U.S. patent application number 11/122258 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for oral care implement.
This patent application is currently assigned to Colgate-Palmolive Company. Invention is credited to Peter Andersen, Luca Casini, John J. Gatzemeyer, John Hancock, Douglas Hohlbein, Eduardo Jimenez, Thomas Kuchler, Tanja Langgner, Thomas Mintel, Robert Moskovich, Michael Rooney, Bruce Russell, Alan V. Sorrentino, Joachim Storz.
Application Number | 20060026784 11/122258 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35985200 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060026784 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moskovich; Robert ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Oral care implement
Abstract
An oral care implement is provided having a handle and a head
with a soft tissue cleanser and/or tooth cleaning elements. The
tooth cleaning elements may be attached to a flexible support on
the head and be outwardly movable from the head. The cleaning
elements may include a column-shaped bristle at the central portion
of the flexible support, and may further include a row of first
cleaning elements traversing a central region of the flexible
support. The soft tissue cleanser may include a plurality of
projections for cleaning the soft tissue and may have an elongate
ridge projecting from the head in generally the same direction as
the projections. The handle may include a base with a gripping
region and a projection protruding from the base in the gripping
region. The handle may also have a grip surface with a plurality of
spaced slot openings exposing portions of the base.
Inventors: |
Moskovich; Robert; (East
Brunswick, NJ) ; Gatzemeyer; John J.; (Hillsborough,
NJ) ; Russell; Bruce; (Howell, NJ) ; Andersen;
Peter; (Zell am See, AT) ; Casini; Luca;
(Milan, IT) ; Hancock; John; (Hertfordshire,
IT) ; Hohlbein; Douglas; (Pennington, NJ) ;
Jimenez; Eduardo; (Manalapan, NJ) ; Kuchler;
Thomas; (Schliem, CH) ; Langgner; Tanja;
(London, GB) ; Rooney; Michael; (Milburn, NJ)
; Sorrentino; Alan V.; (Cranbury, NJ) ; Mintel;
Thomas; (Rahway, NJ) ; Storz; Joachim; (Zell
am See, AT) |
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: |
35985200 |
Appl. No.: |
11/122258 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10768363 |
Jan 30, 2004 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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10697213 |
Oct 30, 2003 |
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10768363 |
Jan 30, 2004 |
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11019671 |
Dec 23, 2004 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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10869922 |
Jun 18, 2004 |
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11019671 |
Dec 23, 2004 |
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10601106 |
Jun 20, 2003 |
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10869922 |
Jun 18, 2004 |
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PCT/US03/30633 |
Sep 26, 2003 |
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10869922 |
Jun 18, 2004 |
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PCT/US03/29497 |
Sep 17, 2003 |
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10869922 |
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10989267 |
Nov 17, 2004 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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29209242 |
Jul 14, 2004 |
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10989267 |
Nov 17, 2004 |
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29209244 |
Jul 14, 2004 |
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10989267 |
Nov 17, 2004 |
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10902257 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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PCT/US03/29497 |
Sep 17, 2003 |
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10902257 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
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29189729 |
Sep 10, 2003 |
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10902257 |
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11053583 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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PCT/US03/24878 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
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11053583 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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11053589 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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11122258 |
May 5, 2005 |
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PCT/US03/24879 |
Aug 8, 2003 |
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11053589 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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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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60412290 |
Sep 20, 2002 |
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60412290 |
Sep 20, 2002 |
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60402162 |
Aug 9, 2002 |
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60402170 |
Aug 9, 2002 |
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60402670 |
Aug 12, 2002 |
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60402165 |
Aug 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/110 ; 15/111;
15/167.1; 606/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0081 20130101;
A46B 5/007 20130101; A46B 5/02 20130101; A46B 7/04 20130101; A61C
17/222 20130101; A46B 15/0055 20130101; A61C 17/3481 20130101; A46B
5/026 20130101; A46B 5/0062 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/110 ;
015/167.1; 015/111; 606/161 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. An oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to
the handle, the head having a face on a first side thereof; a
flexible support attached to the head; and a plurality of cleaning
elements attached to the flexible support and projecting outwardly
from the face, the cleaning elements including bristles and
wall-like elements and being movable in the outward direction from
the head in which the bristles extend.
2. The oral care implement of claim 1, wherein some of the
wall-like cleaning elements laterally radiate from a central
portion of the flexible support.
3. The oral care implement of claim 1, wherein the cleaning
elements include a substantially column-shaped bristle at the
central portion of the flexible support.
4. The oral care implement of claim 1, wherein the cleaning
elements comprise a row of first cleaning elements substantially
aligned with a longitudinal axis of the head and traversing a
central region of the flexible support.
5. The oral care implement of claim 1, wherein the cleaning
elements further include a row of second cleaning elements
extending in a line substantially perpendicular to the row of first
cleaning elements.
6. The oral care implement of claim 5, wherein the cleaning
elements further comprise a plurality of wall-like cleaning
elements oriented generally transverse to the first row of cleaning
elements.
7. The oral care implement of claim 6, wherein the wall-like
cleaning elements substantially radiate from a central area of the
flexible support.
8. The oral care implement of claim 6, wherein the cleaning
elements further comprise a first pair of bent cleaning elements,
each one of the first pair of cleaning elements disposed at an
opposite end of the row of first cleaning elements, each one of the
first pair of cleaning elements having a concave side oriented
toward the row of first cleaning elements.
9. The oral care implement of claim 8, wherein the cleaning
elements further comprise a second pair of bent cleaning elements
disposed at an opposite end of the row of second cleaning elements,
each one of the second pair of cleaning elements having a concave
side oriented toward the row of second cleaning elements.
10. The oral care implement according to claim 1, wherein the
flexible support includes a resilient membrane mounted to the
head.
11. The oral care implement of claim 10, wherein the head includes
a base forming a peripheral frame, the resilient membrane being
mounted to the frame, and an open space being formed between
opposite portions of the frame beneath the resilient membrane.
12. The oral care implement of claim 11, wherein the resilient
membrane has an initial condition of non-use, the resilient
membrane in the initial condition being convex to have an original
dome-like shape, the resilient membrane being capable of flexing to
alter the original shape during use of the oral care implement and
to move the cleaning elements with respect to the head and then
recovering to the original shape randomly during use of the oral
care implement.
13. The oral care implement of claim 10, wherein the head further
includes a peripheral frame for supporting the resilient frame to
extend across the first face and for supporting a soft tissue
cleanser on a second face opposite the first face.
14. The oral care implement of claim 13, wherein the soft tissue
cleanser includes a ring of projections on the peripheral
frame.
15. The oral care implement of claim 14, wherein the projections
are formed of a resilient material.
16. The oral care implement of claim 15, wherein the resilient
material includes an elastomer.
17. The oral care implement of claim 1, further comprising a soft
tissue cleanser disposed on a second side of the head substantially
opposite from the first side, the soft tissue cleanser comprising a
plurality of projections protruding outwardly from the first side
for removal of microbial and other debris from soft tissue of a
user's mouth.
18. The oral care implement of claim 17, wherein the projections of
the soft tissue cleanser comprise a plurality of nubs and
ridges.
19. The oral care implement of claim 17, wherein the projections
are arranged in a ring around a recess formed on the second side of
the head.
20. The oral care implement of claim 17, wherein the projections
include an elongate ridge.
21. The oral care implement of claim 1, further including a motor
for driving at least a portion of the cleaning elements.
22. The oral care implement of claim 17, wherein the handle
includes a resilient element that merges with the soft tissue
cleanser.
23. An oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to
the handle, the head having a first face and substantially opposite
second face, the head having a flexible support on the first face
and a plurality of cleaning elements mounted to the flexible
support; and a soft tissue cleanser on the second face of the head
for cleansing soft tissue in a user's mouth, the soft tissue
cleanser including a plurality of projections protruding outwardly
from the head for removal of microbial and other debris from the
soft tissue.
24. The oral care implement of claim 23, wherein the head includes
a peripheral frame forming a central open space, the flexible
support being mounted to the frame to extend across the open space,
the soft tissue cleanser mounted on the peripheral frame to have a
ring shape.
25. The oral care implement of claim 24, wherein the flexible
support has an initial condition of non-use, the flexible support
in the initial condition being convex to have an original dome-like
shape, the flexible support being capable of flexing to alter the
original shape during use of the oral care implement and to move
the cleaning elements with respect to the head and then recovering
to the original shape randomly during use of the oral care
implement.
26. An oral care implement comprising: a handle; a head attached to
the handle, the head having a first face and substantially opposite
second face, the head having a flexible support on the first face
and a plurality of cleaning elements mounted to the flexible
support extending outwardly from the face, the flexible support
being movable outward and inward in the direction from the face in
which the cleaning elements extend, the inward and outward movement
of the flexible support imparting movement to the cleaning elements
attached thereto; a soft tissue cleanser on the second face of the
head for cleansing soft tissue in a user's mouth, the soft tissue
cleanser including a plurality of projections protruding outwardly
from the head for removal of microbial and other debris from the
soft tissue, the projections including an elongate ridge and a
plurality of ridges and nubs.
27. A toothbrush comprising: a handle; a head having a plurality of
tooth cleaning elements extending outwardly from the head in a
first direction; and a soft tissue cleanser disposed about the
cleaning elements on the head.
28. The toothbrush of claim 27, further comprising a flexible
support on a first face of the head, the tooth cleaning elements
being attached to the flexible support, and a base spaced apart
from the flexible support forming a central portion of the soft
tissue cleanser on a second face of the head.
29. The toothbrush of claim 28, wherein the base is flexible.
30. The toothbrush of claim 29, wherein movement of the tooth
cleaning elements and the flexible support toward and away from the
first face imparts movement to the flexible base.
31. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the soft tissue cleanser
includes soft tissue cleansing elements extending outwardly from
the head in a second direction substantially opposite the first
direction.
32. The toothbrush of claim 27, wherein the soft tissue cleansing
elements form a ring of projections.
33. The toothbrush of claim 32, wherein the soft tissue cleanser
further comprises a central portion bordered by the ring of
projections and by a surface disposed opposite the tooth cleaning
elements.
34. The toothbrush of claim 32, wherein the ring of projections
comprise ridges and nubs.
35. The toothbrush of claim 34, wherein the ring of projections is
substantially elliptically shaped.
36. The toothbrush of claim 34, wherein the soft tissue cleanser
further comprises an elongate ridge projecting from the head in
generally the same direction as the projections of the ring of
projections.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/768,363, filed Jan. 30, 2004,
which is a continuation in part application of U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/697,213, filed Oct. 30, 2003.
[0002] Further, this application is a continuation in part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/019,671, filed Dec.
23, 2004, which: (1) is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/869,922, filed Jun. 18, 2004, which
is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/601,106, filed Jun. 20, 2003; (2) is a continuation in
part of PCT Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US03/030633
(designating the U.S.) filed Sep. 26, 2003, which claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/414,117, filed Sep.
27, 2002, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/418,776, filed Oct.
16, 2002, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/419,425, filed
Oct. 18, 2002; (3) is a continuation in part of PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/US2003/029497 (designating the U.S.), filed
Sep. 17, 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/412,290, filed Sep. 20, 2002; (4) is a
continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29/189,729, filed Sep. 10, 2003; and (5) is a continuation-in-part
of co-pending U.S. patent application Serial No. 10/989,267, filed
Nov. 17, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part application of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/209,242, filed Jul.
14, 2004.
[0003] Additionally, this application is a continuation in part
application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/989,267,
2004, filed Nov. 17, 2004, which is a continuation in part
application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29/209,242, filed Jul. 14, 2004, and a continuation in part
application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29/209,244, filed Jul. 14, 2004.
[0004] Further, this application is a continuation in part
application of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/902,257,
2004, filed Jul. 30, 2004, which (1) is a continuation in part of
co-pending PCT Application No. PCT/US2003/029497 (designating the
U.S.), filed Sep. 17, 2003, entitled "Toothbrush With Gripping
Area" (Attorney Docket No. IR 6989-00), which claims priority of
U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/412,290, filed Sep. 20,
2002; and (2) is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/189,729, filed Sep. 10, 2003.
[0005] In addition, this application is a continuation in part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/053,583, filed Feb. 8, 2005,
which is a continuation of International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2003/024878 designating the U.S. filed Aug. 8, 2003 and
published as International Publication No. WO2004/014181, which
claims priority to U.S. Applications Ser. Nos. 60/402,162 filed
Aug. 9, 2002, 60/402,170 filed Aug. 9, 2002 and 60/402,670 filed
Aug. 12, 2002.
[0006] Further, this application is a continuation in part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/053,589, filed Feb. 4, 2005, which
is a continuation of International Patent Application No.
PCT/US2003/024879 designating the U.S. filed Aug. 8, 2003 and
published as International Publication No. WO2004/014182 on Feb.
19, 2004, which claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No.
60/402,165 filed Aug. 9, 2002.
[0007] The contents of the above-noted applications are each
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention pertains to an oral care implement
having various features that may include a cleanser for cleaning
soft tissue surfaces in a user's mouth, tooth cleaning or tooth
treating elements, movable cleaning features, vibratory mechanisms,
and/or handle gripping features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A variety of toothbrush configurations exist that have
stationary and/or mechanically-driven movable cleaning elements.
These conventional toothbrushes are dedicated to tooth
cleaning/polishing operations and typically include a head portion
directed to the cleaning/polishing operations, and a handle
portion. The head typically has a flat or slightly altered surface
to which the cleaning elements are attached, or to which
mechanically-driven movable carriers for the cleaning elements are
attached. The cleaning elements of these toothbrushes are
configured for cleaning and/or for polishing a user's teeth, but
are not configured for effective cleaning of soft tissue in a
user's mouth, such as the user's tongue.
[0010] Tongue scrapers exist as devices for removing micro debris
disposed on a user's tongue. Conventional tongue scrapers are
stand-alone devices directed to the singular purpose of scraping a
user's tongue. These conventional devices typically include a
handle and scraper portion without including other cleaning
elements.
[0011] Users manipulate conventional toothbrushes and tongue
scrapers by grasping their handle portions. The handles are
typically simple, linear rods of a relatively rigid material, which
are neither comfortable for the user nor given to easy
manipulation. As these devices are commonly used in wet conditions,
their handles are often slippery during use.
[0012] Many people use multiple oral care implements, such as
toothbrushes and tongue scrapers, on a daily basis to accomplish
multiple oral care tasks. For instance, a user may use a toothbrush
to clean his teeth and then use a tongue scraper to remove debris
from his tongue. The user may then re-use the toothbrush to further
clean his tongue. Thus, the user may switch between various oral
care implements during a single session in a wet environment.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention pertains to an oral care implement
that provides several advantages and that may be used for multiple
functions. In one embodiment of the invention, an oral care
implement is provided that has a plurality of cleaning elements
extending from the head, which are attached to a flexible support
on the head and are outwardly movable from the head. The cleaning
elements may include a column-shaped central bristle at the central
portion of the flexible support, and may further include a row of
first cleaning elements traversing a central region of the flexible
support. The oral care implement may further include a soft tissue
cleanser on the head, which may be disposed on an opposite face
from the cleaning elements. The soft tissue cleanser may include a
ring of projections.
[0014] Embodiments of the invention may be multi-functional and
include various combinations of features in advantageous
combinations. Some embodiments include a soft tissue cleanser in
combination with tooth cleaning features and/or in combination with
gripping features on the handle that improve the user's grip and
handling thereof. The embodiments may be manual or
mechanically-driven devices, or combinations thereof. These and
other aspects are discussed in relation to the following
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A more complete understanding of the present invention and
the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the
following description in consideration of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like
features.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side view, partially in section, of an
embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention and of a
handle-closure part separated from one another (without a
battery).
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view, partially in section, of another
embodiment of a toothbrush according to the invention shown in the
assembled state.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a side view, partially in section, of the
toothbrush according to FIG. 2 and the closure part separated from
one another (without a battery).
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a side view of a further embodiment of a
toothbrush according to the invention shown in the assembled
state.
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a front part of the toothbrush according to
FIG. 4 with different embodiments of exchangeable treatment
heads.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an additional toothbrush
embodiment in accordance with this invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in partial section, of
the toothbrush shown in FIG. 6.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a top, plan view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS.
6 and 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 7
partially broken away.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view showing a subassembly of
the bristle containing portion of the brush head in accordance with
another aspect of this invention.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, in partial section,
showing the subassembly of FIG. 10 incorporated in a completed
toothbrush.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a further toothbrush in
accordance with the invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a head of a manual toothbrush
in accordance with the invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines
14-14 of FIG. 13 showing the bristle and wiper arrangement with
minimal force applied to the toothbrush handle.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view taken along lines
14-14 of FIG. 13 showing the bristle and wiper arrangement where
greater force is applied to the toothbrush handle.
[0031] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a powered toothbrush in
accordance with the invention.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a side elevational overview of another toothbrush
embodiment in accordance with the invention having a flexible head
with fingers mounted thereon, shown broken along its length and
showing the ribs interconnecting the finger and flexible head.
[0033] FIG. 18 is a fragmental front plan view of the toothbrush of
FIG. 17 showing an arrangement of fingers connected by ribs to a
flexible head.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a fragmental plan view of single finger connected
by ribs to an unflexed toothbrush head of the toothbrush of FIG.
17.
[0035] FIGS. 20 and 21 are fragmental plan views of a single finger
connected by ribs to a flexible head in flexed positions caused by
movement of the flexible head of the toothbrush of FIG. 17.
[0036] FIGS. 22-24 are fragmental plan views of multiple fingers
interconnected to each other and to a flexible toothbrush head in
accordance with FIG. 17 by ribs forming a web between the
fingers.
[0037] FIG. 25 is a fragmental cross-sectional view in elevation of
the fingers mounted in a flexible toothbrush head in accordance
with FIG. 17.
[0038] FIGS. 26-28 are fragmental elevational views of the fingers
used with the toothbrush of FIG. 17.
[0039] FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of a further toothbrush
configuration using a flexible head and gum stimulation
fingers.
[0040] FIGS. 30 and 31 are cross sectional views of the fingers
with ribs interconnecting the fingers to a flexible portion of the
toothbrush head.
[0041] FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the toothbrush of FIG. 29
including a head constructed in accordance with another embodiment
of the invention.
[0042] FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the head of FIG. 32.
[0043] FIG. 34 is a side elevational view of a further toothbrush
embodiment in accordance with this invention.
[0044] FIG. 35 is a front plan view showing the resilient cleaning
field to which the cleaning/treating elements of FIG. 34 could be
mounted.
[0045] FIGS. 36-37 are front plan views of different forms of
cleaning heads in accordance with the invention.
[0046] FIG. 38 is a side elevational view of still yet another form
of cleaning head in accordance with this invention.
[0047] FIG. 39 is a front plan view of a modified form of cleaning
head in accordance with the invention.
[0048] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
toothbrush of the present invention wherein the bristle bars are
generally in the form of parallelepipeds.
[0049] FIG. 41 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
toothbrush of the present invention, wherein the bristle bars have
generally curved foot-prints.
[0050] FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
toothbrush of the present invention, wherein the bristle bars have
generally oval footprints.
[0051] FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 40, wherein there are additional
bristle bars located central to the toothbrush head.
[0052] FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the toothbrush shown in FIG. 40, wherein there are additional
bristle tufts located central to the toothbrush head.
[0053] FIG. 45 is an exploded assembly perspective view of an oral
care implement according to one or more aspects of an illustrative
embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 46 is an enlarged perspective view of a head of an oral
care implement of FIG. 45.
[0055] FIG. 47 is a plan view of the oral care implement of FIG. 45
illustrating a tongue cleaning feature.
[0056] FIG. 48 is a partial section view of a head of the oral care
implement of FIG. 45 taken along line 48-48 of FIG. 47.
[0057] FIG. 49 is a plan view of the oral care implement of FIG. 45
illustrating at least one tooth cleaning configuration.
[0058] FIG. 50 is another perspective of the view of the oral care
implement of FIG. 45.
[0059] FIG. 51 is a section view of an alternative construction of
the head of the oral care implement of FIG. 45.
