U.S. patent application number 09/730120 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for toothbrush with longitudinal bristle reinforcement.
Invention is credited to Harada, Stephen D..
Application Number | 20010005917 09/730120 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24933994 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005917 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harada, Stephen D. |
July 5, 2001 |
Toothbrush with longitudinal bristle reinforcement
Abstract
A toothbrush is disclosed including a head with a bristle
mounting surface having a center section within which an array of
bundles of bristles is mounted, and a pair of bristle supports
located at either end of the center section which are effective to
resist bending of the bristles within the center section in the
longitudinal direction in response to brushing motion so that the
tips of such bristles are maintained in contact with the teeth.
Inventors: |
Harada, Stephen D.;
(Piedmont, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas L. Kautz
Holland & Knight LLP
One East Broward Boulevard, Suite 1300
Fort Lauderdale
FL
33301
US
|
Family ID: |
24933994 |
Appl. No.: |
09/730120 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09730120 |
Dec 5, 2000 |
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09224961 |
Jan 4, 1999 |
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6230355 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
15/DIG.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/045 20130101;
A46B 9/026 20130101; A46B 9/028 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
Y10S 15/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 ;
15/DIG.005 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head having a first end, a
second end connected to said handle, opposed sides and a
longitudinal axis extending in a direction between said first and
second ends; a plurality of bristles mounted to said head in a
center section which is spaced from said first end, spaced from
said second end and extends substantially between said opposed
sides, each of said bristles within said center section extending
outwardly from said head and terminating at a tip, said tips of
said bristles lying in substantially a common plane defining a
height dimension relative to said head, said center section within
which said bristles are located defining a length dimension
measured in a direction along said longitudinal axis of said head;
a first group of bristle supports mounted to said head and
extending between said first end and said center section, and a
second group of bristle supports mounted to said head and extending
between said second end and said center section, each of said first
group and said second group of bristle supports having a length
dimension measured in a direction along said longitudinal axis
which is in the range of about 1/4to 1/2of said of said length
dimension of said center section and being effective to resist
deformation of said bristle within said center section in a
direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said head.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 in which each of said first group of
bristle supports and said second group of bristle supports is
formed of a number of bundles of bristles.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 in which each of said bundles of
bristles has a height dimension measured in a direction outwardly
from said head which is less than said height dimension of said
bristles within said center section, each of said bundles of
bristles including a stiffening portion which extends from said
head along at least a portion of said height dimension thereof.
4. The toothbrush of claim 3 in which said stiffening portion is a
coating applied to at least some of said bundles of bristles within
said first group and said second group of bristle supports along a
portion thereof extending outwardly from said head.
5. The toothbrush of claim 3 in which said stiffening portion is a
sleeve mounted to at least some of said bundles of bristles within
said first group and said second group of bristle supports along a
portion thereof extending outwardly from said head.
6. The toothbrush of claim 3 in which said stiffening portion is an
area of densification of bristles within at least some of said
bundles of bristles forming said first group and said second groups
of bristle supports, said area of densification of bristles
extending outwardly from said head along a portion of said bristle
bundles.
7. The toothbrush of claim 3 in which said stiffening portion
extends along said bundles of bristles to a height in the range of
about 1/3to 1/2of the height of the bristles within said center
section of said head.
8. The toothbrush of claim 1 in which each of said first group of
bristle supports and said second group of bristle supports is
formed of a number of sections of resilient material.
9. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said resilient material is
rubber.
10. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said resilient material is
plastic.
11. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which each of said sections of
resilient material has a height dimension measured in a direction
outwardly from said head which is less than said height dimension
of said bristles within said mounting area.
12. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said sections of resilient
material are arranged in generally parallel rows of sections of
resilient material with each row extending between said opposed
sides of said head, said rows of sections of resilient material
forming said first group of bristle supports progressively
increasing in height dimension in a direction from said first end
toward said mounting area, and said rows of sections of resilient
material forming said second group of bristle supports
progressively increasing in height dimension in a direction from
said second end toward said mounting area.
13. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said sections of resilient
material are generally cylindrical-shaped rods formed of
rubber.
14. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said sections of resilient
material are generally cylindrical-shaped rods formed of
plastic.
15. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said sections of resilient
material forming each row have a top end, said top ends of said
sections of resilient material within each row lying in a common
plane, each of said common planes being generally parallel to said
head.
16. The toothbrush of claim 8 in which said sections of resilient
material forming a row each has a top end, said top ends of said
sections of resilient material forming said rows within said first
group of bristle supports all lying within a common plane which
increases in height dimension measured from said head in a
direction from said first end toward said mounting area, said top
ends of said sections of resilient material forming said rows
within said second group of bristle supports all lying within a
common plane which increases in height dimension measured from said
head in a direction from said second end toward said mounting
area.
17. A toothbrush, comprising: a handle; a head having a first end,
a second end connected to said handle, opposed sides and a
longitudinal axis extending in a direction between said first and
second ends; a plurality of bristles mounted to said head in a
center section which is spaced from said first end, spaced from
said second end and extends substantially between said opposed
sides, each of said bristles within said center section extending
outwardly from said head and terminating at a tip, said tips of
said bristles lying in substantially a common plane defining a
height dimension relative to said head, said center section within
which said bristles are located defining a length dimension
measured in a direction along said longitudinal axis of said head;
a first group of bristle supports mounted to said head and
extending between said first end and said center section, and a
second group of bristle supports mounted to said head and extending
between said second end and said center section, each of said first
group and said second group of bristle supports having a height
dimension measured from said head, at least some of said bristle
supports within said first and second groups including a stiffening
portion to resist bending of the bristles within said center
section in the longitudinal direction.
18. The toothbrush of claim 17 in which each of said individual
supports of said first and second groups of bristle supports is a
bundle of bristles.
19. The toothbrush of claim 18 in which said stiffening portion is
a coating applied to at least some of said bundles of bristles
within said first group and said second group of bristle supports
along a portion thereof extending outwardly from said head.
20. The toothbrush of claim 18 in which said stiffening portion is
a sleeve mounted to at least some of said bundles of bristles
within said first group and said second group of bristle supports
along a portion thereof extending outwardly from said head.
21. The toothbrush of claim 18 in which said stiffening portion is
an area of densification of bristles within at least some of said
bundles of bristles forming said first group and said second group
of bristle supports, said area of densification of bristles
extending outwardly from said head along a portion of said bristle
bundles.
22. The toothbrush of claim 18 in which said stiffening portion
extends along said bundles of bristles to a height in the range of
about 1/3to 1/2of the height of the bristles within said center
section of said head.
