U.S. patent application number 10/341579 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-31 for toothbrush head.
Invention is credited to Aoyama, Yoshihiro.
Application Number | 20030140442 10/341579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27606404 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030140442 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aoyama, Yoshihiro |
July 31, 2003 |
Toothbrush head
Abstract
Provided is a toothbrush head which enables a single toothbrush
to cope with any individual user's oral condition. The toothbrush
head has bristle bundles, sponge pieces or the like implanted
herein as a cleaning element on the bristling surface and contains
unbristling areas formed on the bristling surface. Some or all of
the bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to
the major central axis or the minor central axis of the head. The
head can contain as separate parts bristling areas having bristle
implanted therein and unbristling areas, which are removably
attached to the head.
Inventors: |
Aoyama, Yoshihiro; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RADER FISHMAN & GRAUER PLLC
LION BUILDING
1233 20TH STREET N.W., SUITE 501
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
27606404 |
Appl. No.: |
10/341579 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 ;
15/194; 15/202; 15/210.1; 15/244.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/005 20130101;
A46B 9/04 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 ;
15/202; 15/194; 15/210.1; 15/244.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2002 |
JP |
2002-23576 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head of a toothbrush having bristle bundles implanted in it on
a bristling surface thereof, the head comprising an unbristling
area defined on the bristling surface.
2. A head of a toothbrush having bristle bundles implanted in it on
a bristling surface thereof, wherein some or all of the bristle
bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to a major
central axis of the head.
3. A head of a toothbrush having bristle bundles implanted in it on
a bristling surface thereof, wherein some or all of the bristle
bundles are implanted asymmetrically with respect to a minor
central axis of the head.
4. A head of a toothbrush comprising as separate parts a bristling
area having a bristle bundle implanted therein and an unbristling
area, which are removably attached to the head.
5. The head of a toothbrush according to any of claims 1, 2, 3 and
4, wherein the head is bent at a distal end thereof.
6. The head of a toothbrush according to any of claims 1, 2, 3 and
4, wherein the head is attached to a neck of the toothbrush so that
it pivots with respect to the neck.
7. The head of a toothbrush according to any of claims 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 and 6, wherein sponge-like cleaning element is implanted therein
on the bristling surface in place of the bristle bundles.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a toothbrush head which
enables a single toothbrush to cope with buccal specificity of any
individual user.
[0003] The difficulty and the degree of sufficiency in tooth
brushing differ depending on various oral conditions including
dentition, tooth form, occlusion, tongue size and muscles around
the mouth which differ from person to person. Further, the tips of
bristles of a toothbrush are brought into contact with the teeth in
different manners between the upper row of teeth and the lower row
of teeth or between the right row of teeth and the left row of
teeth depending on characteristics of an individual user, for
example, dextrality or sinistrality and force of the user which may
differ between male and female. Thus, a toothbrush is used under
different conditions.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Meanwhile, conventional toothbrushes are manufactured for
everybody, so that they rarely meet fully specific oral conditions
of individual users'. Thus, every user cannot clean his or her
teeth completely using a single toothbrush but fail to feel
refreshed or satisfied unless the user uses auxiliary cleaning
utensils such as interdental brush.
[0006] Under such circumstances, contrivances have been made in
toothbrushes with respect to bristles to be implanted in the head
in terms of implanting method, kind of bristles, density,
configuration of bristle tips, etc. However, bundles of bristles
are implanted symmetrically with respect to the major axis (axis in
the longitudinal direction) in each toothbrush at equal
intervals.
[0007] However, cleaning of teeth using an auxiliary cleaning
utensil makes the tooth-brushing operation troublesome and can lead
to lowering of positive attitude to tooth-brushing or reduction of
tooth-brushing frequency. In spite of the contrivances made in the
conventional toothbrushes in terms of the method of implanting
bristles, the kind of bristles, etc., the conventional toothbrushes
fail to achieve sufficient intraoral cleaning. In addition, it can
happen that the bristles implanted in the head injure teeth and
gums.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing a
toothbrush head which enables a single toothbrush to cope with oral
conditions of any individual user as much as possible.
