U.S. patent application number 11/254434 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for comprehensive-hygiene toothbrush and tongue-cleaning apparatus.
Invention is credited to Arsenio Santos.
Application Number | 20060085932 11/254434 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36204805 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060085932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Santos; Arsenio |
April 27, 2006 |
Comprehensive-hygiene toothbrush and tongue-cleaning apparatus
Abstract
An improved oral-hygiene apparatus, for example a toothbrush,
includes a handle configured to resist rolling and angled to
maintain the head off a surface when idle. In addition, the
apparatus includes recessed tongue-cleaner on the head, opposite
the bristles. The tongue-cleaner features a rounded tongue-curette
scrape edge and smooth curette base. This design allows
omni-directional travel and effectively scrapes and cleans the
tongue and inner cheek. The present invention is economical to
produce and does not increase the overall thickness of the
instrument head.
Inventors: |
Santos; Arsenio; (Aloha,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARK J PANDISCIO;PANDISCIO & PANDISCIO
470 TOTTEN POND ROAD
WALTHAM
MA
02451-1914
US
|
Family ID: |
36204805 |
Appl. No.: |
11/254434 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60621394 |
Oct 22, 2004 |
|
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60679513 |
May 10, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/111 ;
15/143.1; 15/167.1; 606/161 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0081 20130101;
A46B 15/0055 20130101; A46B 2200/1066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/111 ;
015/167.1; 015/143.1; 606/161 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. An oral-hygiene apparatus comprising: a handle portion
comprising a self-actuating position stabilizing means; a head
portion arranged adjacent to a first end of the handle; a bristle
platform arranged at an inclined offset from a longitudinal axis of
the handle portion and arranged on a first face of the head
portion; and a second face arranged opposite the first face and the
second face comprising a curette base having at least one rounded
edge element adapted for omni-directional scraping of a
surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further wherein the handle portion
further comprises: a first overall outer diameter and the head
portion further comprises a second overall outer diameter being
generally smaller than the first diameter.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bristle platform further
comprises: a first bristle-grouping comprising an angled contact
edge, the angled contact edge and a second bristle-grouping
comprising a second angled contact edge; a third bristle-grouping
comprising a row of left-biased bristle elements; and a fourth
bristle-grouping comprising a row of right-biased bristle
elements.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the bristle platform further
comprises: a first bristle-grouping comprising an angled contact
edge, the angled contact edge and a second bristle-grouping
comprising a second angled contact edge; a third bristle-grouping
comprising a row of left-biased bristle elements; and a fourth
bristle-grouping comprising a row of right-biased bristle
elements.
5. The oral hygiene apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an
encapsulated suspension means arranged on the handle portion.
6. The oral hygiene apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a
gripping portion arranged adjacent to the handle-portion and
arranged adjacent to the head-portion.
7. A self-actuating position-stabilizing means for an oral hygiene
apparatus, the self-actuating position-stabilizing means
comprising: an elongated handle portion comprising a first,
generally flat surface; a second, substantially curvilinear surface
adjacent to the first surface; and an off-axis center of mass.
8. The self-actuating position-stabilizing means of claim 7 further
comprising a head portion adapted to interface with the handle
portion, the head portion comprising an oral hygiene instrument
head.
9. The self-actuating position-stabilizing means of claim 7 further
comprising a gripping portion adapted to interface with the
handle-portion and arranged intermediate to a head portion, the
head porting adapted for use as an oral hygiene instrument
head.
10. A toothbrush head for an oral-hygiene apparatus, the head
comprising: a bristle-platform arranged along a plane offset from a
major axis of the head, the bristle-platform adapted to receive a
plurality of bristle-groupings; a first bristle-grouping comprising
an angled contact edge, the angled contact edge and a second
bristle-grouping comprising a second angled contact edge; a third
bristle-grouping comprising a row of left-biased bristle elements;
and a fourth bristle-grouping comprising a row of right-biased
bristle elements.
