U.S. patent application number 10/119222 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for powered toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Ahn, Kyoungeun, Eliav, Eyal, Gatzemeyer, John J., Jimenez, Eduardo.
Application Number | 20030140435 10/119222 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27610489 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140435 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eliav, Eyal ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Powered toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush head containing a first tuft block mounted for
oscillating about a centrally located axis and an elongated second
tuft block mounted for rotational movement about an axis eccentric
to its center point. One of the tuft blocks has a recess for
receiving an extension of the other tuft block to create a drive
connection between the two tuft blocks, such that when one of the
tuft blocks is driven by a drive structure the rotational movement
of that tuft block causes the other tuft block to oscillate.
Inventors: |
Eliav, Eyal; (New York,
NY) ; Ahn, Kyoungeun; (New York, NY) ;
Gatzemeyer, John J.; (Hillsborough, NJ) ; Jimenez,
Eduardo; (Manalapan, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Patent Department
Colgate-Palmolive Company
909 River Road
P.O. Box 1343
Piscataway
NJ
08855-1343
US
|
Family ID: |
27610489 |
Appl. No.: |
10/119222 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10119222 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
|
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10066459 |
Jan 31, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/3436 20130101;
A61C 17/349 20130101; A61C 17/3445 20130101; A61C 17/3454 20130101;
A61C 17/222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.1 |
International
Class: |
A61C 017/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A powered toothbrush having a handle with a neck, a head mounted
to said neck, said head having an exposed outer surface; a first
tuft block mounted to said head having bristles extending outwardly
therefrom; a second tuft block mounted to said head having bristles
extending outwardly therefrom; said first tuft block mounted for
oscillating rotation about a pivot axis, said second tuft block
being mounted for oscillating rotation about an eccentric pivot
axis; a drive connection between said first tuft block and said
second tuft block; a drive structure for oscillating one of said
first tuft block and said second tuft block, with said drive
connection causing the other of said first tuft block and said
second tuft block to oscillate; and said oscillating movement of
said eccentrically pivoted tuft block being oscillated in a wiping
type movement.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said head includes a section
located generally peripherally around said eccentrically pivoted
tuft block.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein a plurality of bristles extend
outwardly from said section.
4. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said eccentrically pivoted
tuft block has an elongated shape.
5. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said pivot axis of said first
tuft block is a centrally located axis.
6. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said first tuft block has an
outer surface which is generally circular or egg-shaped.
7. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said drive connection includes
a cut-out in the periphery of one of said tuft blocks, and the
other of said tuft blocks having an engaging member located in said
cut-out to maintain engagement between said tuft blocks during the
movement of said tuft blocks.
8. The toothbrush of claim 7 wherein said engaging member is an end
portion of said elongated tuft block, and said cut-out is in said
first tuft block.
9. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said drive structure includes
a motor operated drive member engaged with said first tuft block,
whereby oscillation of said first tuft block causes said second
tuft block to oscillate.
10. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said first tuft block is
located on said head adjacent to said neck.
11. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said drive structure includes
a motor operated drive member engaged with said second tuft block
whereby oscillation of said second tuft block causes said first
tuft block to oscillate.
12. The toothbrush of claim 1 wherein said second tuft block is
located adjacent to said neck.
13. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said section is a fixed
section.
14. The toothbrush of claim 13 wherein said bristles on said fixed
section are fixed bristles.
15. The toothbrush of claim 13 wherein said bristles on said fixed
section are mounted for independent movement with respect to each
other.
16. The toothbrush of claim 4 wherein said elongated shape has an
outer surface which is oval, triangular, diamond shape, polygonal
or rectangular.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 10/066,459 filed Jan. 31, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a powered toothbrush
head that includes an oscillating block having bristles extending
therefrom. Various types of such powered toothbrushes are generally
known in the art which provide for cleaning and massaging of both
the soft and hard tissue of the mouth. Reference is made to U.S.
Pat. No. 5,625,916 which relates to an electrically driven
toothbrush which includes a motor drive for rotating a drive shaft.
The drive shaft is connected to a bristle holder on the head of the
toothbrush in such a manner that rotation of the drive shaft causes
the bristle holder to rotationally oscillate back and forth.
Various other arrangements are known for oscillating a bristle
holder mounted to the head of an electric toothbrush.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,942 describes a motorized toothbrush
having two concentrically arranged brushes coaxially supported in a
shell. The brushes are driven by a drive shaft connected to a
spindle which is bent to form two inclined arms at its end. Each of
the arms is located in a slot in each respective brush. When the
drive shaft isrotated the inclined arms cause each brush to rotate
about their axis in opposite directions to each other.
