U.S. patent application number 10/066459 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for powered toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Ahn, Kyoungeun, Eliav, Eyal, Gatzemeyer, John J..
Application Number | 20030140437 10/066459 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27610489 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eliav, Eyal ; et
al. |
July 31, 2003 |
Powered toothbrush
Abstract
A powered toothbrush refill head combines a typical round
oscillating or primary tuft block which oscillates in a rotational
manner with a secondary tuft block. The secondary tuft block may be
oscillated in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly back
and forth in the same direction as the handle of the toothbrush.
The secondary tuft block could be in the form of a pair of side by
side plates mounted on the head adjacent to the round oscillating
block. The invention could also be practice where the secondary
tuft block is in the form of a plurality of sets of rows of
bristles mounted for back and forth movement in a direction
perpendicular to the handle.
Inventors: |
Eliav, Eyal; (New York,
NY) ; Ahn, Kyoungeun; (New York, NY) ;
Gatzemeyer, John J.; (Hillsborough, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY
909 River Road
P.O. Box 1343
Piscataway
NJ
08855-1343
US
|
Family ID: |
27610489 |
Appl. No.: |
10/066459 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.2 ;
15/22.1; 15/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 17/3445 20130101;
A61C 17/3436 20130101; A61C 17/349 20130101; A61C 17/222 20130101;
A61C 17/3454 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.2 ;
15/22.1; 15/28 |
International
Class: |
A61C 017/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a powered toothbrush having a handle, a head mounted to said
handle, a primary tuft block mounted in said head, said primary
tuft block having exposed bristles extending outwardly from said
head, a secondary tuft block mounted in said head at a location
displaced from said primary tuft block, said secondary tuft block
having exposed bristles extending outwardly from said head, a drive
assembly in said handle, said drive assembly including a drive
connection to said primary tuft block in the form of a direct drive
from a shaft axially extending from a motor to said primary tuft
block to oscillate said primary tuft block back and forth, and a
drive transmitting connection connecting said primary tuft block to
said secondary tuft block for moving said secondary tuft block back
and forth in an oscillating manner in response to the movement of
said primary tuft block while said primary tuft block is being
oscillated.
2. The toothbrush of claim 1 including a shaft mounted in said
head, and said primary tuft block being rotationally mounted on
said shaft.
3. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said primary tuft block is a
round block having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, said
secondary tuft block is being round block having a general circular
cross-sectional shape, and said secondary tuft block being
rotationally mounted on a post whereby said back and forth movement
of said secondary tuft block is a rotational oscillating
movement.
4. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said drive transmitting
connection comprises a finger in one of said primary tuft block and
said secondary tuft block located in a cutout in the other of said
primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block.
5. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said secondary tuft block is
mounted outwardly of said primary tuft block with said primary tuft
block being between said secondary tuft block and said handle, and
said secondary tuft block being of lesser size than said primary
tuft block.
6. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said secondary tuft block is
mounted outwardly of said primary tuft block with said primary tuft
block being between said secondary tuft block, and said handle, and
said secondary tuft block being of the same size as said primary
tuft block.
7. The toothbrush of claim 3 wherein said bristles on at least one
of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block include
bristles of different configuration and material than other
bristles on said at least one of said primary tuft block and said
secondary tuft block.
8. The toothbrush of claim 2 wherein said primary tuft block is a
round tuft block having a generally circular cross section, said
secondary tuft block comprising at least one plate disposed
adjacent to said primary tuft block, and said drive transmitting
connection causing said at least one plate to reciprocate linearly,
in a direction parallel to said handle.
9. The toothbrush of claim 8 wherein said secondary tuft block
comprises at least two side by side plates.
10. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said drive transmitting
connection comprises a link connecting each of said plates to said
primary tuft block.
11. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said plates are located
between said primary tuft block and said handle.
12. The toothbrush of claim 11 wherein each of said plates includes
an arcuate edge disposed adjacent to and parallel to said primary
tuft block.
13. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said bristles in one of said
plates are ramped and are inclined in an opposite direction and
parallel to said bristles in the other of said plates.
14. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein said bristles on at least one
of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block include
bristles of different configuration and material than other
bristles on said at least one of said primary tuft block and said
secondary tuft block.
15. The toothbrush of claim 9 wherein the bristles on each of said
plates are arranged in rows and are of ramped height, and the
ramped height of each plate being inclined in an opposite direction
than its adjacent plate.