11. The toothbrush head of claim 10 further comprising a curette
base arranged on a side opposite the bristle platform, the curette
base comprising a scrape edge element adapted for omni-directional
scraping of a surface.
12. The toothbrush head of claim 11 wherein the scrape edge element
comprises a generally oval ridge element.
13. The toothbrush head of claim 11 wherein the scrape edge element
comprises a generally Y-shaped ridge element.
14. The toothbrush head of claim 11 wherein the scrape edge element
comprises a rounded profile.
15. The toothbrush head of claim 10 further comprising a
handle-portion extending from an intermediate gripping portion, the
gripping portion adapted to couple to the head.
16. The toothbrush head of claim 15 wherein the handle-portion
further comprises a self-actuating position-stabilizing means.
17. The toothbrush head of claim 15 further comprising an
encapsulated suspension means.
18. The toothbrush head of claim 17 wherein the encapsulated
suspension means comprises a magnet.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application No. 60/621,394 titled "Improved Toothbrush and Tongue
Cleaner" filed on 22 Oct. 2004 and provisional patent application
No. 60/679,513 titled "Comprehensive-Hygiene Toothbrush System"
filed on 10 May 2005.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for
improved oral hygiene. Specifically, the present invention relates
to an improved design for a toothbrush and tongue cleaner
apparatus.
[0003] A recent poll taken in the United States ranked the
toothbrush ahead of the automobile as an indispensable object
necessary for daily living. This indispensable tool of civilized
society has seen many improvements during its long life--from
inauspicious incarceration of animal bones and hairs, to the modern
electric, sonic-pulse toothbrush.
[0004] In basic form, the modern, manual toothbrush has three basic
parts--the head, which contains the bristles, the neck, and the
handle. It is not surprising, therefore, that these parts would be
the target of improvements for inventors the world over. Yet,
despite all the improvements, the conventional, manual toothbrush
still needs improvement. One area of improvement not adequately
addressed by the prior-art is the ever-more demanding area of
personal hygiene. A second area of needed improvement is designs
that keep the toothbrush free from contaminants when placed on a
surface during periods of non-use.
[0005] The tongue is an often-overlooked aspect of proper oral
hygiene. The conventional toothbrush provides little assistance to
proper tongue cleaning for a number of reasons. First, the bristles
are ill suited for effective cleaning of the tongue because they
often invoke a "gag-reflex". For example, oral hygiene requires
manipulation of the tongue to reach further back into the mouth.
Conventional toothbrush bristles are inadequate to this task as
they function poorly to depress the tongue. Moving the tongue out
of the way to reach the back of the mouth requires more than gentle
pressure, but, as pressure is increased on the tongue, discomfort
increases and induces the gag-reflex. Another drawback of a
conventional toothbrush is a user's set of upper-front teeth
restricts the mobility of the brush handle when the bristles make
contact with the tongue.
[0006] Second, a conventional toothbrush cannot adequately clean
the tongue because the bristles cannot form a squeegee-like action
against the surface of the tongue. Papillae, resembling miniature
carpet pile, cover the surface of the tongue. Partially digested
foods in the form of semi-liquid residue find their way in between
the papillae, a location inaccessible to bristles of a conventional
toothbrush. A scraping tool better cleans this accumulated residue
on the papillae. Because the bristles of a conventional toothbrush
deflect and bend when pressure is applied, it does not efficiently
and effectively clean the papillae.
[0007] Third, a conventional toothbrush creates a large effective
cleaning area when properly used. However, the large effective
cleaning area relies on every bristle tip contacting the cleaning
surface. To improve contact, conventional bristles are made stiff
or offer less flexibility in movement. Consequently, slight tilting
of the toothbrush handle, for example, lifts a portion of the
bristles and removes them from contacting the cleaning surface and,
therefore, a conventional toothbrush looses a significant amount of
cleaning effectiveness.
[0008] It is, however, desirable that oral-hygiene instruments
include both the bristles of a conventional toothbrush and an
improved tongue cleaner. This would improve oral hygiene, be less
time consuming, more comfortable, and provide more efficient and
thorough cleaning after each use. Users will be less likely to
forego tongue cleaning because it is always available during a
"tooth-brushing session".