[0004] The motorized toothbrush described in PCT International
Publication No. WO 00/78244 similarly includes two coaxially
mounted first and second brush heads which rotationally oscillate
with respect to each other in different directions and/or at
different speeds. Two different drive mechanisms are disclosed. One
drive mechanism includes a linearly reciprocating actuator to which
two connecting rods are attached. The connecting rods are formed
from a single piece of wire generally V-shaped with an end of each
connecting rod being mounted to a different one of the brush heads.
As the actuator and connecting rods are moved linearly back and
forth the ends of the connecting rods are moved toward and away
from each other to cause the brush heads to rotate. In the second
embodiment each brush head is provided with a toothed region which
engages a conical gear at the distal end of a rotationally
oscillating shaft so that rotational oscillation of the shaft is
transmitted by the conical gear to each toothed region to thereby
rotationally oscillate the brush heads.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,030 discloses a rather complicated
arrangement for a dental cleaning device having two brush holders.
One of the brush holders is reciprocated about a pivotal axis as a
result of a pivotal coupling between the brush holder and a
connecting rod in the drive means. The other brush holder is also
reciprocated about a pivotal axis as a result of a coupling between
the brush holder and a drive member of the drive means. Although
the two brush holders are located adjacent to each other the
reciprocation of one of the brush holders is not utilized to cause
the reciprocation of the other brush holder. Instead, both brush
holders oscillate as a result of each brush holder being coupled to
the drive means.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,358 discloses a toothbrush having a
bristle holder and an interdental bristle holder. The patent states
that each of these bristle holders performs a pivotal movement
along a circular path, but does not state how the bristle holders
are driven.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 3,242,516 discloses a toothbrush having a
central set of bristles with a further set of bristles on each side
thereof. The central set is driven by a drive mechanism. The
central set includes a gear which meshes with gears for each of the
other two sets so that rotation of the central set of brush
elements will cause the other sets of brush elements to also
rotate. No mention is made of rotating the brush elements back and
forth in an oscillating manner.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,460 discloses a power driven toothbrush
which uses a rather complicated drive arrangement including various
types of gears and modified shaft structure to rotationally
oscillate a brush carrier. The brush carrier is linked to a brush
holder so that the brush holder is also rotationally
oscillated.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,959 discloses an electric toothbrush
wherein a pair of rotating bases holding brush bundles is rotatably
mounted in a pair of pins secured to a slider. A pinion is secured
to each base for engagement with a rack of a holder. The slider is
mounted in the holder and moved longitudinally by a drive
mechanism. As the slider moves longitudinally the engagement of the
pinions with the rack causes the bases to rotate in a reciprocating
motion to thereby reciprocatingly rotate the brush bundles.
[0010] There is a need in the art of an electric toothbrush which
provides a combination of motions to best clean and massage the
oral tissues, especially a wiping motion along the facial and
lingual surfaces of the teeth not disclosed in the prior art, which
wiping motion provides for enhanced removal any trapped matter in
the interproximal spaces between the teeth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of this invention is to provide a powered
toothbrush head which is capable of delivering a combination of
motions, including a wiping motion to provide enhanced cleaning
especially in the interproximal spaces between the teeth, in
addition to the normal cleaning, whitening and massaging action of
a typical powered toothbrush product.
[0012] In accordance with this invention the toothbrush head has
mounted thereon a first tuft block which has an outer surface, i.e.
facial cross-section, that is generally circular or egg-shaped.
This first tuft block is mounted in such a manner as to oscillate
back and forth preferably rotationally. The head includes a second
tuft block which has a drive connection with the first tuft block
so that both tuft blocks are oscillated from a single drive. This
second tuft block has an elongated shape and pivots about an
eccentric or non-centrally located axis to function in the manner
of a wiper.
[0013] The invention may be practiced where other portions of the
head include bristles which could be fixed bristles or could be
movable bristles such as by being mounted on elastomeric base for
independent movement.
[0014] If desired, additional tuft blocks could be mounted on the
head which are also movable such as by moving longitudinally with
regard to the longitudinal axis of the head or movable laterally or
movable rotationally or movable in and out in a direction generally
perpendicular to the outer surface of the head.
[0015] The elongated second tuft block may have an elongated outer
surface or front cross-section which is oval, triangular, diamond
shape, polygonal or rectangular and which is mounted on an
off-center pivot, preferably adjacent to its end opposite the first
generally circular or egg-shaped tuft block. One of said tuft
blocks includes a cut-out into which an extension or end of the
other tuft block is mounted thereby creating a drive connection.