16. In a powered toothbrush having a handle, a head mounted to said
handle, a primary tuft block mounted in said head, said primary
tuft block having exposed bristles extending outwardly from said
head, said primary tuft block being rotationally mounted on a first
shaft, a secondary tuft block mounted in said head at a location
displaced from said primary tuft block, said secondary tuft block
having exposed bristles extending outwardly from said head, said
secondary tuft block being rotationally mounted on a second shaft,
a drive assembly in said handle, said drive assembly including a
drive connection to said primary tuft block to rotationally
oscillate said primary tuft block back and forth, a drive
transmitting connection connecting said primary tuft block to said
secondary tuft block for moving said secondary tuft block back and
forth in a rotational oscillating manner in response to the
rotational oscillation movement of said primary tuft block while
said primary tuft block is being oscillated, and said drive
transmitting connection comprising a finger in one of said primary
tuft block and said secondary tuft block located in a cutout in the
other of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block.
17. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said primary tuft block is a
round block having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, said
secondary tuft block is being round block having a general circular
cross-sectional shape, said cutout being in said secondary tuft
block, and said finger being in said primary tuft block.
18. The toothbrush of claim 17 wherein said primary tuft block and
said secondary tuft block are of the same size.
19. The toothbrush of claim 18 wherein said primary tuft block and
said secondary tuft block each include said cutout and said finger
so as to be interchangeable during assembly.
20. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said secondary tuft block is
mounted outwardly of said primary tuft block with said primary tuft
block being between said secondary tuft block and said handle, and
said secondary tuft block being of lesser size than said primary
tuft block.
21. The toothbrush of claim 16 wherein said bristles on at least
one of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block
include bristles of different configuration and material than other
bristles on said at least one of said primary tuft block and said
secondary tuft block.
22. In a powered toothbrush having a handle, a head mounted to said
handle, a primary tuft block mounted in said head, said primary
tuft block having exposed bristles extending outwardly from said
head, a shaft mounted in said head, said primary tuft block being
rotationally mounted on said shaft, a secondary tuft block mounted
in said head at a location displaced from said primary tuft block,
said secondary tuft block having exposed bristles extending
outwardly from said head, a drive assembly in said handle, said
drive assembly including a drive connection to said primary tuft
block to oscillate said primary tuft block back and forth in a
rotational direction, and a drive transmitting connection located
between said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block for
moving said secondary tuft block back and forth in an oscillating
manner in a linear direction while said primary tuft block is
oscillated in a rotational direction.
23. The toothbrush of claim 22 wherein said primary tuft block is a
round tuft block having a generally circular cross section, said
secondary tuft block comprising at least one plate disposed
adjacent to said primary tuft block, and said drive transmitting
connection causing said at least one plate to reciprocate linearly
in a direction parallel to said handle. bristles of different
configuration and material than other bristles on said at least one
of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block.
30. The toothbrush of claim 24 wherein the bristles on each of said
plates are arranged in rows and are of ramped height, and the
ramped height of each plate being inclined in an opposite direction
than its adjacent plate.
31. The toothbrush of claim 22 wherein said primary tuft block is
round and has a generally circular cross section, and said
secondary tuft block having at least one horizontally disposed bar
located generally perpendicular to said handle.
32. The toothbrush of claim 31 wherein said secondary tuft block
comprises a plurality of side by side parallel bars, and each of
said bars having bristles extending outwardly thereof.
33. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said plurality of bars
comprises at least two sets of bars, each of said sets of bars
having at least two bars in said set, and said bars of said at
least two sets being mounted in an alternating manner with a bar of
each set disposed adjacent to a bar of the other set.
34. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said plurality of bars
comprises two sets of side by side parallel bars, each of said sets
having two bars, and said sets of bars being mounted in an
alternating manner whereby a bar of each of said sets is disposed
adjacent to a bar of the other of said sets.
35. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said plurality of bars
comprises at least two sets of bars, each of said sets of bars
having at least two adjacent bars in said set, and each of said
sets of adjacent bars being mounted to move in a direction opposite
to the movement of its adjacent set of bars.
36. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said plurality of bars
comprises two sets of side by side parallel bars, each of said sets
having two adjacent bars, and each of said sets of adjacent bars
being mounted to move in a direction opposite to the direction of
movement of the other of said sets of adjacent bars.
37. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said drive assembly includes
a rotating drive shaft, said drive connection being a crank end of
said drive shaft mounted to said primary tuft block, and said drive
transmitting connection being cam structure on said drive shaft
engaged with said bars.
38. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said drive assembly includes
a rotating drive shaft, said drive connection being a crank end of
said drive shaft mounted to said primary tuft block, and said drive
transmitting connection being cam structure on said drive shaft
engaged with said bars.
39. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said bristles on said bars
are of ramped height arranged in rows parallel to each other.