[0060] FIG. 52 is a perspective view of a head of a further
embodiment of the invention.
[0061] FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
IX-IX in FIG. 52.
[0062] FIG. 54 is a partial cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the invention taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 52.
[0063] FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional view of a further
embodiment taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 52.
[0064] FIG. 56 is a partial cross-sectional view of an additional
embodiment taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 52.
[0065] FIG. 57 is a partial perspective view of yet another oral
care implement in accordance with the present invention.
[0066] FIG. 58 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
XIV-XIV in FIG. 57.
[0067] FIG. 59 is a perspective view of a head of a further
toothbrush embodiment in accordance with the present invention.
[0068] FIG. 59a is a top plan view of the head of FIG. 59.
[0069] FIGS. 59b and 59c are top plan views of the head
illustrating alternative concave-shaped ridges for the head of FIG.
59.
[0070] FIG. 60 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line
II-II in FIG. 59.
[0071] FIG. 61 is a partial cross sectional plan view of an
alternative structure taken along line II-II of FIG. 59.
[0072] FIGS. 61a and 61b are partial cross-sectional views of
alternative ridge shapes for the embodiment of FIG. 59.
[0073] FIGS. 62-75 are each a top plan view of the head
illustrating an alternative ridge construction for the embodiment
of FIG. 59.
[0074] FIGS. 76-80 are each a perspective view of a further
embodiment of a head of an oral care implement in accordance with
the invention.
[0075] FIG. 81 is a perspective view of an oral care implement
according to one or more aspects of another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0076] FIG. 82 is a bottom plan view of the oral care implement of
FIG. 81.
[0077] FIG. 83 is a top plan view of the oral care implement of
FIG. 81.
[0078] FIG. 84 is a side view of the oral care implement of FIG.
81.
[0079] FIG. 85 is a section view of the oral care implement taken
along line 85-85 in FIG. 83.
[0080] FIG. 86 is a partial side view of a base of an oral care
implement of FIG. 81.
[0081] FIG. 87 is a partial front view of the base of FIG. 86.
[0082] FIG. 88 is a forward axial view of the oral care implement
of FIG. 81.
[0083] FIG. 89 is a forward axial view of the oral care implement
of FIG. 81.
[0084] FIG. 90 is top plan view of a further oral care implement in
accordance with the present invention.
[0085] FIG. 91 is partial perspective view of a head portion of the
oral care implement of FIG. 90.
[0086] FIG. 92 is side view of a further oral care implement in
accordance with the present invention.
[0087] FIG. 93 is partial perspective view of a head portion of the
oral care implement of FIG. 92.
[0088] FIG. 94 is side view of a further oral care implement in
accordance with the present invention.
[0089] FIG. 95 is partial perspective view of a head portion of the
oral care implement of FIG. 94.
[0090] FIG. 96 is side view of a further oral care implement in
accordance with the present invention.
[0091] FIG. 97 is partial perspective view of a head portion of the
oral care implement of FIG. 96.
[0092] FIG. 98 is partial perspective view of a head portion of yet
another oral care implement in accordance with the present
invention.
[0093] FIGS. 98A-C show an additional oral care implement in
accordance with the invention.
[0094] FIG. 99 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance
with the invention.
[0095] FIG. 100 is a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.
99.
[0096] FIG. 101 is a top view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 99
and 100.
[0097] FIG. 102 is a cross-sectional view taken through line
102-102 of FIG. 101.
[0098] FIG. 103 is a top view of a powered toothbrush in accordance
with the invention.
[0099] FIG. 104 is a perspective view of a toothbrush having
elastic areas in the head and handle in accordance with a further
embodiment of the invention.
[0100] FIG. 105 is a side view of the toothbrush shown in FIG.
104.
[0101] FIG. 106 is a top view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 104
and 105.
[0102] FIG. 107 is a side view of the toothbrush of FIG. 104
showing deflection in the open area under the bristles and the
handle area.
[0103] FIG. 108 is a top view of a powered toothbrush in accordance
with the invention.
[0104] FIG. 109 is a perspective view of a toothbrush formed in
accordance with still another embodiment of the invention.
[0105] FIG. 110 is a side elevational view of the toothbrush shown
in FIG. 109.
[0106] FIG. 111 is a top view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS.
109-110.
[0107] FIG. 112 is an end view of the toothbrush shown in FIGS.
109-111 shown in an original closed position.
[0108] FIG. 113 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 113-113
of FIG. 111 with the brush head in its hinged open position and
omitting some of the cleaning elements.
[0109] FIG. 114 is a top view of a powered toothbrush in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention.
[0110] FIG. 115 is perspective view of a head portion of a further
embodiment of an oral care implement in accordance with the
invention.
[0111] FIG. 116 is a top view of the head portion of FIG. 115.
[0112] FIG. 117 is a side view of the head portion of FIG. 115.
[0113] FIG. 118 is a side view of a head portion of an oral care
implement in accordance with the invention.
[0114] FIG. 119 is partial perspective view of a head portion of an
oral care implement in accordance with the invention.
[0115] FIG. 120 is a top view of the head portion of FIG. 119.
[0116] FIG. 121 is a front view of the head portion of FIG.
119.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0117] The following embodiments describe aspects of the invention
in the form of various oral care implement configurations that
provide a variety of features and functions. Although these aspects
are disclosed in the context of particular exemplary embodiments,
the invention provides an oral care implement that includes one or
more of the features described herein. The oral care implement may
include a first feature described in one example configuration
herein, as well as a second feature described in another example
configuration herein.
[0118] In other words, the invention contemplates mixing and
matching features from the disclosed embodiments in various
combinations into a single oral care implement. The present
invention thus makes it possible to select a combination of
cleaning/treating element configurations, tissue cleanser
configurations, handle features, gripping features, mechanical
driving features, materials and orientations, etc. to achieve
intended results, and to deliver additional oral health benefits,
such as enhanced cleaning, tooth polishing, tooth whitening, tongue
cleansing, massaging of gums, etc.
[0119] Oral care implements of various configurations are provided
that generally include a handle and one or more cleaning features.
The handle may include a mechanically-driven feature, such as
rotating, vibrating, and/or moving cleaning elements. In one
configuration, a toothbrush is provided with a mechanical vibratory
element and a head having a plurality of different types of
cleaning/treating elements and cleaning areas which provide for an
enhanced cleaning and/or treating effects. The cleaning/treating
elements move by the mechanical vibratory device and/or
independently of the mechanical vibratory device. Such a
toothbrush, therefore, provides for synergistic and enhanced
cleaning, scrubbing and massaging experience on the teeth and
gums.
[0120] A variety of toothbrush configurations are disclosed herein.
One configuration is a toothbrush having multiple groupings of
cleaning/treating elements that are uniquely mounted to the head of
a toothbrush, which mounting facilitates flexible orientation of
those groupings relative to the teeth and gums being cleaned. For
example, the head of such a toothbrush could be designed to "wrap
around" individual teeth resulting in deeper penetration of
cleaning/treating elements between teeth. Such a configuration
provides overall cleaning, for example, by independent movement of
groups of cleaning/treating elements relative to the toothbrush
head and each other.
[0121] In one example, a first group is a central grouping or
"island" of cleaning/treating elements flexibly mounted to the
toothbrush head. A second group is fixedly mounted to the
toothbrush head in a configuration surrounding at least part of the
central grouping. The central group is attached to the toothbrush
head via, a flexible elastomeric membrane, resilient plastic
straps, webbing or other material that flexibly interconnects the
first group with the toothbrush head.
[0122] In another embodiment, the toothbrush head is divided into a
plurality of separate cleaning areas. These areas include at least
one and preferably two areas wherein the cleaning/treating elements
are mounted to a base with other areas having the cleaning/treating
elements mounted to pods wherein the pods have a greater degree of
movability than do the bases. The pods are resilient so that during
use, the cleaning/treating elements could be moved from their
initial position and then returned to the initial position. The
pods may be formed from a narrow or small diameter beam extending
from the body of the toothbrush head to a cleaning/treating
elements support pad. The narrow or small diameter beam may be
enclosed in elastic material.
[0123] In one other configuration, a relatively non-movable base is
located at each of the distal and proximal ends of the toothbrush
head with at least two elastic pods mounted between the two bases.
These various cleaning areas are separated from each other by
channels extending completely across the head in a transverse
direction.
[0124] This application further discloses a toothbrush
configuration having multiple groupings of cleaning/treating
elements ("islands") uniquely mounted to the head of a toothbrush,
which mounting facilitates flexible orientation of those groupings
relative to the teeth and gums being cleaned. More particularly,
the groupings of cleaning/treating elements are mounted relative to
the toothbrush head using a transverse, flexible membrane or web
extending from the periphery of the cleaning/treating elements to
the sidewalls of the toothbrush head. In one example, such flexible
mounting facilitates 360 degree limited angle wobble of the
cleaning/treating elements, which, in turn, orients the
cleaning/treating elements towards the teeth even if the toothbrush
head is not angled directly parallel to the user's teeth.
[0125] One exemplary toothbrush of this configuration includes a
head in the form of a base having an upstanding wall to create a
peripheral frame. In one embodiment, a thin resilient membrane or
web is mounted within the frame. The membrane or web is capable of
flexing to facilitate orientation of the cleaning/treating elements
carried by the membrane relative to the teeth of the user.
[0126] The cleaning/treating elements may be bristles secured to
the membrane or web by in-molded technology. Additional
cleaning/treating elements can be arranged on the periphery of the
"islands" to facilitate cleaning in those areas between the
"islands". In a one embodiment, these additional cleaning/treating
elements are fixedly mounted to the toothbrush head outside the
periphery of the membrane or web flexibly holding the "islands" of
cleaning/treating elements. This combination of flexible and fixed
mounting of cleaning/treating elements provides very effective
brushing of teeth and massaging of gums.
[0127] In use, for example, pressure applied to the toothbrush
handle by a user causes a first group of cleaning/treating elements
to contact the teeth being cleaned. As the force applied to the
toothbrush exceeds a predetermined volume, a central group of
cleaning/treating elements moves relative to the balance of the
head. This movement, in turn, allows an outer group of fixed
cleaning/treating elements to contact other areas of the teeth
located at a greater distance from the head, including
interproximal spaces between teeth.
[0128] This desired flexibility of the central grouping of
cleaning/treating elements may be accomplished with an elastomeric
bridge between the central movable group of cleaning/treating
elements and the surrounding outer group of cleaning/treating
elements. This elastomeric bridge may be continuous or maybe a
series of independent bridges with a void between each bridge to
encourage greater flexibility. The width of this bridge can be
adjusted to vary the amount of force needed to push the central
group of cleaning/treating elements into a position where the outer
group can achieve their greatest cleaning potential.
[0129] In another toothbrush configuration, the gap between the
groups of cleaning/treating elements corresponding to the width of
the elastomeric bridge between them can effectively be filled with
elastomeric wipers that move as force is applied to the central
group of cleaning/treating elements. For example, tapered
elastomeric wipers can be mounted to the elastomeric bridge so that
the narrower tip of the wipers flex in ward and outward as force is
applied to and released from the toothbrush handle. This wiping
action further enhances the cleaning and treating functions of the
toothbrush.
[0130] In a powered configuration, the toothbrush has a power
source. The power source may be at least one battery, for example,
1, 2 or more batteries. The battery may be removable or fixed,
rechargeable, non-rechargeable or rechargeable from an external
source. Further, the battery may be of any size, such as, for
example, AA, AAA, 9V and C. Alternatively, the power source may
from an external source, for example via an AC adapter.
[0131] Turning to the Figures, both the toothbrush illustrated in
FIG. 1 and that according to FIGS. 2 and 3 each have a handle 1, a
front bristle-carrying head part 3 and a neck part 4, which
connects the head part 3 to the handle 1. The bristles combined to
form clusters of bristles 6 are anchored in a bristle carrier 5 and
form a profiled brushing surface with their free ends. In the
embodiment illustrated, the bristle carrier 5 with the clusters of
bristles 6 is positioned, in a manner which is known per se and
thus is not described in detail, on a retaining part 2 of the head
part 3 such that it can be exchanged. Also, as note above, any of
the arrangements of teeth cleaning elements disclosed herein could
be used in place of the illustrated bristle pattern.
[0132] The neck part 4 is provided with neck-part zones 7 which are
preferably made of an elastically relatively compliant material
component and provide for, or additionally increase, the elasticity
of the neck part 4, with the result that, during use of the
toothbrush, the bristle-carrying head part 3 can be forced back
resiliently in the case of forces acting in the direction of the
brushing surface. Optionally, the neck-part zones 7 are designed as
notches which extend over part of the neck circumference and are
filled with elastically compliant material (e.g., with a
thermoplastic elastomer). It is understood that the form and number
of neck-part zones can be different. It is also conceivable to have
a flexible neck zone without using elastic material components,
e.g., by providing constrictions or by way of a bellows.
[0133] Integrated in the front head part 3, or in that region of
the neck part 4 which is adjacent to the head part 3, is a
mechanical vibratory device 10, by means of which vibrations which
effect or enhance the teeth-cleaning action may be imparted to the
bristle-carrying head part 3. The vibratory device 10 can be
connected to an electric power source, accommodated in the handle
1, via electrical connections running in the neck part 4, as is
described herein below. In one embodiment, neck-part zones 7 are
made of an elastically compliant material which dampens the
vibration between the vibrating head part 3 and the handle 1, with
the result that the vibratory action is produced, in particular, in
the head part and is transmitted to the handle 1 to a slight
extent. This means that slight vibrations can be felt in the handle
1 during the teeth-cleaning operation, and the toothbrush is thus
comfortable to handle. In another embodiment, the vibration
produced is not damped by the handle 1 and can act to full effect
in the head part 3. Instead of the neck-part zones 7 having
elastically compliant-material, however, other vibration-damping
elements could also be used. Further, the dampening may also be
achieved, for example, by using a basic material, by the neck part
being configured in a particular form, for example by the presence
of a bellows/accordion part, etc.
[0134] Accommodated in the handle 1 is a sheath or sleeve 20 which
extends in the longitudinal direction of said handle and is made of
electrically conductive material. Both the handle 1 and the sleeve
20 are open to the rear, this forming a cavity 21 which can be
closed from the rear by a closure part 22 and into which it is
possible to insert a battery 25, in the preferred embodiment
illustrated a commercially available, non-rechargeable cylindrical
battery, with a defined power (e.g. 1.5 V) as the power source for
the vibratory device 10. It would also be possible, however, for a
button cell or for a rechargeable storage battery to be used as the
power source.
[0135] A spring contact 29 for the positive pole 30 of the battery
25 (see FIG. 2) is fitted in the sleeve 20, on a transverse wall
28, and is connected to the vibratory device 10 via an electric
line 31, a switch 32, which is installed in the sleeve 20 and can
be actuated from the outside of the handle 1, and an electric line
33 running in the neck part 4. The electrical connection can be
interrupted by means of the switch 32.
[0136] The closure part 22 is provided with a threaded stub 22a
made of an electrically conductive material and can be screwed into
the handle 1 and/or into the sleeve 20 by way of said threaded
stub. The threaded stub 22a is provided with a contact surface 22b
which, with the closure part 22 screwed in, comes into abutment
against the negative pole 35 of the battery 25 inserted into the
sleeve 20. The negative pole 35 is electrically connected to the
vibratory device 10 via the threaded stub 22a, the sleeve 20 itself
and a line 34, which connects the sleeve 20 to the vibratory device
10 and runs in the neck part 4.
[0137] Instead of being transmitted via the electrically conductive
sleeve 20, it would also be possible for the power to be
transmitted in some other way, for example using wires or an
electrically conductive plastic.
[0138] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vibratory
device 10 comprises a vibratory element 11' which functions
preferably in the manner of a vibratory armature, can be
electrically connected directly to the power source via the lines
33, 34 and, with the power source connected, is made to
vibrate.
[0139] In the case of the toothbrush variant illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3, the vibratory device 10 comprises a vibratory element 11 in
the form of an eccentric, which produces mechanical vibrations and
can be rotated about an axis located in the longitudinal direction
of the toothbrush, and also comprises a drive which is arranged
directly adjacent and is designed as a micromotor 15. The vibratory
element 11 is connected to the shaft 15a of the micromotor 15,
which can be electrically connected to the power source via the
lines 33, 34. The micromotor 15 and the eccentric may be
accommodated as a structural unit in a housing 12.
[0140] Instead of an eccentric which can be driven in rotation, it
would also be possible to have a vibratory element 11 which can be
driven in a translatory manner. It would be possible, in the case
of the toothbrush according to the invention, to arrange the
bristle-carrying head part 3 such that it can be moved in relation
to the neck part 4 in order for the latter, in the case of
vibrations produced by means of the vibratory device 10, to be made
to move in relation to the rest of the toothbrush.
[0141] The electric lines 31, 33, 34 could also be realized by
electricity-conducting plastic tracks. The switch 32, which
connects or interrupts the lines 31, 33, may also be, for example,
a magnetic switch. A preferred configuration of the switch 32,
however, has a pulse switch arranged on a printed circuit board as
well as further electronic components which store the switching
state.
[0142] It is also possible, however, for the electrical connection
between the battery 25 and the vibratory element 11' (FIG. 1) or
the drive 15 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to be produced or interrupted not by
the switch 32, but by the closure part 22, which can be screwed
into the handle and/or into the sleeve 20 or connected to the same
in a bayonet-like manner, being turned (i.e., the switch 32 is
dispensed with in the case of such a configuration).
[0143] Instead of the rear closure part 22 being screwed to the
handle 1, it would, of course, also be possible to have some other
type of releasable connection (e.g., plug-in connection, bayonet
connection, etc.) and a corresponding configuration of the contact
part interacting with the negative pole 35.
[0144] It would also be possible for the closure part 22 to be in a
form which is quite different to that illustrated in the drawing.
For example, the closure part could be provided with a set-down
surface or a foot part and thus serve as an element on which the
toothbrush can be set down.
[0145] The toothbrush illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponds essentially
to that according to FIGS. 2 and 3. According to FIG. 4, the
vibratory device 10 is arranged directly in the front head part 3.
In this exemplary embodiment, the sleeve 20 is dispensed with; the
battery 25 is connected directly to the vibratory device 10 via the
lines 33, 34. It is also the case with this toothbrush that use is
preferably made of an exchangeable bristle carrier 5, which can be
positioned on a retaining part 2 of the head part 3, e.g., in the
manner of a snap-in connection. The capacity for changing the
bristle carrier 5 provided with the clusters of bristles 6 is
particularly advantageous since the toothbrush provided with the
vibratory device 10 can be used irrespective of the service life of
the bristles, which is usually even shorter than the service life
of the battery 25.
[0146] As can be seen from FIG. 5, it is possible, instead of the
bristle carrier 5 or 5a, which forms part of a conventional brush
head and is provided with respective clusters of bristles 6 or 6a,
to position other, optionally different bristle carriers or
adapters 5b to 5d on the retaining part 2, these being provided
with different interdental brushes 6b, 6c or interdental treatment
parts 6d for effective cleaning of the spaces between the teeth.
The interdental brush 6b may be designed, for example, as a helical
brush made of coated wire with plastic filaments twisted in. The
interdental brush 6c comprises bristles which, together, form a
cluster tip. The treatment part 6d may be designed, for example, as
a plastic element which has a tip and may preferably be provided
with an abrasive coating for removing plaque and tartar from the
spaces between the teeth. Of course, it would also be possible to
use any other desired treatment heads. It is also the case with the
variant according to FIGS. 4 and 5 that the bristle carrier 5 could
be configured such that a vibration-induced movement in relation to
the retaining part 2 were possible.
[0147] For the introduction of the vibratory device 10, the
connecting lines 33, 34 and further electronic components, it is
possible for a toothbrush according to the invention, or the
housing thereof, to be produced in two parts and for the two parts
to be welded in a water-tight manner once the abovementioned parts
have been positioned therein. It is also possible, however, for a
toothbrush according to the invention to be produced by injection
molding preferably involving two or more components. The
abovementioned parts are advantageously positioned as a unit in an
injection molding made of a first material component and then
encapsulated in the second material component (or in the further
material component) by injection molding. It is not necessary here
for full encapsulation to take place. Certain parts may be exposed,
as a result of which it is possible to achieve an esthetic
effect.