[0009] In order to solve the problems described above, the gist of
the present invention is to provide a toothbrush head having
bristle bundles implanted in it on the bristling surface thereof,
characterized in that the head contains an unbristling area defined
on the bristling surface.
[0010] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that some or
all of the bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with
respect to the major central axis of the head.
[0011] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that some or
all of the bristle bundles are implanted asymmetrically with
respect to the minor central axis of the head.
[0012] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that it has as
separate parts a bristling area having a bristle bundle implanted
therein and an unbristling area, and these parts are removably
attached to the head.
[0013] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that it is bent
at the distal end thereof.
[0014] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that the head
is attached to the neck of a toothbrush so that it pivots with
respect to the neck.
[0015] The toothbrush head is also characterized in that a
sponge-like cleaning element is implanted therein on the bristling
surface in place of the bristle bundles.
[0016] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrated by way of
examples the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention together with the objects and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following description of the presently preferred embodiments
together with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according to
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing another exemplary toothbrush
head according to the first embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according to
a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing another exemplary toothbrush
head according to the second embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a toothbrush head according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b) are plan views each showing a toothbrush
head according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the toothbrush head of the
present invention showing the state where teeth are cleaned
therewith; FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the toothbrush head of the
present invention also showing the state where teeth are brushed
therewith;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the toothbrush head of the
present invention also showing the state where teeth are brushed
therewith;
[0026] FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are explanatory drawings each showing
a method of implanting bristle bundles in the head;
[0027] FIG. 11 is an explanatory drawing showing another method of
implanting bristle bundles in the head;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing showing another method of
implanting bristle bundles in the head;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the head having sponge
pieces implanted therein on the upper surface thereof;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a partial side view of the head having bundles of
sponge slivers implanted therein on the upper surface thereof;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a partial side view of the head having dense mass
of fine fibers implanted therein on the upper surface thereof;
[0032] FIG. 16 is a drawing explaining a method of implanting
sponge pieces in the head; and
[0033] FIG. 17 is a drawing explaining other methods of implanting
bundles of sponge pieces in the head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] The toothbrush head according to a first embodiment of the
present invention will be described below referring to the attached
drawings.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a bristling surface of a
toothbrush head according to the first embodiment of the present
invention; and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing another exemplary
toothbrush head of the first embodiment.
[0036] In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the head 10 formed
at the distal end of a neck 30 of a toothbrush contains a
multiplicity of holes 12 defined on a bristling surface 11 (a
surface of the head where bristle bundles are to be implanted), and
a bristle bundle 20 is implanted in each hole 12. The holes 12 are
defined on the bristling surface 11 of the head 10 so that they are
arranged in the axial direction symmetrically with respect to the
major central axis 15 except for the central area formed as an
unbristling area 13 (an area where no bristle bundles are to be
implanted).
[0037] In this embodiment, as well as, in other embodiments to be
described below, while no bristles are implanted in the unbristling
area 13, the unbristling area 13 is not limited to this
configuration but includes those cases where the unbristling area
13 has short bristles implanted therein such that they do not
interfere with actions of the bristle bundles 20. The actions of
the bristle bundles 20 will be described later.
[0038] In another example of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
the bristle bundles 20 are implanted in the holes 12 symmetrically
with respect to the major central axis of the head 10. However,
what is different from the above embodiment is the manner of
forming unbristling areas 13.
[0039] In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the head 10 has
holes 12 defined on the bristling surface 11 thereof asymmetrically
with respect to the major central axis 15 and bristle bundles
implanted therein with unbristling areas 13 being formed
irregularly between the bristle bundles 20.
[0040] In another example of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4,
the head 10 has holes 12 defined on the bristling surface 11
thereof asymmetrically with respect to the minor central axis 16
and bristle bundles 20 implanted therein with unbristling areas 13
being formed irregularly between bristle bundles 20.