23. The toothbrush of claim 18 in which each of said first group
and said second group of bristle supports has a length dimension
measured in a direction along said longitudinal axis which is in
the range of about 1/4to 1/2of said length dimension of said center
section.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/224,961, filed Jan. 4, 1999 and entitled
"Lingual Toothbrush And Method of Fabricating Same."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to toothbrushes, and, more
particularly, to a toothbrush which provides effective removal of
plaque and foreign matter from the lingual, or tongue, side of the
teeth and from between teeth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Toothbrushes of varying shapes and sizes are known for
cleaning teeth and dental prosthesis. Typically, a toothbrush
includes a rectangular or oval head, a handle, and a neck
connecting the handle to the head. The head includes an array of
bristles that are ultimately responsible for removing plaque and
foreign matter from the teeth during brushing. The head (less the
bristles), neck, and handle are typically formed as a unitary
device through a molding process.
[0004] Most often, the head connects to the neck and the neck
connects to the handle such that the resulting head, neck, and
handle combination are in a relatively straight line along their
longitudinal axes. However, in some other embodiments, such as
those illustrated in U.S. Design Patent Nos. 44,997; 47,669;
73,245; 77,115; 175,894; 259,977; and 282,603, the neck and head
are oriented perpendicular to each other in the shape of a "T." The
handle is typically straight, relatively long and rigid, but in
some toothbrush designs the handle includes bends or angles either
to make the handle more comfortable for a user to hold and/or to
improve the toothbrush user's ability to access hard-to-reach
surfaces of the teeth.
[0005] Toothbrushes of the types described above are effective for
cleaning most areas of the teeth or dental prosthesis, but they
also have specific limitations. These limitations stem mainly from
the fact that bristles, by their nature, clean most effectively
when they extend substantially perpendicular to the surface being
cleaned. Given the positioning and motion constraints that are
present when using devices having long, straight, rigid handles
within the confines of the human mouth, a user cannot readily
position the bristles of prior art toothbrushes so that maximally
effective cleaning can be realized over all areas of the teeth,
dental work and gums, especially those areas that are on the
lingual, or tongue, side of the teeth. These disadvantages have
been overcome to some extent by various designs directed toward
improving the maneuverability of toothbrush heads, such as making
the head smaller, angling the brush handle and/or the head,
providing a flexible joint in the handle or arranging bristles of
varying lengths to form tufts having special contours intended to
improve their penetration of irregularly shaped structures. Some
examples of these improvements are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,463,470; 4,800,608; 5,613,262; and 5,628,082.
[0006] However, improvements of the type noted above are not
entirely sufficient to effectively enable cleaning of all areas of
the teeth, particularly those areas on the lingual side of the
teeth and between teeth. For example, typical prior art
toothbrushes include an array of bristles extending from the head
of the toothbrush and terminating with bristle tips which all lie
in the same place. In contrast, the lingual side of the teeth
defines a convex curvature. This convex curvature is particularly
pronounced at the front, or anterior, portion of the mouth.
Therefore, due to such geometric incompatibility, toothbrush heads
cannot effectively clean all lingual side anterior tooth surfaces
regardless of the configuration of the neck and head portions of
the toothbrush. In addition, the straight nature of the necks of
most toothbrushes makes maneuvering the toothbrush head difficult
on the back (i.e., lingual) side of the teeth because the neck
bumps into the teeth, deflecting the head of the brush away from
proper contact with the lingual surface of the teeth.
[0007] To overcome the shortcomings of prior art toothbrush
configurations, toothbrush users tend to engage the bristles with
additional force on the lingual surfaces of the teeth in an attempt
to more effectively clean the lingual tooth surfaces. However,
brushing more forcefully does not necessarily result in cleaner
teeth. Bristles clean most effectively when their tips engage the
surface being cleaned using a force within a particular range
depending on the stiffness of the bristles. If the force is not
great enough, the bristle tips will not engage the surface being
cleaned with sufficient pressure to do an effective a job of
cleaning. On the other hand, if the force is too great, the
bristles will bend or flatten so as to engage the surface being
cleaned with their sides rather than their tips, also resulting in
less than optimal cleaning.
[0008] Additionally, depending on the angle of engagement between
the bristles and the teeth, and the force applied, flattening of
some bristles may result in flattening of other bristles due to the
proximity of all the bristles on the toothbrush head. For example,
when one brushes the lingual side of his or her posterior, or back
teeth, he or she typically angles the toothbrush in an attempt to
avoid the anterior teeth and almost invariably engages the lingual
tooth surfaces first with the tips of the bristles at the front end
of the toothbrush head opposite the handle. As the force applied to
the bristles is increased, the front bristles bend in a
longitudinal direction toward the rear of the toothbrush head
contacting neighboring bristles and causing the neighboring
bristles to likewise bend rearwardly. This domino effect continues,
affecting all the bristles in such a manner that the bristles
engage tooth surfaces on their sides instead of at their tips. Such
side engagement repeats as the person moves the toothbrush head
back-and-forth in his or her mouth. As noted above, engaging the
tooth surfaces with the sides of the bristles results in less than
optimal cleaning.
[0009] The above limitations of prior art toothbrushes also extend
to cleaning between teeth. Bristles clean between teeth most
effectively when their tips project between the teeth. However, due
to the flat shape of many toothbrush heads and the geometry of the
toothbrush neck, cleaning between teeth, particularly from the
lingual side of the teeth, is difficult. Consequently, toothbrush
users typically apply excessive force to the bristles in an attempt
to force the tips of the bristles into the spaces between the
teeth. Application of excessive force typically results in the tips
of the bristles deflecting away from the surface intended to be
cleaned and less efficient cleaning occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore among the objectives of this invention to
provide a toothbrush which facilitates effective cleaning of the
lingual side of the teeth and between teeth, and which permits
toothbrush users to have enough confidence when brushing to apply
only the appropriate amount of force related to the stiffness of
the bristles of their toothbrushes.
[0011] In one presently preferred embodiment, a toothbrush is
provided which includes a head whose bottom (i.e., bristle-bearing)
surface and preferably its top (i.e., non-bristle bearing) surface
have a convex curvature that complements the geometric shape of a
typical human mouth on the lingual side of the teeth. Such a convex
curvature, which may be either a smooth continuous curve or a
piecewise, approximation formed by the angular intersection of two
or more planes, approximates the geometric shape of the mouth on
the lingual side of the teeth.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
toothbrush includes a bristle arrangement in which the bristles
project from the bristle-bearing surface of the head by distances
appropriate to cause the tips of the bristles to form a generally
convex profile that substantially complements the curvature of
mouth on the lingual side of the teeth. Thus, the present invention
seeks to accommodate the general geometric shape of the mouth on
the lingual side of the teeth with a curvature of the
bristle-bearing surface of the head, an arrangement of the
bristles, or both that generally complement the mouth's shape. By
effectively matching the geometric shape of the mouth on the
lingual side of the teeth with the shape of the bristle-bearing
surface of the head and/or the profile of the bristles, the present
invention improves the likelihood that a substantial quantity of
bristles will continuously engage the lingual side tooth surfaces
at an appropriate angle and force, thereby resulting in improved
lingual side cleaning efficacy.