[0148] It would also be possible, however, for the abovementioned
electronic components to be inserted into a ready-molded handle 1.
In a preferred embodiment, since it is not only the vibratory
element 11, 11' itself but also the drive, i.e. the micromotor 15,
which are arranged in the front head part 3, or in the directly
adjacent front region of the neck part 4, it is not necessary for a
mechanical drive element to be led through the flexible neck part 4
in order to connect the micromotor to the vibratory element 11. In
this embodiment, electric lines 33, 34 (e.g., wires, cables or
electrically conductive plastic tracks) run through the neck part
4.
[0149] According to one embodiment of the invention, use is made of
a mechanical vibratory device 10 which has a diameter of less than
about 15 mm preferably less than about 6 mm, and is less than about
35 mm, preferably less than about 20 mm, in length. This ensures
that the toothbrush may be of ergonomic configuration and is easy
to handle. A toothbrush according to the invention corresponds, in
size, more or less to the conventional manual toothbrushes, which
makes them more straightforward to handle in comparison with the
commercially available, considerably larger electric toothbrushes.
A number of head configurations can produce an enhanced cleaning
effect when the mechanical vibratory device is engaged.
[0150] FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a toothbrush 610 in accordance with one
embodiment of this invention. As shown therein toothbrush 610
includes an elongated hand-held handle 612 with a head 614
connected to and extending from the handle. The head 614 is divided
into a plurality of separate cleaning areas which are spaced from
each other. As illustrated the cleaning areas include a base 616
located at the distal end of the head 614 and projecting outwardly
from the main body portion 930 of the head. Base 616 includes at
least one and preferably a plurality of cleaning/treating elements
618. Head 614 further includes a base or supporting member 620 at
the proximal end of head 614 cleaning/treating elements 618 also
extend outwardly from base 620.
[0151] Mounted between the cleaning areas which incorporate bases
616 and 620 are a pair of pods 622, 624. Each pod is provided with
at least one and preferably a plurality of cleaning/treating
elements. As later described the pods 622, 624 have a greater
degree of movability than do the bases 616, 620. In a preferred
practice of the invention the pods 622, 624 are resilient members
so that the pod cleaning/treating elements add a motion range
beyond the cleaning/treating elements 618 which are generally
static or non-movable. Because the various cleaning/treating
elements are separated from each other such as by channels 728,
which extend completely across head 614 in a transverse direction,
and because of the elastic nature of pods 622, 624, the
cleaning/treating elements 626 may be capable of 360 degrees
rotation about the vertical axis of each individual pod. The angle
of the bend may be dictated by the ability of the material to
bend.
[0152] Toothbrush 610 thus provides a head 614 wherein the front
(distal end) and the back (proximal end) areas are in a relatively
fixed position and wherein the cleaning/treating elements, such as
bristle strands, 618 do not have any extra degree of motion. The
middle portion of head 614, however, has two areas of
cleaning/treating elements 626, which are capable of 360 degree
rotation.
[0153] As best shown in FIG. 9 the head 914 includes a main body
portion 930 which supports the bases and pods. Body portion 930 and
bases 616 and 620 are preferably made from conventional hard
plastic materials, such as polypropylene, commonly used in the
making of toothbrush handles and heads. Pods 622, 624, however, are
made so as to be resilient. In a preferred practice of this
invention, the resiliency of pods 622, 624 is achieved by providing
a thin diameter beam 932 which extends from the main body portion
930 of the head of the toothbrush. Beam 932 is joined into the
bottom of a thin pad or plate 934 which provides a support area
onto which the cleaning/treating elements 626 are affixed. The
manner of mounting the cleaning/treating elements 626 to the
support pads 934 can be achieved utilizing various
cleaning/treating elements, such as bristles and other cleaning
materials, in known attachment methods.
[0154] The desired flexibility or resiliency of the pods 622, 624
is enhanced by enclosing the thin beams 932 in elastic material 936
which could be acquired during the multi-injection molding process.
The elastic material 936 serves as a rubber band by returning the
beams 932 to their original form or initial position. This return
action creates an active motion in the opposite direction of the
beam bend which aids in the cleaning of teeth by introducing extra
brushing strokes.
[0155] As best shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 the pods 622, 624 include
a widened portion disposed toward the body 930. The support pads
934 are also widened. Each pod has a narrow or reduced diameter
central portion 938 longitudinally intermediate the length of each
pod. Thus, each pod is of generally mushroom shape.
[0156] Beam 932 could be of any suitable shape such as having a
cross-section which is circular, square or any other geometric
shape that provides a thin dimension or thin diameter to the beam
to facilitate the bendability of the beam. The elastomer 936 may be
considered as a continuous layer of any suitable thickness which
covers the entire central area of head 614 as illustrated so that
both pods 622, 624 are incorporated as part of the same elastic
material. The portion of the head 614 which includes pods 622, 624
may be formed as a separate subassembly similar to the subassembly
later described with respect to FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0157] Although the invention could be practiced with a single base
and a single pod and could be practiced with the base having some,
but a lesser degree of flexibility than the pod, the invention is
preferably practiced wherein the base is generally static or
non-movable. In addition, the invention is preferably practiced
where there are a plurality of such bases and a plurality of pods.
The drawings illustrate a configuration of the invention where
there are a total of four separate cleaning areas with the pods
being located in the central portion of head 614. The invention may
be practiced in a configuration in which the cleaning/treating
elements comprise a plurality of bristles or strands on each base
and each pod.
[0158] As illustrated in FIG. 8 each base 616 and 620 and each pod
622 and 624 may have a generally oval outer surface. The bases and
pods are longitudinally aligned, but spaced from each other by the
depressions or open areas which form the channels 728. As also
illustrated in FIG. 8 the pods may have a larger outer surface or
cleaning/treating element carrying surface than do the bases.
[0159] As shown in FIG. 7 the terminal surfaces of the
cleaning/treating elements 618 and 626 are tapered so that the
terminal surfaces of the cleaning/treating elements 618 taper
outwardly in a direction toward the center of head 614 while the
terminal surfaces of cleaning/treating elements 626 taper outwardly
in a direction away from the center of head 614. Thus, the highest
points of each set of cleaning/treating elements 618 and its
adjacent set of cleaning/treating elements 626 are generally
disposed toward each other for each pair of base and pod 616, 622
and 620, 624.
[0160] Any suitable form of cleaning/treating elements may be used
as the cleaning/treating elements 618 and 626 in the broad practice
of this invention. The term "cleaning/treating elements" is
intended to be used in a generic sense which could include
conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of
cleaning/treating elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls
arranged in a circular cross-sectional 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.
[0161] Using different cleaning materials as cleaning/treating
elements of the toothbrushes may yield different effects. In an
attempt to provide better stain removal a rubber-like material or
elastomer can be used in combination with conventional bristles or
used by itself to "brighten/whiten" the teeth.
[0162] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
cleaning/treating elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The
invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or
different cleaning/treating element configurations (such as stapled
or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same
bristle or cleaning/treating elements materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while
FIG. 7 illustrates the cleaning/treating elements to be generally
perpendicular to the outer surface of head 614, some or all of the
cleaning/treating elements may be angled at various angles with
respect to the outer surface of head 614. It is thereby possible to
select the combination of cleaning/treating 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.
Further, although shown as a manual toothbrush, the disclosed head
and cleaning elements could be formed as part of a powered brush,
e.g., as part of a vibrating brush (as in FIG. 1) with the drive
means disclosed for the brush of FIG. 16, or other known powered
brushes where the heads or parts of the heads (e.g., platforms) are
driven.
[0163] FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a further embodiment of this
invention. The toothbrush 1110A has the ability to provide flexible
support for the bristles 1026A, 1126A in designated areas. The
flexibility is provided by designing the tuft holding areas 1034A,
1134A as plates which in combination with the stems 1038A, 1138A
forms pods of mushroom shape. The mushroom stem 1038A, 1138A is
made flexible to allow the plate 1034A, 1134A populated with
bristles or cleaning/treating elements 1026A, 1126A to move in
different directions while brushing, as described with respect to
the flexible pods of FIGS. 6-9.
[0164] FIGS. 10-11 show the toothbrush 1110A and in particular the
cleaning/treating element or bristle carrying portion 1023, 1133 of
the head 1114A. As shown in FIG. 10 the bristle or
cleaning/treating element carrying portion 1023 forms an initial
subassembly. This subassembly is made by introducing the
cleaning/treating elements 1026A into the mold cavity into which a
plastic material is injected. As the material injected cools off it
permanently traps the bristles or cleaning/treating elements 1026A
to form a brush or subassembly 1023.
[0165] To achieve a functional flexibility and proper tuft
retention the portion of the bristle holding part or subassembly
1023 which comprises the plates 1034A, stems 1038A and
interconnecting support 1025 is preferably a blend of polypropylene
(PP) and soft TPE. Once the PP/TPE blend is combined with the
bristles 1026A the subassembly 1023 is formed. The subassembly 1023
is then overmolded with an entire toothbrush handle 1012A and head
1014A during a second injection cycle to form the completed
toothbrush 1110A shown in FIG. 11. If desired or required the
entire handle 1112A and head 1114A absent the subassembly 1123
could be made first and the subassembly or bristle retaining
portion 1123 made second.
[0166] It is to be understood that the invention described in FIGS.
10-11 could be practiced where all portions of the head 1114
include the flexible mushroom sections without having less flexible
base portions such as bases 616 and 620 of FIGS. 6-9. Similarly,
the subassembly two shot techniques of FIGS. 10-11 could be
utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9 for forming the two or more
central pods as a single subassembly initially made separate from
the remainder of the toothbrush head 1114. The final toothbrush
would be made in a second injection molding process wherein the
subassembly having interconnected pods 622, 624 would be molded to
the handle 612 and head 614 made of more rigid material.
[0167] As noted, FIG. 7 illustrates the terminal surfaces of the
cleaning/treating elements 618 and 626 to be tapered in an up and
down or zigzag manner. FIGS. 10-11 show an alternative taper
wherein the terminal surfaces form a smooth, gentle, concave shape.
If desired, other shapes may be used such as a planar shape for the
terminal surfaces or a convex shape as well as the zigzag or up and
down shape shown in FIG. 7. Similarly, the terminal ends of the
cleaning/treating elements in the FIGS. 6-9 embodiment, as well as
those of FIGS. 10-11, could have the various shapes such as zigzag,
convex, concave or planar.
[0168] FIG. 12 illustrates a toothbrush 1210B, which includes a
power driven movable disc or section 1240 having cleaning elements.
Although FIG. 12 shows movable section 1240 to be at the distal end
of the head, the movable section(s) could be located at any desired
location on the head.
[0169] FIG. 13 illustrates head 1314 of a manual toothbrush 1310 in
accordance with one embodiment of this invention. Head 1314 is
attached to handle 1312 (partially shown in FIG. 13). In one
embodiment, two groups of cleaning/treating elements or bristle are
arranged on head 1314. The first group as illustrated in FIG. 13 is
located in the central region of the head 1314 and comprises
cleaning/treating elements 1318 in the form of strands or bristles.
Elastomeric material 1320 is preferably of a material or
combinations of material that can flex to become altered from its
original shape and recover to its original shape randomly during
brushing.
[0170] The first group of cleaning/treating elements 1318 flexibly
mounted in head 1314 and 1614 (FIG. 16) are complemented by a
second group of fixed cleaning/treating elements 1322 generally
arrayed in a surrounding relationship with the first group
1318.
[0171] The first and second group of cleaning/treating elements
work together to provide improved cleansing of teeth. To further
promote teeth cleaning, the toothbrush 1310 of this invention may
include, for example, wipers 1324 positioned between the two groups
of cleaning/treating elements as best illustrated in FIG. 13. These
wipers are preferably made of rubber or like material. Further, any
suitable form of cleaning/treating elements may be used as the
cleaning/treating elements 1318 and 1322 in the broad practice of
this invention.
[0172] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
cleaning/treating elements is merely for exemplary purposes. The
invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or
different cleaning/treating element configurations (such as stapled
or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same
bristle or cleaning/treating element materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.) Similarly, while
FIG. 13 illustrates the cleaning/treating elements to be generally
perpendicular to head 1314 some or all of the, cleaning/treating
elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer
surface of head 1314. 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.
[0173] This invention may also be practiced where head 1314
includes one or more power or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning/treating elements.
[0174] FIG. 16 illustrates a toothbrush 1610A which includes a
power driven movable disc or section 1650 having cleaning/treating
elements. The movable section 1650 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. Re35,941; 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 50 in other manners and directions. Although FIG. 16
shows movable section 1650 to be at one end of the head, the
movable section(s) could be located at any desired location on the
head.
[0175] FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a toothbrush 1710 with a handle
1712 and head 1714, 1814. Mounted on or in head 1714, 1814 are
fingers 1716, 1816, preferably having a tapered shape. As shown in
FIG. 18 fingers 1816 are preferably arranged about the periphery of
head 1814. That location materially assists the gum massaging
effect of the finger movement contemplated by this invention. More
particularly, when the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 1710 is
perpendicular to the axis of teeth being brushed, as is typical
with most users, the fingers 1716, 1816 are closest to the gum
line.
[0176] The fingers 1716, 1816 are preferably flexible and soft to
the touch. Accordingly they may be formed of a soft elastomeric
material. The general shape of fingers 2616, 2716, 2816 is
illustrated in FIGS. 26-28. As so illustrated they are tapered and
comprise all elastomeric material (FIG. 26) or a set of bristles
2818 partially surrounded by elastomeric material 2720, 2820 (FIGS.
27 and 28). The elastomeric material preferably extend along the
length of finger 2616, 2716, 2816 a sufficient distance to
facilitate attachment of ribs as described in more detail
below.
[0177] To facilitate the therapeutic movement of the fingers, the
head of the toothbrush may be flexible and the fingers may be
flexibly mounted in the head. FIG. 25 illustrates one form of
flexible mounting of fingers in head 2514. In this embodiment the
head 2514 has a box-like shape in cross section. At least the upper
face 2522 of head 2514, and preferably the entirety of head 2514,
is made of a flexible material so that the axes of fingers 2516 can
move relative to the plane of toothbrush 1710. The fingers 2516
project from apertures 2526 in the flexible upper face 2522 of head
2514. Any rib and finger 2216, 2316, 2416 arrangement shown in
FIGS. 22-24 can be molded into the toothbrush head 2214. This
flexible mounting in a flexible portion 2222 of head 2214 assists
in obtaining the desired lateral movement of fingers relative to
the axes of toothbrush 1710. The role of ribs in obtaining that
movement is explained below.
[0178] FIG. 29 illustrates a powered toothbrush 2910A containing
the fingers 2916 of the invention mounted on a flexible head 2914
of the toothbrush. Cleaning elements 1817 may be mounted inboard of
fingers 1816 as illustrated in FIG. 18. Although FIG. 29 shows
movable section 2930 to be at the distal end of the head, the
movable section(s) could be located at any desired location on the
head.
[0179] Another manner of imparting movement to the fingers 3016,
3116 is illustrated in FIGS. 30 and 31. As illustrated, fingers
3016, 3116 are physically linked to a flexible face 3022A, 3122A of
head 3014, 3114 by angled rib 3024, 3124. Rib 3024, 3124 can be
integrally molded into head 3014, 3114 and finger 3016, 3116 during
the manufacture of toothbrush 1710. It can also be formed of a more
rigid (than elastomeric) material such as polypropylene in order to
enhance lateral movement of fingers 3016, 3116. Flexible face
3022A, 3122A of head 3014, 3114 in this embodiment can be molded
around frame members 3026, 3126 forming the outer periphery of head
3014, 3114. These frame members 3026, 3126 of head 3014, 3114 may
be attached to handle 1712 of toothbrush 1710 in a known
manner.
[0180] The role of ribs and the flexible head in imparting lateral
movement to the fingers is illustrated in FIGS. 18-21. FIG. 18
illustrates the location of fingers 1816 and ribs along outer edges
of flexible face 1822 of head 1814. Other groups of bristles or
cleaning/treating elements 1817 are arranged inboard of fingers
1816 as illustrated in FIG. 18. Fingers 1816 on the outer edge of
head 1614 are closest to the gum line when the user holds the
toothbrush in a normal position, i.e., with the longitudinal axis
perpendicular to the axis of the user's teeth. Ribs 1824 extend
from the side of finger 1816 to the face 1822 or 1822A of flexible
head 1814. These ribs can have a triangular, trapezoidal or like
shape that interconnects the finger 1816 to the face of flexible
head 1814. This interconnection assures lateral movement of finger
1816 as the face 1822 or 1822A deflects outward or inward along the
longitudinal axis when in use as described below.
[0181] The lateral movement of fingers is illustrated in the
sequence shown in FIGS. 19-21. In FIG. 19 there is no deflection of
face 1922 or 1924 of flexible head 1914. FIG. 20 represents a
deflection of face 2022 that stretches that face as shown by the
arrows 2023 at the edge of this fragmental view. When so stretched
the ends 2028 of rib 2024 anchored to face 2022 move away from each
other. That movement exerts a lateral force on finger 2016 causing
it to move laterally toward the outside periphery of head 2014 as
indicated by the arrow 2025 in FIG. 20. Conversely, when deflection
of face 2122 or 2122A of head 2114 causes that face to compress,
the ribs 2124 push finger 2116 laterally in the opposite direction
as indicated by the arrow 2125 in FIG. 21. Thus, as various forces
are transmitted to flexible face 2122 or 2122A of head 2114 during
use, that head moves in compression or expansion. That movement
causes fingers 2116 to move in a lateral direction thereby
promoting tooth cleaning and gum stimulation.
[0182] Another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 30
and 31 shows ribs 3024, 3124 oriented approximately 90 degrees to
the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 1710 versus approximately 45
degrees shown in FIGS. 18-21. In the former embodiment, movement of
the flexible face 3022A in an upward direction (FIG. 30) causes
lateral inward movement of fingers 3016 as illustrated by the
arrows 3127 in this Figure. Conversely, downward movement of
flexible face 3022A would cause lateral movement of fingers 3016
away from each other toward the outside of head 3014 (not
illustrated).
[0183] Other arrangements of ribs 2224, 2324, 2424 and their
attachment to fingers 2216, 2316, 2416 are illustrated in FIGS.
22-24. As illustrated, multiple fingers 2216, 2316, 2416 are
interconnected by a continuous rib 2224, 2324, 2424. FIG. 22
illustrates the interconnecting ribs 2224 on one side of fingers
2216. Thus, upon deflection of flexible face 2222 or 2222A of head
2214 all fingers 2216 move in the same direction as indicated by
the arrows 2229, 2329 in FIGS. 22 and 23. If it were desirable to
have the fingers 2416 move in different directions the arrangement
of ribs 2424 shown in FIG. 24 can be utilized.
[0184] It is to be understood that the specific illustration of the
cleaning/treating element is merely for exemplary purposes. The
invention can be practiced with various combinations of the same or
different cleaning/treating element configurations (such as stapled
or in-molded technology bristles, etc.) and/or with the same
bristle or cleaning/treating element materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while
FIG. 18 illustrates the cleaning/treating elements to be generally
perpendicular to head 1814, some or all of the cleaning/treating
elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer
surface of head 1814. It is thereby possible to select the
combination of cleaning/treating 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. This
technology may also be used in manually powered toothbrushes.
[0185] Referring to FIGS. 32 and 33, an exemplary toothbrush
including a head plate according to the invention is illustrated
and generally indicated at 3200. Toothbrush 3200 includes a handle
3202 at a proximal end thereof, and a brush section 3204 that is
defined by a neck 3210 that terminates in a head 3220 at a distal
end of toothbrush 3200. Handle 3202 has a free proximal end 3208
and an opposite neck end 3206. Neck 3210 generally includes a first
end 3214 and a second end 3216 with first end 3214 being located at
neck end 3206 of handle 3202 and the second end 3216 being located
at head 3220. In other words, neck 3210 is the portion of
toothbrush 3200 that extends between handle 3202 and head 3220.
