U.S. patent application number 10/964211 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-19 for toothbrush.
This patent application is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Hohlbein, Douglas J..
Application Number | 20050102780 10/964211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32045891 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050102780 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hohlbein, Douglas J. |
May 19, 2005 |
Toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush includes a head and a handle, wherein the head has
a plurality of elastomeric cleaning members surrounded by cleaning
elements. The cleaning elements can be a plurality of tufts of
bristles that extend farther from the head than the cleaning
members to retain dentifrice. Additional cleaning elements can also
be provided at either end or along the sides of the head.
Inventors: |
Hohlbein, Douglas J.;
(Pennington, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD., ATTORNEYS FOR RESERVE
CLIENT NO. 3
1001 G STREET, N.W., 11TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4597
US
|
Assignee: |
Colgate-Palmolive Company
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
32045891 |
Appl. No.: |
10/964211 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10964211 |
Oct 14, 2004 |
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PCT/US03/30633 |
Sep 26, 2003 |
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60414117 |
Sep 27, 2002 |
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60418776 |
Oct 16, 2002 |
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60419425 |
Oct 18, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/110 ;
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 15/0032 20130101; A46B 9/06 20130101; A61C 17/3463 20130101;
A46B 9/04 20130101; A61C 17/222 20130101; Y10S 15/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/110 ;
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head attached to the handle
and including a face; at least one elastomeric cleaning member
extending from the face and having a distal end facing away from
the face, the distal end including a plurality of ridges for
polishing teeth of a user; and at least one set of cleaning
elements extending from the face and positioned to generally
surround the cleaning member.
2. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 wherein said at least
one set of cleaning elements includes a plurality of tufts of
bristles positioned to generally surround the cleaning member.
3. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tufts are
positioned in a successive, contiguous relationship with each other
around the cleaning member.
4. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tufts
extend farther from the face than the cleaning member.
5. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 4 wherein said at least
one cleaning member includes a plurality of said elastomeric
cleaning members, each being surrounded by a plurality of said
tufts.
6. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 5 wherein the head defines
a longitudinal axis, and three of said cleaning members extend from
the face in a spaced apart relationship along the longitudinal
axis.
7. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 5 wherein the head
includes a pair of opposite ends, and a further tuft of bristles
extends from the face at least one of the ends.
8. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 6 wherein said further
tuft of bristles extends farther from the face than the cleaning
members.
9. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one
cleaning member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the
distal end is generally circular.
10. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 8 wherein the at least
one cleaning member has a generally continuous sidewall extending
between the face and the distal end.
11. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 1 wherein the distal end
has a generally concave configuration.
12. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head attached to the
handle and including a face, a first end remote from the handle, a
second end proximate the handle, and a longitudinal axis; a
plurality of spaced apart, generally solid, elastomeric polishing
members extending from the face generally along the longitudinal
axis, each said polishing member including (i) a distal end surface
facing away from the face and (ii) a generally continuous outer
wall extending between the face and the distal end surface; and a
plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face farther than
the polishing members, a first portion of the tufts being
positioned between adjacent pairs of said polishing members and to
surround the polishing members, and a second portion of the tufts
being positioned at a first end of the head.
13. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 12 wherein the distal end
surface of each said polishing member includes ridges.
14. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 12 wherein each said
polishing member has a generally cylindrical shape such that the
distal end surface is generally circular.
15. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 12 wherein each said
distal end surface has a generally concave configuration.
16. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 12 wherein three said
polishing members are positioned along the longitudinal axis.
17. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 12 wherein said tufts are
positioned in a successive, contiguous relationship with each other
around each of the polishing members.
18. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head attached to the
handle and including a face, a first end remote from the handle, a
second end proximate the handle, and a longitudinal axis; three
spaced apart, elastomeric polishing members extending from the face
generally along the longitudinal axis, each said polishing member
having a generally cylindrical shape including a circular distal
end surface facing away from the face and a generally continuous
outer wall extending between the face and the distal end surface,
each said distal end includes a plurality of ridges; and a
plurality of tufts of bristles extending from the face farther than
the polishing members, a first portion of the tufts being
positioned on the face to closely surround the polishing members to
retain dentifrice applied for brushing teeth of a user, and a
second portion of the tufts being positioned at a first end of the
head.
19. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 18 wherein each said
distal end has a generally concave configuration.
20. A toothbrush in accordance with claim 19 wherein said tufts are
positioned in a successive, contiguous relationship with each other
around each of the polishing members.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a toothbrush, either
manual or powered, which includes a handle and a head. Cleaning
elements are mounted to the head such as tufts of bristles. When
toothpaste is applied to the cleaning elements the user inserts the
head into the mouth and brushes the teeth in a known manner. Also
included in this invention are prophylaxis polishing cups or arrays
of bristles forming cups in the center of the head to hold
toothpaste. These cups are closely surrounded by cleaning elements
which help to retain the toothpaste within the head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The head of a conventional toothbrush usually has a flat or
slightly altered surface to which cleaning elements are attached.
Usually the cleaning elements are strands of plastic material(s)
formed into tufts, bundles or other groupings. The strands are
attached to the head either before or after forming the
toothbrush.
[0003] Various approaches have been advanced in the prior art for
orientating the cleaning elements in the toothbrush.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,083,217 issued Jun. 8, 1937 to E. I.
Brothers, et al. discloses two or three circular brush sections
which are arranged within cups 5 and 5' that may be screwed into
mating receptacles in the tooth brush handle so that they can be
removed and replaced as needed (page 2, lines 52-70). Each brush
section contains stiff cleaning elements and is spaced from the
other along the longitudinal axis of the handle at a distance less
than the thickness of a tooth so that the brush operates on both
the lingual (inside) and facial (outside) surfaces of the teeth
(page 2, column 1, line 71 to column 2, line 9).
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,951 describes a toothbrush with a head
containing a flexible, rubber-like prophylaxis polishing cup or
"prophy cup" similar to that used by dental personnel to
professionally clean teeth. This prophy cup is loaded with
toothpaste by the user and applied to the teeth. According to this
patent, the "soft rubber-like prophy cup device follows the
contours of teeth more effectively than bristles" (column 2, lines
23-26). This patent also discloses a ring of cleaning elements
("bristle tufts") placed about the periphery of the toothbrush head
which coact with the prophy cups to clean the user's teeth and gums
(column 2, lines 34-47).
[0006] Another approach to oral hygiene is described in the
toothbrush described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,468 issued to the
assignee of this application. The cleaning elements (bristles) of
this toothbrush are arranged in a concave shape across the width of
the toothbrush head (See FIGS. 3-5 and column 4, lines 1-22).
[0007] Design Patents illustrating circular groups of cleaning
elements are U.S. Pat. No. Des. 273,635 issued May 1, 1984 to
Stocchi and U.S. Pat. No. D450,929S issued Nov. 27, 2001 to
Angelina, et al.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This invention seeks to improve the tooth buffing/polishing
capability of a toothbrush by inter alia providing a configuration
that promotes retention of toothpaste in place within a toothbrush
head while in use. This goal is achieved by mounting elastomeric
prophy cups on a toothbrush head, which cups are closely surrounded
by cleaning elements extending above the surface of the cups.
[0009] Unlike a professional dentist's office where the dental
professional can repeatedly add toothpaste to a prophy cup, a
typical domestic toothbrush user applies but one portion of
toothpaste to a toothbrush. A substantial portion of the applied
toothpaste, and thus its cleaning power, is typically lost after
the first few movements of the toothbrush in the user's mouth. It
either falls off as the top of the toothbrush head is tilted from
horizontal to vertical as it approaches the mouth or is squeezed
off as the toothbrush is pressed against the teeth. The toothpaste
is of no cleaning value once it leaves contact with the brush and
teeth.
[0010] Accordingly, this invention provides a unique combination of
features to maintain and retain toothpaste on the head of a
toothbrush. Prophy cup(s) are arranged in the center of the
toothbrush head, preferably on the longitudinal axis of the head.
Alternatively, the cups could be in the form of an array of
bristles. These cups are closely surrounded by groupings of
cleaning elements that have a greater height relative to the face
of the toothbrush head than the height of the prophy cup from that
face. This grouping of taller cleaning elements at least partially
surrounds the prophy cup to form a barrier around the prophy cup
that retains toothpaste when the toothbrush is in use.
[0011] An additional set of cleaning elements can then be arranged
about the periphery of the toothbrush head to clean the teeth with
the toothpaste retained by the prophy cup and surrounding cleaning
elements. The outer set of cleaning elements also promotes
massaging of the gum and removal of plaque at the gum line.
[0012] The cleaning elements are typically bristles secured to the
toothbrush head by anchor free tufting (AFT) technology.
[0013] The invention may be practiced where each set of cup and
surrounding cleaning elements is mounted on a disk and the disk is
power driven to rotate continuously in the same direction or back
and forth in an oscillating movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] This invention is capable of use in a broad array of oral
hygiene products. The drawings illustrate one use of the invention
and are not to be construed as the only embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a toothbrush of this
invention showing the arrangement of prophy cups and cleaning
elements used in this invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view in elevation taken along
the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a powered toothbrush in
accordance with this invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a toothbrush showing a
further arrangement in accordance with this invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view in elevation taken along
the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a powered toothbrush
incorporating the cup and cleaning element arrangement of FIGS.
4-5;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a powered toothbrush in
accordance with yet another arrangement of this invention; and
[0022] FIG. 8 is a cross section view in elevation taken along the
line 8-8 of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a manual toothbrush 10 containing the
features of this invention. This toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12
and a head 14. Handle 12 may include a suitable textured grip (not
shown) made of elastomeric material. This invention, however, is
primarily directed to the arrangement of prophy cups and cleaning
elements on the head. In accordance with this invention, prophy
cups 16 are arrayed in the center of head 14, preferable aligned
with the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 10. As illustrated, three
prophy cups 16 are affixed to head 14, although use of a larger or
smaller number of such cups is contemplated for use with toothbrush
10. The prophy cups 16 are typically made of a soft elastomeric
material and, as the name implies, are cup-shaped. The inner
surface of the cup can contain ridges which help to clean teeth
when the toothbrush is pressed against the user's teeth. More
importantly, the cup shape of prophy cups 16 acts to hold
toothpaste in place while the toothbrush 10 is in use.
[0024] Complementing this function of toothpaste retention is a set
of cleaning elements or bristle rings 18 surrounding some or all of
the prophy cups 16. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the bristle
rings 18 extend a greater distance above the face 20 of head 14
than the prophy cups 16. This extra height relative to cups 16 acts
as a further means for retaining toothpaste within the toothbrush
head 14 during use. A preferred placement of the bristle rings 18
is with a space of about one (1) millimeter from the outer
circumference of the prophy cup 16.
[0025] Upon the user's application of force on the handle 14 as the
toothbrush 10 approaches the user's teeth, the toothpaste applied
by the user will be forced into the holding areas 22 formed by
between a prophy cup 16 and the surrounding bristle ring 18. The
toothpaste will be held in holding areas 22 near the top of the
bristle rings by the top of prophy cup 16.
[0026] This unique combination of prophy cups 16 and closely
surrounding bristle rings 18 holds most of the toothpaste exactly
where desired, namely, in the area 22 where the principal cleansing
components, prophy cup and bristle rings, are in contact with the
user's teeth. The surrounding ring of bristles 18 captures the
toothpaste as it escapes from the cup 16, to act as a replenishing
reservoir when one changes the direction of one's brush stroke.
[0027] To complement the cleaning effect of the prophy cups 16 and
bristle rings 18, additional elements 24 can be arranged about the
periphery of head 14 in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. These peripheral cleaning elements 24 help to clean deep
between teeth and along the gumline. These additional cleaning
elements may be tufts of bristles and may be elastomeric walls or
fingers, as illustrated.
[0028] Cleaning elements 24 and bristle rings 18 are arranged in
both portions of head 14 in a known manner. For example, anchor
free tufting (AFT) could be used to mount the cleaning elements. In
AFT a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by
ultrasonic welding. The bristles extend through the plate or
membrane. The free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or
membrane perform the cleaning function. The ends of the bristles on
the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat
to be anchored in place. Any suitable form of cleaning elements may
be used in the broad practice of this invention. The term "cleaning
elements" is intended to be used in a generic sense which could
include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other
forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls
arranged in a circular cross-section shape or any type of desired
shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions. Where
bristles are used, the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or
sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks
so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the
tuft block.
[0029] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The invention
can be practiced with various combinations (such as AFT, etc.)
and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as
nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly,
while the Figures illustrate the cleaning elements to be generally
perpendicular to head 14, some or all of the cleaning elements may
be angled at various angles with respect to the face 20 of head 14.
It is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning
element configurations, materials and orientations to achieve
specific intended results to deliver additional oral health
benefits, like enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening
and/or massaging of the gums.
[0030] Although the bristle ring 18 is illustrated as being formed
by fibrous bristles, the bristle ring could be formed by other
types of cleaning elements such as elastomer fingers.
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a powered version 10A of 25 the
toothbrush wherein sections 40 of the head 14 are moved under power
or may contain a powered set of cleaning elements. Sections 40 may
take the form of circular discs. Preferably, the prophy cups 16
and/or bristle rings 18 would be mounted to the section 40 to be
powered to provide rotational or oscillating movement thereto.
Switch 26 on toothbrush 10A can be used to activate and deactivate
power to the movable elements of toothbrush 10A.
[0032] The movable section 40 could be oscillated rotationally such
as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,625,916, or could move in and out using the type of drive
mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. RE 35,941; all of the details of
both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Alternatively, the other types of drives referred to above could
move section 40 in other manners and directions. Although FIG. 3
shows movable section 40 to be at one end of the head 14, the
movable section(s) would be located at any desired location on the
head.
[0033] FIGS. 1-3 relate to the practice of the invention wherein
the cleaning elements 18 surround prophy cups 16. The invention
could, however, be practiced where instead of prophy cups the cups
are formed by a dense pack of cleaning elements. This embodiment of
the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6. As shown therein the
toothbrush 110 has many of the same features as the toothbrush 10.
Thus, the toothbrush 110 includes a handle 112 and a head 114
similar to the same components in FIGS. 1-3.
[0034] In accordance with the practice of the invention shown in
FIG. 4-6, a central, dense pack of cleaning elements 116 is arrayed
in the center of head 114, preferable aligned with the longitudinal
axis of toothbrush 110. As illustrated, three circular groups of
densely packed cleaning elements 116 are affixed to head 114,
although use of a larger or smaller number of such groups is
contemplated for use with toothbrush 110. The ends of cleaning
element groups 116 are typically contoured in cross-section to
provide a cup-like shape. The cup-like shape of cleaning elements
116 acts to hold toothpaste in place while the toothbrush 110 is in
use.
[0035] Complementing this function of toothpaste retention is a set
of cleaning elements or bristle rings 118 surrounding some or all
of the cup-shaped cleaning elements 116. As best illustrated in
FIG. 5, the bristle rings 118 extend a greater distance above the
face 120 of head 114 than the cup-shaped elements 116. This extra
height relative to cup-shaped cleaning elements 116 acts as a
further means for retaining toothpaste within the toothbrush head
114 during use. A preferred placement of the bristle rings 118 is
with a space of about one (1) millimeter from the outer
circumference of the cup-shaped elements 116.
[0036] Upon the user's application of force on the handle 114 as
the toothbrush 110 approaches the user's teeth, the toothpaste
applied by the user will be forced into the holding areas 122
formed by the surrounding bristle rings 118. The toothpaste will be
held in holding areas 122 near the top of the bristle rings by the
top of cup-shaped elements 116.
[0037] This unique combination of elements 116 and closely
surrounding bristle rings 118 holds most of the toothpaste exactly
where desired, namely, in the area 122 adjacent where the principal
cleansing components, which are in contact with the user's teeth.
The surrounding ring of bristles 118 captures the toothpaste as it
escapes from the cup-shaped bristles 116, to act as a replenishing
reservoir when one changes the direction of one's brush stroke.
[0038] To complement the cleaning effect of the cup-shaped elements
116 and bristle rings 118, additional elements 124 can be arranged
about the periphery of head 114 in a manner similar to that shown
in FIGS. 4 and 5. These peripheral cleaning elements 124 help to
clean deep between teeth and along the gumline.
[0039] As with toothbrush 10 of FIGS. 1-2, cleaning elements 116,
118, and 124 are arranged in head 114 in a known manner. Any
suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad
practice of this invention.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a powered version 110A of the toothbrush
wherein portions 140 of the head 114 are moved under power or may
contain a powered set of cleaning elements. Preferably, the
cup-shaped cleaning elements 116 and/or bristle rings 118 would be
powered to provide rotational or oscillating movement thereto. A
switch 126 on toothbrush 110A can be used to activate and
deactivate power to the movable elements of toothbrush 110A.
Toothbrush 110A could operate in the same manner as toothbrush
110A.
[0041] The toothbrushes 10A and 110A utilize a power drive to move
the respective sections 40, 140. FIGS. 7-8 illustrate in greater
detail one such practice of the invention. As shown in FIG. 7, a
powered toothbrush 210 includes a handle 212 and a head 214. Handle
212 includes a battery pack or rechargeable unit 216 which provides
the motive power to toothbrush 210. This power source 216 is
electrically connected to motor 218 by suitable wiring or after
connection. Selective operation of motor 218 is controlled by
switch 220.
[0042] Extending from one end of motor 218 toward head 214 is drive
shaft 222. Motor 218 can be geared to impart rotational or
reciprocating motion to drive shaft 222. The other end underlies
the discs or movable platforms 224 on which are mounted cups 226
and taller cleaning elements 228.
[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drive
shaft rotates back and forth through an angle of about
60-90.degree. as illustrated in FIG. 8. Offsets 223 in drive shaft
222 rotate a similar angular distance. These offsets 223 in drive
shaft 222 are positioned in slots 225 formed in the base of
platforms 224. As the shaft rotates back and forth through the
aforesaid angle, offsets 223 cause reciprocation of platforms 224
as the offsets alternatively push the sides of slots 225 in one
direction and then another. This, in turn, causes reciprocating
movement of cups 226 or bristles 228, depending upon which is
mounted on platform 224. That movement aids in cleaning of teeth
and invigoration of gums.
[0044] In accordance with this invention, cups 226 are mounted on
platforms 224 in the center of head 214, preferably aligned with
the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 210. As illustrated, three cups
226 are contained in head 214, although use of a larger or smaller
number of such cups is contemplated for use with toothbrush 210.
Where cups 226 are prophy cups, the prophy cups 226 are typically
made of a soft elastomeric material and, as the name implies, are
cup-shaped. The inner surface of the cup can contain ridges which
help to clean teeth when the toothbrush is pressed against the
user's teeth. Also, the cup shape of prophy cups 226 acts to hold
toothpaste in place while the powered toothbrush 10 is in use.
[0045] Although prophy cups are specifically illustrated, cups 226
could also be densely packed cleaning elements, such as cups
116.
[0046] Complementing these functions of toothpaste retention and
cleaning is a set of cleaning elements or bristle rings 228
surrounding some or all of the cups 226, as previously described
with respect to toothbrushes 10 and 110.
[0047] It is to be understood that various features shown in an
individual embodiment may be incorporated in other embodiments.
Thus, for example, where a toothbrush utilizes a plurality of cups
all of the cups may be prophy cups or all of the cups may be cups
formed by densely packed cleaning elements. Alternatively, a
combination of the two different types of cups may be used in any
suitable arrangement. Thus, where three cups are used the end cups
may be of one type which differs from the central cup or only one
of the end cups may differ from the other cups. Where more than
three cups are used the cups are preferably longitudinally aligned
and could be all or a combination of the different types of cups.
Alternatively, where the plurality of cups are used if a wider
toothbrush head is used the cups need not be longitudinally
aligned. Although the sets of cups and bristle rings are
illustrated as being uniformly spaced from each other, a
non-uniform spacing could be used.
* * * * *