U.S. patent application number 09/912692 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for grooved brush bristle.
Invention is credited to Buford, Edward T. III.
Application Number | 20030115707 09/912692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26885936 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030115707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Buford, Edward T. III |
June 26, 2003 |
Grooved brush bristle
Abstract
An improved bristle for toothbrushes having a spiral groove
along the longitudinal shaft of the bristle to increase the
abrasiveness and expand the surface area of the bristle used in
cleaning, the grooved bristle is combined into tufts and mounted on
a suitable platform so that when the surface to be cleaned is
scrubbed with a toothbrush having the improved bristle of the
invention the bristles twist and bend and in the process the shaft
of the bristle scrapes on the surface to be cleaned and agitates
the fluid in and around the area to be cleaned thereby increasing
the cleaning ability of the brush.
Inventors: |
Buford, Edward T. III;
(Silver Spring, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nigel L. Scott, Esquire
SCOTT & YALLERY-ARTHUR
7306 Georgia Avenue, N.W.
Washington
DC
20012
US
|
Family ID: |
26885936 |
Appl. No.: |
09/912692 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09912692 |
Jul 26, 2001 |
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08654541 |
May 29, 1996 |
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5722367 |
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09912692 |
Jul 26, 2001 |
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09190275 |
Nov 13, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/207.2 ;
15/167.1; 428/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/2978 20150115;
F02M 3/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/207.2 ;
15/167.1; 428/400 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04; D02G
003/00 |
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A bristle consisting of a base end, and a tip end connected to
each other by means of a substantially rigid shaft portion wherein
said substantially rigid shaft of said bristle has at least one
shallow spiral groove along its longitudinal axis and wherein said
substantially rigid shaft is sufficiently flexible so that said
bristle will twist, bend and rotate on its axis when said base end
of said bristle is held in a fixed position on a brush device and
vertical and horizontal pressures applied to the tip of said
bristle in a brushing motion such that the twisting, bending and
rotating of said bristle upon the application of vertical and
horizontal pressure on the tip of said bristle causes the tip of
said bristle and said substantially rigid shaft of said bristle to
become an abrasive device with respect to the surfaces to be
cleaned and wherein said twisting, bending and rotating of said
bristle increases with the application of increased pressure on the
tip of said bristle.
2. The bristle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional
diameter of said spiral groove is approximately 10 to 15 percent of
the cross-sectional diameter of said bristle and wherein said at
least one spiral groove on said bristle runs either in a clockwise
or counterclockwise direction and wherein on an individual bristle
said at least one spiral groove run in clockwise or
counter-clockwise direction as desired, to facilitate the removal
of plaque and other waste materials during the cleaning
process.
3. A bristle as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bristle has at
least one spiral groove along said substantially rigid shaft and
wherein said groove is of uniform diameter throughout the length of
said substantially rigid shaft and wherein the ratio of the
diameter of said bristle to the diameter of said spiral groove is
approximately 4:1.
4. The bristle claimed in claim 10 wherein said bristle made of a
plastic material and wherein said bristle is of such flexibility as
to be capable of bending and rotating on an axis of thirty to
ninety degrees when used in scrubbing or cleaning.
5. A bristle as claimed in claim 1 for use in toothbrushes said
bristle consisting of a base end, and a tip end connected to each
other by a substantially rigid shaft portion and wherein said base
end of said bristle is maintained in a fixed position on the head
of said toothbrush and wherein said substantially rigid shaft of
said bristle has at least one shallow spiral groove along its
longitudinal axis and wherein said bristle is capable of standing
substantially rigid on the head of said toothbrush but is
sufficiently flexible so that said bristle will twist, bend and
rotate on its axis, but remains substantially rigid when vertical
and horizontal pressures are applied to the tip of said bristle
during brushing and such that the twisting, bending and rotating of
said bristle upon the application of vertical and horizontal
pressure on the tip of said bristle causes the tip end of said
bristle and substantially rigid shaft of said bristle to act as an
abrasive device with respect to the surfaces to be cleaned, and
wherein the twisting, bending and abrasiveness of said
substantially rigid shaft causes said toothbrush to be a more
effective cleanser and wherein the application of vertical and
horizontal pressure in a back and forth scrubbing motion on the tip
of said bristle causes said bristle to twist and rotate in the
manner of an agitator of a washing machine, thereby producing fluid
cross currents in the saliva and forces the saliva into the spaces
in and around the teeth and gums and wherein the twisting and
bending of said shaft of said bristle increases the contacts
between said shaft of said bristle and the surface of the teeth and
gums so that said groove on said shaft of said bristle acts as an
abrasive device to remove foreign particles lodged between and
around the teeth and gums.