40. The toothbrush of claim 39 wherein the direction of inclination
of each row of bristles is opposite to its adjacent row.
41. The toothbrush of claim 39 including stimulator bristles on
said head peripherally outwardly of and at least partially around
said secondary tuft block.
42. The toothbrush of claim 32 wherein said bristles on said bars
are of the same height as each other.
43. The toothbrush of claim 42 including stimulator bristles on
said head peripherally outwardly of and at least partially around
said secondary tuft block.
44. The toothbrush of claim 27 wherein said bristles on at least
one of said primary tuft block and said secondary tuft block
include bristles of different configuration and material than other
bristles on said at least one of said primary tuft block and said
secondary tuft block.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a powered toothbrush
refill head that includes an oscillating block having bristles.
Various types of such toothbrushes are generally known in the art.
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.
[0002] 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 is rotated the inclined arms cause each brush to rotate
about their axis in opposite directions to each other.
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,178 discloses a toothbrush having a
bristle holder which is rotated reciprocally along a circularly
arcuate path. An interdental bristle holder is mounted
longitudinally outwardly of the bristle holder. The patent states
that the interdental bristle holder is reciprocatingly movable
transversely to the longitudinal axis and is in driving engagement
with the bristle holder so that the interdental bristle holder
reciprocates transversely to the longitudinal axis when the bristle
holder is reciprocated along the circularly arcuate path. The
drawings, however, illustrate the interdental bristle holder to
have an arcuate edge which is parallel to and extends partially
around the arcuate edge of the bristle holder 40. Accordingly,
there would be little room for any significant transverse
reciprocation.
[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] PCT International Publication No. WO 01/91603 discloses a
toothbrush having sets of bristle tufts which reciprocate in their
angular orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of this invention is to provide a powered
toothbrush refill head which is capable of delivering a cleaning,
polishing, whitening action in addition to the cleaning efficiency
of a typical powered toothbrush refill product.
[0012] A further object of this invention is to provide various
techniques for adding to the cleaning efficiency of an oscillating
block in the toothbrush head.
[0013] In accordance with this invention the toothbrush head
includes a primary tuft block mounted to the head. The primary tuft
block is mounted in such a manner as to oscillate back and forth
preferably rotationally. The head includes a secondary tuft block
which is driven to further oscillate back and forth while the
primary tuft block is oscillated back and forth.
[0014] In one practice of this invention the secondary tuft block
is interconnected with the primary tuft block so that oscillating
rotation of the primary tuft block causes an oscillating rotation
of the secondary tuft block.
[0015] In accordance with a further practice of this invention the
secondary tuft block comprises a plurality of side by side plates
connected to the primary tuft block in such a manner that the side
by side plates oscillate linearly in a direction parallel to the
handle of the toothbrush while the primary tuft block is
oscillating.
[0016] In still yet another practice of this invention the
secondary tuft block is a plurality of rows of bars extending
laterally across the head perpendicular to the handle. The bars
oscillate back and forth across the tuft head in a direction
perpendicular to the handle while the primary tuft block is
oscillating.
THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush refill
head in accordance with one practice of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
1-2;
[0020] FIGS. 4-5 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 1-3;
[0021] FIGS. 6-7 are perspective views of the head shown in FIGS.
1-5 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional plan view of a toothbrush
incorporating the head shown in FIGS. 1-7;
[0023] FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view in cross-section
of the head shown in FIGS. 1-8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a top plan view showing the drive mechanism for
the head shown in FIGS. 1-9;
[0025] FIG. 10A is a view similar to FIG. 10 of a modified form of
drive mechanism;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush refill
head in accordance with a further embodiment of this invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
11;
[0028] FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
11-12;
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 12 with
the head inverted;
[0030] FIGS. 15-16 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 11-14;
[0031] FIGS. 17-18 are perspective views showing the head of FIGS.
11-16 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0032] FIGS. 19-20 are plan views of the drive mechanism for the
head shown in FIGS. 11-18 in different phases of operation;
[0033] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush refill
head in accordance with yet another embodiment of this
invention;
[0034] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
21;
[0035] FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIG.
22;
[0036] FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22 showing the head
inverted;
[0037] FIGS. 25-26 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 21-24;
[0038] FIGS. 27-28 are perspective views of the head shown in FIGS.
21-26 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0039] FIG. 29 is a top plan view of a variation of the powered
toothbrush refill head shown in FIGS. 21-28;
[0040] FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
29;
[0041] FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
29-30;
[0042] FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 30 with the head
inverted;
[0043] FIGS. 33-34 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 29-32;
[0044] FIGS. 35-36 are perspective views of the head shown in FIGS.