Head 3220 is preferably generally aligned with the longitudinal
axis x-x of toothbrush 3200.
[0186] Neck 3210 and handle 3202 may be constructed as a unitary
member by forming neck 3210 integral to handle 3202 at neck end
3206 of handle 3202, or may be formed detachable from handle 3202
at the neck end 3206. In accordance with this detachable
embodiment, the combined neck 3210 and head 3220 can be removed
from handle 3202 to permit cleaning, servicing and/or interchanging
of either handle 3202 or the combined neck 3210 and head 3220
(brush section 3204). When neck 3210 is formed to be detachable
from handle 3202, first neck end 3214 preferably includes a
connector linkage (not shown) detachably joined to handle 3202
using traditional techniques. It will also be appreciated that the
point of detachment may be between head 3220 and neck 3210 such
that head 3220 is of a refill head type.
[0187] It will further be appreciated that the illustrated shapes
of handle 3202 and neck 3210 are merely exemplary in nature and
handle 3202 and/or neck 3210 can be formed to have any number of
shapes. Preferably, the shapes of handle 3202 and neck 3210 are
ergonomically pleasing to a user of toothbrush 3200 and provide a
toothbrush that is easily gripped and held and easily manipulated
by a user. For example, handle 3202 may include a slightly recessed
finger section 3218 which is formed on handle 3202. The recessed
finger section 3218 is designed to receive the thumb of one hand to
thereby assist a user in proper placement of toothbrush 3200 in a
user's hand. Recessed finger section 3218 may include ribs or
another type of roughened surface to assist a user in gripping
toothbrush 3200 at recessed finger sections 3218. Of course other
patterns for providing recessed finger sections may be
employed.
[0188] The head plate for the bristles is formed with a solid
perimeter and defines a field of variously shaped and sized holes
within this perimeter. Fibers that are to form the tufts are then
placed in the holes in the field of the head plate, and the backs
of the tufts are melted together to fix their position relative to
one another.
[0189] The tufted head plate is then inserted into a predefined
receiving portion of the head portion of a toothbrush handle and is
sonically welded into place. The brush is then end rounded and
packaged for sale as a traditional toothbrush.
[0190] As is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 of the present invention, a
head plate 3250 is provided, and is fixed to head 3220 of
toothbrush 3200, preferably by sonic welding, although any other
appropriate attachment technique may be employed. Head plate 3250
is fanned of at least two materials. A first rigid material is used
to form the perimeter portion 3252 of the head plate. Such a
material, such as for example polypropylene, is easily sonically
welded. A tuft field 3254 is formed of a flexible elastomer
(preferably having a hardness of 90 Shore A or less).
[0191] A process known as "Anchor Free Tufting" (AFT) is used in
the formation of head 3250. In such an AFT process, head plate 3250
is used for holding toothbrush bristles in their proper
orientation. When the bristles are placed in their proper
orientation through the corresponding holes in the head plate 3250,
the head plate 3250 is placed in the head plate cavity formed in
the front face of the head section 3204 of the brush, and for
insertion into a toothbrush.
[0192] As is best shown in FIG. 32, head plate 3250 is formed with
a solid perimeter and defines a field of variously shaped and sized
apertures or holes 3256 within the flexible elastomer tuft field
3254. Fibers that are to form one or more bristle tufts 3258 are
then placed in the holes in field 3254 of head plate 3250, and the
backs of tufts 3258 are melted together to fix their position
relative to one another. Thus, such a head plate is able to flex,
thereby allowing the tuft field and bristles to move under normal
brushing conditions, while providing a perimeter of structural
rigidity that is able to be sonically welded. Therefore, the head
plate and bristles move or flex under the pressure of normal
brushing. While bristles 3258 are shown, elastomeric members may
also be used in place of these 31 tufts. Furthermore, while a
particular tuft field pattern is shown, any desirable tuft field
pattern may be employed. Furthermore, the bristle material need not
be the same for all of the tufts, and indeed varying materials for
performance color or indication of life remaining in the brush
head, may be used exclusively, or in combination as desired.
[0193] FIG. 34 illustrates a toothbrush 3410 which could be of
generally typical structure in the sense of having a handle 3412 at
one end connected to a cleaning head 3414 which has an outer
surface 3416 from which a plurality of cleaning/treating elements
extend.
[0194] In a preferred embodiment, toothbrush 3410 includes a
mechanical vibratory device as described above (not shown in FIG.
34) which causes the cleaning head to vibrate. The mechanical
vibratory device is preferably located in the head or in a region
adjacent to the cleaning head and operatively connected to an
electric power source.
[0195] In accordance with this invention the cleaning head 3414, as
shown in FIG. 35, may include a peripheral frame 3518. A resilient
membrane 3520 is secured across frame 3518 so that membrane 3520 is
free to move in a direction toward and away from the outer surface
3416. The membrane 3520 could be recessed below outer surface 3416
or could be flush with the outer surface. Because membrane 3416 is
mounted across frame 3418 when pressure is applied to membrane 3520
the membrane would move in a direction away from the outer surface
3416 and would return in the opposite direction upon release or
diminution of pressure.
[0196] Head 3414 may be completely open in the area of frame 3518,
except for membrane 3520, or may include a rear wall spanning the
frame and spaced from membrane 3520 to permit inward movement of
membrane 3520.
[0197] An embodiment of the present invention is preferably
directed toward making use of the movement that results from
resilient membrane 3520 in combination with various specialized
types of cleaning/treating elements, particularly such elements
wherein some of the elements have physical characteristics which
differ from other of the elements so that an enhanced cleaning or
treatment results from the combination of the actual
cleaning/treating elements performing their specialized functions
and the movement of the resilient or flexible membrane 3520.
Membrane 3520 may be considered as defining a cleaning field in
which the various cleaning/treating elements are located.
[0198] FIG. 34 illustrates some examples of cleaning/treating
elements wherein the various elements are in the form of different
types of bristles. The bristle pattern of FIG. 34 is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,643,886 to Moskovich et al. filed on Feb. 21, 2001,
which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. As
illustrated, the cleaning/treating elements include angled bristles
3422, 3424 which may also be arranged to crisscross each other.
Other bristles could include generally straight or inclined
bristles having slanted or pointed ends, respectively, and other
straight bristles 3428 having flat ends. The slanted end bristles
3426 have their outer surface taper from one side to another, while
the pointed portion of the bristles 3430 is located at the center
of the bristles. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 38 the various
combinations of bristles could also result in multi-level
bristles.
[0199] The bristles could be secured to membrane 3520 in any
suitable manner such as by anchor-free tufting or by any other
conventional techniques. Instead of having individual tufts of
bristles the bristles could be located closely together to form an
elongated bristle wall 3832 such as shown in FIG. 38. Such bristle
wall 3832 could be included on the same cleaning field as various
of the previously described tufts of bristles. The wall 3832 could
be straight, curved, sinusoidal or of any desired shape.
[0200] The invention may be practiced where the cleaning/treating
elements are elastomeric elements rather than tufts of bristles of
FIGS. 34 and 38 made of nylon fiber or the like. It is also
contemplated that the invention may be practiced where the
cleaning/treating elements include a combination of bristle
elements and non-bristle elements. The non-bristle elements
include, for example, a tongue-cleaning structure, elastomeric
fingers, elastomeric walls and prophy cups. As noted above, this
kind of head could be used as a manual or powered toothbrush.
[0201] FIGS. 36-37 show some examples of the incorporation of
elastomeric cleaning/treating elements. As shown in FIG. 36 a
plurality of rubber or elastomeric fingers 3634 are mounted to
membrane 3520. The fingers could be of any suitable size and shape
such as being oval at their base and tapering uniformly inwardly
toward their free end to generally end in a point or narrow line
type structure at their free end. The size of the individual
elastomeric fingers 3634 could vary as illustrated in FIG. 36. FIG.
37 shows other forms of elastomeric cleaning/treating elements.
Such other forms include prophy cups 3736, elastomeric walls 3738
and elastomeric fingers 3740 which would be conically shaped to
function as massage elements. The elastomeric walls could be
straight, arcuate, sinusoidal or of any other desired shape. The
size and number and location of these elastomeric elements could
vary. FIG. 37 also shows the combination of elastomeric elements
and bristles. As shown therein, various tufts of bristles 3742 are
located in a ring-like pattern around a central portion of bristles
3744. It is to be understood that any combination of the bristles
and/or elastomeric elements mounted to membrane 3520 could be used
within the spirit of this invention. Similarly, as illustrated in
FIG. 39, the frame 3518 of head 3414 could be of sufficient size so
as to accommodate cleaning/treating elements such as spaced tufts
of bristles 3946 secured directly to the rigid material such as
conventionally used in the toothbrush head and handle. These fixed
cleaning/treating elements 3946 would be in combination with the
movable elements on the cleaning field formed by membrane 3520. As
previously noted, any of the disclosed heads could be used in
manual or powered toothbrushes.
[0202] The toothbrush and particularly the cleaning head 3414 could
also be provided with various forms of structure to achieve tongue
cleaning. Thus, FIG. 38 illustrates tongue cleaning structure 3548
at the backside of head 3414 while FIG. 39 illustrates the tongue
cleaning structure 3950 at the tip of cleaning head 2414 remote
from the handle. The tongue cleaning structure could be stiff or
flexible fingers or walls, made from a suitable elastomeric
material. The various cleaning/treating elements could also be
located to provide for interproximal cleaning. Further, any of the
tongue cleansers disclosed herein can be used on any of the heads,
in conjunction with manual or powered toothbrushes, or used as a
separate oral care implement.
[0203] In the preferred practice of the invention the resilient
membrane 3520 has mounted to it a plurality of various types of
cleaning/treating elements with different physical characteristics.
Such physical characteristics could be of the types previously
described with regard to size, shape and structure of the
cleaning/treating elements or could be the result of different
internal characteristics such as differing degrees of
stiffness.
[0204] The present invention thus makes it possible to select the
combination of cleaning/treating element configurations, materials
and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver
additional oral health benefits such as enhanced cleaning, tooth
polishing, tooth whitening and/or the massaging of gums. These
results are enhanced by mounting the various cleaning/treating
elements on the resilient cleaning field so that in addition to the
benefits from the specific physical characteristics of the
individual cleaning/treating elements there is also a movement
imparted to the cleaning/treating elements when pressure is applied
to the elements such as by contacting the teeth thereby causing the
resilient membrane to move in response to the pressure.
[0205] Referring now to FIG. 40 of the drawings, a toothbrush 4010
of this invention includes a body formed of an elongated member
with a head 4012 on one end and a handle 4014 on the other. The
handle 4014 may be conventional in shape. The head 4012 has a
flattened bristle mounting surface or face 4016, from which extend
a plurality of bristles having proximal ends attached to the face
4016 and distal ends extending outwardly from the head 4012. As
seen in FIG. 40, there are two types of bristle groups, the first
type being peripheral bristle tufts 4018, located about the
periphery of the head 4012. These peripheral bristle tufts 4018 are
generally symmetrical in cross-section, i.e. circular, square, or,
if oval or rectangular, having a larger cross-sectional dimension
less than about 1.3 times the shorter cross-sectional dimension.
Further, these peripheral bristle tufts 4018 have a cross-sectional
diameter or larger dimension of from about 1.0 mm to about 2.0 mm,
preferably from 1.4 mm to about 1.9 mm, and more preferably from
about 1.5 mm to about 1.7 mm. The second type of bristle group
shown are bristle bars 4020, which are generally elongated in shape
and which are located adjacent to the peripheral bristle tufts 4018
and internal to the head 4012 of the peripheral bristle tufts 4018.
Bristle bars 4020 have a cross-sectional length of at least 2.5 mm,
preferably at least 3.0 mm and more preferably at least 4 mm. The
bristle bars may also be formed as elastomeric walls of rubber or
other elastomeric material (e.g., SEBS).
[0206] In a preferred embodiment, toothbrush 4010 includes a
mechanical vibratory device as described above (not shown in FIG.
40) which causes the head to vibrate. The mechanical vibratory
device is located in the head or in a region adjacent to the head
and operatively connected to an electric power source. The bristle
tufts and bristle bars are moved by the mechanical vibratory device
and/or independently of the mechanical vibratory device in a manner
so as to provide an enhanced scrubbing action of the teeth and
gums. Nevertheless, the head could be driven by other means or used
as a manual brush.
[0207] As illustrated in FIGS. 40 and 41 the bristle bars 4020 of
the present invention can be shaped in a variety of geometric
forms, such as substantially parallelepipeds; or alternately having
curved foot-prints to conform to the curvature of the toothbrush
head 4012; or combinations thereof. The peripheral bristle tufts
4018 can preferably be taller, i.e., in height from the face 4016,
than the bristle bars 4020 or any other bristle tufts on the
toothbrush. Peripheral bristle tufts 4018 having such extra height
over any other bristle tufts within the head 4012 will penetrate
into the interproximal areas between teeth for enhanced cleaning
therein without interference by such other shorter bristle tufts.
It is preferred that the peripheral bristle tufts are from about
9.0 mm to about 13.0 mm in height about the face 4016 of the
toothbrush, preferably from about 11 mm to about 12 mm in height.
Further, the bristle bars 4020 are preferably at least about 50% to
about 85% of the height of the peripheral bristle tufts 4018, so as
to provide the desired support to the peripheral bristle tufts
4018.
[0208] U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,275 to Volpenhein discloses that in
addition to the stiffness characteristics of the bristles, the more
tightly bristles are packed together in tufts, the more additional
support they will lend each other to enhance their overall
stiffness and cleaning ability. Volpenhein further discloses as a
measure of this effect a Buttress Factor defined as the
cross-sectional area taken up by the bristles divided by the total
cross sectional area of the tuft at its base, i.e., from 0 to 1.
The higher the Buttress Factor, the greater the stiffness and
cleaning ability of the bristles. While Volpenhein discloses
toothbrushes having Buttress Factors of from 0.8 to 0.96, the
bristle tufts 4018 and bristle bars 4020 in the present invention
surprisingly only require a Buttress Factor of from about 0.6 to
about 0.75. Preferably the Buttress Factor of both the bristle
tufts 4018 and the bristle bars 4020 of the present invention is
from about 0.65 to about 0.7, and most preferably about 0.68. This
Buttress Factor range is further advantageous in equating closely
with DuPont Polymers recommended optimum bristle wear performance
packing factor range of 0.63 to 0.74, defined similarly as filament
cross-sectional area divided by tuft hole opening. See, DuPont
Polymers, Wilmington, Del. 19898 publication Z-1737.
[0209] As shown in FIGS. 41, 42 and 43 the bristle bars 4020 may
generally have rectangular, curved, or oval foot-prints. The
general shape of the bristle bars 4020 is not critical, so long as
the bristle bars are of sufficient dimension to provide the
adjacent peripheral tufts support during tooth brushing.
Considering the simultaneous brushing movement of toothbrushes from
the front to the rear of the mouth and up and down; the bristle
bars 4020 are preferably of such a length and such a spacing from
the peripheral bristle tufts 4018, to provide support to each
adjacent peripheral bristle tuft 4018 when the adjacent peripheral
bristle tuft is deflected toward the particular bristle bar 4020 at
any angle up to 20 degrees from the perpendicular therebetween,
preferably up to 30 degrees, more preferably up to 40 degrees and
most preferably up to 50 degrees or more.
[0210] The width of the bristle bars 4020, shown as dimension "a"
in FIG. 40, is preferably at least about "1.0 mm, more preferably
at least about 1.5 mm. Further, the narrowest transverse space
between each peripheral tuft 4018 and the supporting bristle bar
4020 therefore, are preferably not greater than about 1.5 mm, more
preferably not greater than 1.0 mm and most preferably not greater
than about 0.7 mm.
[0211] Referring again to FIGS. 40 and 41, it can be seen that in
each figure a transverse opening is provided between the bristle
tufts 4018 and extending through the bristle bars 4020, toward the
center of the head 4012; this opening being located middle way up
the head 4012. This opening may be provided to enhance the users
ability to clean the toothbrush of toothpaste and debris
accumulated during brushing, by providing a clear channel for rinse
water to the interior" of the head 4012. Alternatively, additional
openings can be provided as is illustrated in FIG. 42, to further
enhance the ease of cleaning.
[0212] Another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated
in FIG. 43, has a head 4012 having extending from its face 4016 the
same peripheral tufts 4018 and adjacent bristle bars 4020 internal
thereto as the afore-described embodiment; however, in addition to
these sets of bristle tufts 4018 and bars 4020, there is a set of
additional bristle bars 4022 located central to the head ("central
bristle bars"). These central bristle bars, illustrated as wedges
in FIG. 43, provide not only additional bristle area for cleaning,
but also, enhanced support for the now intermediate within the head
located bristle bars 4020, to enhance the overall stiffness and
cleaning ability of the toothbrush 4010. These central bristle bars
4022 play have cross-sections other than wedges, such as ovals, egg
shapes, or rectangular.
[0213] An alternative embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 44 is similar to the embodiment disclosed above for FIGS. 40
and 41, except the central bristle bars 4322 can be replaced by a
plurality of central bristle tufts 4424, similar to the individual,
peripheral bristle tufts 4018. The height of any such central
bristle tufts 4024 above the brush face 4016 can be equal to or
less than that of the now intermediate within the head located
bristle bars 4020.
[0214] FIGS. 45 and 52 show additional embodiments of the invention
that are discussed in terms of a toothbrush. For example,
toothbrush 4500 is shown as one embodiment in FIG. 45, and
toothbrush 5000 as an alternative embodiment in FIG. 52.
Nevertheless, the invention could be used in other oral care
implements including simply a tissue cleansing implement. They also
could be as powered brushes.
[0215] As seen in FIGS. 45-51, an oral care implement in the form
of a toothbrush 4500 includes a handle 4503 and a head 4505 which
may be used for cleaning the teeth and soft tissue in the mouth,
such as the tongue, interior surfaces of the cheeks, lips or the
gums. Handle 4503 is provided for the user to readily grip and
manipulate the toothbrush, and may be formed of many different
shapes and constructions. While the head is normally widened
relative to the neck of the handle, it could in some constructions
simply be a continuous extension or narrowing of the handle. In one
construction, head 4505 has a first face 4506 that supports tooth
cleaning elements 4507 (FIGS. 49 and 51) and a second face 4508
that supports a tissue cleanser 4800 (FIGS. 46 and 47). The first
and second faces 4506, 4508 are preferably on opposite sides of
head 4505. Nevertheless, tissue cleanser 4800 may be mounted
elsewhere, such as at the proximal end 4504 of handle 4503. The
tissue cleanser 4800 or portions of it may also be located on the
peripheral sidewall surface 4501 of head 4505 or extend farther
towards the proximate end 4504 of handle 4503 than illustrated.
[0216] The elastomeric material of tissue cleanser 4800 may be any
biocompatible resilient material suitable for uses in an oral
hygiene apparatus. To provide optimum comfort as well as cleaning
benefits, the elastomeric material preferably has a hardness
property in the range of A8 to A35 Shore hardness. As an example,
one preferred elastomeric material is
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, SEBS material from
other manufacturers or other materials within and outside the noted
hardness range could be used.
[0217] Tissue cleanser 4800 is preferably configured with a
multiplicity of tissue engaging elements 4803 (FIGS. 45-48), which
in a preferred construction are formed as nubs. Alternative nub
constructions 5002, as discussed below, are also illustrated in
alternative constructions in FIGS. 52-56. As used herein a "nub" is
generally meant to include a column-like protrusion (without
limitation to the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion) which is
upstanding from a base surface. In a general sense, the nub, in a
preferred construction, has a height that is greater than the width
at the base of the nub (as measured in the longest direction).
Nevertheless, nubs could include projections wherein the widths and
heights are roughly the same or wherein the heights are somewhat
smaller than the base widths. Moreover, in some circumstances
(e.g., where the nub tapers to a tip or includes a base portion
that narrows to a smaller projection), the base width can be
substantially larger than the height.