[0009] Attempts to improve the toothbrush as a tongue-cleaner
received limited success. For example, some prior-art devices
include a second set of short bristles mounted opposite
conventional toothbrush bristles. This approach, however, increases
the overall thickness of the toothbrush head making insertion into
the mouth difficult and increasing the propensity of the
gag-reflex.
[0010] Another attempt to improve the conventional toothbrush
provides a scraping edge on the tip of toothbrush head opposite the
bristles. Again the drawback with this design in addition to the
issue of thickness already mentioned is that it allows only
unidirectional scraping, which severely limits cleaning of the
tongue papillae.
[0011] Other attempts to incorporate a scraping mechanism on a
conventional toothbrush are undesirable. In one example, the
straight scraping edge and hard corners encourage accumulation of
undesirable debris left over from the cleaning process and makes
cleaning the tongue-scraper difficult. This can result in dangerous
build-up of bacteria-laden residues.
[0012] Certain improvements to the toothbrush have been attempted
to address keeping the head from contacting the bathroom counter.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,796 issued to Lodato on 28 Sep.
1999 for a Personal Hygiene Device illustrates a self-righting
tendency. The circular design, however, will tend to cause sideways
rolling before finally coming to an upright position. Although this
design tends to be unstable or wobbly, conceivably, this
predisposes the toothbrush to fall from the counter as it rolls to
its center of gravity.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,380, issued to Vrignaud for an Oral
Hygiene Device on 2 Jun. 1998, presents a two-headed gum-specific
brush with a tongue scraper on the other end of the device. This
design is messy and cumbersome to use because one may have to
handle a part that just got inside the oral cavity since the brush
head and tongue cleaner are located at opposite ends. The tongue
scraper is quite small in dimension to provide significant tongue
cleaning coverage without resorting to repetitive scraping motions.
Such repetitive strokes could prove to be injurious to the
tongue
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,127, issued to Nack on 13 Jul. 1993
shows a tongue cleaner consisting of several short bristles and a
scraper that has the same height as bristles attached to an
oversize head. But, Nack does not include a conventional
toothbrush.
[0015] Thus, there remains a need for a modern, manual toothbrush
that overcomes these aforesaid shortcomings of conventional
toothbrushes. Specifically, there is a need for a toothbrush with
an efficient tongue cleaner, a more effective bristle
configuration, an ergonomically functional handle, and a toothbrush
that maintains the head free from surface contaminants when it
rests on a counter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art and presents a novel and useful system and apparatus for
improving oral hygiene. The compact head of the present invention
significantly reduces the gag-reflex induced by wider designs in
the prior art. In addition, the propensity for the build up of
dangerous bacteria on the instrument head is greatly diminished due
to the rounded corners of the curette base. Additionally, the
overall design of the handle portion, head size, and balance of the
instrument ensures that inadvertent contamination of the head from
a surface is greatly reduced. Many other advantageous and
improvements to the prior art are appreciated upon scrutiny of this
disclosure including the many figures.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention adapts as a
combined toothbrush and tongue cleaner. The bristle pattern
enhances teeth cleaning and the efficient curette base is ideally
suited for scraping the tongue and inside walls of the mouth. The
handle portion is easy to hold, ergonomic, balanced and designed to
self align both when being manipulated for cleaning the mouth and
when placed on a counter-top.
[0018] In a first embodiment the present invention includes an
oral-hygiene apparatus comprising: a handle portion comprising a
self-actuating position stabilizing means; a head portion arranged
adjacent to a first end of the handle; a bristle platform arranged
at an inclined offset from a longitudinal axis of the handle
portion and arranged on a first face of the head portion; and a
second face arranged opposite the first face and the second face
comprising a curette base having at least one rounded edge element
adapted for omni-directional scraping of a surface.
[0019] This first embodiment may further include modifications to
the handle portion, the modifications comprising: a first overall
outer diameter and the head portion further comprises a second
overall outer diameter being generally smaller than the first
diameter.