Thus, rotation of one tuft block results in rotation of the other
tuft block, with the circular tuft block rotating about its central
axis, while the elongated tuft block swings in a wiping type motion
with both tuft blocks oscillating back and forth. A shaft connected
to a motor could directly drive either tuft block, with the drive
connection oscillating the other tuft block.
THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush head in
accordance with this invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIGS.
1-2;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
1-3;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a toothbrush head in
accordance with a further embodiment of this invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
5;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIGS.
5-6; and
[0023] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
5-7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one practice of this invention wherein
a toothbrush 10 includes a neck section 12 of a handle 13 and a
head 14. The head 14/neck 12 may be replaceable, i.e. a refill head
or the head 14/neck 12 section may be permanently attached to the
handle 13 within the practice of this invention.
[0025] As illustrated, particularly in FIG. 2, the head 14 includes
an elongated tuft block 16 which is illustrated as being at the
outermost or distal portion of head 14. Tuft block 16 is preferably
a disk of generally elongated shape, with an outer surface that is
oval; however, it may be in an elongated triangle, diamond, polygon
or a thin rectangle shape. Tuft block 16 is mounted for rotation on
a pin located at one end of the tuft block to oscillate about a
pivot axis 18. The pivot axis 18 is thus offcenter or
eccentric.
[0026] As also illustrated in FIG. 2 a second tuft block 20 is
mounted on head 14. Tuft block 20 is preferably a generally
circular type disk which is mounted on a pin for rotation about a
centrally located axis parallel to axis 18. Tuft block 20 is
mounted for oscillating rotation back and forth in a plane
generally parallel to the outer surface 22 of head 14. Any suitable
drive structure could be used for oscillating tuft block 20. For
example, FIG. 3 illustrates the type of drive structure disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916, all of the details of which are
incorporated herein by reference thereto. As shown therein the
toothbrush 10 includes a drive shaft 24 which is driven from a
motor (not shown) in handle 13. Drive shaft 24 terminates in a bent
drive end 26 located in a slot in tuft block 20. As shaft 24 is
rotated the unidirectional rotation of shaft 24 and its drive end
26 are transmitted to tuft block 20 as a reciprocating rotational
motion indicated by the arrow 32.
[0027] As best seen in FIG. 2 tuft block 20 includes a cut-out or
recess 28 into which an extension of the end 30 of tuft block 16
may be mounted. End 30 is thus an engaging member to assure moving
contact between the tuft blocks 16,20. As a result of this
engagement a drive connection is made between tuft block 20 and
tuft block 16 so that the oscillation of tuft block 20 which is
shown by the arrow 32 is transmitted to elongated tuft block 16.
Because, however, tuft block 16 is pivoted eccentrically at its end
remote from tuft block 20, the oscillating movement shown by arrow
32 results in a wiper type swinging of tuft block 16 as shown by
arrows 34,34. The movement of tuft block 16 occurs in recess 35 of
head 14. The wiping movement is advantageous since it corresponds
to a toothbrush head being moved up and down the facial and lingual
surfaces of the teeth, which is the recommended manner of brushing
to enhance cleaning of the interproximal spaces between the teeth.
The wiping movement is enhanced by the elongated shape of tuft
block 16.
[0028] As also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the head 14 includes a third
section 36 which is of generally U-shape and extends around first
section or tuft block 16. The third section 36 may be provided with
a plurality of tufts of bristles 38. Similarly, as illustrated tuft
block 16 includes a plurality of sets of bristles 40. Tuft block 20
has an outer arcuate row of bristles 42 and an inner arcuate row of
bristles 44.
[0029] While FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the various bristles to be of
conventional fiber form, the term "bristles" is intended to be used
in a generic sense as cleaning elements or massage elements and
could include, for example, elastomeric fingers or walls arranged
in a circular cross-section shape or any type of desired shape or
cross-section, including straight portions or sinusoidal
portions.
[0030] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
bristles is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can,
however, be practiced with various combinations of the same or
different bristle configurations embedded in the brush head 14 by
known technology, such as stapled technology or in-mold tufting
technology using the same or different bristle materials (such as
nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly,
while FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the bristles to be generally
perpendicular to the outer surface 22 of head 14, some or all of
the bristles may be angled at various angles with respect to the
outer surface of the bristle head. It is thereby possible to select
the combination of bristle configurations, bristle materials and
bristle orientations to achieve specific intended results, such as
to create as much movement from the oscillating tuft heads to
deliver additional oral health benefits like enhanced cleaning,
tooth polishing, tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums.
