Oral irrigator

Abstract

An oral irrigator including a handle, a tip removably attached to the handle, and a pump at least partially received within the handle and in fluid communication with the tip. The tip including a first end, a second end, and a bore, through which fluid flows, extending from the first end to the second end. The tip further including an annular flange disposed between the first end and the second end, and a ring abutted against the flange.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oral irrigator comprising:
 a handle;   a tip removably attached to the handle, the tip including a first end, a second end, and a bore, through which fluid flows, extending from the first end to the second end, the tip further including an annular flange disposed between the first end and the second end, and a ring abutted against the flange; and   a pump at least partially received within the handle and in fluid communication with the tip.   
     
     
         2 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the ring is disposed between the flange and the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         3 . The oral irrigator of  claim 2 , wherein the ring includes an outer surface that tapers inwardly as the ring extends from the flange toward the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         4 . The oral irrigator of  claim 2 , wherein the tip defines an annular groove disposed between the flange and the first end of the tip for attaching the tip to the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The oral irrigator of  claim 4 , further comprising a clip in the handle, the clip received in the annular groove to attach the tip to the handle. 
     
     
         6 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , further comprising a restrictor disposed in the bore at the first end of the tip for controlling fluid flow through the tip. 
     
     
         7 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the tip further comprises a ridge disposed between the flange and the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         8 . The oral irrigator of  claim 7 , wherein the ring is mounted onto the ridge. 
     
     
         9 . The oral irrigator of  claim 8 , wherein the ring defines an annular recess in an inner surface of the ring, and the ridge is received in the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the flange includes a first surface that abuts against an end of the ring and a second surface that abuts against the handle. 
     
     
         11 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the tip defined between the flange and the first end of the tip is received in the handle, and a second portion of the tip defined between the flange and the second end of the tip projects outwardly from the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The oral irrigator of  claim 11 , wherein the ring is exterior to the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the bore tapers inwardly as it extends from the first end to the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         14 . A jet tip for an oral irrigator comprising:
 a body including a first end, a second end, and defining a bore, through which fluid flows, extending from the first end to the second end;   an annular flange projecting radially outward from the body and disposed between the first end and the second end of the body; and   a ring abutted against the flange.   
     
     
         15 . The jet tip of  claim 14 , wherein the ring is disposed between the flange and the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         16 . The jet tip of  claim 15 , wherein the ring includes an outer surface that tapers inwardly as the ring extends from the flange toward the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         17 . The jet tip of  claim 15 , wherein the tip further comprises a ridge projecting radially outward from the body and disposed between the flange and the second end of the tip. 
     
     
         18 . The oral irrigator of  claim 17 , wherein the ring is mounted onto the ridge. 
     
     
         19 . The oral irrigator of  claim 18 , wherein the ring defines an annular recess in an inner surface of the ring, and the ridge is received in the recess. 
     
     
         20 . The jet tip of  claim 14 , wherein the body defines an annular groove disposed between the flange and the first end of the tip for attaching the tip to the oral irrigator.