[0020] The first embodiment includes the bristle platform having: a
first bristle-grouping comprising an angled contact edge, the
angled contact edge and a second bristle-grouping comprising a
second angled contact edge; a third bristle-grouping comprising a
row of left-biased bristle elements; and a fourth bristle-grouping
comprising a row of right-biased bristle elements.
[0021] Additionally, the apparatus includes a bristle platform
further comprising: a first bristle-grouping comprising an angled
contact edge, the angled contact edge and a second bristle-grouping
comprising a second angled contact edge; a third bristle-grouping
comprising a row of left-biased bristle elements; and a fourth
bristle-grouping comprising a row of right-biased bristle
elements.
[0022] Further, the first embodiment includes an encapsulated
suspension means arranged on the handle portion. And, a gripping
portion arranged adjacent to the handle-portion and arranged
adjacent to the head-portion in modifications of the first
embodiment.
[0023] In a second embodiment the present invention includes a
self-actuating position-stabilizing means for an oral hygiene
apparatus. The self-actuating position-stabilizing means comprises:
an elongated handle portion comprising a first, generally flat
surface; a second, substantially curvilinear surface adjacent to
the first surface; and an off-axis center of mass.
[0024] Further, the self-actuating position-stabilizing means
comprises a head portion adapted to interface with the handle
portion, the head portion comprising an oral hygiene instrument
head.
[0025] And, the self-actuating position-stabilizing means further
comprises a gripping portion adapted to interface with the
handle-portion and arranged intermediate to a head portion, the
head porting adapted for use as an oral hygiene instrument
head.
[0026] A third embodiment of the present invention includes a
toothbrush head for an oral-hygiene apparatus. The head comprises:
a bristle-platform arranged along a plane offset from a major axis
of the head, the bristle-platform adapted to receive a plurality of
bristle-groupings; a first bristle-grouping comprising an angled
contact edge, the angled contact edge and a second bristle-grouping
comprising a second angled contact edge; a third bristle-grouping
comprising a row of left-biased bristle elements; and a fourth
bristle-grouping comprising a row of right-biased bristle
elements.
[0027] This embodiment further comprises a curette base arranged on
a side opposite the bristle platform, the curette base comprising a
scrape edge element adapted for omni-directional scraping of a
surface.
[0028] Also, the toothbrush head includes a scrape edge element
comprising a generally oval ridge element. Optionally, the
toothbrush head includes a scrape edge element comprising a
generally Y-shaped ridge element.
[0029] The third embodiment includes a scrape edge element
comprising a rounded profile.
[0030] This third embodiment also includes a toothbrush head having
a handle-portion extending from an intermediate gripping portion,
the gripping portion adapted to couple to the head. And, the
handle-portion further comprises a self-actuating
position-stabilizing means.
[0031] Additionally, the toothbrush head further comprises an
encapsulated suspension means. One possible encapsulated suspension
means comprises a magnet.
DRAWING
[0032] FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a right-side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a left-side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 7 is a right-side end view of an alternative embodiment
of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG.
5.
[0040] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the top of the
embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG.
9.
[0042] FIG. 11 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 9.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the
curette base according to the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 13 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 12.
[0045] FIG. 14 is a top view of another embodiment of the curette
base according to the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 15 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0047] FIG. 16 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 14.
[0048] FIG. 17 is a top view of a possible bristle arrangement
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 18 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 17.
[0050] FIG. 19 is an assembly view of one embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0051] The present invention is illustrated by preferred
embodiments; however, it is understood that the invention is not
limited to the disclosed embodiments and--on the contrary--is
intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents
as may be included in the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the claims.
[0052] The various figures of the accompanying drawing illustrate
aspects of the present invention and are not necessarily to scale.
For clarity, some figures omit certain elements, or include extra
elements. Similar features share a common reference numeral.