[0031] Although all of the bristles may be of the same length so
that a planar brushing surface results from the various sections of
head 14, the bristles could be of differing lengths. For example,
the inner row of bristles 44 could be shorter than the outer row of
bristles 42 on tuft block 20 so that a cup-like effect is produced
which would help retain the toothpaste on the tuft block.
Similarly, the bristles 40 could be shorter than the bristles 38 to
also create a cup-like structure.
[0032] The amplitude of wiping action of tuft block 16 could be
such in combination with the location of bristles 38 on section 36
that the swinging tuft block 16 impacts against the bristles 38 to
cause the bristles 38 to move outwardly, particularly where the
bristles are mounted on an elastomeric base. Tuft block 16 may, for
example, include an outward flange located above its bristles
carrying surface and extending outwardly from its periphery so as
to act as a contact member for contacting the bristles 38. Bristles
38 could be in the form of rubber fingers which may or need not be
contacted by wiping tuft block 16.
[0033] FIGS. 5-8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
invention wherein the sections on head 14 are reversed from that
shown in FIGS. 1-4. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 5-8 the rotationally
oscillating head 20A is located at the distal-most portion of head
14. The wiping elongated tuft block 1GA would be located adjacent
to the neck 12. Tuft block 16A would be oscillated by shaft end 26
to pivot about its pivot axis 18A. The opposite end 30A of tuft
block 16A would be engaged in recess 28A of tuft block 20A so that
the oscillating movement of tuft block 16A as shown by the arrows
34,34 would be transmitted as a rotational oscillating movement of
tuft block 20A as shown by the arrow 32. A third section 36A would
also be provided around tuft block 16A.
[0034] The outer surfaces of each of the sections of head 14 are
coplanar so that the outer surface 22 of head 14 may be in a single
plane. The invention may be practiced, however, where one or more
sections may be in a parallel plane or even an inclined plane
particularly the fixed section 36 or 36A may be inclined as
compared to the orientation of the other sections.
[0035] In the preferred practice of the invention the drive
connection between the circular tuft block 20 and the elongated
tuft block 16 results from a recess 28 in tuft block 20 which
receives the projection or end 30 of tuft block 16. The invention,
however, may also be practiced where the end 30 of tuft block 16
has a recess and tuft block 20 has an extension which fits into the
recess. The drive connection may also be a link pivotally connected
to each tuft block. Any suitable structure may be used which
transmits an oscillating movement of one tuft block into an
oscillating movement of the other tuft block.
[0036] Preferably, the invention is practiced where the third
section 36 or 36A is a non-moving, fixed section either having
stationary or fixed bristles or bristles which can move
independently of each other by being mounted in an elastomeric
base. The invention, however, may also be practiced where the third
section 36 or 36A is also movable. For example, the third section
may move in and cut in a direction generally perpendicular to the
outer surface 22 of head 14. This would result in a vibrating
section. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used to accomplish
this in and out vibrating motion such as the type of drive
mechanism described in U.S. Pat. No. Re.35,941, all of the details
of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Alternatively the vibrating section could be free floating without
a positive drive. Other forms of movement of third section 36 or
36A could be where the movement is longitudinal with respect to the
longitudinal axis of head 14 or could be a lateral movement. Any
suitable drive mechanism may be used to accomplish these motions
which would be in a plane generally parallel to the outer surface
22 of head 14. Reference is made to co-pending parent application
Ser. No. 10/066,459, filed Jan. 31, 2002, all of the details of
which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
[0037] Although the drawings illustrate the two oscillating tuft
blocks to comprise one tuft block which is generally circular in
form and which rotates about its central axis and the other tuft
block to be elongated and which rotates about an eccentric axis,
other variations may be used within the practice of the invention.
For example, both tuft blocks could be of generally circular shape
and a form of wiping action would still be achieved if one of the
tuft blocks is eccentrically mounted. Similarly, both tuft blocks
could be eccentrically mounted so that a double wiping affect is
achieved. Where an elongated tuft block is used the tuft block can
have a shape other than an oval shape and preferably includes some
structure to interact with structure on the other tuft block so as
to form a drive connection.
[0038] The invention may also be practiced where both tuft blocks
are of elongated shape with one tuft block being eccentrically
mounted and the other tuft block mounted about its central
axis.
[0039] While the drawings illustrate a third section to be disposed
around the eccentrically mounted tuft block the invention may be
practiced with a further section around the centrally mounted tuft
block in addition to or instead of being located around the
eccentrically pivoted tuft block.
* * * * *