U.S. patent application number 09/746562 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for oral brush.
Invention is credited to Munk, Peter.
Application Number | 20010044981 09/746562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26867025 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010044981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Munk, Peter |
November 29, 2001 |
Oral brush
Abstract
An oral brush with a handle having a longitudinal axis and a
head mounted on the handle, the head including an elongated hub
extending generally axially from the handle and bristles mounted in
the hub, including bristles along most of the length of the hub
which extend radially in all directions from the hub and which
taper down in length from the base end of the hub to the front tip
of the hub, and including bristles extending from the front tip of
the hub in all directions as generally semispherical radii, the
free ends of the bristles of the head defining a conical or
bullet-shaped envelope.
Inventors: |
Munk, Peter; (Stamford,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Martin M. Novack, Esq.
1960 Bronson Road, Bldg. 1
Fairfield
CT
06430
US
|
Family ID: |
26867025 |
Appl. No.: |
09/746562 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60171363 |
Dec 22, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
15/143.1; 15/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 9/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 ;
15/143.1; 15/206 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
1. An oral brush with a handle having a longitudinal axis and a
head mounted on the handle, said head comprising an elongated hub
extending generally axially from the handle and bristles mounted in
the hub, including bristles along most of the length of the hub
which extend radially in all directions from the hub and which
taper down in length from the base end of the hub to the front tip
of the hub, and including bristles extending from the front tip of
the hub in all directions as generally semispherical radii, the
free ends of the bristles of said head defining a conical or
bullet-shaped envelope.
2. The brush as defined by claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a
generally cylindrical body having a pattern of pairs of concave
recesses on opposing sides thereof.
3. The brush as defined by claim 2, wherein the pairs of concave
recesses successively along the longitudinal direction of said
handle have rotational orientations that alternate by 180
degrees.
4. The brush as defined by 3, wherein said handle is formed of
plastic and has a rounded knob at its back end.
5. The brush as defined by 4, wherein said handle is formed of
plastic and has a rounded knob at its back end.
6. A cleaning method using the brush as defined by claim 1, for
cleaning oral surfaces using hand and finger motions.
7. A cleaning method using the brush as defined by claim 2, for
cleaning oral surfaces using hand and finger motions.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application 60/171,363, filed Dec. 22, 1999, and said
Provisional Patent Application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a hand held manual brush used to
clean oral surfaces and, more particularly, to a brush that
facilitates advantageous motions and media for efficient cleaning
of teeth, gums, cheek lining, muco-buccal fold, and tongue, with
reduced trauma and damage to oral tissues.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The prior art contains various approaches to brushes for
cleaning the teeth and dentures. Among these are the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,604 (Adams) discloses a toothbrush with two
different types of bristles; short, stiff bristles for teeth; long,
thin bristles for other surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 107,228 (Goodman)
discloses a toothbrush with ridges in the handle. U.S. Pat. No.
4,053,959 (Wiley) discloses a toothbrush with a spherical head
having opposite flatted sides and a bent handle. U.S. Pat. No.
4,911,187 (Castillo) discloses a toothbrush with a central pick for
cleaning between teeth and under braces. U.S. Pat. No. 3,067,446
(McGauley) discloses a toothbrush with grooves and protuberances in
the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 2,263,885 (McGauley) discloses a
toothbrush with a handle with a spiral configuration of ridges and
grooves. U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,131 (Kisky) discloses a toothbrush
with a handle having nodes and antinodes in the handle. U.S. Pat.
No. 1,813,076 (Newell) discloses a brush with radiating bristles
for cleaning dentures.
[0004] It can be noted that none of the above citations disclose a
device for cleaning multiple oral surfaces with a brush head or a
handle that allows easy rotational motions using the hand and
fingers rather than requiring awkward wrist motions. The prior art
approaches also suffer at least one of the following flaws:
[0005] A. They are difficult to use properly.
[0006] B. The head does not fit the contours of oral anatomy.
[0007] It is among the objects of the present invention to provide
a manual brush which overcome these and other disadvantages of
prior art approaches.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A form of the invention is a manual brush with a tapered
cone or bullet-shaped configuration with bristles extending out in
all directions, perpendicular to the brushing surface, and a handle
which is generally round in cross-section and features a pattern of
depressions. The combination of brush head and handle provides a
unique symmetry which will allow almost any operator to effectively
clean the teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue, and other areas.
[0009] The invention features a bullet-shaped, or tapered
cone-shaped head which will fit well and allow easy access to
previously difficult-to-clean areas. The radiating bristles fan out
360 degrees from the central retainer allowing simultaneous
cleaning of multiple surface, as demonstrated below. The
cross-sectional symmetry will allow the operator to use a
hand-rolling, finger-rolling rotational technique (which can be
contrasted with an awkward wrist-driven motion with traditional
devices of the prior art) in addition to the usual horizontal,
vertical, and circular motions.
[0010] By using four different motions, the operator has an
excellent opportunity to remove plaque, food debris, and microbes
from the oral surfaces. The 360 degrees cross-sectional symmetry of
the handle also provides an easy grip for the human hand. This
shape, combined with the unique pattern of depressions, makes for a
handle that ordinary operators as well as low-dexterity operators
(such as the young or mentally/physically challenged) will use with
ease. Almost any grip by any hand using any motion at any angle
will clean oral surfaces effectively. The feeling of success will
motivate the operator to do an even better job, and further enhance
home oral hygiene.