[0041] The implanting method used in the first and second
embodiments is to define holes 12 at predetermined positions on the
bristling surface 11 of the head 10 depending on dentition and
other oral conditions of an individual user, and then to implant
bristle bundles 20 in these holes 12.
[0042] There is another method employable here to define holes 12
partly or entirely over the bristling surface 11 of the head 10, as
shown in FIG. 5 and then to implant bristle bundles 20 selectively
in predetermined holes 12.
[0043] Otherwise, bristle bundles 20 may be implanted in all of
these holes 12, and a dentist and the like may pull out
predetermined bundles 20 to define unbristling areas 13 on the head
depending on the oral condition of an individual user.
[0044] Further, in a head 10a shown in FIG. 6(a), the head 10a is
bent at the distal end portion horizontally rightward or leftward
with respect to the major central axis 15. This head 10a can cope
more exactly with dentition and other specific tooth conditions of
an individual user.
[0045] When a toothbrush is used, the head 10a is normally inserted
through the lips into the buccal cavity diagonally with respect to
the plane of occlusion. More specifically, the bristles of the
toothbrush are brought into contact with teeth and gums diagonally.
Therefore, it is necessary to implant bristles diagonally
(asymmetrically) in the head or to change the angle of at least a
part of the head with respect to the neck of the toothbrush so as
to compensate for the contact angle of the bristles and to bring
them into contact with the surfaces of teeth and of gums at right
angle.
[0046] Another head 10b shown in FIG. 6(b) is fixed to a neck 30 of
a toothbrush with a pivot 30a so that the head 10b can entirely be
pivoted horizontally rightward or leftward with respect to the
major central axis 15. This head 10b can cope more exactly with
dentition and other specific tooth conditions of an individual
user.
[0047] The manner of cleaning teeth with the toothbrush head 10
having the constitution as described above will be described
referring to the schematic views shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.
[0048] FIG. 7 shows a state where the rear side (distal portion)
82a of the distal molar tooth 82 is being cleaned. Here, the fore
bristle bundles 21 on the head 10 are brought into contact with the
rear side 82a to enable cleaning of it.
[0049] More specifically, since the conventional toothbrushes have
no unbristling areas 13 but have bristles implanted therein
entirely over the bristling surface, the bristles present in the
area corresponding to the unbristling areas 13 of the present
invention are brought into contact with the upper surface of the
tooth 82 to urge the head 10 upward and prevent the fore bristle
bundles from coming deep downward, so that the tips of the fore
bristle bundles cannot reach fully the lower end of the rear side
82a.
[0050] However, by virtue of the unbristling area 13 formed in this
embodiment, the fore bristle bundles 21 on the head 10 can reach
the lower end of the rear side 82a of the tooth 82 to achieve
sufficient cleaning thereof.
[0051] FIG. 8 shows the plane of occlusion of the molar teeth 80,
81 and 82, where the rear side 82a of the distal molar tooth 82 and
the gap 81a between the tooth 82 and the tooth 81 (adjoining
portions) are being cleaned. Here again, the fore bristle bundles
21 of the head 10 are brought into contact with the rear side 82a
to enable cleaning of it, while the tips of the rear bristle
bundles 22 are intruding into the gap 81a between the tooth 81 and
the tooth 82 to clean it.
[0052] It can be appreciated from FIG. 8 that, by virtue of the
presence of the unbristling area, the fore bristle bundles 21 and
the rear bristle bundles 22 on the head 10 can clean the rear side
82a of the tooth 82 and the gap 81a between the teeth,
respectively.
[0053] FIG. 9 shows actions of side bristle bundles 23 and 24 on
the head 10, where the bristle bundles 23 and 24 are cleaning the
gap (pocket) 83a present between the tooth 83 and the tooth 84. It
can be appreciated here again that, by virtue of the presence of
the unbristling area 13, the tips of the side bristle bundles 23 on
the head 10 can clean the gap 83a between the tooth 83 and the
tooth 84.
