U.S. patent application number 10/381571 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Matthias Georgi, Peter Janitz.
Application Number | 20060162108 10/381571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9900173 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060162108 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Georgi; Matthias ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Toothbrush
Abstract
A toothbrush head with having elongated projections made of an
elastomer material, having an integral resiliently flexible
elastomeric material wiper blade at the end remote from the head.
Suitable constructions of projections and wiper blades are
disclosed, and combinations with bristles. The wiper blades enhance
oral hygiene.
Inventors: |
Georgi; Matthias;
(Buehl(Baden), DE) ; Janitz; Peter; (Buehl
(Baden), DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITHKLINE BEECHAM CORPORATION;CORPORATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-US, UW2220
P. O. BOX 1539
KING OF PRUSSIA
PA
19406-0939
US
|
Family ID: |
9900173 |
Appl. No.: |
10/381571 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2001 |
PCT Filed: |
September 25, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP01/11133 |
371 Date: |
November 14, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 9/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2000 |
GB |
0023597.8 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A toothbrush head, having a face from which projects at least
one projection elongated in a length direction generally
perpendicular to the face and made of an elastomer material, the
projection characterized by; having an integral resiliently
flexible wiper blade of elastomer material at its end remote from
the head, the wiper blade extending in a length direction generally
parallel to the length direction of the projection, the wiper blade
having a width direction generally perpendicular to the length
direction of the projection and extending in its width direction
across at least 50% of the cross section of the projection and
having a thickness dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular
to its width direction which is 50% or less of its width
dimension.
22. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 characterized in that
the projection comprises an elongated cylindrical or
frustro-conical body extending in a length direction from the face
of the toothbrush head in a direction generally perpendicular to
the face and terminating in an end surface remote from the face,
the end surface being substantially planar or shallow convex, and
the wiper blade is integrally formed with the body and extends in
the length direction of the body from the said end surface.
23. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 characterized by an end
surface of shallow cone shaped, shallow pyramidal shaped, shallow
gable shaped, shallow polyhedral shaped or shallow domed.
24. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by a
body of length ca. 0.8-1.2 cm, and a cross section of 0.5-4 mm.
25. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 characterized by a
wiper blade of a generally planar blade, with an edge remote from
the face, a length dimension being the greatest dimension of the
wiper blade and extending across the end surface of the body
perpendicular to the length direction of the body, and having a
width dimension parallel to the length direction of the projection
which is less than the length dimension, and a least dimension
being the thickness perpendicular to its length and width.
26. A toothbrush head according to claim 25 having a width: length
ratio in the range 1:3 to 1:20 and a thickness:width ratio in the
range 0.5 to 0.1.
27. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 characterized by a
shape as viewed in side view perpendicular to the length direction
of the body and along the thickness direction of the wiper blade
which is generally rectangular.
28. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 made of a thermoplastic
elastomer material having a hardness of 10 to about 90 Shore A.
29. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by one
or more projection arranged along one or more of the sides of the
toothbrush head.
30. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by one
or more projection arranged at the end of the head remote from the
handle.
31. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged in rows oriented across the width of the
head.
32. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged in lines oriented along the length of the
head.
33. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged in polygonal clusters.
34. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged with width direction of their wiper blade
oriented generally parallel to the length direction of the
head.
35. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged with the width direction of their wiper blade
oriented generally perpendicular to the length direction of the
head.
36. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by
projections arranged with the width direction of their wiper blade
oriented at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. to the length
direction of the head.
37. A toothbrush head according to claim 21, characterized by two
or more of the projections with their wiper blades oriented
differently to each other.
38. A toothbrush head according to claim 21 characterized by
projections combined with bristles.
39. A toothbrush head according to claim 38 characterized by
projections arranged around the edges of the head, with bristles
extending from the central area of the face between the
projections.
40. A toothbrush head according to claim 38 characterized by rows,
lines and/or clusters of projections combined with rows, lines or
clusters of tufts of bristles.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to toothbrush heads and to
toothbrushes incorporating such a head.
[0002] Toothbrushes generally comprise a head and a handle, the
head being either an integral part with the handle e.g. integrally
moulded of plastic material together with the handle, or
replaceably mountable at an end of the handle. Normally the
toothbrush head has a face (the "bristle face") on which are
mounted bristle filaments, generally made of a relatively stiff
fibre material e.g. the commonly used material Nylon, and generally
projecting perpendicularly, or at a near-perpendicular angle from
the bristle face. An example of such fibres are those sold under
the trademark Tynex.TM. by Dupont.
