U.S. patent application number 11/248087 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for gum-massaging oral brush.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Gillette Company, a Delaware corporation. Invention is credited to Scott Batson, Thomas Craig Masterman, Edward H. Park, Michael Roberts, Philip Sweeney, Mingchih M. Tseng, Stephen C. Witkus.
Application Number | 20060085931 11/248087 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27070735 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060085931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Roberts; Michael ; et
al. |
April 27, 2006 |
Gum-massaging oral brush
Abstract
An oral brush is provided that includes an elongated body, a
head portion extending from the body, and a plurality of bristles,
formed of particular thermoplastic elastomers, extending from the
body. In various embodiments, the thermoplastic elastomer has a
Shore A hardness of at least 30; the thermoplastic elastomer is
selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters,
styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethanes,
polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and the thermoplastic
elastomer has a flexural modulus of at least 5 MPa.
Inventors: |
Roberts; Michael;
(Brookfield, CT) ; Masterman; Thomas Craig;
(Brookline, MA) ; Park; Edward H.; (Sharon,
MA) ; Batson; Scott; (Wakefield, MA) ;
Sweeney; Philip; (Taunton, MA) ; Tseng; Mingchih
M.; (Hingham, MA) ; Witkus; Stephen C.;
(Grafton, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
The Gillette Company, a Delaware
corporation
|
Family ID: |
27070735 |
Appl. No.: |
11/248087 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10991911 |
Nov 18, 2004 |
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11248087 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
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10692916 |
Oct 24, 2003 |
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10991911 |
Nov 18, 2004 |
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10036022 |
Dec 26, 2001 |
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10692916 |
Oct 24, 2003 |
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09660151 |
Sep 13, 2000 |
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10036022 |
Dec 26, 2001 |
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09351588 |
Jul 12, 1999 |
6151745 |
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09660151 |
Sep 13, 2000 |
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08730286 |
Oct 30, 1996 |
5987688 |
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09351588 |
Jul 12, 1999 |
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08554931 |
Nov 9, 1995 |
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08730286 |
Oct 30, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/110 ;
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46D 1/023 20130101;
B29L 2031/425 20130101; A46B 9/06 20130101; A46D 1/00 20130101;
A46B 2200/1026 20130101; A46D 1/0207 20130101; A46B 15/0032
20130101; Y10S 15/06 20130101; A46B 15/0075 20130101; A46B 3/16
20130101; A46B 15/0002 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/110 ;
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1-44. (canceled)
45. An oral brush comprising an elongated handle; a head portion,
sized for insertion into the human mouth, extending from an end of
said handle; and a brush portion comprising a) one or more
elastomeric element(s) extending from said head portion, said
elastomeric element(s) comprising a vulcanized polymer having a
Shore A hardness of 90 or less, and b) a plurality of bristles
extending from said head portion comprising a non-elastomeric
material.
46. The oral brush of claim 45, wherein the vulcanized polymer is
selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, crosslinked
polybutadiene, crosslinked polyacrylates, and mixtures thereof.
47. The oral brush of claim 45, wherein the vulcanized polymer
includes an oil.
48. The oral brush claim 45, wherein said bristles are a
polyamide.
49. The oral brush of claim 45, wherein said non-elastomeric
material includes an abrasive.
50. The oral brush claim 45, wherein said bristles have a diameter
of from about 5 to about 10 mils.
51. The oral brush of claim 45, wherein the oral brush is an
electric brush.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit
of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120) of pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 10/991,911, filed Nov. 18, 2004; which is a continuation
of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/692,916, filed Oct. 24,
2003; which is a continuation of pending U.S. application Ser. No.
10/036,022, filed Dec. 26, 2001; which is a divisional of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/660,151, filed Sep. 13, 2000, now
abandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
09/351,588, filed Jul. 12, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,745; which
is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/730,286, filed
Nov. 30, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,688; which is a
continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/554,931, filed Nov. 9, 1995,
now abandoned.
[0002] The invention relates to oral brushes and bristles for use
in oral brushes.
[0003] Most humans suffer from tooth decay and/or gingivitis caused
by bacteria in the mouth. As a result, decreasing the amount of
plaque in the mouth has long been the target of persons working in
the health care field. A common way of minimizing the plaque in the
mouth is to brush the teeth regularly.
[0004] However, the benefits of frequent brushing can be
accompanied in some instances by deleterious side effects such as
irritation, abrasion and even recession of the gums. These side
effects may, in part, result from excessive stiffness and/or
sharpness of the toothbrush bristles.
[0005] Another common way of improving oral health is by massaging
the gums to stimulate the gingival tissue. Conventional
toothbrushes tend to have limited effectiveness for gum-massaging,
and thus often a separate gum-massaging procedure, using a
gum-massaging tool, is required to ensure good oral health.