6. A brush device for use in cleaning and scrubbing including a
bristle receiving body portion having a plurality of substantially
rigid bristles disposed therein and wherein said body portion of
said device has a plurality of holes adapted for receiving said
bristles and wherein said bristles are arranged in tufts of
bristles and wherein each of said bristles has at least one spiral
groove along the longitudinal axis of said substantially rigid
shaft of said bristle wherein the scrubbing action of said brush
device causes said bristle to bend and twist about its axis and to
agitate liquid substances which are present in the area to be
cleaned and wherein the tips of said bristles and said
substantially rigid shaft of said bristles act as cleaning surfaces
and whereby said longitudinal axis having said spiral groove acts
as an extended scraping device with respect to the surface to be
cleaned.
7. A toothbrush having a head portion and a handle portion wherein
said head portion has a plurality of holes adapted for receiving
tufts of bristles in each hole and wherein each tuft consists of
not less than ten bristles each of said bristles having at least
one spiral groove along the longitudinal axis of said bristle and
wherein upon the application of pressure to the tips of said
bristles and use of a scrubbing action thereon said bristle bends
and rotates and agitates saliva in the mouth and wherein said tips
and said longitudinal axis of said bristles act as cleaning
surfaces with respect to the teeth and gums and whereby said
longitudinal axis having said spiral grooves acts as an extended
scraping device for the removal of waste materials, including
plaque, from the teeth and gums.
8. A brush device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said at least one
spiral groove on said bristle runs either in a clockwise or counter
clockwise direction and wherein on an individual bristle said at
least on spiral groove runs clockwise or counterclockwise, only,
and wherein said bristle when arranged in tufts of bristles said at
least one spiral groove on said bristle comprising said tufts of
bristles all run in either a clockwise or counterclockwise
direction.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 08/654,541 filed Jun. 4, 1996, now abandoned, for the
Twist Bristle Toothbrush and Ser. No. 09/190,275 filed Nov. 13,
1998, now abandoned, for Grooved Bristle for Brush Devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a bristle for brushes and more
particularly to an improved bristle for use in toothbrushes and
other cleaning and scrubbing brushes. The bristle of this invention
has a shallow spiral groove along its longitudinal axis, on account
of which the entire bristle, including the tip of the bristle and
its longitudinal axis, functions as a part of the cleaning surface
of the bristle. Consequently, the surface area of the bristle used
in cleaning is expanded.
[0003] Gum disease, periodontics, continues to affect large
sections of the population and is the major cause of tooth decay
among adults. Studies show that after age thirty-five (35),
approximately seventy-five (75) percent of all adults suffer from
periodontal disease in one form or another. Although periodontal
disease is generally referred to as a single disease, it actually
occurs in several forms. Regardless of the form it takes, however,
all periodontal diseases are caused by bacterial infections which
first manifest themselves as an inflammation of the gums.
[0004] In its early stages, periodontal disease usually affects the
color and shape of the gums. If the disease is not checked at this
stage it can progress to the point of completely destroying the
bony tissue in which the teeth are anchored. The cause of the
disease is the presence of plaque, a colorless bacterial film which
instantly forms on teeth and gums. To combat plaque formation, it
is generally recommended that the teeth and gums must be brushed at
least two (2) times daily, even so, plaque formation still
continues to be a problem. The Grooved Bristle for Brush Devices
will improve and increase the quantity of plaque removed from the
teeth and gums, retard plaque formation, result in healthier teeth
and gums and better oral hygiene.
[0005] It is well accepted that in conventional toothbrushes the
major cleaning function is carried out by the tips of the bristles.
The smooth shaft of the conventional toothbrush bristle is not
designed or intended to be a part of the cleaning process. For
example, in toothbrushes, most of the cleaning is done by the tip
end of the bristle, the smooth and rounded shaft of the bristle
plays an insignificant role in the cleaning process. The function
of the shaft is even less effective when it comes to removal of
plaque from the teeth and gums.