[0218] Such tissue engaging elements 4803 are designed to
significantly reduce a major source of bad breath in people and
improve hygiene. Nubs 4803 enable removal of microflora and other
debris from the tongue and other soft tissue surfaces within the
mouth. The tongue, in particular, is prone to develop bacterial
coatings that are known to harbor organisms and debris that can
contribute to bad breath. This microflora can be found in the
recesses between the papillae on most of the tongue's upper surface
as well as along other soft tissue surfaces in the mouth. When
engaged or otherwise pulled against a tongue surface, for example,
nubs 4803 of elastomeric tissue cleanser 4800 provide for gentle
engagement with the soft tissue while reaching downward into the
recesses of adjacent papillae of the tongue. The elastomeric
construction of tissue cleanser 4800 also enables the base surface
4801 to follow the natural contours of the oral tissue surfaces,
such as the tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums of a user. Moreover, the
soft nubs 4803 are able to flex as needed to traverse and clean the
soft tissue surfaces in the mouth along which it is moved.
[0219] As seen in FIGS. 46 and 48, in one preferred arrangement of
tissue cleanser 4800, nubs 4803 are preferably conically shaped. As
used herein, "conically shaped" or "conical" is meant to include
true cones, frusto-conically shaped elements, and other shapes that
taper to a narrow end and thereby resemble a cone irrespective of
whether they are uniform, continuous in their taper, or have
rounded cross-sections. With reference to FIG. 48, the base portion
4805 of each conically shaped tissue engaging element 4803 is
larger than the corresponding tip portion 4807. In this conically
shaped configuration, the base portion 4805 has a wider
cross-sectional area to provide effective shear strength to
withstand the lateral movement of the tissue cleanser 4800 along
the surface of the tongue or other soft tissue surface. The smaller
width or diameter of the tip portion 4807 in conjunction with the
length of the conically shaped nub 4803 enable the nubs to sweep
into the recesses of the tongue and other surfaces to clean the
microbial deposits and other debris from the soft tissue surfaces.
In the preferred construction, nubs 4803 are able to flex and bend
from their respective vertical axes as lateral pressure is applied
during use. This flexing enhances the comfort and cleaning of the
soft tissue surfaces. In a preferred construction, the thickness or
width of the base of the nub in 0.64 mm, and preferably within the
range from about 0.51 mm to about 2.00 mm. Tip 4807 of the nubs is
0.127 mm and preferably within a range from about 0.10 mm to about
0.75 mm for optimal penetration between the recesses of papillae of
a user's tongue. The length or height of nubs 303, as measured from
base surface 301 to tip 307, is preferably 0.91 mm and preferably
within range from about 0.5 mm to about 2.5 mm, and most preferably
range between 0.75 mm to 1.5 mm. Nevertheless, nubs of other sizes
and shapes outside the given ranges can be used.
[0220] Alternatively, the tissue cleaning elements 4803 may have
other shapes. As one example, the tissue cleanser may have a grated
form such as described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/601,106, incorporated herein by reference.
[0221] In a preferred construction, nubs 4803 are disposed on the
base surface 4801 of tissue cleanser 4800 in a high density
pattern. Each nub 4803 is preferably spaced apart from adjacent
nubs 4803 between a range of about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm; more
preferably the spacing ranges between 0.7 mm to 2.5 mm, and most
preferably between 1 mm to 2 mm. Nevertheless, other spacing ranges
are possible. The surface density of the nubs 4803 on base surface
4801 ranges preferably from about 100 to about 600 nubs per square
inch. In a more preferred construction of the tissue cleanser, the
surface density may range from 200 to 500 nubs per square inch, and
most preferably between 300 to 450 nubs per square inch. In one
preferred example, tissue cleanser 300 includes about 400 nubs per
square inch of surface area. The surface density features in
conjunction with the height of the nubs 4803 enables the tissue
cleanser to provide enhanced cleaning of the soft tissue surfaces
with improved comfort. Nonetheless, other surface densities are
possible.
[0222] As seen in FIG. 47, nubs 4803 are preferably disposed in
longitudinal rows in a direction generally parallel to the
longitudinal axis a-a. Further, nubs 4803 are disposed in
transverse rows R1, R2 on an axis parallel to base surface 4801 and
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis a-a. In one
preferred construction, adjacent nubs 4803 are provided on the base
surface 4801 in a staggered arrangement. For example, adjacent
transverse rows of nubs R1 and R2 have nubs 4803 that are not
directly behind each other. A first nub is said herein to be
"directly behind" second nub when it is located within the lateral
bounds of the second nub extending in a longitudinal direction.
This configuration enables improved cleaning of the soft tissue
surfaces by facilitating the removal of microflora and other
debris, and especially from the recesses of adjacent papillae of
the tongue. Nonetheless, the nubs could be arranged randomly or in
a myriad of different patterns.
[0223] Tongue cleanser 4800 is preferably formed by being molded to
head 4505, although other manufacturing processes could be used.
With reference to FIGS. 45 and 47, tissue cleanser 4800 is
preferably molded within a basin or a receiving cavity 4511 in face
4508 of head 4505. The receiving cavity 4511 has a lower base
surface 4513 and a peripheral sidewall 4515 extending away from the
lower base surface 4513. In one mounting arrangement, nubs 4803 of
the tissue cleanser 4800 are exposed for use with the base surface
of the tissue cleanser 4800 being flush or recessed relative to the
surface 4514 of the head. Nevertheless, other orientations are
possible. Also, base surface 4801 of the tissue cleanser could be
embedded in head 4505 or covered by another layer with nubs 4803
projecting through appropriate openings.
[0224] As can be seen in FIGS. 45 and 47, face 4508 also preferably
includes one or more peg members 4517a-c disposed within basin
4511. Peg members 4517 form anchor points against the opposing mold
to prevent the head from moving under the pressure of the injection
molding. As a result, tissue cleanser 4800 preferably includes one
or more complementary apertures 4811a-c which exposes the tops of
peg members 4517a-c. Although, the pegs are illustrated in
alignment along the centerline of the head (e.g., longitudinal axis
a-a), the pegs could have many different positions. Further, the
pegs and basin are preferably both included with head 4505, but
either could be used without the other.
[0225] Alternatively, basin 4511 and peg members 4517a-c may be
provided to position and hold a previously molded tissue cleanser,
although these constructions are not necessary to use such a
previously molded tissue cleanser.
[0226] Peg members 4517a-c may take on a variety of shapes and
lengths. With continued reference to the FIGS. 45 and 47, head 4505
includes peg members 4517a-c extending away from the lower base
surface 4513 of basin 4511 to the height of the peripheral sidewall
4515. The peg members 4517a-c are shaped in the form of a cylinder,
but other shapes and lengths of the peg members 4517a-c are
possible. While the molding process would preferably bond the
tissue cleanser to the head, the tissue cleanser could be performed
and attached by adhesive or other known means.
[0227] As shown in FIGS. 45-47, tissue cleanser 4800 is preferably
formed as a pad composed of a soft and pliable elastomeric material
for comfortable cleaning and effective removal of bacteria and
debris disposed on the surface of the tongue, other soft tissue in
the mouth and even along the lips. The tissue cleanser 4800 also
provides effective massaging, stimulation and removal of bacteria,
debris and epithelial cells from the surfaces of the tongue,
cheeks, gums or lips.
[0228] In the construction of FIGS. 45-51, tissue cleansers 4800
may rub against the inside surfaces of the cheeks or lips, and on
the sides of the tongue while the user brushes his or her teeth,
and thus provide a desired massaging, stimulation and cleaning of
various soft tissue surfaces within the mouth. For example, during
brushing of the facial tooth surfaces, tissue cleanser 4800 is
disposed on the outer face 4508 of head 4505 to naturally rub
against the oral surfaces of the cheek. As a result, enhanced
cleaning is attained without additional cleaning steps. Further,
some users may sense a stimulating tingle on the cheek surfaces
that leads to a positive user reaction, and even enjoyment of the
comfortable feel of the tissue cleanser along the soft tissues
surfaces in the mouth. Tissue cleanser 4800 may also be
additionally rubbed on the cheeks, tongue, etc., as desired for
further cleaning aside from the contact that may occur while
brushing the teeth.
[0229] Referring to FIGS. 49 and 50, the tooth cleaning elements
4507 of head 4505 may include a variety of tooth cleaning elements
which can be used for wiping, cleaning and massaging the user's
teeth and gums. Any suitable form of tooth cleaning elements may be
used. The term "tooth cleaning elements" is used in a generic sense
which refers to filament bristles or elastomeric fingers or walls
that have any desirable shape. In the illustrated example of FIG.
49, tooth cleaning elements 4507 include distal tooth cleaning
elements 4603a-b disposed at a distal tip 4521 of head 4505,
peripheral tooth cleaning elements 4605a-1, longitudinal tooth
cleaning elements 4607a-c disposed along longitudinal axis a-a,
arcuate tooth cleaning elements 4609a-d and 4611a-b, and proximal
cleaning elements 4613a,b. Tooth cleaning elements 4605, 4607, 4611
and 4613 are preferably provided as tufts of bristles whereas tooth
cleaning elements 4609 are preferably formed as elastomeric walls.
Nevertheless, other forms and types of tooth cleaning elements may
be used.
[0230] FIG. 51 illustrates a sectional view of an alternative
arrangement of a head 4900 of a toothbrush. Head 4900 is similar in
construction to head 4505, except that tooth cleaning elements
4609a-d are integrally formed with tissue cleanser 4800. To
accomplish the alternative construction, head 4900 has
appropriately sized ports or openings 4901 to allow the elastomeric
material to flow through the head during an injection molding
process. In this construction, tooth cleaning elements 4609a-d and
tissue cleaner 4800 are formed with the same elastomeric material.
Thus, head 4900 may include at least one elastomeric tooth cleaning
element formed as a unitary member with tissue cleanser 4800.
[0231] In FIG. 52, toothbrush 5000 includes a plurality of nubs or
other projections 5002 protruding from a back side 5004 of head
5006 as a cleanser 5008 of soft tissue in the mouth. Teeth cleaning
elements 5016 preferably extend from a front side 5005 of head
5006. The projections 5002 are preferably arranged seriatim along
at least one narrow base or pad in the form of a strip 5010 fixed
to the head 5006. In the illustrated example, a plurality of
generally parallel strips 5010a, 5010b, 5010c, 5010d are fixed in a
generally concave shape facing away from the handle. In this one
construction, the strips extend along back side 5004 of head 5006
and each sidewall 5011, although extensions along the sidewalls are
not necessary. Any number of strips could be included. The strips
could define virtually any shape or orientation on the head. For
example, strips 5010 could have any of the shapes disclosed for the
ridges in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/989,267,
filed Nov. 17, 2004, entitled "Oral Care Implement" and having an
attorney docket no. 006427.00131, which is incorporated herein by
reference. In the illustrated construction, strips 5010 are
interconnected by an axial stem 5012 which extends into the handle
and forms a part of the grip for the user. Further, this handle
extension or even the stem is of course not necessary.
[0232] In one construction, each projection 5002 is generally
columnar and formed with a width W of about 1.1 mm and a height H
of about 1.7 mm (FIG. 53). The projections are spaced apart from
each other along strip 5010 a distance of about 1.0 mm. These
height, width and spacing dimensions could, however, vary widely.
In the illustrated embodiment, projections 5002 each includes a
peripheral wall 5013 protruding outward from base 5010, and an
inclined distal end surface 5014 at an angle of about 50 degrees to
side surface 5004 of head 5006. The inclined end surface 5014
defines a narrow top edge 5016 along a portion of peripheral wall
5013, which is advantageous for cleansing the tongue and other soft
tissue. Although the end surfaces 5014 are shown to be inclined in
the same direction, they could be inclined in different
directions.
[0233] In an alternative construction (FIG. 57), head 5006 is
additionally formed with at least one elongate ridge 5025. With
this arrangement, the user is provided with a cleanser that obtains
a beneficial dual cleaning effect by moving the discrete
projections 5002 and the ridge 5025 across the tongue or other
tissue. In the illustrated example, ridge 5025 is a curved,
elongate projection protruding generally outward along the outer
edge of the remote end 5027 of the head. Nevertheless, other
arrangements, locations and shapes are possible. Additional ridges
could also be provided. In one preferred construction, ridge 5025
is molded as one-piece with the head and formed of a relatively
hard plastic such as polypropylene. The ridge, however, could be
formed separately from the head and/or composed of other materials
that are compatible for oral care implements.
[0234] In one construction, ridge 5025 is, as noted above, formed
of a relatively hard material (e.g., polypropylene), while
projections 5002 are formed of a relatively soft material (e.g., a
thermoplastic elastomer). This use of dual materials enables the
benefits of both materials to be gained. The cleanser includes the
firm engagement of the relatively hard scraper blade in ridge 5025
and the relatively soft discrete projections that flex and turn as
they dig into the tongue or other tissue.
[0235] As seen in FIGS. 57 and 58, ridge 5025 is defined by a pair
of opposite sidewalls 5033, 5034 which meet to form a scraper edge
5035. While edge 5035 is relatively narrow in this construction, it
could be substantially widened. In one embodiment, sidewalls 5033,
5034 are formed with different slopes relative to side 5004 of head
5006, though they could have the same slope. In one preferred
construction, sidewall 5033 is formed with a steeper slope than
sidewall 5034 to define a more aggressive scraping action as the
head is pulled across the tongue by the user. The shallower slope
of sidewall 5034 facing generally away from the handle, makes the
ridge less prone to pushing the tongue biofilm farther back in the
throat as the ridge is pushed back toward the throat. In a
preferred embodiment, sidewall 5033 is oriented at an angle .alpha.
of 62 degrees relative to side 5004, whereas sidewall 5034 is
oriented at an angle .beta. of 43 degrees. Other angles could also
be used for both sidewalls.
[0236] In another alternative construction (FIG. 54), each
projection 5002a is provided with an end surface 5014a having two
inclined end face portions 5015a, 5017a and a top edge 5016a. As
with ridge 5025, end face portion 5015a, generally facing toward
the handle, is preferably inclined at a steeper angle relative to
side 5004a than end face portion 5017a, although other arrangements
including end face portions having the same inclination can be
used. As one example, end face portion 5015a is oriented at an
angle .alpha. of 62 degrees relative to side 5004a, and end face
portion 5017a is oriented at an angle .beta. of 43 degrees. The
steeper angle of end face portion 5015a provides a more aggressive
scraping action as the head is dragged out of the mouth. The
shallower angle of end surface 5017a makes the projection less
prone to pushing the tongue biofilm farther back in the throat.
[0237] Of course, other projections can be used. For example, each
projection could include a non-inclined distal end or an end that
tapers to a pointed tip. The projections could have a wide variety
of shapes beyond the cylindrical shape shown in FIG. 52. For
example, the projections could have a conical shape, irregular
cross sections, or be inclined to the back side 5004. Moreover, the
projections may also be ridge shaped to extend entirely or
partially along the length of strip 5010.
[0238] In a preferred construction, projections 5002 and strip 5010
are formed as a one piece member molded or otherwise secured to
head 5006. The projections and strip are preferably formed as a
one-piece member of a resilient thermoplastic elastomer such as
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation, but could be composed of other
resilient materials, hard materials, or a combination of materials
such as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/011,605,
filed Dec. 15, 2004, entitled Oral Care Implement and having
attorney docket no. 006427.00132, incorporated herein by reference.
The projections and strips could also be formed of the same
substance as head 5006 (e.g., polypropylene), but have a different
color or the like to define it a different material from the head
and thereby create at least a visually appealing brush.
[0239] In one construction, strips 5010 are molded to overlie a
generally planar surface 5004 of head 5006 (FIG. 53). Nevertheless,
channels 5007 could be formed in side 5004 to receive strips 5010
therein so that side 5004 and the outer surfaces 5012 of strips
5010 having projections 5002 are generally co-planar (FIG. 55).
Additionally, the strips of resilient material could be formed as
an integral part of the head construction (FIG. 56). More
specifically, in this alternative construction, the head includes a
plurality of first members 5020 joined together by a resilient
second member 5022 that acts as a living hinge to permit the first
members to move relative to each other during use of the
toothbrush. The second member also forms the base 5010c of soft
tissue cleanser 5006 provided with projections 5002. Additionally,
as discussed in regard to toothbrush 4900, projections 5002 or
5002a can be integrally formed as a one-piece member with
elastomeric tooth cleaning elements extending in an opposite
directions from the head.
[0240] The following examples are set forth as representative of
the improved operation of the present invention. These examples are
not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE 1
[0241] The performance nature of a toothbrush can be measured using
known oral malodor assessment methods. A study was conducted to
evaluate the performance of a toothbrush provided with an
elastomeric tissue cleanser having conically shaped nubs, such as
the preferred construction of toothbrush 4500 discussed above.
Human test subjects participated in the study. There was a washout
or normalization period prior to testing of about 7 days in which
the test subjects brushed twice a day with a fluoride dental cream
(see Table 1). After the washout period, the test subjects were
asked to refrain from any oral hygiene (brushing, rinsing, and
flossing), eating and drinking prior to oral testing. A baseline
volatile sulfur compound (VSC) sample was taken from each of the
test subjects. In the study for overnight odor control, the test
subjects brushed their teeth for one minute with a fluoride dental
cream (see Table 1) using toothbrush 4500 provided with the above
noted tissue cleanser 4800. Subsequently, the subjects cleaned
their tongue surface with the tissue engaging elements of the
toothbrush for ten seconds. The test subjects slept overnight and
returned for post treatment. VSC samples were taken at the ten-hour
time point from the previous day cleaning. In the illustrative
example, use of the toothbrush reduced oral VSC about 60% verses
brushing the teeth alone as measured from a baseline ten hours
after use. The VSC readings were obtained by gas
chromatography.
EXAMPLE 2
[0242] In another study of the above-noted toothbrush 4500, there
was a washout or normalization period prior to testing of about 7
days which the test subjects brushed twice a day with a fluoride
dental cream (see Table 1). The test subjects were asked to refrain
from any oral hygiene (brushing, rinsing, and flossing), eating and
drinking before testing. After the washout period, the test
subjects provided a baseline tongue bacteria sample by swabbing a
side of the back of the tongue with a sterile cotton swab. The test
subjects brushed their teeth with a fluoride dental cream (see
Table 1) for one minute with the toothbrush having the above-noted
tissue cleanser. Subsequently, the test subjects cleaned their
tongue surface with a preferred construction of the tissue engaging
elements 4800 of the toothbrush 4500 for ten seconds. Two hours
after the cleaning of the tongue surface, a tongue bacteria sample
was taken from a side of the back of the tongue with a cotton swab.
In the illustrative example, use of the tissue engaging elements
controlled more odor causing tongue bacteria than simply brushing
the teeth alone. Use of the tissue cleanser 4800 demonstrated a
tongue bacteria log reduction of over 0.8 Log colony forming
units/ml two hours after use on the tongue.
EXAMPLE 3
[0243] In another study of the above-noted toothbrush, a MTT assay
was used to examine the viability of the epithelial cells collected
from the oral cavity prior to and after the use of the toothbrush
with the noted tissue cleanser. The MTT Assay was based on the
enzymatic reduction of the tetrazolium salt MTT
[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide+++]
in living, metabolically active cells. The reaction was carried out
in situ in test tubes, and the reaction product, a purple-colored
formazan soluble in dimethylsulfoxide, was measured colormetrically
using a multiwell plate reader. Advantageously, the MTT Assay
offers a high degree of precision, ease of use, and suitability for
the purpose for large scale chemosensitivity testing.
[0244] Following a 7-day washout period, the test subjects reported
to a test site without prior eating, drinking, or performing oral
hygiene. The test subjects provided salivary rinse samples by
rinsing their oral cavity with 9 ml of sterile water for 10 seconds
and then discharging the water from the rinse into a tube
containing 10.times. sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS)
solution. The samples were refrigerated for approximately 30
minutes before the MTT Assay was run. The test subjects brushed
their teeth under supervision for one minute using a fluoride
dental cream (see Table 1) followed by 10 seconds of tongue
cleaning with the tongue cleanser 4800 of the preferred
construction. Approximately 30 minutes after brushing and tongue
cleaning, the test subjects provided a rinse sample in the manner
described previously.