[0006] Endeavors have been made to reduce gum irritation and/or
provide a gum-massaging effect by replacing some or all of the
toothbrush bristles with rubber or synthetic rubber pins. See,
e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,883.
SUMMARY
[0007] The invention features improved gum-massaging oral brushes
which provide good comfort and gum stimulation while also providing
good cleaning of the teeth. The invention also features bristles
for use in gum-massaging oral brushes.
[0008] In one aspect, the invention features an oral brush
including an elongated body, a head portion extending from the
body, and a brush portion including a plurality of bristles formed
of a thermoplastic elastomer extending from the body. The
thermoplastic elastomer preferably has a Shore A hardness of at
least 30; is selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides,
polyesters, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers,
styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers,
styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, polyurethanes,
polyolefin elastomers, and mixtures thereof; and has a flexural
modulus of at least 5 MPa.
[0009] Preferred oral brushes further include a plurality of
bristles formed of a non-elastomeric material. In preferred
embodiments, this material is selected from nylon, polyamides,
polyesters and polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT). The non-elastomeric
bristles may include additives to improve their cleaning ability,
e.g., abrasives and polishing agents such as clays, silicas,
aluminas, calcium carbonate, calcium or magnesium phosphate
compounds, apatites, and mixtures thereof.
[0010] Preferred oral brushes also include a spacer attached to the
base of the head portion. The spacer is formed of a thermoplastic
elastomer and is integrally joined to the bristles. Preferably the
non-elastomeric bristles extend from the head portion through the
spacer.
[0011] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush
including a plurality of bristles formed of a thermoplastic
elastomer, and a plurality of bristles formed of a
polyphthalamide.
[0012] In another aspect, the invention features massaging the gums
with one of the bristles described previously.
[0013] An oral brush, as used herein, is any brush that includes a
body having a brush portion designed for insertion into the mouth.
The brush portion includes a plurality of bristles extending
therefrom and being dimensioned to be used to brush tooth
surfaces.
[0014] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush
including multicomponent bristles, preferably comprising a
thermoplastic elastomer sheath surrounding a core material
comprising a non-elastomeric material or a thermoplastic elastomer
having a higher hardness than the thermoplastic elastomer sheath.
The invention also features methods of making multi-component
bristles, e.g., by coextruding a plurality of polymers. By
"multicomponent", we mean that the bristles have two or more
components; by "coextruded", we mean that at least two of the
components are present in the form of substantially separate phases
having a distinct interface between them, rather than being
intermixed. The bristles are preferably formed by processes which
are referred to in the art as "coextrusion", but the term
"multicomponent coextruded", as used herein, encompasses bristles
having the structure described above which are manufactured by
other processes.
[0015] The term "thermoplastic elastomer", as used herein, refers
to non-vulcanized, rubbery polymeric materials which may be
processed by conventional plastics processing methods which are
well known in the art, such as extrusion or injection molding.
[0016] In another aspect, the invention features an oral brush
including a plurality of bristles formed of a mixture including (a)
a non-elastomeric polymer, such as a relatively hard base resin,
e.g., Nylon, polypropylene, or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and
(b) a thermoplastic elastomer such as a polyamide thermoplastic
elastomer, a polyester thermoplastic elastomer or other olefinic
thermoplastic elastomers. In some embodiments this mixture also
contains additives such compatibilizers, abrasives and
plasticizers.
[0017] In yet another aspect of the invention, the invention
features an oral brush including a plurality of bristles formed of
a mixture including (a) a non-elastomeric polymer and (b) a soft
(e.g., having a hardness of less than 90 Shore A) vulcanized
rubber-type polymer, such as natural rubber, crosslinked
polybutadiene, crosslinked polyacrylates and the like. In some
embodiments this mixture also contains additives such as
compatibilizers, abrasives and plasticizers.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description of the preferred embodiment thereof,
and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a oral brush.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the head of an oral
brush according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic top plan view of the head of an oral
brush according to another embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional top view of a co-extruded
bristle according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a process according to
one embodiment of the invention for forming a coextruded
filament.
[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of oral brushes having
bristles molded
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a toothbrush 10 includes a plastic body
having a handle 12 and a head 14 attached to a bristle portion
16.
[0026] The body of the toothbrush is formed by conventional methods
well-known in the art. The handle is shaped to be grasped by a
hand, but alternatively can be shaped to fit into an electric
toothbrush. The configuration of the head can vary and may be
rectangular, oval, diamond-shaped, or any other shape, with
bristles which are trimmed flat, serrated, v-shaped, convex curved,
or any other desired topography, as is well known in the art. The
shape and size of handle 12 and head 14 can vary and the axes of
the handle and head may be on the same or a different plane. It may
be desired to provide a larger head than is conventional, in order
to provide extra room for the thermoplastic elastomer bristles,
while still retaining the standard number of non-elastomeric
bristles.