[0053] In one embodiment the present invention relates to an
oral-hygiene apparatus 10, such as a toothbrush 12. For clarity and
ease, many of the upcoming embodiments describe a toothbrush
combined with a tongue-curette scraper; however, it is readily
understood that many oral-hygiene devices would benefit from this
inventive disclosure. Therefore, in other embodiments of the
present invention the oral-hygiene apparatus includes dental
instruments such as a mouth mirrors and mirror handles, probes,
scalers, retractors, langers, explorers, and related examination,
treatment, and hygienic instruments as may be typically used in an
oral-hygiene or oral-treatment clinic and the like.
[0054] FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The oral-hygiene apparatus 10, depicted as a unique
toothbrush-curette instrument 12, includes a handle portion 14 at
one end, a head portion 16 at the opposite end and a gripping
portion 18 located intermediate to the two ends. An encapsulated
suspension means 20 located substantially near the center of mass
of the long axis of the instrument 12, such as a magnet, enables
selective and releasable coupling of the apparatus 10 to a ferrous
surface, such as the side of a typical medicine or bathroom cabinet
and provides for easy and convenient storage of the apparatus when
not in use.
[0055] In other embodiments, not depicted in the accompanying
drawings, the encapsulated suspension means 20 includes
hook-and-loop fastener systems whereby storage during non-use is
easily accommodated by providing a mating hook-and-loop fastener on
a desired surface. A snap, a through-hole and mating peg, or other
mating means would work equally well, for example.
[0056] The head portion 16 includes many beneficial elements in one
contemplated embodiment of the present invention. For instance, if
a horizontal axis is extended generally parallel to the long axis
of the attached handle portion 14, an inclined bristle platform 22
can be readily appreciated. The inclined bristle platform 22
benefits oral hygiene by orienting the plurality of bristle
elements 24 in a useful direction for cleaning one's teeth as the
handle portion is manipulated, for example. Emerging from the
bristle platform 22, the plurality of bristle elements 24 is
arranged in alternating groupings. For example, a first bristle-row
26 includes a generally right-direction bias and a second
bristle-row 28 includes an opposite, generally left-direction bias.
That is to say, the groupings of bristle elements are organized
into rows and each alternating row has a slant, or bias to the
individual elements. FIGS. 3, 6 and 10, for example, illustrate
this arrangement.
[0057] Again, making general reference to FIGS. 1-6, for example,
the handle portion 14 includes many beneficial elements of one
contemplated embodiments of the apparatus 10. Of particular note,
the handle 14 includes a rounded-profile, or generally elliptical,
wall member 44 adjacent to a generally flattened wall member 46.
Combined with an off-center mass, the pairing of the rounded or
elliptical wall 44 with the flat wall causes gravity to rotate the
handle 14 until it rests on the flat wall portion 46. By orienting
the head portion 16 with this feature in mind, the device can
advantageously present the head portion in a particular
orientation, automatically, whenever the apparatus 10 is placed on
a generally solid and generally level surface, such as a tabletop
or countertop. The combination of rounded and flat walls on the
handle portion benefits oral hygiene by reducing the opportunity
for the head portion to contact other instruments or the surface on
which it is placed and keep it from rolling off the surface.
[0058] One contemplated means for producing on off-center center of
mass in the handle portion is illustrated in FIG. 8, which shows a
cross-section of the handle. The geometric center 50 does not
coincide with the center of mass 48. To achieve this, an interior
wall 66 toward the outer, rounded wall 44 forms a hollow void. This
causes the mass 48 of the handle to be concentrated adjacent and
generally toward the flat wall 42. Thus, when the handle portion is
placed on a flat surface, regardless of initial placement, the
rounded wall acts as a pivot-device, rotating the handle 14 toward
the flat wall. Chamfered sidewall members 43 ease the transition
from the rounded wall 44 to the flat wall 42 during rotation of the
handle.
[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates another possible embodiment of the
present invention. Shown from the right-side end view, the
apparatus 10 includes a handle portion 14 with an overall outer
diameter, represented by the circle 56, that is larger than the
overall outer diameter of the head portion 16, represented by the
circle 58.
[0060] FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 detail an omni-directional
tongue-scraper 36 according to one possible embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 9 shows the head portion 16 and part of the
neck 15, which connects or links to the handle portion and gripping
portion (not shown in FIG. 9). The head portion 16 has a plurality
of bristle elements 24 on one side. On an opposite side, the
curette base 30 is generally oval in shape and recessed from the
overall plane of the head. The curette base is surrounded by a
rounded edge element 34, which forms the scrape edge 32 at its
perimeter. This particular embodiment adapts well as a
comprehensive-hygiene apparatus because it offers an overall low
head height and the scrape edge presents no sharp angles, acute
angles or corners for unwanted bacteria to accumulate. This design
will minimize the "gag" reflex and the bristles 24 are ideally
positioned for optimum teeth cleaning. This compact design is
easily manufactured. For example, the curette base 30, scrape edge
32 and rounded edge element 35 can be readily fabricated during an
injection mold operation.
[0061] Other possible configurations of the curette base 30, scrape
edge 32 and edge element 34 are contemplated. FIGS. 12-16
illustrate some possible renditions of possible tongue scrapers 36.
For example, FIGS. 12 and 13 depict a recessed curette base 30
divided by a generally Y-shaped spiny edge element 34 that presents
three distinct scrape edges. And, FIGS. 14-16, for example, show a
central I-shaped spiny edge element 34 dissecting the recessed
curette base 30 into two portions and having two corresponding
scraping edges 32.
[0062] The curette base 30 may be integrally formed during the mold
process. However, other curette base constructions will work
equally well. For example, the curette base may be a separate
construction and made of a different material (i.e. rubber) and
glued at the back of the toothbrush, like an insert or an
overmolded piece.
[0063] Making specific reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, advantageous
features of a possible bristle pattern highlight a first, front-set
bristle segment 68 having a series of bundled bristle elements,
each bundle having a tapered head relative to the plane of the
bristle platform 22. The front-set segment 68 is angled or canted
toward the center of the bristle platform. Conversely, a second,
rear-set bristle segment 70 has a similar taper to each bristle
bundle, albeit oppositely facing so both the front set 68 and rear
set 70 have tapered bristles leaning toward the center of the
common bristle platform 22. Intermediate to the two tapered bristle
segments (68 and 70) are alternating rows of bristle groupings. For
example, a first bristle row 26 includes a bias slant to the right
and a second bristle row 28 includes a bias slant to the left. The
FIGS. 17 and 18 demonstrate the tallest bristle grouping 72 with a
darkened oval. Each adjacent bristle group decreases in overall
height until the end of the row, where the shortest bristle group
74 lies. In this manner, alternating rows on the bristle platform
22 have alternating left and right biases, respectively. One
advantage to this arrangement of bristles includes optimized
approach angles to the desired cleaning surface as a user
manipulates the head.
[0064] FIG. 19 illustrates a possible assembly configuration of
suitable components of one embodiment of the present invention. The
device 10 comprises a toothbrush with tongue-scraper. A plurality
of bristles 24 mounted conventionally to the bristle platform on a
first side of the head portion. Opposite the bristle platform is a
curette base 30 and associated scraping edge 32. A common pre-mold
support element 15 includes stabilizing means 17 and an
encapsulated suspension means, such as the insert structure for a
magnet 20. And, it further comprises a low-density material. An
overmold segment 13 with integrated grip portion 18 fits over and
conventionally couples to the support element 15. The overmold
segment 13 comprises a high-density material such as TPU, TPE, or
TPR, for example, to provide a soft grip surface for the user.
[0065] Other embodiments and uses of the device are readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art. For example, the present
invention may be incorporated in a conventional toothbrush or a
vegetable cleaning brush or the brush -curette tool can be made of
suitable material to be used for getting rid of calluses on the
body.
[0066] This disclosure is not intended as limiting. Instead,
exemplary embodiments of the present invention were described so
that those having ordinary skill in the art may better appreciate
the intent and spirit of the invention. The invention is limited
only by the proper construction of the following claims.
* * * * *