[0006] In the present invention, the tips of the bristles continue
to be the primary cleaning area of the brush, however, the shaft of
the bristle has been adapted so that it too becomes a part of the
cleaning process. The use of the shaft as part of the cleaning
process is achieved by placing one or more shallow spiral grooves
on the shaft of the bristle thereby giving it the ability to scrape
and clean the teeth and gums when the shaft passes against the
teeth during mouth washing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This invention is based on the scientific fact that when
vertical pressure is exerted on the tip of a round bar or rod of
metal or plastic, the bar or rod will bend or twist in response to
the application of the pressure. It is also well known that if
vertical pressure is applied to a rod which has a spiral groove, in
single (or double) helix, similar to the bit of a mechanical bore
or drill, it will take less vertical pressure to cause the spirally
grooved rod to bend or twist angularly to accommodate the vertical
pressure than a solid rod.
[0008] The foregoing principle which is applicable to the
mechanical drill is also applicable to a thin rounded plastic
bristle which has one or more shallow spiral grooves, similar to
the grooves on the bit of a mechanical drill, along the length of
its longitudinal axis. When vertical pressure is applied to this
bristle it bends, however because the base of this bristle is fixed
in place and can not rotate like the drill, the bristle cannot make
360 degree rotations like the mechanical drill. Instead, the
bristle will only twist to a degree of approximately 30 to 90
degrees and will twist back and forth on its axis in a motion
similar to the agitator of a washing machine.
[0009] The cleansing power of a brush which utilizes the bristle of
this invention is created by the application of pressure on the tip
of the bristle while simultaneously moving the brush backwards and
forwards in a vibratory motion against the surface to be cleaned.
The application of the vertical pressure to the bristle coupled
with a the back and forth motion will cause the tip of the bristle
to twist and to sway backwards and forwards and produce the desired
results.
[0010] With respect to the use of the bristle of this invention in
toothbrushes, the back and forth agitating action of the bristle
generates fluid cross currents in the saliva which works its way
around and between the teeth. The flow of saliva washes the teeth
and gums and removes food particles and other undesirable objects,
including plague, from around and between the teeth and gums. The
grooves on the bristle also act as conduits for the removal of the
plaque and other waste products from around the teeth and gums.
[0011] Toothbrushes which utilize the grooved bristle of this
invention are very effective in removing plague and cleansing the
teeth. They provide the same general cleansing power as electric or
battery powered rotating bristles and have the advantage over the
powered brushes that they do not pose a risk of causing damage to
the gums due to excessive abrasion and do not present a threat of
electrocution. In addition, the grooved bristle toothbrush does not
pose the problems caused by the vibrations of ultrasonic
toothbrushes which create a risk of causing damage to the tissue in
the users mouth.
[0012] The bristle of this invention greatly increases the cleaning
power of the toothbrush, shortens the cleaning time, does not
increase abrasion, is tissue safe and inexpensive. In addition, the
invention produces an improved bristle for cleaning brushes which
results in a more effective cleaning tool than the bristles now
utilized in brushes.
[0013] In accordance with the invention, the longitudinal axis or
shaft of the bristle is marked, longitudinally, with at least one
shallow spiral groove such that the external surface of the bristle
has the appearance of a helix, mechanical drill bit or candy cane.
These grooves may run either clockwise or counterclockwise on an
individual bristle, however, the grooves cannot run both clockwise
and counterclockwise on the same bristle.
[0014] When the bristle is used to clean the teeth, the pressure on
the tips of the bristle, and the spiral groove on the bristle
coupled with the back and forth motion used in brushing the teeth,
causes the bristles to twist, bend, and sway back and forth in the
manner of an agitator of a washing machine, thereby producing cross
currents in the saliva in the mouth. The motion of the saliva in
and around the teeth and gums enhances the cleaning function of the
bristle and brush.
[0015] The improved cleaning achieved through the use of bristles
of this toothbrush occurs as a result of the back and forth motion
of the toothbrush causing saliva to enter the sulcus and create
secondary cross currents to rinse the sulcus, resulting in more
effective cleaning of the teeth and gums, healthier teeth and gums
and fresher breath.
[0016] Accordingly, a primary object of this invention to produce
an improved bristle for toothbrushes which is inexpensive, tissue
safe and has enhanced cleaning abilities and which utilizes proven
oral hygiene principles to prevent periodontal disease, gingivitis
and tooth decay.