[0027] Brush portion 16 includes a number of non-elastomeric
bristles 18 and a number of elastomeric bristles 20. Preferably, as
shown in FIG. 2, the non-elastomeric bristles extend from the
central portion of the head 14 and the elastomeric bristles are
disposed around the outer perimeter of the head 14, surrounding the
non-elastomeric bristles. Another possible arrangement is shown in
FIG. 3.
[0028] The non-elastomeric bristles are formed of tufts of
individual filaments attached to the head in manners known to the
art. The elastomeric bristles are formed of tufts of one or more
filaments of thermoplastic elastomer. If a single filament is used
per tuft, the filament preferably has a diameter that is half that
of a standard pre-cored tuft hole, e.g., 33 mil for a 66-mil
pre-cored hole, so that the filament can be folded and staple
tufted into the hole.
[0029] Alternatively, some or all of the bristles are formed of a
mixture of elastomeric and non-elastomeric polymers. The
elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of
thermoplastic elastomers and vulcanized rubber-type polymers. In
both cases, the ratio of the elastomer to the non-elastomeric
material is preferably from 10:90-90:10. Preferred bristle
diameters range from 3-100 mil (tapered or untapered), depending on
the mixture used and elastomer and non-elastomeric material chosen
as would be understood by one skilled in the art.
[0030] Suitable filaments formed of a blend of elastomeric and
non-elastomeric include, but are not limited to the following:
TABLE-US-00001 Processing Drawdown Bend Composition Temp Ratio
Diameter Recovery 30% Pebax 2533 250.degree. C. 4:1 8 mil 95% 70%
Zytel 151L 30% Pebax 2533 250.degree. C. 4:1 7 mil 95% 70% Zytel
151L
[0031] Such a mixture can be compounded using standard processing
procedures such as a single screw or twin screw extruder or dry
blending.
[0032] Suitable thermoplastic elastomers are those which have
sufficient stiffness and hardness for effective gum massage and to
resist tearing and/or excessive wear during use, while being
sufficiently soft to provide comfort and avoid gum irritation
during gum massage. Suitable thermoplastic elastomers include
polyetheramides, e.g., PEBAX polymers (ELF Atochem); polyesters,
e.g., HYTREL polymers (DuPont); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene
block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block
copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, and
styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers, e.g., KRATON rubbers
(Shell); polyurethanes, e.g., PELLETHANE polyurethanes (DOW);
polyolefin elastomers, e.g., SANTOPRENE elastomers (Advanced
Elastomer Systems); and mixtures thereof. Poly(ether-amide) block
copolymers having the general formula ##STR1## where PA=polyamide
segment and PE=polyether segment, commercially available under the
tradename PEBAX polymers, are particularly preferred. Of these, a
copolymer of nylon 12 and poly(tetramethylene glycol) commercially
available under the tradename PEBAX MX-1205 polymer is particularly
preferred. Another preferred thermoplastic elastomer comprises a
blend of a polyamide sold under the tradename PEBAX 2533 and a
block copolymer sold under the tradename KRATON G-6713, preferably
containing about 90% of the polyamide and 10% of the block
copolymer. This blend provides good softness without tackiness or
weakness.
[0033] If a relatively soft thermoplastic elastomer is used, a
relatively large diameter filament may be needed to provide
sufficient durability and stiffness. Such large diameter filaments
preferably have a diameter less than about 200 mil, more preferably
30 to 100 mil. If a harder, stiffer thermoplastic elastomer is
used, a smaller diameter filament can be used. Generally, suitable
thermoplastic elastomers will have a Shore A hardness of at least
30, preferably from about 35 to 55 and a flexural modulus of from
about 5 to 100 MPa.
[0034] Suitable vulcanized rubber type polymers include, but are
not limited to, natural rubber, crosslinked polybutadiene,
cross-linked polyacrylates, and blends thereof.
[0035] Non-elastomeric bristles 18 may be formed of any material
suitable for use in toothbrush bristles. Such materials can also be
used as the non-elastomeric component of elastomeric
non-elastomeric blend bristles. Preferred materials include nylon
612 and other polyamides. A preferred grade of nylon is available
from Whiting Co., Burlington, Vt. under the tradename WYTEX.
Preferred polyamides include polythalamides sold by Amoco
Performance Products, Inc., under the tradename AMODEL resins. Such
polyphthalamides are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,603,166,
4,476,280, and 4,617,342, the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference. A particularly preferred polyphthalamide is a
crystalline polyphthalamide formed by polymerization of terphthalic
acid, isophthalic acid and adipic acid with hexamethylene diamine.
Other suitable filaments include acetal resins, polyesters,
fluoropolymers, polyacrylates, polysulfones and combinations
thereof. Preferred non-elastomeric filaments have a diameter of
from about 3 to 10 mil.