29-34 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0045] FIG. 37 is a top plan view of yet another variation of the
powered toothbrush refill head shown in FIGS. 21-28;
[0046] FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
37;
[0047] FIG. 39 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
37-38;
[0048] FIG. 40 is a view similar to FIG. 38 with the head
inverted;
[0049] FIGS. 41-42 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 37-40;
[0050] FIGS. 43-44 are perspective views of the head shown in FIGS.
37-42 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0051] FIG. 45 is a top plan view of still yet another variation of
the powered toothbrush refill head shown in FIGS. 21-28;
[0052] FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of the head shown in FIG.
45;
[0053] FIG. 47 is a bottom plan view of the head shown in FIGS.
45-46;
[0054] FIG. 48 is a view similar to FIG. 46 showing the head in an
inverted position;
[0055] FIGS. 49-50 are end elevational views of the head shown in
FIGS. 45-48;
[0056] FIGS. 51-52 are perspective views of the head shown in FIGS.
45-50 in the upright and inverted positions;
[0057] FIG. 53 is a plan view of the drive mechanism for the heads
shown in FIGS. 21-52 in one phase of operation;
[0058] FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 53
along the line 54-54;
[0059] FIG. 55 is a view similar to FIG. 53 showing a different
phase of operation;
[0060] FIG. 55A is a view similar to FIG. 55 of a modified mode of
operation; and
[0061] FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view taken through FIG. 55
along the line 56-56.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0062] FIGS. 1-10 are directed to a practice of the invention
wherein a powered toothbrush refill head 10 is provided with a
primary tuft block 12 and a secondary tuft block 14 mounted to the
refill arm 16 of a toothbrush 28 at the end of handle extension 18
at a location displaced from the primary tuft block. Each tuft
block contains various types of bristles or brushing elements. As
shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-2 and 6-7 the primary tuft block 12
has a plurality of bristles arranged in any suitable pattern. For
example, an outer generally circularly arranged row of natural
bristles 20 is located around the periphery of tuft block 12. An
inner set of natural bristles 22 is located in a generally circular
pattern concentrically within the circular arrangement of outer
bristles 20. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 some of the bristles
are shorter than other bristles.
[0063] As shown each of primary tuft block 12 and secondary tuft
block 14 is of generally circular cross-sectional shape. Secondary
tuft block 14 is located outwardly of primary tuft block 12 and is
of smaller size than primary tuft block 12.
[0064] Secondary tuft block 14 also includes a plurality of
bristles. In the illustrated embodiment these bristles include four
sets of natural bristle tufts 24 separated from each other by
rubber bristles or massage elements 26 which are of the same height
as bristles 24.
[0065] It is to be understood that the specific illustration and
description of the bristles for primary tuft block 12 and secondary
tuft block 14 is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can,
however, be practiced with various combinations of the same or
different bristle configurations (such as stapled, IMT, etc.)
and/or with the same or different bristle materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). It is thereby
possible to select the combination of bristle configurations and
bristle materials 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 and/or tooth whitening.
[0066] It is also to be understood that the head 16 could include
other bristles such as on non-movable portions of the heads
separate from the bristles on the oscillating tufts blocks 12,14.
Thus, for example, rubber triangular bristles or massage elements
could be located on opposite portions of the head 16 between the
tuft blocks 12 and 14. It is also to be understood that the
bristles for the oscillating tuft blocks could include combinations
of natural or rubber bristles or could include solely natural or
solely rubber bristles.
[0067] It is to be understood that as used herein the term bristle
is meant to include cleaning elements which may be of solid
construction such as rubber massage members or stimulators and is
not intended to be limited to tufts or natural bristles.
[0068] FIGS. 8-9 illustrate an exemplary type of drive structure
for oscillating the primary tuft block 12. This drive structure
incorporates the type of drive disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,625,916, all of the details of which are incorporated herein by
reference thereto. As shown in FIG. 8 the toothbrush 28 has a
hollow housing 29 in which a plurality of batteries 30,30 are
mounted to power the motor 32 as actuated by an on/off switch (not
shown). Motor 32 is connected to coupling 34 which grips one end of
a drive shaft 36 so as to rotate the drive shaft 36.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 9 the primary tuft block 12 has a slot or
opening 38 into which the offset crank end 40 of shaft 36 is
mounted. As shaft 36 rotates the rotating crank end 40 causes the
primary tuft block 12 to rotate in a back and forth oscillating
manner about shaft or post 42 which is mounted to refill arm 16.