[0245] The pre-rinse samples and post-rinse samples were
centrifuged for 15 minutes at about 3000 RPM. The supernatant,
e.g., clear liquid, was removed and the pellet was resuspended in
2.5 mL of PBS. The samples were vortexed for 5 seconds, then 2.5 ml
of MTT Solution was added. The samples were subsequently incubated
in a gently shaking waterbath set at 37.degree. C. for 2 hours.
Following the 2 hour incubation period, the samples were
centrifuged for 15 minutes at about 3000 RPM. The supernatatant was
siphoned out and 3 mL of detergent (0.04 N Acid Isopropanol) was
added to dissolve purple crystals. An increase or decrease in MTT
conversion was spectrophotometrically quantified. From each sample,
200 .mu.l of each was added to 96 well plates and the optical
density was measured at 570 nm and compared to a negative buffer
control. In the illustrative example, one minute of brushing
followed by 10 seconds of use of the tissue cleanser reduced oral
epithelial cells about 72% as determined by a MTT assay
protocol.
EXAMPLE 4
[0246] In another study, human test subjects provided baseline VSC
samples via a Halimeter.TM. (i.e., a sulfide meter). A
Halimeter.TM. uses an electrochemical, voltammetric sensor which
generates a signal when it is exposed to VSC such as, sulfide and
mercaptan gases and measures the concentration of hydrogen sulfide
gas in parts per billion. The test subjects brushed their teeth
under supervision for one minute with the preferred construction of
a toothbrush having the above noted tissue cleanser. Then, the test
subjects used the noted toothbrush to provide six strokes on the
tongue surface. A subsequent VSC sample was taken from the test
subjects two hours after the brushing stage. In this illustrative
example, use of a toothbrush with the tissue cleanser reduced the
measured VSC in the mouth odor over 35% from a baseline measured
two hours after use.
EXAMPLE 5
[0247] In one other study, after a washout period, human test
subjects rinsed their mouths with sterile water to provide a
baseline sample for viable epithelial cell analysis with the MTT
assay. The subjects brushed their teeth under supervision for one
minute with the preferred construction of the toothbrush having the
above-noted tissue cleanser. Then, the test subjects used the
tissue cleanser to provide six strokes on the tongue surface. The
test subjects provided a post rinse sample for analysis. The
samples were tested and analyzed in the manner as discussed with
respect to Example 3. In this example, use of the toothbrush
reduced oral epithelial cells by about 92% from a baseline as
determined by MTT assay protocol.
[0248] In the above noted examples, the subjects brushed their
teeth using a fluoride dental cream with the formulation in Table
1. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 % wt. Ingredient 48.76% Dicalcium
Phosphate Dihydrate 22.0063% Water 22.00% Glycerin 4.138% SO3
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate base-29% 1.000% Sodium CMC-7MF-Food Grade
0.89% 105 Dental Cream Flavor .76% Sodium Monofluorophosphate .25%
Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate .20% Sodium Saccharin
[0249] An oral care implement in accordance with the present
invention is further illustrated in the form of a toothbrush 10
including a head 12 and a handle 14. Although discussed in terms of
a toothbrush, it is understood that the device could be in the form
of other oral care implements including simply a tissue cleansing
implement.
[0250] An oral care implement in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated in the form of a toothbrush 10 including a
head 12 and a handle 14. While FIG. 59 only illustrates the
connection of the handle to the head, the handle is preferably an
elongate member to be grasped by the user. The handle 14 could have
any known shape adapted for the manipulation needed to clean the
teeth and/or tongue of a user.
[0251] The head 12 with a pair of opposite sides 16, 17 is shown
with a generally oblong shape, although other known shapes could be
used. A plurality of teeth cleaning elements 20 extend from one
side 16 of the head 12. The teeth cleaning elements could be
bristles and/or elastomeric members of various shapes and sizes.
Any form or combination of elements 20 suitable for cleaning a
user's teeth could be used.
[0252] The other side 17 of head 12 includes at least one ridge and
preferably a plurality of elongate ridges 22 to cleanse the tongue
and other soft tissue of the mouth (e.g., the inner surfaces of the
cheeks). While the ridges are preferably formed on a head also
provided with teeth cleaning elements, they could also be formed on
other implements or other parts of the toothbrush. A head of the
implement is simply meant to be the operative portion of the
implement that is inserted into the mouth for cleaning of the
tongue, and does not refer to a particular shape or structure of
the head.
[0253] In one construction of the invention, each ridge 22 projects
orthogonally from a back surface 17a of the head and has a
generally square-like cross-sectional configuration (FIG. 60). The
ridge includes a distal end 29 remote from surface 17a that forms a
contact region 29a adapted to contact and clean the tongue or other
soft tissue in the mouth. In this embodiment, the contact region
29a is defined between and includes protruding corners or edges 25,
27. As can be appreciated, the contact region 29a has a width W
extending transverse to the extension of the ridge across surface
17a. The width W of ridge 22 is at least as large as the height H
of the ridge (i.e., the distance the ridge extends from surface
17a). With this width to height relationship, the risk of the ridge
cutting or injuring the soft tissue of the tongue or other parts of
the mouth is reduced. A narrow ridge that extends outward from head
12 a distance greater than its width has an increased risk of
cutting or otherwise injuring the user as compared to a similarly
narrow ridge (i.e., one with the same width) that extends from the
head a distance less than the width of the ridge; such a ridge will
not tend to cut or hurt the user. The tongue and other soft tissue
in the mouth will give and bend some distance around the ridge so
long as the ridge is not too tall for the width of the ridge
engaging the tissue. In one exemplary embodiment, ridges 22 have a
width W that is preferably about 0.8 mm and a height H about 0.6
mm. Nevertheless, a wide range of relative sizes are possible.
[0254] Additionally, ridge 22 also includes a base 28 where the
ridge is fixed to surface 17a. In a preferred construction, base 28
defines a width W1 that is at least as large as the height H of the
ridge. In this way, the ridges do not experience undue bending as
they are dragged over the tongue. Rather, ridges 22 are stably
supported so that they tend to remain generally in a protruding
orientation. As a result, edges 25, 27 are stably supported to dig
into recesses in the tongue to effectively remove bacteria and
debris.
[0255] Alternatively, the ridges could have other shapes. For
example, FIG. 61 illustrates ridges 22' that are substantially
wider than they are tall, i.e., base 28' and contact region 29a'
each has a width W2 that is substantially greater than the height
H2 of the ridge. In one example, the width is about twice the
distance of the height. The increased width to height ratio of
ridge 22' provides for a stiffer, smaller ridge to effectively
cleanse the tongue. Such ridges are beneficial in that they reduce
the size of the head, which is preferred by some users. A shorter,
wider ridge also further reduces the prospect of users injuring
themselves. Moreover, such ridges can be made of softer materials
without losing the desired stability.
[0256] In another example (FIG. 61a) ridge 22'' has a rounded
distal end. Accordingly, the contact region 29a'' has an arcuate,
convex surface to engage the tongue or other soft tissue. In this
example, the contact region 29a'' (i.e., the surface adapted to
engage the tongue) has a width W3 that is at least as large as the
height H3 of the ridge. In this embodiment, the base 28'' of ridge
22'' also has a width W4 that is at least as large as height H to
present a stable ridge. Of course, numerous variations may be
formed in the shape of the ridge while maintaining the benefits of
the invention.
[0257] In addition the ridges may be formed to gain only some of
the benefits of the invention. For instance, ridge 22''' can be
formed to taper to a narrowed distal end 29''' (FIG. 3b). In this
instance, contact region 29a''' has a width W5 that is less than
the height H5. However, the base 28''' of ridge 22''' has a width
W6 that is at least as large as the height to form a stable ridge
construction.
[0258] Although the illustrated ridges have all been shown to
extend generally perpendicular from surface 17a, they could be
inclined relative to surface 17a. A perpendicular extension is
preferred to provide effective cleaning regardless of whether the
tongue cleaner is pushed or pulled over the tongue. The sides 24,
26 could also be inclined, curved, angular, irregular or otherwise
shaped. Additionally, the ridges could project from a non-planar
surface. As one example, surface 17a and ridges 22 could have an
undulating configuration.
[0259] Regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the ridge, each
ridge 22 is preferably curved to define a concave side 24 facing
toward handle 14 and a convex side 26 facing in the opposite
direction. Although ridges that are continuously curved are
preferred (FIG. 59a), such concave-shaped ridges could be defined
by non-continuous ridges (FIG. 59b) or angular ridges (FIG. 59c).
Further, in one preferred construction, ridges 22 are progressively
less curved as they are formed farther from handle 14. In one
illustrated construction (FIGS. 59 and 59a), the ridges are
generally concentric to each other curving generally about a common
point near the connection of handle 14 to head 12.
[0260] In use, the user grips the handle and typically pulls the
tongue cleanser repeatedly over the tongue from back to front so
that the concave sides 24 are scraped against the tongue to
effectively gather and remove bacteria and debris on the tongue.
Alternatively, the user may also commonly move the tongue cleanser
forward and backward over the tongue. In either event, the
different curvatures of the ridges enable aligned segments of the
ridges (i.e., along lines generally parallel to longitudinal axis
30) to engage the tongue surface at different angles for effective
cleaning of the tongue. Nevertheless, the tongue cleansing ridges
can be moved over the tongue in a number of ways to clean the
tongue.
[0261] Further, other ridge constructions could be used. For
example, the oral care implement could include ridges 22a that are
reversed so that the concave sides face away from the handle (e.g.,
FIG. 62), ridges 22b, 22g, 22i, 22j, 22s with different curved
shapes (e.g., FIGS. 63, 68-70, and 78), ridges 22c, 22d, 22k and
22r that are linear (e.g., FIGS. 64, 65, 71 and 77), ridges 22e,
22l, 22m, 22n and 22o that include a mixture of curved and linear
ridges (e.g., FIGS. 66 and 72-75), or one continuous ridge member
22f, 22g forming successive ridges 22f, 22g', (e.g., FIGS. 67 and
68). The ridges could be non-concentric or curved at all the same
radius of curvature. While the ridges preferably extend
substantially across the entire side 17 of head 12, they could
extend only part way across the head. For example, ridges 22p, 22r,
22t, 22v could be provided only along the sides of surface 17a
(FIGS. 76-77 and 79-80). Ridges along the sides of head 12 could
also be used with central ridges; i.e., side ridges 22p, 22t, 22v
could be used with a central ridge(s) such as an oval or partially
oval ridge 22q, 22u, 22w (FIGS. 76, 79 and 80), any of the ridge
patterns illustrated in FIGS. 59a-c and 62-75, or another ridge
pattern. Any of the ridges could also be used with various
projections, e.g., conical projections 31 (see, e.g., FIGS. 74 and
76-80). Regardless of whether the ridge 22 each form a continuous
segment across the head (e.g., FIG. 59a) or is defined by aligned
ridge sections 22h separated by gaps 23 (e.g., FIG. 59b), they are
in this application each considered a ridge. Also, regardless of
whether successive ridges 22 are separated (e.g., FIG. 59a) or
interconnected to define a single ridge member 22f (e.g., FIG. 67),
the successive sections extending laterally across the hand are
each considered to be a ridge. Concepts of this invention can be
used in connection with ridges having virtually any shape or
orientation along surface 17a.
[0262] As shown in FIGS. 59 and 60, head 12, handle 14 and ridges
22 can be molded together as a one-piece member of the same
material, for example, polypropylene. Nonetheless, other
arrangements are possible. For example, head 12 could be detachable
from handle 14. Further, ridges 22 could be separately molded,
glued or otherwise attached to side 17 of head 12. The ridges as
well as the head and the handle could each be made from a material
different from the other parts. Soft materials, such as TPE or the
like, can be fixed to head 12 to form the ridges (see, e.g., FIGS.
76-80). The ridges could be made of virtually any known material
used to make oral care implements.
[0263] FIGS. 81-89 illustrate an oral care implement in the form of
a toothbrush 8100 having an improved handle 8103 and a head 8105
with bristles or other tooth engaging elements. While reference is
made to a toothbrush with an improved handle, other oral care
implements, such as inter-proximal picks, flossing tools, plaque
scrapers, tongue and soft tissue cleansers/massagers and the like,
may use the same handle.
[0264] Handle 8103 is provided for the user to reliably grip and
manipulate the toothbrush. Handle 8103 includes ergonomic features
which provide a high degree of control for the user while
maintaining comfort. In a preferred construction (FIGS. 81-89),
handle 8103 includes a base 8300, a grip body 8403, and a gripping
member 8407. These components cooperatively form a grip portion
8400 by which the user holds and manipulates the toothbrush. For
optimum comfort and control, grip portion 8400 includes three
segments 8111, 8113, 8115. A rear segment 8115 forms a portion that
generally fits comfortably within the palm of the user. A front
segment 8111 forms a portion that generally fits comfortably
between the user's thumb and index finger. A narrow transition
segment 8113 connects the front and rear segments 8111, 8115.
[0265] In a preferred construction, front segment 8111 is inclined
relative to rear segment 8115 to define an inclined portion
positioned for comfortable gripping and to facilitate a desired
offset positioning of the head relative to the palm gripping region
8115. The angle .theta. of the incline is preferably 23 degrees,
but may range approximately between 5-40 degrees. This feature
allows improved control of the handle during brushing in which the
head 8105 can be more desirably positioned within the mouth to
engage the tooth cleaning elements 8200 against the teeth.
[0266] In the preferred embodiment, front and rear segments 8111,
8115 are widened sections that are joined by a narrowed portion
8113 to form an undulating structure which is more reliably and
comfortably held within the user's hand. Further, this wide
construction of the palm and finger gripping regions 8111, 8115
requires less fine motor control by the user and is, hence, easier
to hold and manipulate. In addition, front segment 8111 transitions
into neck 8116 which, in turn, supports head 8105. In a preferred
embodiment, base 8300 includes a gripping region 8301 that
corresponds to grip portion 8400, the neck 8116, and the head 8105
to define an oral engaging region.
[0267] Under a normal use position, grip portion 8400 is grasped by
a user with the fingers engaging the handle 8103 so that the thumb
is on one side and the index finger and other fingers are
positioned on the opposite side. Front segment 8111 of grip portion
8400 includes grip body 8403 having opposing sides 8405, 8404
preferably for engaging the thumb and index finger of a user. Grip
portion 8400 further includes a rear segment 8115 which enables
reliable gripping of the toothbrush 8100 with the third through the
fifth fingers of the user's hand in a normal use position. While a
normal use position is discussed, the features of the toothbrush
could be employed by a user having less fingers or a user which
holds the toothbrush in other ways.
[0268] In one preferred construction, front section 8111 includes a
soft, resilient grip body 8403 fixed within aperture 8303 of base
8300. As shown in FIGS. 88 and 89, front section 8111 has the
widest transverse dimension of any other part of handle 8103. As
shown in FIGS. 81 and 84, aperture 8303 occupies more than one-half
of the transverse dimension across front section 8111 of handle
8103. Nevertheless, other constructions are possible. As an example
only, grip body 8403 may occupy a smaller portion of the transverse
dimension, such as one-third of the transverse dimension of front
section 8111. Nevertheless, the width and length of aperture 8303
may be adjusted as desired and other parts of handle 8103 may be as
wide as or wider than front segment 8111.
[0269] Referring to FIGS. 86-87, in one construction, aperture 8303
extends through base 8300 to mount grip body 8403. Aperture 8303
includes a sidewall geometry 8305 for the retaining and dynamic
positioning of the resilient grip body 8403 during use of the
toothbrush. While grip body 8403 is preferably molded into aperture
8303, it could be premolded and mounted into aperture 8303. In a
preferred construction, grip member 8403 is a soft, resilient
element formed of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which fills the
aperture 8303. To provide optimum comfort as well as control
benefits, the elastomeric material preferably has a hardness
durometer measurement ranging between A11 to A15 Shore hardness.
Nevertheless, the hardness of the elastomer could also range
between A8 to A24 Shore hardness. Other materials outside this
hardness range could also be used. As an example, one preferred
elastomeric material is styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS)
manufactured by GLS Corporation. Nevertheless, other manufacturers
can supply the SEBS material and other materials could be used.
[0270] Referring to FIGS. 81-85, resilient grip body 8403
preferably has a generally bulbous shape that bulges out of
aperture 8303 and which resembles an oval or elliptical shape. The
bulbous shape of the resilient grip body 8403 enables the user to
reliably roll and control the handle 8103 between the thumb and
index fingers during use. Grip body 8403 could also be non-bulging
or have any number of shapes, such as circular, a true oval shape
and the like.
[0271] Referring to FIGS. 86-87, aperture 8303 preferably includes
a peripheral shoulder or rim 8304 for supporting grip body 8403.
Sidewall 8305 of aperture 8303 extends between opposing outer
surfaces of base 8300 and includes inclined surfaces 8309, 8310
inside of the periphery 8306 of aperture 8303. The inclined
surfaces 8309, 8310 extend from the outer surfaces towards a
rounded edge surface 8311 which is the narrowest part of the
aperture 8303. This construction, in conjunction with the soft,
resilient nature of grip member 8403, provides a weight shifting
feature which improves control of the handle 8103 during use.
[0272] Resilient grip body 8403 further helps attenuate the
brushing force applied to the oral surfaces to prevent gum
recession, loss of tooth enamel or to provide for a more
comfortable brushing experience. When the toothbrush is used
against the oral surfaces, such as the teeth, reaction forces are
transferred to the resilient grip body 8403. The elastomeric
material dampens the forces against the head 8105 which reduces the
brush pressure applied to the teeth and soft tissue surfaces, such
as the gums. In a preferred construction, elastomeric material of
the resilient grip body 8403 is enabled to flow and shift within
aperture 8303. Net pressure applied by the user's fingers is
transferred to grip body 8403 so that the inclined surface 8309,
8310 enables the elastomeric material to flow to the narrowest
portion of the aperture. Hence, some of the elastomeric material
squeezes past rounded edge surface 8311 to the other side of the
aperture while under pressure. The shifting of the material to the
other side of the aperture causes a slight shift in the mass
centroid of the resilient member 8403 to counter balance the
brushing forces. Thus, grip body 8403 balances handle 8103 enabling
it to "float" in the hand of the user and reduce the brushing
forces applied by the head 8105.
[0273] In one preferred construction, grip body 8403 has a
multiplicity of finger grip protrusions 8411 (FIGS. 81-85). Finger
grip protrusions 8411 provide a tactile feature to increase the
friction on the user's finger surfaces and thus enhance the user's
ability to grip the handle, particularly under wet conditions.
Finger grip protrusions 8411 are preferably provided in a desired
conical or frusto-conical shape for improved grip performance. Of
course, other roughened surfaces could be used.
[0274] Referring to FIGS. 86 and 87, rear segment 8115 is
preferably formed by base 8300 and gripping member 8407. In one
preferred embodiment, base 8300 defines a relatively rigid support
structure which is at least partially overlain by an elastomeric
gripping member 407. While gripping member 8407 is shown as a
single unitary member or layer, it could be formed by separate
independent parts or sections.
[0275] Base 8300 along rear segment 8115 includes at least one
projection, and preferably a plurality of spaced projections. While
the projections could have virtually any shape, they are preferably
in the form of spaced, elongate, transverse projections or ribs
8315. In the preferred embodiment, ribs 8315 are generally parallel
with respect to each other and generally symmetrical in relation to
the longitudinal axis a-a of rear segment 8115. The projections
8315 are preferably linear and span laterally between the
longitudinal sides 8313, 8314 of handle 8103, although they may
have different transverse lengths. The transverse length of each
projection 8315 generally matches the width at the longitudinal
location along the handle 8103; although the ribs are preferably
slightly short of the actual width of handle segment 8115 at any
one location so as to be covered on the sides by gripping member
8407. Since ribs 8315 span the width of segment 8115, they each
have varying lengths due to the variations in the width of handle
segment 8115. While nine projections are shown, the inventive
aspects may be obtained by other numbers of projections.
[0276] In a preferred arrangement, a receiving region 8317 is
defined between each of the adjacent transverse projections 8315.