[0054] As described above, in the toothbrush head according to this
embodiment, tips of bristles can be allowed to reach those areas
which fail to be brought into contact with bristles of conventional
toothbrushes depending on the way of using a toothbrush by an
individual user such as lateral faces of molar teeth and gaps
between them. Thus, if a dentist or the like finds a user's weak
point in tooth brushing or unbrushed zones of teeth and then
provides the user with a toothbrush with an optimum head having
bristle bundles implanted asymmetrically, the user can overcome the
difference to be caused depending on dextrality and sinistrality
and weak points.
[0055] Next, methods of implanting bristle bundles will be
described referring to FIGS. 10 to 12.
[0056] FIG. 10(a) shows a method of securing bristle bundles 20
each having a base 20a in holes 12 defined beforehand in the head
10. There are some conceivable manners, one is to fit the base 20a
of each bristle bundle 20 in the hole 12 and to secure it therein,
and another is to bring each base 20a into screw engagement with
the hole 12.
[0057] FIG. 10(b) shows three methods of securing bristle bundles
20 in the holes 12b, 12c and 12d, respectively.
[0058] The left side hole 12b in FIG. 10(b) is widening downward,
while the base 20b of the bristle bundle 20 is designed to have a
configuration such that it can be engaged with the hole 12b.
[0059] The middle hole 12c has a cylindrical form, and the base 20c
of the bristle bundle 20 is designed to have a configuration such
that it can be engaged with the hole 12c. In this case, the base
20c may have on the lower surface thereof a fixing plate (not
shown) which is larger than the bottom of the base 20c.
[0060] The right hole 12d shown in FIG. 10(b) is widening upward,
and the base 20d of the bristle bundle 20 is designed to have a
configuration such that it can be engaged with the hole 12d.
[0061] The bases 20b, 20c and 20d having the configurations
described above are secured in the holes 12b, 12c and 12d defined
in the heads 10, respectively, by means of fitting or screw
engagement.
[0062] Another head 10 shown in FIG. 11 has a gridiron framework 52
formed on the surface thereof, and is provided with blocks 51 each
containing a hole 12, which are prepared as separate parts. These
blocks 51 are each fitted in the sections of the framework 52, and
then a bristle bundle 20 is secured in each hole 12. Of course, a
bristle bundle 20 may be implanted beforehand in the hole 12 in
each block 51.
[0063] In this case, some sections have no block 51 fitted therein
to constitute unbristling areas 53.
[0064] Another head 10 shown in FIG. 12 has parallel frame members
62 on a surface of the head 10, and is provided with oblong blocks
61 which are prepared as separate parts each containing holes 12 at
desired positions. Each block 61 is fitted between a pair of frame
members 62, and then a bristle bundle 20 is secured in each hole 12
of the block 61. It is of course possible to implant beforehand a
bristle bundle 20 in each hole 12 of the blocks 61.
[0065] Further, in this case, no block 61 may be fitted between a
certain pair of frame members 62 to define an unbristling area 63.
However, some blocks 61 may have both bristling areas and
unbristling areas 63 depending on the number and positions of the
holes 12 to be defined therein.
[0066] The heads 10 and 10a described in the above embodiments are
employable not only in ordinary toothbrushes but also in ultrasonic
power toothbrushes.
[0067] FIG. 13 shows a head 10 having rectangular sponge pieces 90
implanted therein as a sponge-like cleaning element in place of
bristle bundles 20.
[0068] According to this example, the surfaces of the sponge pieces
90 are brought into face contact with teeth and gums, so that they
scarcely irritate and injure the teeth and gums compared with
bristle bundles 20, and the area of contact increases,
effectively
[0069] The sponge-like cleaning element is one directed to
obtaining cleaning or massaging effects and is formed using an
artificial material such as an elastic or anelastic polymeric
material or a naturally occurring material and by allowing such a
material to assume the form of porous sponge or by cutting finely a
silicone material and the like to obtain an assembly of slivers
which as a whole look like a lump.
[0070] Since such cleaning elements are soft and can be brought
into contact with teeth with an appropriate pressure, they can
reach every nook and corner in the mouth without applying excessive
stimulation thereto.