Thus, the 360.degree. rotational movement of shaft 36 is
transmitted into an oscillating back and forth rotational movement
of primary tuft block 12.
[0070] The type of drive mechanism described and illustrated in
FIGS. 8-9 is a particularly preferred type of drive mechanism
because of its simplicity and its effectiveness. As shown, the
drive shaft 36 extends axially from the motor 32 and is mounted
directly to the primary tuft block 12. Accordingly, the primary
tuft block 12 is oscillated by a drive which comprises an axially
oriented shaft extending from the motor to the primary tuft block
without the need for any intervening gears, etc. As used in this
application the term "direct drive from a shaft axially extending
from the motor to the primary tuft block" is intended to mean such
a drive mechanism which does not require additional complicated
structure such as gears and the like to oscillate the primary tuft
block.
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates a drive connection between primary tuft
block 12 and secondary tuft block 14. As shown therein primary tuft
block 12 includes a finger or extension 44 which is located in slot
or cutout 46 in secondary tuft block 14. Accordingly, as primary
tuft block 12 reciprocates back and forth in a rotational manner
the finger 44 causes a like oscillation to result from secondary
tuft block 14. FIG. 9 illustrates the secondary tuft block 14 to be
mounted on its post or shaft 48 secured to refill arm 16 to permit
such oscillating rotational movement.
[0072] It is to be understood that while FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the
oscillating movement of primary tuft block 12 to result from a
rotating drive shaft 36 with its crank end 40, other types of
oscillating drive mechanisms may be utilized as is known in the art
such as gears, cams and the like. Such drive mechanisms, however,
are less preferred.
[0073] Similarly, while FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a preferred drive
transmitting connection from the primary tuft block to the
secondary tuft block by means of the finger 44 extending into
cutout 46, the drive transmitting connection could be from a finger
of the secondary tuft block located in a cutout in the primary tuft
block. Alternatively, other types of drive transmitting
transmissions or connections could also be used such as links or
cams. FIG. 10A, for example, shows a pin 45 straddling the primary
tuft block 12 and the secondary tuft block 14. Pin 45 could be
pivotally secured to each tuft block so that an oscillating
rotation of primary tuft block 12 would be transmitted to secondary
tuft block 14 thereby causing an oscillating rotation in the
opposite direction of secondary tuft block 14. Alternatively, pin
45 could be rigidly secured to or even integral with one of the
tuft blocks and pivotally mounted to the other tuft block.
[0074] An advantageous aspect of the drive connection between
primary tuft block 12 and secondary tuft block 14 is that primary
tuft block 12 rotates back and forth only over a limited arc,
rather than a full 360.degree. and that this oscillating or limited
rotation is transmitted to the secondary tuft block to result in a
like type of limited rotational oscillation. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 10 the oscillation of the secondary tuft block is
achieved by a single drive connecting member, namely, the finger 44
mounted in the slot or cutout 46, rather than for example sets of
intermeshed gear teeth. In the embodiment of FIG. 10A the drive
connecting member is a pin 45.
[0075] The embodiment of FIGS. 1-10 thus utilizes a drive assembly
in the handle of the toothbrush wherein the drive assembly includes
a drive connection to the primary tuft block 12 so as to oscillate
the primary tuft block 12 back and forth on its shaft 42. A drive
transmitting connection, namely, the finger 44 and slot 46 or the
pin 45 between the primary tuft block 12 and the secondary tuft
block 14 results in moving the secondary tuft block 14 back and
forth in an oscillating manner while the primary tuft block is
oscillating.
[0076] It is to be understood that the invention in all of its
embodiments could be practiced where the secondary tuft block also
has a drive transmitting connection to still yet a further or
tertiary tuft block. For example, the secondary and tertiary tuft
blocks could utilize a similar type connection as the finger and
slot that is utilized between the primary and secondary tuft blocks
or by using any other suitable drive transmitting connection. The
tertiary tuft block could drive yet a further tuft block, etc. The
number of tuft blocks would be determined by space constraints and
practicality. Having only a primary and a secondary tuft blocks is
preferred.
[0077] Advantageously, the invention could be practiced with only
minor constructional modification changes to existing type powered
brush refill heads. Thus, for example, refill arm would be modified
in shape to accept a second round tuft block 14 for connection with
the primary round refill design or tuft block 12. This allows for
simple modifications to the second head shape which could be a
compact head, a regular head, full head, etc. so that different
sizes/actions could be offered to the consumer.
[0078] The constructional changes that would be made to known
powered refill products having a round oscillating block or primary
tuft block would be to modify the shape of the refill arm 16 to
accept the additional tuft plates which would be located below the
round oscillating block 12. The round tuft block 12 would also
require some modifications to accept the connection points for the
additional plates. Other constructional modifications would depend
on the different bristles configurations included in the
consumer-preferred design (i.e., rubber fingers, etc.).