The receiving regions 8317 are configured to retain and hold a
layer of suitable gripping member 8407, such as a thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE) or other similar materials used in oral care
products. In a preferable construction, receiving regions 8317 have
a transverse arcuate base surface 8319 with a transverse groove or
depression 8321. The arcuate base surface 8319 extends between the
longitudinal sides of base 8300. When a gripping member 8407 is
applied to the base, grooves 8321 create concaved regions 8413 in
grip surface 8410 to improve the tactile performance of the
toothbrush handle (see FIG. 84). While horizontal or straight
projections 8315 are illustrated, the projections 8315,
alternatively, may be any number of shapes or orientations with
respect to the longitudinal axis a-a. For example, the projections
8315 may be chevron shaped, circular, oval, elliptical,
rectangular, or triangular or other shapes. The orientation of the
projections 8315 may also be off-axis from the longitudinal axis
a-a to form an asymmetrical relationship. The projections 8315 may
be regularly or randomly spaced on base 8300 for the intended
gripping performance. As shown in FIG. 87, a peripheral portion of
base 8300 has a peripheral groove 8323 arranged to receive and hold
a layer of the grip material for suitable use with the
toothbrush.
[0277] Referring to FIGS. 82, 84 and 85, gripping member 8407 is
fixed to base 8300 to provide several gripping features to improve
performance. In one aspect, gripping member 8407 has a grip surface
8410 with at least one and preferably a plurality of spaced
openings, preferably in the form of elongate transverse slots 8415,
which expose portions of base 8300. In this way, the outline shape
of slots 8415 is formed by the peripheral shape of projections 8315
of base 300 (FIGS. 86 and 87). To form slots 8415, suitable
injection molding equipment mates with the top surfaces of the
projections 8315 to prevent overmolding of ribs 8315 and any
undesired deflection of base 8300 during the molding process. This
enables the top surfaces of the projections 8315 to be exposed
after the molding process.
[0278] To provide comfort as well as control benefits, the
elastomeric material of the grip surface 8410 may have a hardness
durometer measurement ranging between A13 to A50 Shore hardness,
although materials outside this range may be used. A preferred
range of the hardness durometer rating is between A25 to A40 Shore
hardness. While an injection molded construction is preferred, a
suitable deformable thermoplastic material, such as TPE, may be
formed in a thin layer and attached to base 8300 with an
appropriate adhesive or by other means. Irrespective of the
manufacturing process, ribs 8315 are preferably recessed relative
to gripping surface 8410, i.e., a suitable thickness of elastomeric
material is used to control the depth of the slot 8415 as measured
from the top of the grip surface 8410 to the top of the projection
(e.g., the exposed portion of base 8300). In a preferred
construction, the depth of the slots along axis a-a is about 0.5
mm. These transverse slots 8415 prevent slippage of the handle 8103
by enabling portions of the user's fingers to slightly protrude
into the depth of the slot 8415. Additionally, slots 8415 channel
water away from the fingers tips during wet operational conditions.
Air is also able to enter the slots during brushing to provide some
evaporative effect.
[0279] In another aspect, the grip surface 8410 includes concaved
regions 8413 between each slot 8415 to further improve the grip
performance of handle 8103. The concaved regions 8413 are
preferably created by a suitable thickness of the elastomeric
material during the injection molding process filling into the
transverse grooves 8321 in base 8300, but could be formed by other
means (FIGS. 86 and 87). While base surface 8319 is preferably
arcuate in a transverse direction, the base surface may be
horizontal or take on other shapes.
[0280] In one preferred construction, resilient grip body 8403 has
a different hardness as compared to the hardness of the grip
surface 8410. Generally, the material of grip body 8403 is softer
than the material forming the grip surface 8410. In this manner,
the handle 8103 may be provided different grip features to
complement the particular control need. For example, the handle
8103 may have a soft forward portion with a shock absorption
advantage and a slightly harder aft portion with a comfort and
control advantage. The material of the resilient grip body 8403 and
grip surface 8410 are preferably each a thermoplastic
elastomer.
[0281] The inventive aspects may be practiced for a manual
toothbrush or a powered toothbrush. In operation, the previously
described features, individually and/or in any combination, improve
the control and grip performance of oral implements. Other
constructions of toothbrush are possible. For example, head 8105
may be replaceable or interchangeable on handle 8103. Head 8105 may
include various oral surface engaging elements, such as
inter-proximal picks, brushes, flossing element, plaque scrapper,
tongue cleansers and soft tissue massages. While the various
features of the toothbrush 8100 work together to achieve the
advantages previously described, it is recognized that individual
features and sub-combinations of these features can be used to
obtain some of the aforementioned advantages without the necessity
to adopt all of these features in an oral care implement.
[0282] FIGS. 90-98 show additional embodiments of the invention
that further illustrate the combinability of various aspects,
features and functions disclosed herein into single oral care
implement configurations. FIGS. 90-98 disclose oral care implement
configurations that provide tongue cleanser functionality and
include handle gripping features. As such, oral care implements
90-98 generally include the aspects discussed along with FIGS. 38,
39 and 45-81 pertaining to soft tissue cleansers (e.g., tongue
cleansers), as well as the aspects discussed along with FIGS. 84-89
pertaining to handle features. Further, it is understood that other
features may be used along with these configurations.
[0283] As an example of potential embodiments based on combinations
of features disclosed herein, the mechanical drive features
discussed along with FIG. 1-5 and/or tooth cleansing features
discussed throughout the specification may be combined with the
soft tissue cleansers of FIGS. 90-98. Thus, as illustrated in FIGS.
98A-C, embodiments of the invention include any one of heads 9014,
9214, 9414, 9614 and 9514 discussed hereafter in combination with
handle 1 and neck part 4 shown in FIGS. 1-4 instead of
bristle-carrying head part 3 shown in FIGS. 1-5. These embodiments
provide powered oral care implement configurations that can provide
enhanced cleansing benefits. For example, such combination devices
can provide the functions of two devices in a single device.
Further, these devices can simultaneously provide dual cleaning
functionality. For instance, toothbrush features may be used to
clean a user's teeth while the soft tissue cleanser features
simultaneously clean soft tissues, such as the inside of a user's
cheeks.
[0284] FIGS. 90 and 91 disclose a soft tissue cleanser 9010 for
removing microbial and other debris from the soft tissue of a
user's mouth, such as the user's tongue and inside of their cheeks
and lips. As shown, cleanser 9000 generally includes a handle 8103
attached to a head 9014. The head and handle may be molded together
as a one-piece member of the same material, for example,
polypropylene or another thermoplastic elastomer. In addition, the
head may be detachable from the handle. In the configuration shown,
handle 8103 is the handle of oral care implement 8100 discussed
along with FIGS. 81-89.
[0285] In general, head 9014 includes a plurality of tissue
engaging elements 9012 disposed about a central portion 9016 of the
head. Elements 9012 include projections in the form of ridges 9018
and nubs 9020, which extend from the head to engage the soft tissue
in a user's mouth. The ridges and nubs may be separately molded,
glued or otherwise attached to head 9014. In addition, they may be
integrally formed therewith. The ridges and nubs could each be made
from a material different from each other and/or different from
other parts. Soft materials, such as TPE or the like, can be fixed
to head 9014 to form the ridges. However, a harder material or
virtually any known material used to make oral care implements may
be appropriate for the ridges and nubs. Ridges 9018 and nubs 9020
could have a variety of shapes, patterns, cross-sections,
configurations, etc., as discussed along with FIGS. 38, 39 and
45-81.
[0286] Central portion 9016 is shown as a generally
elliptically-shaped region on a face of head 9014 about which
cleaning elements 9012 are disposed that has a bottom surface 9017
generally disposed below the tips of the ridges and nubs. It is
understood, however, that the central portion may have a variety of
shapes, sizes and depths. In the configuration shown, central
portion 9016 is a relatively shallow depression that extends into
the head about 10% to about 30% of the thickness of the head. In
another configuration, the central portion may be shallow and may
not extend into the head. For instance, the central portion may be
formed by a surface 9017 of the head upon which the cleaning
elements are disposed along with a ring of cleaning elements 9012
bounding the central portion. In such a configuration, the central
portion would be a depressed region with respect to the protruding
cleaning elements disposed about it, but would not otherwise extend
into the head. In other configurations, the central portion may be
depressed into the head about 0 to 10% of its thickness, it may be
depressed about 30% to 50% or more of its thickness, or the central
portion may even form a cavity through the head (i.e., 100% of its
thickness).
[0287] As shown, surface 9017 may be continuous to provide a
non-interrupted boundary for the central portion 9016 and it may be
relatively smooth. In alternate configurations, surface 9017 may
include interrupting or undulating features, such as one or more
notches, contour features, or features to permit partial flow of
materials therethrough, such as a mesh or screen. In addition,
surface 9017 may include irregular features, such as cleaning
elements, projections, etc. Further, surface 9017 may be formed by
a flexible membrane, which may be disposed within a cavity of the
head (not shown). In such an alternative configuration, tooth
cleaning members (e.g., bristles) may be disposed on one side of
the flexible membrane opposite surface 9017. As such, movement of
the cleaning members away from and toward the head will move
surface 9017.
[0288] Central portion 9016 and the ring of protruding cleaning
elements 9012 cooperate to translate a downward force applied by
the user into a concentrated force at the cleaning elements. Thus,
the cleaning elements penetrate more deeply into the user's soft
tissue than would be provided by a relatively uniform contact
surface or a uniform field of cleaning elements, such as the
configuration provided by tissue cleanser 4800 shown in FIG. 45.
This permits ridges 9018 and nubs 9020 to more effectively
penetrate the soft tissues. In an alternative construction in which
the head includes toothbrush features on an opposite side thereof
(see FIG. 98), the ring of protruding cleaning elements
configuration can effectively engage soft tissues in the inside of
a user's cheeks and lips without the user applying significant
force in the direction of the ring, as may be the case when the
user cleans their teeth via the toothbrush features. As further
shown, central portion 9016 includes a bottom surface 9017 for
contacting soft tissue during use. The bottom surface can act as a
guide to limit the penetration depth of the nubs and ridges when
excessive downward force is applied by the user. In addition, it
can provide a collector for micro debris scraped during use of the
oral care implement.
[0289] A variety of ridges, nubs, or other cleaning element
configurations may be used. In the configuration shown for oral
care implement 9010, ridges 9018 are generally oriented away from a
center of central portion 9012 in a radial manner. Central portion
9016 is elliptically shaped and is aligned with a longitudinal axis
of handle 8103. As such, ridges 9018 are oriented generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, which provide
blades oriented transverse to the scraping direction for most
users. When a user scrapes the oral care implement 9010 forward and
backward in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal
axis of handle 8103, ridges 9018 act as small blades to scrape
micro debris from the soft tissue. As also shown in FIGS. 90 and
91, the ridges may be angled upward toward engagement with soft
tissue during use. Thus, inner portions 9022 of ridges 9018 engage
soft tissue when the user applies a light downward pressure, and
the ridges more fully engage the soft tissue when additional
pressure is applied. As such, variable cleaning and scraping
functionality is provided as desired by the user via their
selection of a downward force.
[0290] As further shown in FIGS. 90 and 91, nubs 9020 are provided
along a portion of central portion 9016 disposed between handle
8103 and a distal end of head 9014. Nubs provide concentrated
penetration into the user's soft tissue during use. In addition, in
their location along central portion 9016 as shown in FIG. 91, they
can encourage dislodged micro debris into central portion 9016 to
be captured therein and removed by the user. It is understood that
various nub configurations, positions and orientations, as well as
ridge and central portion configurations, positions and
orientations, can provide various advantages and functionality.
[0291] FIGS. 92 and 93 illustrate another possible configuration of
cleaning elements in an example oral care implement 9210. Oral care
implement 9210 generally includes the same aspects and features of
oral care implement 9010, except that it additionally includes a
narrow protrusion 9224 erected around the perimeter of central
portion 9216. The narrow protrusion may be a semi-flexible,
"blade-like" structure that assists with scraping a user's tongue
or other soft tissue. In alternative constructions, it may be a
rigid structure or relatively flexible structure. Narrow protrusion
9224 may be made from a flexible or semi-flexible, thermoplastic
elastomer, a hard plastic structure or another rigid material, such
as metal. As shown in FIGS. 92 and 93, blade-like protrusion 9224
may be continuous structure disposed about the central portion. In
other configurations, it may a partial structure, such as an arc.
It may also exist apart from or without the central portion, and it
may include a truncated shape or shapes. The blade-like protrusion
provides an effective blade for scraping micro debris from a user's
soft tissue. In a continuous configuration, it may further
encourage micro debris scraped from the user's soft tissue to be
retained within central portion 9216.
[0292] FIGS. 94 and 95 illustrate another possible configuration of
cleaning elements in an example oral care implement 9410. Oral care
implement 9410 generally includes the same aspects and features of
oral care implement 9210, except that cleaning elements 9412 only
include nubs 9420 disposed about central portion 9416. The nubs
provide concentrated penetration into the user's soft tissue, which
can act to dislodge micro debris and thereby assist blade-like
protrusion 9416 with scraping micro debris from the user's soft
tissue.
[0293] FIGS. 96 and 97 illustrate another possible configuration of
cleaning elements in an example oral care implement 9610. Oral care
implement 9610 generally includes the same aspects and features of
oral care implement 9010, except with respect to cleaning elements
9612 and blade-like structure 9624. As shown, cleaning elements
9612 include a combination of blades 9618 extending substantially
radially from the center of central portion 9616, as well as blades
9630 oriented substantially perpendicular to blades 9618. The
mixture of blades in alternating orientations can improve scraping
effectiveness of the oral care implement. In addition, blade-like
structure 9624 includes notches 9632 spaced about its blade, which
can further improve the scraping effectiveness of the oral care
implement.
[0294] FIG. 98 illustrates a further possible configuration of an
oral care implement. Oral care implement 9510 generally includes
the same aspects and features of oral care implement 9210, except
with respect to cleaning elements 9512 and blade-like structure
9524. As shown, cleaning elements 9512 include short blades 9534
interposed between pairs of longer blades 9518, which can further
improve the scraping effectiveness of the blades. In addition,
blade-like structure 9524 is truncated such that it only extends
around a distal portion of central portion 9516, which can
encourage dislodged micro debris to be retained within central
portion 9516 when the oral care implement 9510 is scraped across
soft tissue while being withdrawn from the user's mouth. Oral care
implement 9510 further includes tooth cleaning elements 9536
extending from an opposite side of the head from cleaning elements
9512. Thus, a user can use the single oral care implement 9510 to
effectively clean their teeth and to scrape their tongue, for which
the handling of the implement is improved via gripping features of
handle 8103. In addition, the user can simultaneously clean their
teeth via cleaning elements 9536 and engage the inside of their
cheeks and lips via 9512.
[0295] FIGS. 98A-C show an oral cleaning implement 9810 that
includes a dual function head 4900 or 9514, and a powered handle 1.
The handle is generally the same as powered handle 1 discussed
along with FIGS. 1-5, which may be used to move or vibrate tooth
cleaning features of the head, and/or soft tissue cleanser features
of the head. Although the head is shown as either head 4900 or head
9514, the head may include any one of heads 9014, 9214, 9414, 9614
and 9514 or other dual function heads. As discussed above, these
embodiments can provide enhanced cleansing benefits by
simultaneously engaging proximate oral surfaces, such as cleaning a
user's teeth, and cleaning or stimulating the inside of their
cheeks and lips. Moreover, such combination devices can provide the
functions of two devices in a single device.
[0296] FIGS. 99-102 illustrate a toothbrush 9710 in accordance with
another embodiment of the invention. As shown therein, toothbrush
9710 includes a handle 9712 and a head 9714. Handle 9712 may
include a suitable grip pad 9716 made of an elastomer material. As
shown in FIG. 102, head 9714 has a base portion 9718 with an
upstanding wall 9720 to create a peripheral frame extending
outwardly above base portion 9718. A membrane 9722 is attached to
frame 9720 completely along its periphery. Membrane 9722 in its
initial non-use condition is convex or bowed outwardly as shown in
FIG. 102. The convex bowing would preferably be both in the
longitudinal and transverse directions, thus presenting a dome-like
outer surface 9724 to which cleaning elements 9726 are
connected.
[0297] Toothbrush 9710 is particularly suitable for cleaning
elements in the form of strands or bristles attached via in-molded
technology (IMT) methods that generally require small
cross-sections of material into which the strands are permanently
attached. The strands utilizing IMT methods are preferably attached
during formation of the toothbrush handle or at least during
formation of the head which is the portion of the toothbrush to
which the strands and other materials are attached.
[0298] A feature of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 99-102
and FIG. 103 is the use of thin cross-sections of material for
membrane 9722. Membrane 9722 is flexible and resilient. The
cross-section shown, for example, in FIG. 102 is formed like a moon
crescent thus representing a shape similar to the dome.
[0299] Because of the open space 9728 between base portion 9718 and
membrane 9722, the membrane can move from its original dome-like
shape to be distorted into other shapes as the cleaning elements or
bristles 9726 contact the teeth. Thus, the dome 9722 has a thin
membrane of material or combinations of material that can flex to
become altered from its original shape and recover to its original
shape randomly during brushing. The bristles 9726 are attached to
the flexible dome and move accordingly, creating a random topology
based on interactions with teeth and by doing so improve the
cleaning of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have more degrees
of motion than conventional toothbrushes due to the flexibility of
the membrane and thus represent a different and unique tooth
brushing device.
[0300] In illustrated embodiments of this invention, the head 9714
is generally oval shaped and the membrane 9722 has a corresponding
oval shape. See FIG. 101. However, other configurations may include
a variety of membrane shapes.
[0301] Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the
cleaning elements 9726 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-sectional 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 and below membrane 9722.
[0302] It is to be understood that the illustrated cleaning
elements are merely for exemplary purposes. The invention can be
practiced with various combinations of the same or different
cleaning element configurations (such as stapled or in-molded
technology bristles, anchor free technology (AFT), etc.) and/or
with the same bristle or cleaning element materials (such as nylon
bristles, spiral bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while
FIG. 100 illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally
perpendicular to the outer surface 9724 of membrane 9722 or head
9714, some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various
angles with respect to the outer surface of head 9714. 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.
[0303] Preferably, however, cleaning elements 9726 are IMT bristles
since IMT bristles require small cross-sections of material into
which the strands are attached and the membrane 9722 in a preferred
practice of the invention has a small cross-section.
[0304] Although FIGS. 99-101 illustrate the membrane 9722 to occupy
generally the entire head 9714, the invention may be practiced
where the head 9714 is of sufficient size that it could include
other bristle carrying surfaces adjacent to the dome shape membrane
9722.
[0305] Although FIGS. 99-102 illustrate a manually operated
toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced where the head
includes one or more power or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning elements. Such movable sections may
oscillate in a rotational manner or may oscillate linearly in a
longitudinal direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
head or may oscillate linearly in a lateral or transverse direction
with respect to the longitudinal axis of the head. The movable
section may oscillate in and out in a direction toward and away
from the outer surface of the head. The movable section may rock
back and forth with respect to the outer surface of the head. The
movable section may rotate continuously in the same direction,
rather than oscillate. Any suitable drive mechanism may be used for
imparting the desired to the movable section. Where plural movable
sections are used, all of the movable sections may have the same
type and direction of movement, or combinations of different
movements may be used.
[0306] As an example, FIG. 103 illustrates a toothbrush 9710A that
is similar to toothbrush 9710, except that toothbrush 9710A is a
powered toothbrush having a power driven movable disc or section
9730A having cleaning elements attached thereto. The movable
section 9730A could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the
type of drive mechanism shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,625,916, or it
could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in
U.S. Pat. No. Re35,941, 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 9730A in other
manners and directions, such as the drive features shown in FIGS.
1-4. Although FIG. 103 shows movable section 9730A to be at the
distal end of the head, the movable section (s) could be located at
any desired location on the head.
[0307] Returning to FIGS. 99-102, handle 9712, base 9718 and frame
9720A are preferably made of hard plastic materials, which are
conventionally used for manual toothbrushes. As noted, however, a
characteristic of dome shape membrane 9722 is that it is made of a
flexible resilient material such as an elastomer capable of being
moved from its original position and then returning to that
original position.