[0013] According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
the toothbrush further includes a neck having a concave curvature
with respect to the brushing surface of the teeth. Such a concave
curvature may be either a smooth continuous curve or a segmented
approximation formed by the angular intersection of two or more
planes. With a concave curvature in the neck, the toothbrush user
can more easily, naturally, and reliably maneuver the toothbrush
head and bristles on the tongue side of the teeth without
interference from the teeth themselves, in contrast to the
interference that may be encountered when using straight-necked
toothbrushes.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
toothbrush is provided with a neck and a head oriented in a
T-configuration to facilitate easy access to the lingual side of
the anterior teeth without requiring the toothbrush user to perform
substantial arm and wrist movements to maneuver the toothbrush head
behind the anterior teeth. That is, the neck is coupled to a
central area of the head such that the longitudinal axis of the
head is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
neck. In a preferred aspect of the T-configuration toothbrush, the
neck is coupled to the head at an angle directed away from the
brushing surface. Coupling the head and neck together in this
manner effectively results in a slight tilting of the head in an
upward direction to accommodate the curvature of either the palate
or the bottom part of the mouth, below the tongue.
[0015] According to still a further aspect of the present
invention, the toothbrush further includes a handle coupled to the
neck, wherein the handle preferably includes one or more bends or
angles to aid gripping of the toothbrush and maneuvering of the
toothbrush in the mouth. Such bending or angling of the handle may
be in one plane or in multiple planes.
[0016] In another embodiment of this invention, the bristle bearing
surface of the head section includes a first end, a second end
connected to the neck of the toothbrush, opposed sides extending
between the ends and a central bristle mounting area located
between the opposed sides but spaced from each of the first and
second ends where an array of bundles of bristles are mounted to
the head. A first group of bristle supports extend from the first
end to the central bristle mounting area, and a second group of
bristle supports are positioned on the head between the second end
and central bristle mounting area. Preferably, each of the first
and second groups of bristle supports has a length measured in the
longitudinal direction, e.g. in a direction between the ends, which
is in the range of about 1/4to 1/2of the length of the bristles
within the central bristle mounting area. The purpose of the
bristle supports is to resist deflection of the bristles within the
central bristle mounting area in the longitudinal direction upon
contact with the teeth, and particularly the lingual side of the
teeth. This assists in maintaining the tips of the bristles in
contact with the surfaces of the teeth for improved cleaning,
rather than allowing the bristles to bend so that their sides
contact the teeth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The structure, operation and advantages of the presently
preferred embodiments of this invention will become further
apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the arrangement of the teeth on
either the upper or lower portion of the human jaw illustrating the
geometric shape of the mouth.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance
with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG.
2.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG.
2.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the toothbrush of FIG. 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a first alternative
embodiment of the head of the toothbrush of either FIG. 2 or FIG.
10.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second alternative
embodiment of the head of the toothbrush of either FIG. 2 or FIG.
10.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of a person's head showing the
toothbrush of FIG. 2 in use.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mouth illustrating the head of
the toothbrush of FIG. 2 in use.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance
with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush of FIG.
10.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the mouth illustrating the head of
the toothbrush of FIG. 10 in use.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a first alternative embodiment of
the toothbrush of FIG. 10.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a second alternative embodiment of
the toothbrush of FIG. 10;
[0032] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment
of the toothbrush of this invention;
[0033] FIG. 16 is a front view of FIG. 15 illustrating one version
of the bristle supports;
[0034] FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 16;
[0035] FIG. 17A is a plan view of one embodiment of the toothbrush
shown in FIG. 17;
[0036] FIG. 17B is a cross sectional view taken generally along
line 17B-17B of FIG. 17A;
[0037] FIG. 17C is a cross sectional view taken generally along
line 17C-17C of FIG. 17D;
[0038] FIG. 17D is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the
toothbrush illustrated in FIG. 17;
[0039] FIG. 18 is a front view of FIG. 15 showing an alternative
version of the bristle supports herein;
[0040] FIG. 19 is a side view of FIG. 18;
[0041] FIG. 20 is a front view of a variation of the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 18; and
[0042] FIG. 21 is a side view of FIG. 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0043] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the arrangement of the teeth
101-116 on either the upper or lower portion of the human jaw
illustrating the geometric shape of the mouth 100. Each tooth
101-116 is conventionally referred to as having a lingual side 118
and a mutually opposed facial, front or cheek side 120. Teeth
101-110 are generally referred to as posterior or back teeth;
whereas, teeth 111-116 are generally referred to as anterior or
front teeth. The teeth 101-116 are arranged within the mouth 100
such that the tooth surfaces on the lingual side 118 of the teeth
101-116 define a convex curvature of the mouth 100 with respect to
such tooth surfaces as illustrated in FIG. 1. On the other hand,
the tooth surfaces on the facial side 120 of the teeth 101-116
define a concave curvature of the mouth 100 with respect to such
tooth surfaces. The convex curvature of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116 typically varies in degree as
groups of teeth 101-116 are traversed, as illustrated by the curved
lines 122 and 124. However, an identifiable convex curvature
typically exists around the entire lingual side 118 of the mouth
100 in most persons. The degree of convexity is typically most
pronounced on the lingual side 118 of the anterior teeth 111-116.
Due to this convex curvature, the projection of the teeth 101-116
downwardly or upwardly into the mouth 100 area, and the limited
angular opening of the mouth 100, effective brushing of the tooth
surfaces on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116 is difficult
with prior art toothbrushes. The present invention overcomes the
limitations in prior art toothbrushes to provide a toothbrush that
facilitates effective cleaning of the lingual side 118 of the teeth
101-116.
[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a toothbrush 200 in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The toothbrush 200 includes a head 201, a neck 203, a
handle 205, and a plurality of bristles 207. For clarity of
illustration, individual bristles 207 are exaggerated in size. It
is to be understood that it would be preferable to include
substantially greater numbers of bristles of substantially smaller
size diameter than appear to be illustrated. Indeed, what appear in
the drawings as individual bristles 207 preferably comprise bundles
of bristles, each of which may contain about twenty (20) to about
thirty (30) individual bristles of much smaller diameter than those
illustrated.