[0017] It is a further object of this invention to produce a
toothbrush in which the shaft of each individual bristle includes
one or more spiral grooves along its longitudinal axis which
enhances the abrasiveness of the bristle, expands the surface area
of the bristle used in cleaning and improves the cleaning of the
teeth below the gum line.
[0018] Another object of the invention is to produce a bristle
which when used with a back and forth brushing motion, bends,
twists or rotates to create a flow of cross currents in the saliva
for the purpose of rinsing the teeth and gums.
[0019] Yet another object of the invention is to produce a
toothbrush which creates a cross current of saliva flow between and
around the teeth and gums to remove subgingival plague.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a toothbrush showing the
arrangement of the bristles on the head of a typical brush.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of a toothbrush showing tufts of
bristles embedded in the head of the toothbrush.
[0022] FIG. 2A is an end view of a toothbrush showing tufts of
bristles.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a side view of a toothbrush showing the shafts (4)
of bristles on the head of the brush.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical view of an individual bristle
showing the symmetrical positioning of the spiral grooves on the
surface of the bristle.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an individual bristle at
the position 5-5 showing the size of the grooves of the bristle in
relation to the cross-sectional diameter of the bristle. In the
drawing, "r1" represents the radius of the bristle and "R2" the
radius of the spiral groove, "d1" represents the diameter of the
bristle and "D2" the diameter of the spiral groove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] With particular reference to the drawings, toothbrush
bristles are used to illustrate the bristle structure of the
instant invention. Although the bristle and brush construction
herein illustrated are in association with a toothbrush and have
special application to such a brush, it is to be understood that
the concept may be used with almost any type of brush and is not
limited to use in the construction of toothbrushes.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 2A and 3, generally, the individual
bristles 14 are mounted in tufts 11 and embedded in a base (head)
10, which is attached to a manual or power activated handle. In
practice the arrangement of the bristle into tufts on the base is
important to the achievement of enhanced cleansing power of the
device. Specifically, all of the bristles in a single tuft of
bristles must either run clockwise or counterclockwise, i.e. the
spiral grooves on the longitudinal axis of the bristle cannot be
mixed so that some grooves will run clockwise and others run
counterclockwise.
[0028] On the other hand, the arrangement of the tufts on the head
of an individual toothbrush does not have to be uniform. For
example, an individual toothbrush manufacturer may decide that for
purposes of practice or convenience, it may be preferable to have
alternating rows of tufts of bristles organized in clockwise or
counterclockwise form, or the tufts may be organized in a random
arrangement selected by the manufacturer.
[0029] FIG. 4, shows an individual bristle with the shallow grooves
forming a helix shaped pattern along the outside surface of the
shaft of the bristle, the groove extends continuously from the stem
of the bristle which is embedded in the toothbrush head, to the tip
of the bristle. It should also be noted that both the spiral
grooves and the individual bristles are of uniform diameter
throughout the length of the shaft. The relationship of the
diameter of each groove to the diameter of the bristle is
approximately 4:1 i.e. the diameter of each groove is approximately
one fourth of the diameter of the bristle. The cross-sectional
diameter of each spiral groove is ten to fifteen percent of the
cross sectional diameter of each bristle.
[0030] For the purposes of this invention, the tips of the
individual bristles may be round, square or shaped in any other
form suitable or appropriate for the invention. The shaft of the
bristle is unbroken and of uniform cross-sectional diameter and
circumference except in the region of the spiral grooves. In
addition, further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 shows that there may
be more than one spiral groove on each bristle, however, regardless
of the number of grooves on an individual bristle the grooves will
all run in the same direction i.e either clockwise or
counterclockwise.
[0031] In practice, the cleaning effect of the brush is
accomplished by virtue of the simultaneous action of the individual
bristles which are put into its own rotational motion by the back
and forth vibratory action when the user brushes his teeth. The
force generated by the action of numerous bristles produces liquid
currents in the saliva which can dislodge particles trapped between
and around the teeth and gums and improve the cleaning of the
teeth, the removal of plaque and the prevention of plaque
formation.
[0032] The grooved bristle of this invention has been particularly
described as being symmetrical through its length, however, the
invention may also use non-symmetrical or tapered bristles having
other shapes or structures as may be desired.
* * * * *