[0011] Further features and advantages of the invention will become
more readily apparent from the following detailed description when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A is a plan view of an oral brush in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1B is a side view of the brush of FIG. 1A.
[0014] FIG. 1C shows an end view of the brush of FIG. 1A.
[0015] FIG. 1D is a cross-section through a section defined by
arrows A-A of FIG. 1A.
[0016] FIG. 1E is a cross-section through a section defined by
arrows B-B of FIG. 1B.
[0017] FIG. 1F shows the larger end of the head bristles of the
brush of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0018] FIG. 1G shows the smaller end of the head bristles of the
brush of FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a s et of teeth and illustrates how the
invention may be utilized to clean the occlusal (chewing) surfaces
of upper and lower teeth.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates cleaning of facial and lingual surfaces
of posterior teeth.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates the adaptation of the brush head to the
lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth.
[0022] FIG. 5 depicts how well the multi-directionally radiating
bristles adapt to the anatomy of the occlusal surfaces of the upper
and lower teeth.
[0023] FIG. 6A shows the way users misuse a traditional prior art
tooth brush.
[0024] FIG. 6B shows traditional bristles of a prior art toothbrush
cleaning the gingual sulcus but only when held at the ideal angle,
which many users fail to do.
[0025] FIG. 6C shows the advantage of the bullet-shaped head of the
invention as it cleanses the gingival sulcus of plaque.
[0026] FIG. 7 depicts the cleansing of the dorsum of the tongue
using the invention. The central groove, often a breeding ground
for bacteria, can easily be cleaned with an antero-posterior or
rotary motion.
[0027] FIG. 8 shows the cone-shaped head of the brush of the
invention, adapting to the mucobuccal fold.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] FIGS. 1A through 1G show an embodiment of the brush 10 of
the invention. The brush head 11 has bristles 15 extending from a
central retainer 20 which can be a wire or a core (see also FIGS.
1F and 1G). The bristles form a cone or bullet-shaped head which is
and important feature of the invention. This feature allows access
to areas of the mouth which have hitherto been difficult to clean.
The 360 degree symmetry in cross-section of the head allows a
rotary motion to be used. The bristles on the very end of the head
will guard the operator's tissues from trauma caused by the portion
of the handle that extends beyond the bristles in traditional
toothbrushes. The handle 30 features depressions 34 which are
placed about the handle in a specific alternating pattern on all
sides. An end knob 37 will be noted as another safety feature.
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates how the brush 10 of the invention may be
utilized to clean the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of upper and
lower teeth 70, either individually or simultaneously, using a
horizontal antero-posterior motion.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates cleaning of facial and lingual surfaces
of posterior teeth. Unlike traditional toothbrushes, which can only
clean these surfaces if the head is held at the ideal angle, the
invention allows a margin of error and fits well to these contours.
The cone-shaped head will simultaneously cleanse the inner mucosa
(lining) of the cheek, as well as the muco-buccal fold. The
invention may also be used in a clockwise or counter-clockwise
rotational technique in these areas.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the adaptation of the brush head to the
lingual surfaces of the anterior teeth. In this area, the operator
can easily utilize a vertical, horizontal, or rotary technique.
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts how well the multi-directionally radiating
bristles 15 adapt to the anatomy of the occlusal surfaces of the
upper and lower teeth 70.
[0033] FIG. 6A shows the way many users misuse a traditional
toothbrush 90. The brush is not held on a perfect 45 degrees angle
relative to the teeth. The bristles therefore, will not clean
plaque at the gingival sulcus. The result can be gingivitis and gum
disease. Also, chronic misuse will lead to abrasion and destruction
of hard and soft tissues.
[0034] FIG. 6B shows traditional bristles of prior art toothbrush
90 cleaning the gingual sulcus but only when held at the ideal
angle, which many operators fail to do.
[0035] FIG. 6C shows the advantage of the bullet-shaped head with
bristles 15 as it will correctly cleanse the gingival sulcus of
plaque regardless of operator grip because the angle is always the
same. Again, a horizontal, vertical, circular, or rotary technique
may be used.
[0036] FIG. 7 depicts the cleansing of the dorsum of the tongue 88.
The central groove, often a breeding ground for bacteria, can
easily be cleaned with an antero-posterior or rotary motion.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows the cone-shaped head with bristles 15 adapting
well to the mucobuccal fold 78, another area which is difficult to
clean with traditional toothbrushes.
[0038] There has been described an elongated manual brush, having a
cone-shaped head with bristles radiating in all directions from a
central retainer which are generally perpendicular to the brushing
surface. At the tip of the brush head are bristles which are in
line with the long axis of the handle. The brush is attached to a
handle which is generally round in cross-section but for a pattern
of depressions which alternate on all sides of the handle. The
depressions comprise rows of concavities extending down the length
of the handle, terminating in an end-knob. The combination of head
and handle comprise a unit with a unique symmetry. The toothbrush
will allow use in horizontal, vertical, circular or rotary motions,
for easy cleaning of teeth, gums, cheek lining, muco-buccal fold,
and the tongue. It can be used by ordinary people and by people who
lack mental or physical ability in oral hygiene, to improve oral
hygiene. Use of the toothbrush will reduce trauma and damage to
oral tissues. Also, use of the toothbrush will reduce halitosis
(oral malodor) by improving the removal of debris, plaque, and
microbes from oral surfaces, and it will reduce gagging by virtue
of a less bulky tapered head.
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