[0003] Toothbrushes are known in which the ends of the bristles are
profiled, for example into a point as disclosed in EP-A-0 596 633
into the shape of a flattened blade, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,167,794.
[0004] Toothbrushes are known which in addition to or as an
alternative to such bristle filaments have massage parts mounted on
their head. Such massage parts are generally provided for massaging
and stimulating the gums, and can also serve other functions such
as cleaning and/or polishing the teeth. Often such massage parts
are made of an elastomer, i.e. rubbery material and are elongate
structures and generally project perpendicularly, or at a
near-perpendicular angle from the bristle face, e.g. generally in
the direction of the bristles when present. For example U.S. Pat.
No. 4,277,862 and DE 29512817 U1 disclose massage parts in the form
of strips flanking the sides of the toothbrush head. WO-A-97/16995
discloses massage parts in the form of fine elastomeric filaments
arranged on the face of the toothbrush head. EP-A-0 360 766A
discloses massage parts in the form of cylinders having rounded
knobs at their ends. GB-A-2 035 076 discloses massage parts in the
form of cones having fine "horns" at their ends. U.S. Pat. No.
5,040,210 discloses massage parts in the form of cones or obliquely
cut cylinders. WO-A-00/49911 discloses massage parts in the form of
pyramids. WO-A-98/03097 discloses massage parts in the form of
elastomeric strips with their width oriented across the head. In
all of these disclosures the massage parts are made of soft rubbery
material and their function is to gently clean the tooth surfaces
and/or to apply a gentle massage to the user's gums.
[0005] It is an object of this invention to provide a toothbrush
having an improved gum massage and stimulation and tooth cleaning
effect.
[0006] According to this invention a toothbrush head is provided,
having a face from which projects at least one projection being
elongated in a length direction generally perpendicular to the face
and being made of an elastomer material, the projection
characterised by;
[0007] having at its end remote from the head an integral
resiliently flexible wiper blade of elastomer material, the wiper
blade extending in a length direction generally parallel to the
length direction of the projection, the wiper blade having a width
direction generally perpendicular to the length direction of the
projection and extending in its width direction across at least 50%
of the cross section of the projection and having a thickness
dimension in a thickness direction perpendicular to its width
direction which is 50% or less of its width dimension.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment the projection comprises an
elongated cylindrical or frustro-conical body extending in a length
direction from the face of the toothbrush head in a direction
generally perpendicular to the face and terminating in an end
surface remote from the face, the end surface being substantially
planar or shallow convex, and the wiper blade is integrally formed
with the body and extends in the length direction of the body from
the said end surface.
[0009] The terms "cylindrical" and "conical" used herein include
true cylinders and cones, i.e. having circular cross sections and
straight sides (tapering in the case of a cone). These terms also
include distorted cylindrical and distorted cone shapes, for
example having distorted circular, e.g. oval cross sections, or
polygonal cross sections, e.g. prism or pyramid shapes, for example
with rounded corners. The terms also include shapes with other than
longitudinally straight sides, e.g. concave or convex curved sides
are also included. The long axis of the cylinder, or the base-apex
direction of the cone is the longitudinal direction of the
projection as referred to above. If the body is frustro-conical its
narrow end is remote from the face.
[0010] Typical shallow convex shapes for the end surface include
for example shallow cone shaped, shallow pyramidal shaped, shallow
gable shaped, shallow polyhedral shaped or shallow domed.
[0011] A typical length for such a body is ca. 0.8-1.2 cm, i.e.
approximating to the typical length of toothbrush bristles. A
typical cross section is ca. 0.5-4 mm, such as 2-4 mm, preferably
3-4 mm. A frustro-conical body shape is preferred because such a
shape facilitates removal of the projection from an injection mould
if the projection is made by injection moulding e.g. of a
thermoplastic elastomer ("TPE"). When the body is frustro conical
in shape the conical slope of the taper is suitably up to
20.degree., preferably 10.degree. or less.
[0012] Suitably the end surface of the body remote from the face is
planar, e.g. perpendicular to the length direction of the body. If
the remote surface is shallow convex then preferably its convex
projection is at most 50% of the cross section of the end of the
body remote from the face, preferably 25% or less, more preferably
10% or less.