[0045] The head 201 includes a bristle-bearing bottom surface 209
and a mutually opposed top surface 211 spaced apart from the bottom
surface 209. According to the invention, at least the bottom
surface 209 and preferably both surfaces 209. 211 have convex
curvatures as shown with respect to a brushing surface of the teeth
(reference numeral 301 in FIG. 3). The curvature of one or both of
the bottom surface 209 and the top surface 211 preferably
complements the convex curvature of the mouth 100 on the lingual
side 118 of the teeth 101-116, such as the curvature 122 present at
the anterior region of the mouth 100. The convex curvature of one
or both of the bottom surface 209 and the top surface 211
preferably comprises a smooth continuous curve as illustrated in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, but alternatively may comprise a piecewise or
segmented approximation formed by the angular intersection of two
or more planes, such as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described
in more detail below.
[0046] The neck 203 includes a bottom surface 213 spaced apart from
a top surface 215. Both surfaces 213, 215 of the neck 203
preferably have concave curvatures or angling with respect to the
brushing surface of the teeth as described in more detail below.
The handle 205 is depicted as being straight, but alternative
handle embodiments may be employed, such as those described below
with respect to FIGS. 5, 10, 13, and 14.
[0047] The head 201, neck 203, and handle 205 are preferably
fabricated as a single, integrated unit using well-known injection
molding techniques. Thus, upon fabrication, the head 201 is coupled
to the neck 203, which in turn is coupled to the handle 205 as
shown in FIG. 2.
[0048] The bristles 207 project outwardly from the bottom surface
209 of the head 201 and form a generally convex profile that
substantially complements the curvature of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. In the preferred embodiment,
the bristles 207 form a piecewise linear convex profile as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4. In an alternative embodiment, the
lengths of the bristles 207 may be such as to form a continuous
curve convex profile similar to the convex curvature profiles of
the top and bottom surfaces 209, 211 of the head 201 illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 4. In the preferred embodiment, the lengths of the
projecting portions of the bristles 207 (i.e., the portions
extending from the bottom surface 209 of the head 201 outward)
taper such that the projecting portions of those bristles near the
center of the head 201 are significantly longer than the lengths of
those bristles near each opposing end of the head 201.
[0049] In the first preferred embodiment for example, the bristles
207 are divided into three groupings 217-219. The first grouping,
middle grouping 217, includes bristles 207 having projecting
portions of substantially equal length (e.g., about ten (10) to
about twelve (12) millimeters (mm) in length, as measured from the
bottom surface 209 of the head 201) and is positioned between the
other two groupings, end groupings 218 and 219. The bristles 207 in
the end groupings 218, 219 decrease in length, with the longest
bristles 207 being directly adjacent the middle grouping 217 and
the shortest bristles 207 being at the distal ends of the head 201.
In the preferred embodiment, the lengths of the projecting portions
of the bristles 207 in the end groupings 218, 219 decrease
substantially linearly from the middle grouping 217 to the ends of
end groupings 218, 219. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the
lengths of bristles 207 in end grouping 219 preferably decrease
linearly (as illustrated by dashed line 223) from the middle
grouping 217 to the end of the head 201 to a minimum length of
about three (3) to about five (5) mm, as measured from the bottom
surface 209 of the head 201.
[0050] In alternative embodiments, the bristles 207 may have a
variety of taper arrangements provided that the bristles 207
together with the head 201 at least approximately, and preferably
closely, correspond in profile to a convex curvature that is
complementary in shape to a convex curvature of the mouth 100 on
the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116, such as curvature 124 or
more preferably curvature 122. For example, the bristles 207 may
vary in length to collectively form a piecewise or smooth convex
curvature with respect to the brushing surface of the teeth, such
as when the surfaces 209, 211 of the head 201 are flat, or the
bristles 207 may be substantially equal in length provided that the
head 201 is arched or curved appropriately to create a bristle
profile that complements the convex curvature of the mouth 100 on
the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0051] The bristles 207 may be secured to the head 201 using any
presently known or future developed technique. That is, the process
used to secure the bristles 207 to the head 201 is of no import to
the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the bristles
207 are secured to the head 201 in accordance with standard
toothbrush manufacturing techniques by first creating a plurality
of bores in the head 201, then placing a bundle of bristles 207
into each bore, and finally trimming the bristles 207 to the
appropriate lengths, such that the profile of the projecting
portions of the bristles 207 is substantially complementary in
shape to the convex curvature of the mouth 100 on the lingual side
118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0052] In the first preferred embodiment, the neck 203 is oriented
substantially perpendicular to the head 201 and preferably includes
a concave curvature with respect to a brushing surface of the teeth
301 as shown in FIG. 3. The bottom surface 213 of the neck 203 is
coupled to the bottom surface 209 of the head 201 and the top
surface 215 of the neck 203 is coupled to the top surface 211 of
the head 201. Similar to the convex curvature of the head 201
and/or profile of the bristles 207, the concave curvature of the
neck 203 may be either a smooth continuous curve as depicted in
FIG. 3 or a piecewise approximation formed by the angular
intersection of two or more planes, such as depicted in FIG. 5.
[0053] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the concavity of
the neck 203 is acute in that a center point 304 of the concave
curvature of the top surface 215 of the neck 203 lies in a plane
303 that is substantially parallel to the brushing surface 301 of
the teeth and that is farther in distance from the brushing,
surface 301 than is any plane (e.g., plane 305) containing an end
point (see end points 401 and 403 of FIG. 4) of the top surface 211
of the head 201. That is, the concavity of the neck 203 is such
that the distance 307 between the brushing surface 301 at the tips
of the middle grouping 217 of bristles 207 and the plane 303
containing the center point 304 of the concave curvature of the top
surface 215 of the neck 203 is greater than the distance 309
between the brushing surface 301 and any plane (e.g., plane 305)
containing an end point of the top surface 211 of the head 201.
Such acute concavity of the neck 203 enables the neck 203 to avoid
even high profile anterior teeth 111-116 projecting into the mouth
area during brushing of the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116.
By fabricating the neck 203 with a concave curvature or angling to
avoid the anterior teeth 111-116, more effective brushing of the
lingual side 118 of the anterior teeth 111-116 can be accomplished
because deflection of the bristles 207 off of the lingual side
tooth surfaces due to contact of the neck 203 with the anterior
teeth 111-116 is reduced or eliminated. In alternative embodiments
directed toward lower profile teeth, such as teeth of children, the
concavity of the neck 203 may be reduced or eliminated altogether
while still providing effective cleaning of the lingual side 118 of
the teeth 101-116 due to the convex configuration of the head 201
and/or profile of the bristles 207.
[0054] The neck 203 is preferably coupled to a central area of the
head 201 at an angle directed away from the brushing surface 301 of
the teeth. For example, line 311 illustrates a surface in parallel
with the brushing surface 301 of the teeth and line 313 illustrates
a surface in parallel with the center line of the neck 203 in the
area where the neck 203 couples to the head 201. As shown, the neck
203 is directed away from the brushing surface by an angle 315
preferably in the range of about fifteen (15) to about (30)
degrees) at the point where the neck 203 couples to the head 201.