[0308] Membrane 9722 may be secured to frame 9720 in any suitable
manner. Thus, for example, frame 9720 includes inwardly inclined
surfaces for receiving membrane 9722. Other structural arrangements
may be used within the practice of this invention to mount membrane
9722 on head 9714.
[0309] FIGS. 104-107 illustrate a manual toothbrush 9810 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This is a
variation of the prior embodiment that uses a trampoline type
structure to achieve an up and down motion rather than a convex
membrane, as well as grip features on the handle. As shown,
toothbrush 9810 includes a handle 9812 and a head 9814. Handle 9812
may include a suitable area 9816 made of an elastomeric material.
This elastomeric portion of the handle is preferably molded with an
open area 9818 which is readily deformable by the user. The
elastomeric material 9816 on the top side of the handle 9812 (as
viewed in FIGS. 104, 105 and 107) will yield under pressure of the
user's fingers to provide a better grip on the handle while
providing a more comfortable feel to the handle. FIG. 107
illustrates this elastomeric portion 9816 of the handle 9812 in a
depressed state. The downward arrow P in this Figure represents the
pressure applied by the toothbrush user. The open area 9818 is
thereby minimized. As soon as the user's pressure is released, the
properties of the elastomeric portion 9816 of the handle 9812
return the elastomeric material 9816 to its original shape as
illustrated in FIG. 104.
[0310] A similar flexible, deformable open area 9820 is created in
the head by inclusion of an elastomeric portion 9822 in the head
overlying open area 9820. Cleaning elements 9824 are arrayed in the
elastomeric portion of the head and fastened thereto by known
methods including in-molded technology (IMT). Bristle attachment
utilizing IMT methods preferably occurs during formation of the
toothbrush handle or at least during formation of the elastomeric
portion 9822 of the head 9814.
[0311] In use, the application of pressure by the toothbrush user
causes a like pressure of the teeth against cleaning elements 9824
as illustrated by arrow F in FIG. 107. This causes deflection of
the elastomeric portion 9822 of head 9814, which in turn causes a
reorientation of cleaning elements relative to the teeth being
cleaned. As the user's pressure is reduced, the open area 9820 of
head 9814 opens up causing the cleaning elements to follow the
shape of the teeth being brushed and thereby improving the cleaning
of the teeth. When all user pressure is released, the open area
9820 returns to its original shape.
[0312] The elastomeric portion 9822 of head 9814 should be a
material or combinations of material that can flex to become
altered from its original shape and recover to its original shape
randomly during brushing. The cleaning elements, for example,
bristles, are attached to the flexible membrane creating a flexible
orientation of cleaning elements 9824 which improves the cleaning
of the teeth. The moving bristle strands have considerable degrees
of motion and thus provide a unique tooth brushing experience.
[0313] Any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the
cleaning elements 9824 in the broad practice of this invention, as
discussed with the embodiments of FIGS. 99-103. 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 of the same or different cleaning element
configurations (such as stapled or in-molded technology bristles,
AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or cleaning element
materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral bristles, rubber
bristles, etc.). Similarly, while FIGS. 105 and 107 illustrate the
cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to the elastomeric
portion 9822 of head 9814, some or all of the cleaning elements may
be angled at various angles. 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, polishing,
tooth whitening and/or massaging of the gums.
[0314] Portions of handle 9812 and head 9814 may be made of hard
plastic material which is used for manual toothbrushes. As noted,
however, a feature of this toothbrush is use of elastomeric
portions 9816 of the handle and/or elastomeric portion 9822 of head
9814, such as an elastomer capable of being moved from its original
position and then returning to its original position.
[0315] This invention may also be practiced where the head 9814
includes one or more powered or electrically operated movable
sections carrying cleaning elements.
[0316] FIG. 108 illustrates a toothbrush 9810A which includes a
power driven movable disc or section 9850 having cleaning elements.
The movable section 9850 could be similar to section 9730 of FIG.
103. Although FIG. 108 shows movable section 9850 to be at the one
end of the head, as with FIG. 103, the movable section(s) could be
located at any desired location on the head.
[0317] In another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS.
109-113, a toothbrush 9910 includes a head longitudinally separated
into side by side areas by means of a flexible hinge structure that
serves as a spring to return the brush head materials and cleaning
areas to their original position. As shown, toothbrush 9910
includes an elongated handle 9912 and a head 9914. A portion of
handle 9912 may be recessed at gripping area 9916 between shoulders
9918 and 9920. Shoulder 9918 could extend outwardly a sufficient
distance to act as a hook or ledge to facilitate hanging the
toothbrush in an inverted condition.
[0318] Head 9914 and handle 9912 are elongated and have a
longitudinal axis. As shown in FIGS. 112 and 113, head 9914
includes a spine 9922 which extends collinear with the longitudinal
or major axis of the toothbrush handle and head. As a result, head
9914 is separated into two side by side longitudinal sections 9924,
9926 connected to the spine 9922. Spine 9922 is made of a resilient
material, such as an elastomer, which is sufficiently flexible as
to be movable and yet return to its original position. As a result,
spine 9922 functions as a hinge axis whereby the side by side
sections 9924, 9926 may move or pivot about the spine away from the
original position shown in FIG. 112 to an open position such as
shown in FIG. 113 when the cleaning elements on the sections 9924,
9926 contact the teeth. Then sections 9924, 9926 return to their
original position under the influence of the resilient hinge or
spine 9922. Preferably hinge or spine 9922 is confined to head
9914.
[0319] As illustrated, each of the sections 9924, 9926 includes
sets of cleaning elements. For example, an outer set of cleaning
elements 9928 is located at the outer periphery of each section
9924, 9926 while an inner set of cleaning elements 9930 is located
closer to the spine 9922. Preferably, the terminal surfaces 9932 of
the inner cleaning elements 9930 are tapered toward the hinge axis
9922 so that the adjacent terminal ends 9932 of each inner set of
cleaning elements forms an obtuse angle as indicated by the letter
A in FIG. 112 when the brush head is in its original position.
[0320] The outer sets of cleaning elements 9928 extend outwardly a
longer distance from the outer surface of the sections than do the
inner cleaning elements 9930. As a result, the combined cleaning
elements are designed to wrap around the edge of the teeth for
simultaneous possible contact with both the front and top of the
teeth. See FIG. 112. During use, the brush head is pressed against
the edge of the teeth causing the flexible hinge to open and close
during cleaning.
[0321] As illustrated in FIGS. 109-113, in a preferred practice of
the invention, the outer sets of cleaning elements 9928 are bristle
bundles of plaque bristles. The inner sets of cleaning elements
9930 may be bristles formed by in-molded technology (IMT) where
sets of bristles are fused together at one end and the fused end is
inserted in a mold cavity during the manufacture of the head.
[0322] FIG. 113 shows the sections 9924, 9926 in their open
position. FIG. 113 omits some of the cleaning elements so as to
provide a better understanding of how the cleaning elements are
mounted. As shown therein, the plaque bristles 9928 are in the form
of bristle bundles or tufts inserted into individual holes 9934 in
bristle container 9936. The inner sets of cleaning elements 9930
are IMT bristles mounted in IMT container 9938. The IMT containers
9938 may be made of soft flexible elastomer material integral with
hinge axis 9922, as shown in FIG. 113.
[0323] As shown in FIGS. 109-113 the bristle container 9936 does
not extend completely to the distal end of the head 9914.
Accordingly, side plates 9940 are provided on each side of the head
longitudinally abutting against bristle containers 9936 and
disposed against containers 9938 for the remaining length of
containers 9938 so that a smooth contour results along the side of
the head 9914. Side plates 9940 may also be made of a soft,
flexible elastomer material.
[0324] As best shown in FIGS. 109-111 each inner row of IMT
bristles 9930 has its bristles spaced apart or staggered so that
the inclined IMT bristles of each section may fit between the
spacing of adjacent IMT bristles of the other section.
[0325] Although FIGS. 109-113 illustrate a preferred form of
cleaning elements to be the plaque bristles and IMT bristles any
suitable form of cleaning elements may be used as the cleaning
elements 9928 and 9930 as previously described. Thus 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-sectional 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.
[0326] Similarly, 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
of the same or different cleaning element configurations (such as
stapled or IMT bristles, AFT, etc.) and/or with the same bristle or
cleaning element materials (such as nylon bristles, spiral
bristles, rubber bristles, etc.). Similarly, while FIG. 109
illustrates the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to
the outer surface of head 9914 some or all of the cleaning elements
may be angled at various angles with respect to the outer surface
of head 9914. 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.
[0327] Handle 9912 could be made of a conventional hard plastic
material which could, however, include a soft elastomer section
9942 near the head 9914. Bristle containers 9936, 9936 could also
be made of a hard plastic material while side plates 9940 and IMT
containers 9938 are made of a soft elastomer material. By having
the bristle containers 9936 mounted against the IMT containers
9938, the bristle containers 9936 and their cleaning elements 9928
move along with the movement of the IMT containers 9938 in response
to the IMT bristles 9930 contacting the teeth. If desired, the
bristle containers 236 may also be made of a soft elastomer
material.
[0328] Although FIGS. 109-113 illustrate a manually operated
toothbrush, the invention may also be practiced with powered
configurations, such as where the head includes one or more power
or electrically operated movable sections carrying cleaning
elements. FIG. 114 illustrates a toothbrush 9910 which includes a
power driven movable disc or section 9950 having cleaning elements,
similar to the movable sections of toothbrushes 9710A and
9810A.
[0329] FIGS. 115-121 show additional embodiments of the invention
that further illustrate the combinability of various aspects,
features and functions disclosed herein into single oral care
implement configurations. FIGS. 115-121 disclose oral care
implement configurations that provide flexibly mounted tooth
cleansing features, tongue cleanser functionality and/or handle
gripping features. As such, the oral care implements disclosed in
FIGS. 115-121 generally include the aspects discussed along with
FIGS. 99-102 pertaining to flexibly mounted tooth cleansing
configurations including a flexible dome-shaped membrane, as well
as the aspects discussed along with FIGS. 84-89, 104-107 and
109-111 pertaining to handle grip features, and aspects discussed
along with FIGS. 38, 39, 45-80 and 90-98 pertaining to soft tissue
cleansers. However, it is understood that other features may used
along with these configurations, such as mechanical drive features
discussed along with FIG. 1-5, 103 and 114, the flexibly mounted
tooth cleansing configuration of FIGS. 104-107, and tooth cleansing
features discussed throughout the specification.
[0330] FIGS. 115-117 illustrate a toothbrush 10010 in accordance
with another embodiment of the invention. As shown therein,
toothbrush 10010 includes a head 10014 and a handle 9812, which is
generally the same as handle 9812 disclosed in FIGS. 104-107. In
other configurations, handle 9812 may generally be the same as
handle 8103 discussed along with FIGS. 81-89, handle 9712 discussed
along with FIGS. 99-102, or other handle configurations. Head 10014
is generally the same as head 9714 discussed along with FIGS.
99-102, with the exception of cleaning elements 10026. As such, a
membrane 10022 is attached to head 10014, which in its initial
non-use condition may be convex or bowed outwardly, from which
cleaning elements 10026 extend. Although configured differently
than cleaning elements 9714 of FIGS. 99-102, it is understood that
cleaning elements 10014 may also be attached to the membrane via
in-molded technology (IMT) methods or other appropriate
methods.
[0331] As shown in FIG. 116, cleaning elements 10014 form star
configurations 10015 that better retain dentifrice among the tooth
cleaning elements, conform to a user's teeth, and penetrate gaps
between a user's teeth. These advantages may be particularly
realized during use of the oral care implement when the convex
membrane 10022 is flexed downward toward the head. When the
membrane is flexed downward due to contact with a user's teeth, the
tooth cleaning elements converge inward toward each other about the
user's teeth. This action improves interaction with the user's
teeth and other oral structures, as well as improves retention of
the dentifrice.
[0332] Tooth cleaning elements may be formed of elastomeric wall
members, elongate bristle tufts, or other types of cleaning
elements, which are independently flexible. In this way, the
cleaning elements are able to provide a limited and controlled flow
of the dentifrice, as well as maintain sufficient flexibility to
provide improved cleaning of a user's teeth and stimulation of the
user's gums via the cleaning elements. In the configuration shown
in FIG. 116, cleaning elements 10022 include central elements 10024
that are generally disposed along a longitudinal axis of membrane
10022 substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis a-a of
handle 9812. As shown in FIGS. 115 and 117, central elements 10024
may be taller than adjacent cleaning elements, such that central
elements 10024 typically make contact with a user's teeth prior to
adjacent elements. During use, central elements 10024 cause
membrane 10022 to flex toward the head due to contact with a user's
teeth, which flexes other cleaning elements inward toward the
central elements while membrane 10022 flexes toward the head.
[0333] Disposed about each central element, and radially extending
therefrom, is a plurality of cleaning elements 10026. Radial
cleaning elements and their respective central element each form
the star configuration 10015. Adjacent radial elements are spaced
apart to form gaps 10028 therebetween, which permit a limited
outward flow of dentifrice, independent flexing of each radial
cleaning element, and convergence of the radial cleaning elements.
The gaps also aid the cleaning of cleaning elements 10026 by
permitting water to flush through the cleaning elements. The gaps,
however, are preferably kept small to limit the escape of the
dentifrice. While three star configurations are shown, which each
include six radial cleaning elements, other numbers of radial
cleaning elements and numbers of star configurations could be
used.
[0334] Disposed along perimeter regions of the head are a plurality
of outer cleaning elements 10030. During use, the outer cleaning
elements converge inward toward the star configurations, which
assist with the retention of dentifrice and with grasping teeth
being engaged by the cleaning elements.
[0335] The cleaning elements 10014 may be formed from bristles or
tufts composed of nylon, and may further be made from the nylon
material marketed by Dupont under the name BRILLIANCE.
Nevertheless, other materials could be used, such as an elastomeric
material. In addition, the cleaning elements may be formed as
upstanding elastomeric projections or walls. As shown in FIG. 117,
a distal star configuration 10032 of cleaning elements at the
distal end of the head may have a height greater than other
cleaning elements, which can assist with engagement of molars and
other teeth at the rear of a user's mouth.
[0336] FIG. 118 illustrates a toothbrush 11810 in accordance with
another embodiment of this invention. Toothbrush 11810 includes a
handle 9812, a head 11814, tooth cleaning elements 11826 on one
side of the head, and a soft tissue cleanser 11830 on the opposite
side of the head. Toothbrush 11810 generally includes the same
aspects and features of toothbrush 10010, except with respect to
soft tissue cleanser 11830. In addition, base portion 9718 shown in
FIG. 102 may include a flexible membrane forming surface 9017 shown
in FIG. 98. In such a configuration, movement of the tooth cleaning
elements 11826 away from and toward the head will move surface
9017.
[0337] Soft tissue cleanser 11830 generally includes the same
aspects and features pertaining to cleaning soft tissues, such as a
user's tongue, as oral care implement 9510 shown in FIG. 98. As
such, soft tissue cleanser includes soft tissue engaging elements
9512 disposed about a recess 9516 formed in the head, as well as a
blade-like structure 9524. Elements 9512 include projections in the
form of ridges 9518 and nubs 9520, which extend from the head to
engage the soft tissue in a user's mouth along with the blade-like
structure.
[0338] Toothbrush 11810 provides a single oral care implement that
can be used to effectively clean a user's teeth and to scrape their
tongue, for which the handling of the device may be improved via
gripping features of handle 9812. Thus, toothbrush 11810 further
illustrates the combinability of various aspects, features and
functions disclosed herein into single oral care implement
configurations. It is understood that a variety of combinations of
possible. For instance, toothbrush 11810 may include a soft tissue
cleanser configuration shown in FIGS. 38, 39, 45-80 or 90-97 rather
than the configuration of soft tissue cleanser 11830. In addition,
toothbrush 11810 may include a handle shown in FIGS. 1-4, 84-89,
99-102, 104-107 or 109-111 rather than handle 9812. The handle may
include a resilient elongate ridge in a gripping region thereof
that merges with the soft tissue cleanser, as disclosed in the
embodiment of FIG. 52. Further, various tooth cleaning element
configurations may be used instead of tooth cleaning elements
11826.
[0339] The advantages of particular configurations will depend on
the features selected and the intended use of the device. In the
configuration of toothbrush 11810, a variety of advantages are
provided in a single device including flexibility and cleaning
advantages of the dome membrane configuration, tooth cleaning
advantages of the star configuration for the tooth cleaning
elements, soft tissue cleaning advantages of the soft tissue
cleanser, and handling advantages of the handle grip features.
[0340] FIGS. 119-121 show a further oral care implement 11910 that
also provides a variety of advantages and features in a single
device. Oral care implement includes a handle 9812, a head 11914,
tooth cleaning elements 11926 on one side of the head, and a soft
tissue cleanser 11830 on the opposite side of the head. Toothbrush
11810 generally includes the same aspects and features of
toothbrush 10810, except with respect to the configuration of tooth
cleaning elements 11926.
[0341] As shown in FIG. 121, cleaning elements 11926 include
central elements 11928 that are generally disposed along a
longitudinal axis b-b of the toothbrush, and transverse elements
11930 oriented substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis b-b
across the face of the toothbrush head. The central elements and
transverse elements intersect to generally form a cross-shape 11921
across membrane 11922.
[0342] As shown in FIG. 120, the central and transverse elements
may extend further from the toothbrush head than adjacent cleaning
elements, which encourages membrane 11922 to flex toward the head
as the central and transverse elements make initial contact with a
user's teeth. The central elements and transverse elements may have
circular cross-sections, elongate cross-sections such as provided
by wall-like elements, and combinations thereof. As also shown in
FIG. 120, cleaning elements 11926 further include opposing arcuate
cleaning elements 11934 at the ends of cross-shape configuration.
These elements assist with the retention of dentifrice, as well as
provide cleaning and polishing benefits.
[0343] In the configuration shown in FIG. 121, the central elements
and transverse elements include a mixture of rounded 11940 and
wall-like elements 11942, which provide various advantages. For
instance, the rounded elements tend to have higher column strengths
than elongate or wall-like elements. Thus, high column strength
rounded elements may be included to improve the transfer of force
to membrane 11922 for flexing the membrane. The elongate or
wall-like elements tend to provide other advantages, such as
improved tooth polishing and retention of dentifrice within the
cleaning elements. Combinations of types of cleaning elements, as
shown in FIG. 121, can provide advantages based on the overall
configuration and functionality provided by the mixture of cleaning
elements.
[0344] Cleaning elements 11926 further include radial cleaning
elements 11932 that are wall-like elements. Cleaning elements 11926
are generally oriented in a radial fashion such that their flat
side portions are angled toward a central portion of the head
proximate an intersection 11934 of the cross-shape configuration
11921 of the cleaning elements. As with the embodiments for FIGS.
99-118, the radial cleaning elements, and the other cleaning
elements, may each be formed as an upstanding elastomeric wall
attached to and extending from membrane 11922. In other
configurations, they may be formed from tufts of bristles extending
from the membrane.
[0345] As shown in FIG. 121, oral care implement 11910 provides
orientations of wall-like elements that generally cover 360
degrees. This full range of orientations is provide by the
arrangement of radial wall-like cleaning elements 11926, as well as
the central cleaning elements 11928 and transverse cleaning
elements 11930. As such, one or more cleaning elements are likely
oriented to match crevices between a user's teeth during cleaning,
which can improve effectiveness of the toothbrush. Further, the
flexibility provided by the dome configuration of membrane 11922
provides a dynamic cleaning environment that further enhances
cleaning and polishing of a user's teeth. In addition, the range of
orientations of the radial cleaning elements along with their
elongate shape can provide enhanced polishing benefits as they move
across a user's teeth.
[0346] As various changes could be made in the above methods,
compositions and structures without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is intended that all matter contained in this
application, including all mechanisms and/or modes of interaction
described above, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not
limiting in any way the scope of the appended claims. Further, as
noted above, it is intended that oral care implements according to
the invention and associated methods may utilize various
combinations of aspects, features and configurations discussed
within the application.
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