[0079] FIG. 10 illustrates the primary tuft block 12 to be of
larger size than the secondary tuft block 14. FIG. 10A, however,
shows a practice of the invention where both tuft blocks are of the
same size. If desired, the secondary tuft block could be larger
than the primary tuft block. It is particularly preferred to have
both tuft blocks the same size since this lends itself to the
possibility of making both tuft blocks of identical structure. This
would simplify and reduce manufacturing costs. Thus, the slot 38
which accommodates the end 40 of shaft 36 for the primary tuft
block could be used to function as the slot 46 of the secondary
tuft block to accommodate the finger 44. Where both tuft blocks are
made of identical structure the secondary tuft block would have a
non-functioning finger. Where other types of drive transmitting
members are used, such as pin 45, the secondary tuft block could
still be provided with a non-functional slot identical to slot 38
of the primary tuft block so that the two tuft blocks are
interchangeable during assembly.
[0080] FIGS. 11-20 relate to a further embodiment of this invention
where there is at least one secondary tuft block at a location
displaced from the primary tuft block. As shown in FIGS. 11-18 the
head 10A includes a primary tuft block 12 and a secondary tuft
block which is illustrated as being in the form of a pair of plates
50,52 mounted on refill arm 16. As later described the two plates
50,52 are mounted for oscillatory movement back and forth in a
direction generally parallel to handle extension 18. This movement,
in combination with the primary tuft block 12 oscillating
rotationally, thereby allows the refill to deliver an added
cleaning, polishing, whitening action in addition to the cleaning
efficiency of a typical powered toothbrush refill product.
[0081] As with the description of the various bristle configuration
and bristle material combinations possibilities discussed with
regard to head 10, the head 10A likewise could incorporate
different combinations. In the illustrated embodiment, primary tuft
block 12 includes a plurality of sets of natural bristles 54
separated by bristles of IMT block configuration 56. All of the
bristles 54 are of the same height which is slightly higher than
bristles 56. Plates 50,52 include two longitudinal rows of bristles
wherein the rows of bristles include natural bristles 58 and rubber
fingers/bristles 60. The height of the bristles for each plate
50,52 tapers so as to create a ramp effect. Thus, the bristles for
plate 50 are higher at the end of plate 50 located nearer to handle
extension 18 creating a downwardly inclined ramp toward primary
tuft block 12. The bristles in plate 52, however, have the opposite
ramp effect where the tallest bristles are closest to primary tuft
block 12. In addition to the bristles in plates 50,52 tapering in
height, the bristles may also be inclined toward and away from the
handle as best shown in FIG. 12.
[0082] FIGS. 19-20 illustrate a drive mechanism for causing the
plates 50,52 to reciprocate linearly in the same direction as
handle extension 18 while the primary tuft block 12 oscillates back
and forth rotationally. As shown in FIGS. 19-20 the drive
connection is located below the outer surface of the primary tuft
block 12 and the outer surface of the secondary tuft block from
which the bristles extend outwardly away from refill arm 16. As
with the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10 the handle 18 includes a rotating
drive shaft 36 which has a crank end 40 engaged in slot 38 of
primary tuft block 12 so that rotation of drive shaft 36 causes the
primary tuft block 12 to rotate about its shaft or post 42. Thus,
the drive mechanism is preferably a direct drive from a shaft
extending from the motor to the primary tuft block.
[0083] The plates 50,52 are connected to oscillating primary tuft
block 12 in such a manner that the rotational movement of primary
tuft block 12 causes the plates to reciprocate back and forth in a
direction parallel to handle extension 18. As illustrated in FIGS.
19-20 the connection is accomplished by a link 62 connecting each
plate 50,52 to primary tuft block 12. FIG. 19 shows the plates in a
neutral or centered condition. FIG. 20 shows the condition where
the primary tuft block 12 is rotating in a counterclockwise
direction. The crank end 40 is shifted to the right as shown in
FIG. 20. The links 62,62 cause the plate 50 to be pulled in a
direction away from handle extension 18, while the plate 52 is
pushed in a direction toward the handle extension. Alternatively,
the links could be mounted in such a manner that both plates 50,52
move simultaneously in the same direction. If desired, plates 50,52
could be mounted in tracks in refill arm 16 to assure that the
movement of the plates is a straight back and forth linear movement
thereby avoiding any side shifting or rotation.