By angling the neck 203 away from the brushing surface 301 at the
point where the neck 203 couples to or joins the head 201, the head
201 is effectively angled or tilted to generally match the
longitudinal profile of the lingual side 118 of the anterior teeth
111-116, thereby facilitating improved bristle engagement and
cleaning of the lingual side 118 of the anterior teeth 111-116.
[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the neck 203 may be coupled to
the head 201 at an angle other than ninety (90) degrees (i.e.,
other than perpendicular) with respect to the head 201 and/or to
areas other than the central area of the head 201. For example, the
neck 203 may be coupled to the head 201 at an angle of about
forty-five (45) degrees and/or the neck 203 may be coupled off
center. The angle of the neck 203 with respect to the head 201 and
the location that the neck 203 couples to the head 201 are of less
importance in the present invention than is the configuration of
the head 201 and/or the arrangement of the bristles 207. Therefore,
a variety of neck-to-head coupling configurations may be employed
while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the toothbrush 200 of
FIG. 2 that illustrates the preferred convex curvature of the head
201. As depicted in this view, a center point 411 of the bottom
surface 209 of the head 201 lies in a plane 409 that is
substantially parallel to the brushing surface 301 of the teeth.
The bottom surface 209 is curved such that end points 401 and 403
of the bottom surface 209 are positioned at respective angles 405,
407 from about fifteen (15) to about forty-five (45) degrees with
respect to the plane 409 containing the center point 411 of the
bottom surface 209. Similarly, a center point 413 of the top
surface 211 of the head 201 lies in a plane 414 that is
substantially parallel to the brushing surface 301 of the teeth.
The top surface 211 is curved such that end points 415 and 417 of
the top surface 211 are positioned at respective angles 419, 421
from about fifteen (15) to about forty-five (45) degrees with
respect to the plane 414 containing the center point 413 of the top
surface 211.
[0057] In the first preferred toothbrush 200, the angles 405 and
407 are preferably identical (i.e., the curvature is preferably
symmetric about center point 411) at a value in the range of about
fifteen (15) to about twenty-five (25) degrees and the angles 419
and 421 are preferably identical (i.e., the curvature is also
preferably symmetric about center point 414) at a value in the
range of about fifteen (15) to about twenty-five (25) degrees. In
alternative embodiments, the curvature may not be symmetric.
Moreover, the geometric shape of the head 201 need not be curved as
long as the combined shape of the head 201 and the profile of the
bristles 207 correspond generally to the geometric shape of the
mouth 200 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. For
example, the head 201 might be fabricated to match the polygonal
profile of the preferred bristle arrangement (e.g., a flat center
portion and end portions that angle away from the brushing surface
301 at angles in the range of about fifteen (15) to about
forty-five (45) degrees), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and described
in more detail below. Alternatively, the head 201 may be
rectangular or oval provided that the profile of the bristles 207
generally corresponds to the shape of the mouth 100 on the lingual
side 118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the
neck 503 is longer than in FIG. 2 and includes a piecewise or
segmented approximation of a concave curvature with respect to the
brushing surface 301 of the teeth 101-116 formed by the angular
intersection 507 of two planes 509, 511. In addition, the handle
505 is bent or angled toward the brushing surface 301 of the teeth
101-116. Angling of the handle 505 toward the brushing surface 301
allows the person using the toothbrush to reach the lingual side
118 of the anterior teeth 111-116 without requiring the person to
maneuver the toothbrush as much as when the handle 505 is straight.
In a preferred embodiment, the angle 501 formed by the plane 502
containing the section of the neck 503 coupled to the handle 505
and the plane 504 containing the handle 505 itself is in the range
of about ten (10) to about twenty-five (25) degrees.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a first alternative
embodiment of the head 201 of the toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2. In this
embodiment, the bottom surface 209 of the head 201 is a piecewise
or segmented approximation of the convex curvature of the lingual
side 118 of the teeth 101-116 formed by the angular intersections
of three planes 603, 613, 615. The head 201 includes a middle
section and two end sections. The middle section includes a center
point 601 that lies in plane 603. The first end section includes
end point 605 and the second end section includes end point 607.
The end sections taper off from the middle section such that the
shape of the bottom surface 209 of the head 201 corresponds
generally to the shape of the curvature of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. Preferably, end point 605 is
positioned at an angle 609 ranging from about fifteen (15) to about
forty-five (45) degrees with respect to plane 603. Similarly, end
point 607 is preferably positioned at an angle 611 ranging from
about fifteen (15) to about forty-five (45) degrees with respect to
plane 603.
[0060] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a second alternative
embodiment of the head 201 of the toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2. In this
embodiment, not only is the bottom surface 209 of the head
fabricated to correspond generally to the shape of the mouth 100 on
the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116 as in the alternative
embodiment described above with respect to FIG. 6, but the top
surface 211 of the head 201 is also so fabricated. Thus, the top
surface 211 of the head 201 is a piecewise or segmented
approximation of the convex curvature of the lingual side 118 of
the teeth 101-116 formed by the angular intersections of three
planes 703, 713, 715. Similar to the bottom surface 209, the top
surface 211 includes a middle section and two end sections. The
middle section includes a center point 701 that lies in plane 703,
which is preferably parallel to plane 603. The first end section
includes end point 705 and the second end section includes end
point 707. The end sections taper off from the middle section such
that the shape of the top surface 211 of the head 201 corresponds
generally to the shape of the curvature of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. Preferably, end point 705 is
positioned at an angle 709 ranging from about fifteen (15) to about
forty-five (45) degrees with respect to plane 703. Similarly, end
point 707 is preferably positioned at an angle 711 ranging from
about fifteen (15) to about forty-five (45) degrees with respect to
plane 703.
[0061] FIG. 8 is a side view of a person's head showing the
toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2 in use. As shown, the preferred concave
curvature of the neck 203 allows relatively easy access of the head
201 to the lingual side 118 of the anterior teeth 111-116. In
addition, the concave curvature of the neck 203 enables the neck
203 to avoid contact with the anterior teeth 111-116 during
brushing (provided, of course, that the mouth is open), thereby
allowing the bristles to remain in contact with the lingual tooth
surfaces.
[0062] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the mouth 100 illustrating the head
201 of the toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2 in use. As described above, the
preferred convex curvature of the head 201 substantially
corresponds to the curvature of the mouth 100 on the lingual side
118 of the anterior teeth 111-116, thereby allowing the bristles
207 to remain engaged with the lingual side tooth surfaces of the
anterior teeth 111-116 during brushing. In addition, the preferred
bristle arrangement allows the bristles 207 to remain relatively
straight as force is applied to the head 201 and the head 201 is
moved up and down and side-to-side. Further, the shorter, stiff end
bristles 218, 219 of the preferred bristle arrangement project
between the anterior teeth 111-116 as force is applied to the head
201, thereby providing improved cleaning of the interproximal
(i.e., between teeth) tooth surfaces.
