Oral irrigator with multiple control actuators

Abstract

An oral irrigator including a base, a reservoir supported by the base, a tip coupled to the base and the reservoir, and multiple control actuators. A first control actuator is configured to selectively power the oral irrigator. Second, third, and fourth control actuators are configured to vary the fluid pressure of the oral irrigator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An oral irrigator comprising:
 a base;   a reservoir supported by the base;   a tip coupled to the base and the reservoir, wherein fluid flows through the tip to exit the oral irrigator;   a first control actuator configured to selectively power the oral irrigator; and   second, third, and fourth control actuators configured to vary fluid pressure of the fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor and a pump in the base, wherein the first control actuator is configured to provide power to the motor to activate the pump. 
     
     
         3 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the first control actuator comprises a power button or knob that turns the oral irrigator on and off. 
     
     
         4 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the first control actuator is disposed on the base. 
     
     
         5 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the second control actuator is rotatable to vary a fluid pressure of the oral irrigator. 
     
     
         6 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the second control actuator is operably connected to a valve assembly that selectively changes a fluid pathway between the reservoir and the tip. 
     
     
         7 . The oral irrigator of  claim 6 , wherein the valve assembly is positioned within a pump in the base. 
     
     
         8 . The oral irrigator of  claim 6 , wherein the valve assembly selectively changes at least one of a diameter or length of the fluid pathway. 
     
     
         9 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the second control actuator is disposed on the base. 
     
     
         10 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the third control actuator is configured to selectively activate one or more fluid pressure settings of the oral irrigator. 
     
     
         11 . The oral irrigator of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more fluid pressure settings comprise three fluid pressure modes. 
     
     
         12 . The oral irrigator of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more fluid pressure settings comprise a low pressure mode, a high pressure mode, and a massage mode. 
     
     
         13 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the third control actuator is disposed on the base. 
     
     
         14 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein the fourth control actuator is configured to pause or stop fluid flow to the tip. 
     
     
         15 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle fluidly connected to the reservoir, wherein the fourth control actuator is disposed on the handle. 
     
     
         16 . The oral irrigator of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first control actuator is disposed on the base;   the second control actuator is disposed on the base;   the third control actuator is disposed on the base; and   the fourth control actuator is disposed on a handle that is fluidly connected to the reservoir.   
     
     
         17 . An oral irrigator comprising:
 a base;   a reservoir supported by the base;   a handle fluidly connected to the reservoir;   a tip releasably connected to the handle, wherein fluid flows through the tip to exit the oral irrigator;   a first control actuator located on the base and configured to selectively power the oral irrigator;   a second control actuator located on the base and configured to vary fluid pressure of the fluid;   a third control actuator located on the base and configured to selectively activate one or more fluid pressure modes; and   a fourth control actuator located on the handle and configured to selectively pause fluid flow through the tip.   
     
     
         18 . The oral irrigator of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more fluid pressure modes comprise three fluid pressure modes. 
     
     
         19 . The oral irrigator of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more fluid pressure modes comprise a low pressure mode, a high pressure mode, and a massage mode.