[0084] In order to minimize space requirements the outer edge 53 of
each plate 50,52 which is disposed adjacent to the primary tuft
block 12 is arcuate along an arc generally parallel to the
curvature of the round or circular primary tuft block 12.
[0085] Although FIGS. 11-20 illustrate the secondary tuft block to
be in the form of two side by side plates the invention may be
practiced with other variations wherein there is an up and down
movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle extension
18. Thus, in its simplest form there could be a single plate or
there could be three or more side by side plates where some or all
of the plates move in the same or in different directions. For
example, two or more adjacent plates could move in the same
direction. Alternatively, each plate may move in an opposite
direction to its adjacent plate. In each of these variations the
necessary points of connection would be made between each plate and
the oscillating primary tuft block to cause the linear
reciprocating movement of the plates and their outwardly extending
bristles.
[0086] FIGS. 21-56 illustrate a third variation of the invention
wherein there is a reciprocating movement of a secondary tuft block
at a location displaced from the primary tuft block while the
primary tuft block rotates in an oscillating manner. In the various
embodiments of FIGS. 21-56 the oscillating or reciprocating
movement is a side to side movement in a direction perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the handle extension 18. FIGS. 21-52
illustrate various exemplary possible combinations of bristle
structure that could be used with this practice of the invention.
One such combination of bristle structure is illustrated in FIGS.
21-28. As shown therein the head includes a primary tuft block 12
with the secondary tuft block being formed by parallel laterally
disposed bars 64,66,68,70. (The bars 64,66,68,70 are actually
located below the surface with the bristles on the bars extending
outwardly through slots in refill arm 16.)
[0087] FIGS. 21-28 illustrate head 10B with one variation of
bristle combination. As shown therein, a set of stimulators 72 is
arranged around the periphery of refill arm 16 outwardly of the
laterally reciprocating bristle bars 64,66,68,70. The bristles 74
on the bristle bars taper in height to create a ramped affect. The
tapering may be uniform in the sense that the bristles in each row
taper in the same direction laterally across head 10B or the
tapering may alternate from row to row or the tapering could be
such that the bristles 74 in rows or on bars 68 and 70 are the same
as each other while being opposite to the tapering for the bristles
on bars 66,68. (FIG. 43 also illustrates the ramped bristles 74
without peripheral stimulators 72.)
[0088] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 29-36 the head 10C also
includes a set of peripherally located stimulators 72. The bristles
76 for laterally oscillating bars 64,66,68 and 70, however, are all
of the same height, rather than being ramped.
[0089] FIGS. 37-44 illustrate a variation where the head 10D has
its bristles 74 of tapering height to create a ramp effect for each
laterally oscillating bar 64,66,68,70 in the same manner as
described with regard to head 10B. Unlike head 10B, however, head
10D omits the peripherally located stimulators.
[0090] FIGS. 45-52 illustrate a head 10E which is similar to head
10C in that the bristles 76 are of the same height but the head
does not include any stimulators surrounding the bristles 76.
[0091] As illustrated, particularly in FIGS. 21, 29, 37, 43, 45 and
51, the bristles 74 or 76 extend outwardly from the refill arm 16
through slots 71 formed in the refill arm with the rows of bristles
being mounted on the bars which are actually located below the
outer surface of refill arm 16.
[0092] FIGS. 53-56 illustrate one technique for causing the
laterally arranged bars 64,66,68 and 70 to reciprocate back and
forth while the primary tuft block 12 reciprocates rotationally. As
shown therein, and as previously described, the drive shaft 36 has
its crank end 40 mounted in slot 38 of primary tuft block 12 to
cause the primary tuft block 12 to oscillate rotationally on its
post or shaft 42. This drive assembly which includes the rotating
shaft 36 and its drive connection 38,40 thus causes the primary
tuft block 12 to oscillate back and forth. A drive transmitting
connection between the primary tuft block 12 and the secondary tuft
block formed by bars 64,66,68 and 70 is achieved through the use of
cams 78,80,82,84 mounted on drive shaft 36. FIGS. 54 and 56
illustrate how the cam 82 associated with bar 68 causes the bar to
shift laterally while drive shaft 36 rotates. As shown therein, the
refill arm 16 includes a recess 88 of sufficient size to permit the
lateral back and forth shifting in a direction perpendicular to
drive shaft 36 and the longitudinal axis of handle extension 18.
Cam 82 is located in a slot or cutout 86 in bar 68. As shown in
FIG. 54 the cam 82 is in its centered condition with the cam
located upwardly from drive shaft 36. FIG. 54 also shows in phantom
the cam rotated 180.degree. which would still result in the bar 68
being in its centered condition.