[0063] As described above with respect to FIGS. 2-9, the present
invention provides a toothbrush 200 fabricated to effectively clean
the lingual side tooth surfaces of the anterior teeth 111-116
during brushing of such teeth by a user. By fabricating the head
201 of the toothbrush 200 and/or the overall profile of the
bristles 207 to complement at least approximately, and preferably
closely, the shape of the mouth 100 on the lingual side 118 of the
teeth 101-116, the present invention increases the probability
that, on average, more bristles 207 will remain in contact with the
lingual side tooth surfaces during brushing, thereby improving the
cleaning efficacy of the toothbrush 200. By further including a
concave curvature of the neck 203, the preferred toothbrush 200
facilitates easy access of the head 201 to the lingual side tooth
surfaces and reduces the likelihood that the neck 203 will contact
the anterior teeth 111-116 during brushing, thereby further
increasing the probability that the bristles 207 will remain in
contact with the lingual side tooth surfaces during brushing. Still
further, by angling the neck 203 away from the brushing surface
301, thereby effectively tilting the head 201, the preferred
toothbrush 200 increases the likelihood of bristle contact with the
lingual tooth surfaces along the entire length of each tooth
without requiring complex maneuvering of the toothbrush 200 to do
so.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a lingual toothbrush 1000
in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Similar to the toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2, the toothbrush
1000 of FIG. 10 includes a head 1001, a neck 1003, a handle 1005,
and a plurality of bristles 1007. However, in contrast to the
toothbrush 200 of FIG. 2, the neck 1003 of toothbrush 1000 is
coupled to one end of the head 1001 instead of to the central area
of the head 1001. In addition, the longitudinal axis of the neck
1003 is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the head 1001, in
contrast to the perpendicular or angular orientation of the neck
203 and the head 201 shown in FIG. 2.
[0065] The head 1001 includes a bottom surface 1009 spaced apart
from a top surface 1011, wherein both surfaces 1009, 1011
preferably have smooth and continuous convex curvatures with
respect to a brushing surface of the teeth. The neck 1003 includes
a bottom surface 1013 spaced apart from a top surface 1015, wherein
both surfaces 1013, 1015 preferably have smooth and continuous
concave curvatures with respect to the brushing surface of the
teeth.
[0066] The handle 1005 preferably includes two segments: a straight
segment 1006 and an angled segment 1008. The straight segment 1006
is approximately one-third the total length of the handle 1005 and
the angled segment 1008 is approximately two-thirds the total
length of the handle 1005. The straight segment 1006 is connected
to the neck 1003 in the same manner as if the entire handle 1005
was straight. The angled segment 1008 is connected to the straight
segment 1006 and bends away from the brushing surface of the teeth
at an angle preferably ranging from about ten (10) to about twenty
(20) degrees with respect to a plane containing the straight
segment 1006. In an alternative embodiment, the handle 1005 may be
straight (e.g., as is the handle 205 depicted in FIG. 2) or may be
configured in the manner described above with respect to FIG. 5 or
below with respect to FIGS. 13 and 14. The head 1001, neck 1003,
and handle 1005 are preferably fabricated as a single, integrated
unit using well-known injection molding techniques.
[0067] In the second preferred embodiment, as in the first
preferred embodiment, the bristles 1007 project outward from the
bottom surface 1009 of the head 1001 and form a generally convex
profile that substantially complements the curvature of the mouth
100 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. In the preferred
embodiment, the bristles 1007 form a piecewise linear convex
profile as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In an alternative
embodiment, the lengths of the bristles 1007 may be such as to form
a continuous convex profile similar to the convex curvature
profiles of the top and bottom surfaces 1009, 1011 of the head 1001
illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the preferred embodiment, the
lengths of the projecting portions of the bristles 1007 (i.e., the
portions extending from the bottom surface 1009 of the head 1001
outward) taper such that the projecting portions of those bristles
1007 near the center of the head 1001 are significantly longer than
the lengths of those bristles 1007 near each opposing end of the
head 1001.
[0068] In the second preferred embodiment for example, the bristles
1007 are divided into three groupings 1017-1019. The first
grouping, middle grouping 1017, includes bristles of substantially
equal length (e.g., about ten (10) to about (12) mm in length, as
measured from the bottom surface 1009 of the head 1001) and is
positioned between the other two groupings, end groupings 1018 and
1019. The bristles 1007 in the end groupings 1018, 1019 decrease in
length, with the longest bristles 1007 being directly adjacent the
middle grouping 1017 and the shortest bristles 1007 being at the
distal ends of the head 1001. In the preferred embodiment, the
lengths of the bristles 1007 in the end groupings 1018, 1019
decrease substantially linearly from the middle grouping 1017 to
the ends of end groupings 1018, 1019. For example, as shown in FIG.
10, the lengths of bristles in end grouping 1018 preferably
decrease linearly (as illustrated by dashed line 1023) from the
middle grouping 1017 to the end of the head 1001 to a minimum
length of about three (3) to about five (5) mm, as measured from
the bottom surface 1009 of the head 1001.
[0069] In alternative embodiments, the bristles 1007 may have a
variety of taper arrangements provided that the bristles 1007
together with the head 1001 at least approximately, and preferably
closely, correspond in profile to a convex curvature that is
complementary in shape to a convex curvature of the mouth 100 on
the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. For example, the
bristles 1007 may vary in length to collectively form a piecewise
or smooth convex curvature with respect to the brushing surface of
the teeth, such as when the surfaces 209, 211 of the head 201 are
flat, or the bristles 207 may be substantially equal in length
provided that the head 201 is arched or curved appropriately to
create a bristle profile that complements the convex curvature of
the mouth 100 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0070] The bristles 1007 may be secured to the head 1001 using any
presently known or future developed technique. That is, the process
used to secure the bristles 1007 to the head 1001 is of no import
to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the bristles
1007 are secured to the head 1001 in accordance with standard
toothbrush manufacturing techniques by first creating a plurality
of bores in the head 1001, then placing a bundle of bristles 1007
into each bore, and finally trimming the bristles 1007 to the
appropriate lengths, such that the profile of the projecting
portions of the bristles 1007 is substantially complementary in
shape to the convex curvature of the mouth 100 on the lingual side
118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0071] In the second preferred embodiment, as noted above, the neck
1003 is oriented in the same general direction (i.e., along the
same longitudinal axis) as the head 201 and preferably includes a
concave curvature with respect to a brushing surface 1101 of the
teeth as shown in FIG. 11. The bottom surface 1013 of the neck 1003
is coupled to the bottom surface 1009 of the head 1001 and the top
surface 1015 of the neck 1003 is coupled to the top surface 1011 of
the head 1001.