[0036] In an alternate embodiment, the elastomeric bristles include
a sheath 30 of thermoplastic elastomer coextruded around a core 32
of a different material, as shown in cross-section in FIG. 4. The
sheath to core volume ratio may be from 95:5 to 5:95.
[0037] Preferably, the core material is a stiff polymer, allowing
the outer sheath to be softer and/or allowing the bristles to have
smaller diameters than would otherwise be possible (with a
thermoplastic elastomer alone) due to the constraints of bristle
durability and strength. If desired the coextruded filaments can
have standard bristle diameters, e.g., 5-8 mil. Preferred filament
diameters range from 5 to 65 mil, depending on the application in
which the bristle is to be used. Suitable core materials include
but are not limited to polyamides, e.g., nylons, and polyesters,
e.g., PBT.
[0038] Preferred sheath materials include the thermoplastic
elastomers discussed above. Softer grades of these elastomers can
be used when a stiff core is provided, e.g., the sheath material
may have a hardness as low as 3 Shore A.
[0039] A suitable method for forming the coextruded filaments is
shown in FIG. 5. As shown, the two components are extruded through
first and second extruders to form a filament, after which the
filament is passed through a water bath, and through a series of
godets. The filament is placed under light tension as it travels
between two drawing godets which are rotating at different speeds.
The tension applied to the filament is expressed as the "drawdown
ratio", which is the speed differential between the two drawing
godets. Preferred drawdown ratios are from about 1.0 to 7.0. The
filament then passes through a relaxing godet and is collected on a
take-up winder. Suitable coextruded filaments include, but are not
limited to, the following: TABLE-US-00002 Composition Volume
Drawdown (Sheath/Core) Ratio Rat. Diameter PEBAX MX1205/Nylon 612
10:90 4:1 8 mil PEBAX MX1205/Nylon 612 50:50 1:1 or 2:1 55 mil
Blend of 90% PEBAX 2533 10:90 4:1 8 mil and 10% DYNAFLEX or
G6712/Nylon 612 50:50 1:1 or 2:1 55 mil HYTREL 3078/Nylon 612 10:90
4:1 8 mil or 50:50 1:1 or 2:1 55 mil
[0040] In an alternate embodiment, head portion 14 includes
bristles 20 integrally joined to spacer 40, which is attached to
the base of head portion 14, as shown in FIG. 6. Spacer 40 provides
good adhesion of bristles 20 to head portion 14 and provides
support to bristles 18. The additional support provided by spacer
40 stiffens bristles 18 by decreasing the effective length of the
bristles, which allows the incorporation of bristles having smaller
diameters that more easily penetrate the interstitial regions of
the mouth into the toothbrush. Bristles 18 extend from head portion
14 through spacer 40. Spacer 40 is formed of the elastomeric
materials listed above and can be formed of the same elastomeric
material as used to form the elastomeric bristles 20. Spacer 40 and
elastomeric bristles 20 at the perimeter of head portion 14 can be
molded as one unit. If the bristles 20 and spacer 40 are molded as
one unit, their diameter is preferably from about 4 mil to about
200 mil. Elastomeric bristles 20 can extend at angles from spacer
40 and can optionally extend from the head portion to a radiused
terminal end 71.
[0041] Alternatively, spacer 40 can be recessed into head 14 such
that the bristle receiving surface 46 of spacer 40 is substantially
contiguous with surface 44 of head portion 14, as shown in FIG.
7.
[0042] Other embodiments are within the claims. For example, if
desired, all of the bristles may be formed of thermoplastic
elastomer material. The bristles may be formed of a blend of
thermoplastic elastomers. Moreover, the oral brush may include
elastomeric bristles having different relative compositions, e.g.,
some of the bristles are formed of a first thermoplastic elastomer
or blend of elastomers and other bristles are formed of a different
thermoplastic elastomer or blend. Further, the elastomeric bristles
may include other polymers, e.g., plasticizers such as oils, waxes
or resins to increase softness, or additives, e.g., fillers,
antioxidants, UV stabilizers, and abrasives or polishing agents.
Suitable polishing agents include particles of plastic, particles
of walnut shells, particles of hardwood, particles of corn cob,
particles of rubber, calcium carbonate, aragonite clay,
orthorhombic clays, calcite clay, rhombohedral clays, kaolin clay,
bentonite clay, dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous,
dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, tricalcium phosphate, calcium
pyrophosphate, insoluble sodium metaphosphate, precipitated calcium
carbonate, magnesium orthophosphate, trimagnesium phosphate,
hydroxyapatites, synthetic apatites, alumina, hydrated alumina,
hydrated silica xerogel, metal aluminosilicate complexes, sodium
aluminum silicates, zirconium silicate, silicon dioxide, and
combinations thereof.
* * * * *