[0093] FIG. 56 illustrates in solid lines the cam 82 rotated
90.degree. from its centered condition which in FIG. 56 would cause
the bar 68 to shift to the right to its extreme right-hand most
position. FIG. 56 shows in phantom the position of the cam and the
slot or cutout 86 when the cam 82 is shifted 180.degree. from the
position shown in FIG. 56 which would then cause the bar 68 to be
shifted to its extreme leftmost position. Accordingly, while shaft
36 rotates 360.degree. this rotation is transmitted by crank end 40
to cause a rotational oscillation of primary tuft block 12 and the
rotating cam 82 causes a lateral oscillation of bar 68.
[0094] Cam 82 and cam 78 are mounted identically to each other on
shaft 36. As a result bars 64 and 68 move in unison in the same
direction as each other. Conversely, cams 80 and 84 are configured
and mounted to be opposite cams 78 and 82 as shown in FIG. 55 so
that when bars 64 and 68 move toward the right under the influence
of their cams 78 and 82 the bars 66 and 70 move toward the left
under their influence of their cams 80 and 84.
[0095] FIG. 55 illustrates each bar to be moved in a direction
opposite to its adjacent bar. FIG. 55A, however, shows a variation
wherein the cams are arranged so that pairs of adjacent bars move
in the same direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 55A the bars 64 and
66 move in the same direction while adjacent bars 68,70 move in the
opposite direction.
[0096] If desired, the invention could be practiced with only a
single bar moving back and forth in a lateral direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of handle 18. Preferably,
however, sets of pairs of bars (such as illustrated in FIGS. 53, 55
and 55A) are the preferred practice of this invention. Each set of
bars could be alternately arranged bars (as in FIG. 55) or could be
adjacent bars (as in FIG. 55A). The invention, however, could be
practiced with greater or lesser number of bars arranged in pairs
or arranged for individual movement by modifying the cam location
and shape on shaft 36. For example, a total of six reciprocating
bars could be used arranged in two sets each having three
alternately located bars or in three sets of adjacent bars. Such
arrangement, however, would require a larger head size. The cams
could also be located on shaft 36 so that, for example, each of the
cams 78,80,82 and 84 is located on shaft 36 in a different angular
orientation from each other whereby each of the bars would be
oscillated out of unison with the other bars.
[0097] The various embodiments of FIGS. 21-56 may thus be practiced
by modifying the drive shaft 36 to create a cam action to drive a
series of horizontally aligned bristle rows. Preferably, the
bristle rows 64,66,68,70 are connected into two subsets 64,68 and
66,70 that operate in opposing directions as the drive shaft 36
rotates. This resulting action in combination with the round
oscillating block 12 creates enough movement to deliver additional
oral health benefits like more efficacious cleaning, tooth
polishing, and/or tooth whitening. The additional movements can
also be enhanced by different bristle configurations and bristle
materials as described. Further, by surrounding the bristles with
rubber fingers 72 the fingers provide gum massage in addition to
the action supplied by the extra bristle rows.
[0098] The construction changes that would be necessary to
accomplish this new action would include a modification to the
shape of the refill arm to accept the additional tuft blocks or
bars located below the round oscillating block. The drive shaft
would also be modified to create the cam action to drive the
additional blocks. Other construction modifications would depend on
the different bristle configurations included in the
consumer-preferred design.
[0099] Where ramped bristles 74 are used, in addition to tapering
the height of the bristles, the bristles could also be inclined
either in the same or opposite to the inclination of the adjacent
rows of bristles. Alternatively, the rows of bristles could include
ramped bristles for one row with bristles of equal height for an
adjacent row. Still further, instead of using individual tufts of
bristles for a row a single cleaning element, such as an elongated
rubber finger, could be used for one or more of the rows.
[0100] The invention has been described with respect to three
different embodiments wherein in addition to the oscillation of the
primary tuft block there is also an oscillation either rotationally
or linearly in the same direction as the longitudinal axis of the
handle or linearly in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the handle. The invention, however, may also be practiced
where combinations of those forms of oscillation are achieved.
Thus, for example, the side to side type of oscillation illustrated
in FIGS. 53-56 could be accomplished by the utilization of cams on
the drive shaft while the primary tuft block also causes either
rotational and/or longitudinal linear oscillation as in the other
embodiments or any combination thereof. The invention may also be
practiced where instead of rotating, the primary tuft block
oscillates back and forth parallel to the handle or side to side,
although a rotational oscillation is preferred. It is also to be
understood that while the invention has been described in its
preferred manner of causing oscillation of the secondary tuft
blocks other types of drive mechanisms may be used within the
spirit of this invention.
* * * * *