[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the concavity of the neck
1003 is acute in that a center point 1104 of the concave curvature
of the top surface 1015 of the neck 1003 lies in a plane 1103 that
is substantially parallel to the brushing surface 1101 of the teeth
and that is farther in distance from the brushing surface 1101 than
is any plane (e.g., plane 1105) containing an end point of the top
surface 1011 of the head 1001. That is, the concavity of the neck
1003 is such that the distance 1107 between the brushing surface
1101 at the tips of the middle grouping of bristles 1017 and the
plane 1103 containing the center point 1104 of the concave
curvature of the top surface 1015 of the neck 1003 is greater than
the distance 1109 between the brushing surface 1101 and any plane
(e.g., plane 1105) containing an end point of the top surface 1011
of the head 1001. Such acute concavity of the neck 1003 enables the
neck 1003 to avoid even high profile anterior teeth 111-116
projecting into the mouth area during brushing of the lingual side
118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0073] By fabricating the neck 1003 with a continuous or segmented
(e.g., piecewise) concave curvature to avoid the anterior teeth
111-116, more effective brushing of the lingual side 118 of the
posterior teeth 101-110 can be accomplished because deflection of
the bristles 1007 off of the lingual side tooth surfaces due to
contact of the neck 1003 with the anterior teeth 111-116 is reduced
or eliminated. In addition, the concave curvature of the neck 1003
permits the toothbrush user to reach lower on the lingual side 118
of a posterior tooth 101-110 than does a typical toothbrush in the
event that the user has lower, lingual side posterior tooth gum
recession. In alternative embodiments directed toward lower profile
teeth, such as teeth of children, the concavity of the neck 1003
may be reduced or eliminated altogether while still providing
effective cleaning of the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116 due
to the complementary configuration of the head 1001 and/or the
profile of the bristles 1007 with respect to the geometric shape of
the mouth 100 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116.
[0074] In an alternative embodiment, the head 1001 might be a shape
other than convex, provided that the shape of the head 1001 in
combination with the overall profile of the bristles 1007 at least
approximately, and preferably closely, complements the shape of the
mouth 100 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116. For
example, the head 1001 may have the shape of either embodiment
described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the
surfaces of the head 1001 may be flat (similar to typical prior art
toothbrushes) provided that the shape of the head 1001 in
combination with the overall profile of the bristles 1007 have the
general shape of the mouth 100 on the lingual side 118 of the teeth
101-116.
[0075] As noted above with respect to FIG. 10, the preferred handle
1005 of the second preferred embodiment of the toothbrush 1000
includes a straight segment 1006 and an angled segment 1008. The
angle 1110 formed by the plane 1111 containing the straight segment
1006 of the handle 1005 and the plane 1113 containing the angled
segment 1008 of the handle 1005 is preferably in the range of about
ten (10) to about twenty (20) degrees. Angling of the handle 1005
in this manner allows the user to reach the lingual side 118 of the
posterior teeth 101-110 without requiring the user to maneuver the
toothbrush 1000 as much as when the handle 1005 is straight.
[0076] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the mouth 100 illustrating the
head 1001 of the toothbrush 1000 of FIG. 10 in use. As described
above, the preferred convex curvature of the head 1001
substantially corresponds to the curvature of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116, thereby allowing the
bristles 1007 to remain engaged with the lingual side tooth
surfaces of the teeth 101-116 during brushing. In addition, the
preferred bristle arrangement allows the bristles 1007 to remain
relatively straight as force is applied to the head 1001 and the
head 1001 is moved up and down and side-to-side. When the user
first inserts the head 1001 in the mouth 100, the shorter bristles
of end grouping 1018 contacts the lingual tooth surfaces. As the
user applies pressure during brushing and moves the head 1001 back
and forth, the initial contact with the shorter bristles of end
grouping 1018 guides the follow through contact of the longer
bristles of middle grouping 1017. As the longer bristles of middle
grouping 1017 contact the lingual tooth surfaces, cleaning efficacy
is improved by the decreased flattening of the longer bristles due
to the rigidity and support provided by the shorted bristles of end
groupings 1018 and 1019. That is, since end grouping 1018 includes
short, rigid bristles, the bristles of end grouping 1018 do not
bend into the middle grouping 1017 upon first contact of the
bristles of end grouping 1018 with the tooth surfaces. Since the
bristles of end grouping 1018 do not bend into the bristles of
middle grouping 1017, the bristles of middle grouping 1017 contact
the tooth surfaces with their tips instead of their sides, thereby
providing improved cleaning effect. In addition, since the bristles
of end grouping 1019 are also short and rigid, they limit the
bending of the bristles of middle grouping 1017 as the head 1001 is
pushed against and across the teeth 101-116 thereby improving the
amount of bristle tip contact maintained on the tooth surfaces
during brushing.
[0077] Besides enabling the long bristles of the middle grouping
1017 to clean effectively, the shorter, stiff bristles of the end
groupings 1018, 1019 project between the teeth 101-116 as pressure
is applied to the head 1001, thereby providing improved cleaning of
the interproximal tooth surfaces. Finally, although the above
description has focused on the present invention's lingual side
cleaning efficacy, the toothbrush 1000 of FIG. 10 also provides
effective cleaning of the facial surfaces of the teeth 101-116 for
many of the same reasons that it provides effective cleaning of the
lingual surfaces. Consequently, the toothbrush 1000 of FIG. 10, and
its various embodiments, can be used for effective, daily dental
hygiene.
[0078] FIGS. 13 and 14 are plan views of alternative embodiments of
the toothbrush 1000 of FIG. 10. The handle 1300 in FIG. 13 includes
a bend 1302 or angle that facilitates holding of the toothbrush by
a left-handed person. By contrast, the handle 1400 in FIG. 14
includes a bend 1402 or angle that facilitates holding of the
toothbrush by a right-handed person. The bends 1302, 1402 in the
handles 1300, 1400 allow the handles 1300, 1400 to rest more
comfortably in the hands of the users and, therefore, facilitate
more comfortable use of the toothbrush 1000. In addition to the
embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the handles 205, 1005
might alternatively be angled toward the brushing surface 301,
1101, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, or away from the brushing
surface 301, 1101, for example, as shown in FIG. 11. One of
ordinary skill in the art can envision a variety of handle
configurations to include with the preferred and alternative
embodiments of the toothbrushes 200, 1000 described herein. All
such handle configurations are intended to fall within the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0079] In addition to various handle embodiments, the toothbrush
1000 of FIG. 10 may be fabricated with a variety of embodiments of
the neck 1003. In the preferred embodiment discussed above, the
neck 1003 is fabricated to include an acute, continuous concave
curvature with respect to the brushing surface 1101. However, in an
alternative embodiment, such as one for use with low profile (e.g.,
children's) teeth, the concave curvature or angling may be less
acute (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5) or the neck 1003 may even be
straight.