[0071] FIG. 14 also shows another example of sponge-like cleaning
element, in which the sponge piece 90 is cut at suitable intervals
to form an assembly 91 of sponge slivers 901. The sponge slivers
901 can cope with any configuration or irregularity of teeth and
gums more exactly to exhibit improved cleaning effect.
[0072] In a head shown in FIG. 15, fine fibers are implanted
densely in the head 10 in place of bristles 20 to form dense masses
92 of fibers. According to this example, since the tips of the fine
fibers constitute a surface of the dense mass 92 as if it has no
gaps thereon, the surface of each dense mass 92 can be brought into
face contact with teeth and gums to scarcely irritate and injure
the teeth and gums compared with bristle bundles 20. The dense mass
of fibers 92 may be formed by implanting ultra fine fibers thickly
on the upper surface of the head 10 or by securing a rectangular
material on the upper surface of the head 10 and cutting it from
above to form a dense mass of fibers.
[0073] Next, FIGS. 16 and 17 show methods of securing sponge pieces
90 to the head 10, and explanations of them will be omitted, since
the sponge pieces 93 and 94 are implanted in the same manner as
described referring to the examples shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b),
except that the bristle bundles 20 are merely replaced with the
sponge pieces 93 and 94, respectively.
[0074] Further, the assembly 91 of sponge slivers 901 formed by
cutting a sponge piece 90 at suitable intervals as shown in FIG. 14
or the dense mass 92 of fine fibers as shown in FIG. 15 can also be
secured to the head 10 likewise.
[0075] As described above, the toothbrush heads of the embodiments
of the present invention consider dextrality or sinistrality and
other specificity of an individual user, as well as, loss of teeth,
to enable a single toothbrush to exhibit improved cleaning effect
and also to prevent harmful effects that the conventional
toothbrushes frequently give.
[0076] Points of cleaning teeth include gaps (pockets) between
teeth, distal portions and adjoining portions. Meanwhile,
auto-purification is likely to occur on the face of occlusion and
axial faces. Although it is naturally possible to brush every nook
and corner of teeth with a small converged brush, it takes a
tremendous time and is inefficient too.
[0077] In view of these circumstances, according to the toothbrush
heads of the embodiments of the present invention, toothbrushes can
be used stably due to the difference in the density of bristles to
be implanted and also due to the presence of unbristling areas, and
thus tips of bristles can reach any portion of teeth to be cleaned,
enabling a single toothbrush to cope with any individual user's
specificity by selectively implanting bristles at desired
positions.
[0078] If the toothbrush head of this embodiment is divided into a
plurality of head segments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,120,
the head can be provided with three or more functional segments
such as an action concentrating segment, a head stabilizing segment
and a cleaning segment, and thus a single toothbrush can achieve
improvement of oral condition.
[0079] Further, the unbristling area formed at the center of the
head helps stabilization of the head against teeth with a small
force to be applied to bristles compared with that to be applied to
bristles implanted in the head entirely over a surface thereof.
Thus, an excessive force if applied to the head can be dispersed to
enable the action concentrating segment to be in more intimate
contact with teeth.
[0080] As has been described heretofore, according to the present
invention, since the positions of implanting bristle bundles, the
size and number of bristle bundles, type of bristle tip, thickness
of bristles, etc. can be selected or changed freely depending on an
individual user's oral condition. Thus, any user can achieve
cleaning within the buccal cavity using a single toothbrush having
such a head.
[0081] Besides, a single type of toothbrush can be adjusted
depending on an individual user, and a single type of bristle can
be utilized in various manners in terms of effect, force to be
applied etc. by defining areas depending on the purpose, leading to
saving of materials and reduction in cost.
[0082] Further, in the case where sponge pieces or dense masses of
fine fibers are implanted in the head as a cleaning element in
place of bristle bundles, they can not only prevent effectively
injury of teeth and gums but also exhibit massaging effects.
[0083] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
present invention may be embodied in many other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Particularly, it should be understood that the invention may be
embodied in the following forms. Therefore, the present examples
and embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details
given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *