U.S. patent application number 11/071024 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for toothbrush.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Solanki, Sanjay Amratlal.
Application Number | 20050166341 11/071024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34525080 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050166341 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Solanki, Sanjay Amratlal |
August 4, 2005 |
Toothbrush
Abstract
The toothbrush of the present invention comprises an elongated
handle having a head attached to one end. The head has a
bristle-bearing face having longitudinal perimeter portions
adjacent longitudinal edges and at least two perimetric,
elastomeric massaging elements alternately arranged with groups of
bristle tufts along each of the longitudinal perimeter portions.
The brush can comprise further massaging elements which are not
located along the longitudinal perimeter portions though the use of
such additional elements is preferably minimised. The perimetric
massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of
120.degree. or less, preferably being circular. The cross-sectional
area proportion of elastomeric massaging elements to bristles on
the brush head is less than 25%. Alternately there are four or
fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric
massaging elements. A brush with both bristles and gum massaging
elements arranged as set out above provides both cleaning and gum
massaging benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic
impression derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the
part of the brush head traditionally comprising only bristles.
Inventors: |
Solanki, Sanjay Amratlal;
(Englefield Green Egham, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL TECHNICAL CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
|
Family ID: |
34525080 |
Appl. No.: |
11/071024 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11071024 |
Mar 2, 2005 |
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09979933 |
Nov 27, 2001 |
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6886207 |
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09979933 |
Nov 27, 2001 |
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PCT/US00/15901 |
Jun 9, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/110 ;
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/00 20130101;
A46B 15/0002 20130101; Y10S 15/06 20130101; A46B 9/028 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 15/0032 20130101; A46B 15/0075
20130101; A46B 9/06 20130101; A46B 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/110 ;
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 14, 1999 |
GB |
9913717.6 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toothbrush comprising: a) an elongated handle (1) having
distal and proximal ends; b) a head (2) attached to the proximal
end of the handle, the head including a bristle-bearing face (4)
with bristles and massaging elements attached thereto and a back
face opposed to the bristle-bearing face; c) opposed longitudinal
edges (3) bounding the faces, the bristle bearing face having
longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent the longitudinal edges;
and d) at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements (6)
alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the
longitudinal perimeter portions; characterised in that the
perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an
angle of 120.degree. or less and that the cross-sectional area
proportion of all bristles and elastomeric massaging elements
afforded by elastomeric massaging elements is less than 25%.
2. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements are integrally moulded with elastomeric support
elements which extend transversely across the back face of the
toothbrush head.
3. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements are integrally moulded with an elastomeric
support element which is a sheet which covers substantially all of
the back of the head.
4. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements have a substantially uniform cross-section along
their length selected from circular and regular polygonal.
5. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements have rounded ends.
6. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements have a thickness of from 1 to 3 mm.
7. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements are the only elastomeric massaging elements.
8. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein there are at least
three perimetric massaging elements along each longitudinal
perimeter portion of the brush head.
9. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein there is one bristle
tuft between pairs of longitudinally adjacent perimetric massaging
elements.
10. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the perimetric
massaging elements taper from their head ends to their free
ends.
11. A toothbrush according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal
edges of the head comprise indents which act as points of anchorage
for the elastomer of the support element.
12. A toothbrush according to claim 1 wherein the head has a handle
end and a free end and the head comprises a first head segment
which is connected to or continuous with the handle and one or more
additional head segments arranged in longitudinal sequence towards
the free end of the head, the head segments being connected to each
other by a connecting means consisting essentially of an
elastomer.
13. A toothbrush comprising: a) an elongated handle (1) having
distal and proximal ends; b) a head (2) attached to the proximal
end of the handle, the head including a bristle-bearing face (4)
with bristles and massaging elements attached thereto and a back
face opposed to the bristle-bearing face; c) opposed longitudinal
edges (3) bounding the faces, the bristle bearing face having
longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent the longitudinal edges;
and d) at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements (6)
alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the
longitudinal perimeter portions; characterised in that the
perimetric massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an
angle of 120.degree. or less and that the brush comprises four or
fewer elastomeric massaging elements which are not perimetric,
elastomeric massaging elements.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/979,933, filed Nov. 27, 2001, the substances of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to toothbrushes and more
particularly to toothbrushes with both bristles and gum massaging
elements attached to the brush head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Toothbrushes generally comprise bristles, usually arranged
in tufts of about 40 to 50, for the purpose of cleaning teeth by
removing accumulated plaque and other debris. It has further been
recognised gum health can be improved by gentle stimulation of the
gums with massaging elements. There has therefore been a desire to
have a toothbrush which provides for the cleaning ability of
bristles, along with a massaging elements also located on the
toothbrush head to stimulate the gums.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,862 discloses a toothbrush comprising an
elongate massaging element along each side of the brush head. The
toothbrush of U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,883 has a wider than conventional
head with a central bristle portion flanked by arrays of massaging
elements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,082 describes a toothbrush with
transverse `bristle` bars, the description revealing that the
bristle bars can also be made of a rubber-like or thermoplastic
material; the brush may also have a massaging tip. A toothbrush
described in EP-A-360,766 has outer longitudinal rows of resilient
massaging cylinders integrally formed with a backing which covers
the back face of the toothbrush and its tip. WO-A-96/15696
describes a toothbrush with strips of a flexible and resilient
material, which in some embodiments are arranged in transverse rows
alternated with rows of bristles. WO-A-98/18364 discloses a
toothbrush with a combination of bristles, soft cleansing pad
and/or polishing fingers. FIG. 4 of that application shows a brush
with longitudinal outer rows comprising both polishing fingers and
bristle tufts.
[0005] Nevertheless, despite the foregoing, such brushes have not
met with significant commercial success. One of the reasons may be
that, although gum massaging elements can provide useful
therapeutic benefits, it has been found by the present applicant
that brush users dislike the feeling of significant amounts of
rubber in the part of the brush head generally occupied by
bristles. It has, however, now further been found that the
impression of rubber on the brush head can be significantly
alleviated, whilst retaining the benefits of massaging elements by
interspersing massaging elements with bristle tufts along the brush
periphery and by avoiding the use of massaging elements in the
central portion of the brush head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The toothbrush of the present invention comprises:
[0007] a) an elongated handle having distal and proximal ends;
[0008] b) a head attached to the proximal end of the handle, the
head including a bristle-bearing face with bristles attached
thereto and a back face opposed to the bristle-bearing face;
[0009] c) opposed longitudinal edges bounding the bristle-bearing
and back faces, the bristle bearing face having longitudinal
perimeter portions adjacent the longitudinal edges; and
[0010] d) at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging elements
alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along each of the
longitudinal perimeter portions.
[0011] Although the brush can comprise further massaging elements
which are not located along the longitudinal perimeter portions,
such as at the tip or along a central longitudinal axis of the
bristle-bearing face, the use of such additional elements is
preferably minimised. Further, it is preferred that the perimetric
massaging elements have substantially equal bending moments in both
longitudinal and transverse directions. Accordingly, the perimetric
massaging elements have rotational symmetry through an angle of
120.degree. or less, preferably being circular. Further, the
cross-sectional area proportion of all bristles and elastomeric
massaging elements afforded by elastomeric massaging elements is
less than 25%. Alternately there are four or fewer elastomeric
massaging elements which are not perimetric massaging elements.
[0012] A brush with both bristles and gum massaging elements
arranged as set out above provides both cleaning and gum massaging
benefits without creating an undesirable aesthetic impression
derived from the use of rubber-like materials in the part of the
brush head traditionally comprising only bristles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The toothbrush of the invention has an overall conventional
construction, by which is meant that it comprises a generally
elongated handle with a brush head attached to one end of the
handle. The head can be detachably connected to the handle, for
example to permit replacement of the head when bristles become
worn. Herein the end of the handle to which the head is attached
shall be referred to as the proximal end and the opposite end the
distal end. The construction of the handle is not critical to the
present invention. The handle should of course be comfortable to
grip and allow easy manipulation of the brush so that the head can
be moved around the various areas of the mouth. Preferably it will
include elastomeric grip portions moulded to the rigid portion of
the handle, as is now almost customary with toothbrush design. The
handle can comprise a neck region at its proximal end, the neck
being a portion of the handle which is generally of smaller
cross-section than the rest of the handle and is usually devoid of
grip elements.
[0014] The head too is of generally elongated shape with its long
axis (a longitudinal axis) being aligned with that of the handle.
The head is of generally flattened construction, having a
bristle-bearing face with bristles and massaging elements attached
thereto and a back face opposed to the bristle-bearing face. The
head also has a transverse axis lying orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis and generally parallel to the opposed faces.
References to transverse or longitudinal herein refer to directions
which are respectively parallel to these transverse and
longitudinal axes, unless indicated otherwise. The head has a tip
at the end remote from the handle. The tip may be co-planar with
the rest of the head or, preferably, it can be angled upwards in
relation to it (where upwards means in the direction of the
bristles) in order to accentuate the effect of a molar cleaning tip
without needing to provide longer bristles. If the tip is angled
upwards then it is generally at an angle of from about 10.degree.
to about 20.degree., preferably from about 13.degree. to about
18.degree. to the rest of the head. Opposed longitudinal edges
bound the bristle-bearing and back faces. The edges are coterminous
with the handle and converge at the tip of the toothbrush head. The
bristle bearing face has longitudinal perimeter portions adjacent
the longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges need not necessarily
be straight or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush head.
Typically they will be gently curved so that a plan view of the
head is generally in the shape of an elongated oval.
[0015] The bulk of the head and handle are generally made of
relatively non-compressible materials, preferably with a modulus of
elasticity of at least about 500 MPa, more preferably at least
about 1000 MPa, which are conventional in the manufacture of
toothbrushes, especially plastics materials. Suitable plastics
materials include, for example, polyamides and polypropylenes.
Polypropylene is preferred. Suitable polypropylenes include
`Polypropylene PM 1600` (marketed by Shell), having a modulus of
elasticity (ISO 178) of 1500 MPa and Apryl 3400 MA1 from Elf
Atochem.
[0016] The head, excluding bristles and massaging elements, can be
of single construction or it can be multi-segmented as set out in
WO-A-98/27846, incorporated herein by reference. Preferably it is
of single construction. In an alternately preferred embodiment
however the head has a handle end and a free end and the head
comprises a first head segment which is connected to or continuous
with the handle and one or more additional head segments arranged
in longitudinal sequence towards the free end of the head, the head
segments being connected to each other by a connecting means
consisting essentially of an elastomer. Such arrangements are
described in more detail in WO-A-98/27846.
[0017] The head and handle are typically made by injection
moulding. Bristles and massaging elements can be attached by
art-known methods such as stapling and anchorless manufacturing
technologies.
[0018] The bristle-bearing face of the head has both bristles and
massaging elements attached thereto. The bristles and massaging
elements have head ends, where they are attached to the head and
free ends which provide the brushing/massaging surface of the
brush. They are elongate between the head and free ends and have a
long axis along the elongated direction. The bristles are generally
arranged in tufts which project generally perpendicularly from the
bristle-bearing face, although some tufts may lie at an angle of up
to 40.degree. from the perpendicular. The tufts typically contain
from about 30 to about 100 or more bristles and generally have a
uniform cross-section along their length in a plane parallel to the
bristle-bearing face, such as would be provided by commercially
available extruded bristle materials. Although the bristles are
preferably straight, other configurations, such as crimped, may
also be used. Some or all bristle tufts may also have flagged ends
to further promote gum massage and/or improve cleaning in small
gaps. The cross-section is typically round, oval or polygonal, such
as triangular or rectangular. There can be an enlarged tuft of
bristles at the tip of the brush. This tip tuft can be three to
four times the size of other tufts, having a cross-sectional are in
the range from about 5 to about 20, preferably from about 7 to
about 12 mm.sup.2. Such tip tufts typically project further
outwardly than the other bristle tufts with the express purpose of
penetrating behind rear molars. This can be achieved by providing
the tip tuft with longer bristles than other tufts. Preferably it
is at least partly achieved by angling the tip of the head as
described above. This enables the bristles of the tip tuft to be
kept shorter and hence firmer than would otherwise be the case. The
tip tuft may also be angled forwards, away from the remaining tufts
at an angle of up to 10.degree., preferably at an angle of 5 to
10.degree. to a perpendicular to the bristle-bearing face. The
total number of tufts is generally in the range from about 20 to
about 50. The bristles typically have a length from about 5 to
about 15 mm, preferably from about 8 to about 12 mm measured from
the bristle-bearing face to the free ends of the bristles. The
bristles can all be of the same length to provide an essentially
flat brushing surface, or they can be cut to different lengths such
that the free ends form a 3-D surface, for example a sinusoidal
surface.
[0019] It is an essential feature of the present invention that the
brush comprises at least two perimetric, elastomeric massaging
elements alternately arranged with groups of bristle tufts along
each of the longitudinal perimeter portions. Perimetric,
elastomeric massaging elements are arranged along each of the
longitudinal perimeter portions such that there are no other tufts
or massaging elements which are more than 1 mm closer to the
longitudinal edges of the brush head. It is these tufts that
provide the important gum massaging benefits. The perimetric,
elastomeric massaging elements are preferably made of a
thermoplastic elastomer having a hardness from about 10 to about 60
Shore A, more preferably from about 20 to about 50 Shore A and most
preferably about 40 Shore A. Suitable materials include those
available under the tradenames Megol and Santoprene. Silicone
elastomers are also useful.
[0020] The massaging elements have lengths which are in the same
range as those described above for bristles. Also, like the bristle
tufts, they generally have a uniform cross-section along their
length. However, to assist in moulding they preferably taper
towards their free ends along their entire length with an angle of
taper typically in the range from about 1 to about 2.degree..
[0021] In order that the perimetric massaging elements have
substantially similar bending moments in both longitudinal and
transverse directions the perimetric massaging elements have
rotational symmetry through an angle of 120.degree. or less, more
preferably 90.degree. or less. By this is meant that when a
perimetric massaging element is rotated about its long axis, after
a rotation of 120.degree. or less its cross-section will
substantially overlay the original cross-section. Preferred
cross-sectional shapes are selected from circular and regular
polygonal, such as triangular, square or octagonal. Most preferably
they are of circular cross-section. Elongated rectangular
cross-sections will not meet the criterion of rotational symmetry
since a rotation of 180.degree. is necessary to reproduce the same
shape. Such shapes, aligned to either the transverse or
longitudinal axes have substantially different bending modes in the
transverse and longitudinal directions. It will be appreciated
however, that where the dimensions of a rectangle are closely
similar, say within 20% or less, more so for 10% or less, much the
same behaviour will be obtained as for a square shape. Preferably
the free ends of the massaging elements are rounded, say for the
final 1 to 2 mm of the element, of a diameter less than that of the
main part of the element. The largest measurement (the thickness)
of the perimetric massaging elements in cross-section is preferably
from about 1 to about 3 mm, more preferably from about 1.5 to about
2.5 mm.
[0022] There are at least two, preferably at least three, more
preferably at least four and optimally five perimetric massaging
elements along each longitudinal perimeter portion of the brush
head. In preferred embodiments single massaging elements alternate
with single bristle tufts along the perimeter portions such that
there is one bristle tuft between each pair of longitudinally
adjacent perimetric massaging elements. The perimetric massaging
elements can be grouped in pairs for example, though in such cases
it is preferred that there be at least two sets along each edge of
the brush with tufts in between each set.
[0023] In preferred embodiments the pattern of bristle tufts and
massaging elements on the bristle-bearing face is symmetrical about
the longitudinal axis of the head, so that perimetric massaging
elements are arranged in pairs at either end of transverse axes of
the head. Preferably also, in side view the tips of perimetric
massaging elements and perimetric bristle tufts form an arc which
has its highest point above the centre of the brush head and is
lower at the handle and free ends of the head.
[0024] The brush can comprise massaging elements in addition to the
perimetric massaging elements. These can be of similar size and
shape to the perimetric massaging elements and can be located at
the brush tip or in the central area of the brush located between
the longitudinal perimeter portions, such as on the longitudinal
axis of the head. Preferably however the number of such additional
massaging elements is kept to four or less, preferably two or less.
More preferably there are none so that the perimetric massaging
elements are the only elastomeric massaging elements. In this way
the `rubbery` impression of the head is reduced. Suitably, the
cross-sectional area proportion of all bristles and elastomeric
massaging elements afforded by elastomeric massaging elements is
less than 25%, preferably less than 15%. By "cross-sectional area
proportion . . . . afforded by elastomeric massaging elements" is
meant the fraction of the sum of all cross sectional areas of
bristle tufts and massaging elements that is represented by
massaging elements alone. For example, if the cross-sectional areas
of bristle tufts and massaging elements total 160 mm.sup.2 and the
cross-sectional areas of massaging elements alone total 20 mm.sup.2
then the cross-sectional area proportion afforded by elastomeric
massaging elements is 12.5%. For the avoidance of doubt, when
considering bristle tufts, it is the total area of the tuft that is
measured including any inter-bristle spaces within the tuft that
arise from imperfect packing. All areas are measured at the bases
of the tufts and massaging elements i.e. at the plane of the
bristle-bearing face.
[0025] The perimetric massaging elements are preferably
incorporated into the brush head by injection moulding. More
preferably they are integrally moulded with elastomeric support
elements which extend transversely across the back face of the
toothbrush head. In the segmented brush heads referred to above
these elastomeric support elements can be the connecting means
between segments. Alternatively, and preferably, there can be a
single elastomeric support element which is an elastomeric sheet
which covers substantially all of the back of the head. In such an
embodiment there is preferably no elastomer covering the tip of the
brush head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject invention, it is
believed the same will be better understood from the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
toothbrush head of the present invention. For simplicity the handle
is not shown in full. The massaging elements are shaded.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the head of FIG. 1 showing the
pattern of tufts and massaging elements. Massaging elements are
shown with a small inner circle concentric with the element
outline.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of the head of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like
numerals indicate the same element throughout the views there is
shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 an embodiment of the present invention
which comprises outer longitudinal rows of perimetric massaging
elements 6 and bristle tufts 7 extending upwardly from the
bristle-bearing face 4 of head 2. The outer longitudinal rows are
located on longitudinal perimeter portions 5 of the head. There is
one bristle tuft 7 between each pair of adjacent perimetric
massaging elements 6. The head is attached to handle 1, though the
handle is not shown in full, it not being critical to the
invention. The perimetric massaging elements 6 are integrally
moulded with an elastomeric sheet 8 which wraps around the sides
and back, but not the tip, of the head. The entire head 2 is
moulded via a first step in which a skeleton is formed from
polypropylene, simultaneously embedding bristle tufts 7, the
elastomer of the massaging elements and support sheet being bonded
to the skeleton in a second injection moulding step. Finally The
perimetric massaging elements are circular in cross-section but
taper very slightly towards their free ends. The longitudinal edges
3 of the polypropylene skeleton of the head are indented to provide
points of anchorage for the elastomer. This can best be understood
from the plan view of FIG. 2. When the elastomer has been moulded
on, the longitudinal edges have a smooth curve.
[0031] In this embodiment the tip 9 of the brush is coplanar with
the rest of the head. In more preferred embodiments however the tip
is angled upwards as described further above.
* * * * *