to deform the valve member, opening the valve member to permit fluid to move through the valve member and the fluid line to the brushhead;
• and
• means acting on the actuating element be magnetic action to move it to deform the valve member.