[0080] As described above with respect to FIGS. 10-14, the present
invention provides a toothbrush 1000 fabricated to effectively
clean all tooth surfaces of the teeth during brushing of such teeth
by an individual. With its head 1001 and/or bristle arrangement
contoured to complement the geometric shape of the mouth 100 on the
lingual side 118 of the teeth 101-116, the toothbrush 1000 is
particularly effective for cleaning the lingual side 118 of the
teeth and gums in contrast to its prior art counterparts. In
addition, the toothbrush 1000 is also very effective for cleaning
the facial side of the teeth and gums and, therefore, is a
toothbrush that may be used in everyday dental hygiene.
[0081] Referring now to FIGS. 15-23, still further alternative
embodiments of this invention are illustrated which are generally
similar to the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11 with the distinctions
noted below.
[0082] With reference initially to FIGS. 15-19, a toothbrush 2000
is depicted having a head 2002 connected by a neck 2004 to a handle
2006, only a portion of which is shown. The head 2002 is formed
with a bristle mounting surface 2008 defined by a first end 2010, a
second end 2012 connected to the neck 2004, opposed sides 2014 and
2016 and a longitudinal axis 2018 extending in a direction between
the ends 2010, 2012. Preferably, the bristle mounting surface 2008
includes a center section 2020 which is spaced from each of the
ends 2010, 2012 and extends between the sides 2014, 2016 of the
head 2002. A number of tufts 2022 are arranged in an array within
the center section 2020 of the bristle mounting surface 2008, each
of which consists of a number of individual bristles 2024. The
bristles 2024 within each tuft extend outwardly from the bristle
mounting surface 2008 and terminate at a bristle tip thus defining
a height dimension "H" (See FIG. 16) measured from the bristle
mounting surface 2008 to the bristle tips.
[0083] One objective of the embodiments of this invention depicted
in FIGS. 15-23 is to resist deformation or bending of the bristles
2024 within the center section 2020 in a longitudinal direction,
e.g. along axis 2018, during use of the toothbrush 2000 so that the
tips of the bristles 2024 are maintained in contact with the teeth.
This resistance to longitudinal deflection is achieved by the
provision of bristle supports 2026 in the area of the bristle
mounting surface 2008 between the end 2010 and center section 2020,
and bristle supports 2028 in the area of bristle mounting surface
2008 between the end 2012 and center section 2020.
[0084] In the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 15-17D,
the bristle supports 2026 and 2028 are identical in construction
and comprise a series of longitudinally spaced rows of tufts 2030,
each consisting of a number of individual bristles 2032. The tips
of the bristles 2032 within each row of bristle supports 2026 and
2028 are located in the same plane in the embodiment of FIGS.
15-17D, and the height of such bristles 2032 is in the range of
about 1/3to 1/2of the height H of the bristles 2024 of the tufts
2022 within the center section 2020. For example, where the height
H of the bristles 2024 within the center section is 10-12 mm, the
height of the bristles 2032 within the row of tufts 2030 closest to
the center section 2020 is about 6 or 7 mm whereas the height of
the bristles 2032 within the next row of tufts 2030 closest to the
ends 2010, 2012 is 4 or 5 mm. Additionally, the length "I" of the
rows of bristle tufts 2030 forming each of the bristle supports
2026 and 2028, is equal to in the range of about 1/4to 1/2of the
length "L" of the array of bristle tufts 2022 within the center
section 2020 of the bristle mounting surface 2008 where such
lengths "I" and "L" are measured in a direction along the
longitudinal axis 2018 of the head 2002. See FIG. 17.
[0085] The height dimension and length dimension of the rows of
bristle tufts 2030 forming the bristle supports 2026 and 2028 are
intended to provide stiffness in a longitudinal direction to resist
bending of the bristles 2024 within the center section 2020 upon
engagement with the teeth, and thus maintain the tips of such
bristles 2024 in contact with the teeth. As schematically depicted
in FIG. 17A 17D, further stiffening can be provided by the bristle
supports 2026 and 2028 by the inclusion of a stiffening portion in
the bristle tufts 2030 which extends from the bristle mounting
surface 2008 to a height of about 1/3to 1/2of the height "H" of the
bristles 2024 within the center section 2020. With reference to
FIGS. 17A and 17B, the stiffening portion may comprise a densified
area 2034 of bristles 2032 within each tuft 2030. As schematically
depicted in FIG. 17b, such densified area of bristles 2032 is
simply a concentration of additional bristles 2032 which extend
outwardly only a portion of the height of a tuft 2030 thus adding
rigidity and stiffness to the tuft 2030. The concentration or
densification of bristles 2032 within a portion of the height of
the tufts 2030 is greater than the number of bristles 2024 which
make up the tufts 2022 within the center section 2020 of the head
2002.
[0086] In an alternative embodiment of FIG. 17 shown in FIGS. 17C
and 17D, a stiffening portion is provided in some or all of the
tufts 2030 forming bristle supports 2026 and 2028 which comprises a
coating, a treatment or a sleeve of rubber, plastic or a similar
material designated generally by the reference number 2035 in such
Figs. Such stiffening portion 2035 extends from the bristle
mounting surface 2008 along the tufts 2030 to a height in the range
of about 1/3to 1/2the height H of the bristles 2024 within center
section 2020.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, an embodiment of this
invention is depicted in which bristle supports 2036 and 2038 are
provided having the same location, height and length dimensions as
bristle supports 2026 and 2028, except instead of tufts 2030 the
bristle supports 2036 and 2038 are formed of individual rubber or
plastic rods 2040 each mounted to the bristle mounting surface
2008. The plastic or rubber rods 2040 perform essentially the same
stiffening function as the tufts 2030 in FIGS. 15-17, as described
above. The embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19, including the
construction of the tufts 2022 within center section 2020, is
identical to that of FIGS. 15-17.
[0088] The embodiment of this invention shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is
the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 15-17D, including the
provision of a stiffening portion 2034 or 2035, except that the
tips of the bristles 2032 forming the tufts 2030 in the bristle
supports 2026 and 2028 are angled or tapered so that the height of
the bristles 2032 within the rows of tufts 2030 increases in a
direction from the ends 2010 and 2012 toward the center section
2020 of the head 2002. Similarly, the embodiment herein depicted in
FIGS. 22 and 23 is the same as that illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19
except that the tips of the individual rubber or plastic rods 2040
are tapered toward the center section 2020 in the same fashion as
the bristles 2032 in FIGS. 20 and 21.
[0089] While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all
embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
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