[0013] The wiper blade is suitably a generally planar blade, with
an edge remote from the face, although its thickness direction may
deviate from planarity, e.g. by .+-.10%, e.g. the thickness
dimension may bulge or the blade may be curved in section as cut
across its length direction. Suitably the greatest dimension
("width") of the wiper blade extends across, preferably entirely
across, the end surface of the body, i.e. perpendicular to the
length direction of the body, preferably intersecting the central
longitudinal axis of the body. Suitably the wiper blade has a width
dimension parallel to the length direction of the projection which
is less than the length direction of the wiper blade parallel to
the length direction of the body, and its least dimension being its
thickness perpendicular to its length and width. A suitable width:
length ratio is in the range 1:3 to 1:20, preferably 1:3 to 1:10. A
suitable thickness:width ratio is in the range 0.5 to 0.1,
preferably 0.25-0.1.
[0014] Typically in shape as viewed in side view perpendicular to
the length direction of the body and along the thickness direction
of the wiper blade, the wiper blade may be generally rectangular.
The cross section of the wiper cut across its thickness direction
may be generally parallel sided, so that the wiper may be of a
generally tetragonal shape. Alternative shapes, e.g. an arc such as
a chord of a circle as viewed in side view perpendicular to the
length direction of the body and along the thickness direction of
the blade, may also be used. Also, the cross section of the wiper
cut across its thickness direction may taper, e.g. being of a wedge
shape narrowing away from the face of the toothbrush.
[0015] The projections may be made of known TPE materials which are
known for use for the massage projections of known toothbrushes
e.g. as discussed above. Suitable materials are soft elastomeric
materials, e.g. having a hardness of less than 90 Shore A.
Preferably the elastomeric material has a hardness from about 10 to
about 90 Shore A, more preferably 50 Shore A or less, e.g. from
about 14 to about 35 Shore A. Suitable materials are for example
natural rubber, crosslinked polybutadiene, etc., an example of such
a material being Santoprene.TM.. Suitable elastomeric materials
include those available under the trade names Megol and Santoprene,
and silicone elastomeric materials may also be used. Other suitable
elastomeric materials are disclosed in the state of the art
referred to above.
[0016] The projections may be made by injection moulding. The
projections may be made individually or may be made in groups, e.g.
linked by an integrally moulded linker of the elastomeric
material.
[0017] It is known to make two-component toothbrushes in which a
plastic material "skeleton" is made first and then this skeleton is
enclosed in a second injection mould cavity in which elastomer
parts are then made in a second injection moulding step so that the
elastomer and plastic materials bond. The elastomer projections of
this invention may be made via such a two stage process.
[0018] For example a plastic material skeleton comprising at least
the part to become the head of the completed toothbrush may first
be made, having locations where one or more projection as described
above is to be located in the completed toothbrush. This skeleton
may have then be enclosed in a second injection mould cavity having
cavity parts defining the shape of the one or more projection to be
formed, and then fluid elastomeric material may be injected into
the second injection mould, so that the one or more projection is
formed as the elastomer sets solid. The conditions of pressure and
temperature within the second mould may be such that the elastomer
material bonds to the plastic material.
[0019] The one or more projection(s) of this invention may be
positioned at any location on the toothbrush head. For example one
or more projection may for example be arranged along one or more of
the sides of the toothbrush head, at the end of the head remote
from the handle, or a plurality of the projections may be arranged
randomly, in rows oriented across the width of the head (i.e.
perpendicular to the head-handle "length" axis) in lines oriented
along the length of the head (i.e. parallel to the head--handle
axis) in clusters, or otherwise. Such clusters may for example
comprise arrays, e.g. rectangular arrays, or polygonal clusters,
and may be located at any place on the head, for example a cluster
at the tip end of the head remote from the handle.
[0020] The wiper blade may be oriented in any orientation relative
to the length and width direction of the toothbrush head. For
example the projection(s) may be arranged with their width
direction oriented generally parallel to the length direction of
the head, or generally perpendicular to the length direction of the
head, or at an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree., e.g.
45.degree. to the length direction of the head. Two or more of the
projections may have their wiper blades oriented differently, for
example at 90.degree. to each other.
[0021] The projections may be combined with bristles of a generally
conventional nature. For example the toothbrush may have the
above-described projections arranged around the edges of the head,
with bristles extending from the face of the head, i.e. from the
central area of the face between the projections. Alternatively the
toothbrush may have the above-mentioned rows, lines and/or clusters
of projections combined with rows, lines or clusters of tufts of
bristles. For example rows or lines or groups of rows or lines of
the said projections may alternate respectively with rows or lines,
or groups of rows or lines of tufts of bristles. In such a
combination the one or more projection may be substantially the
same length as the conventional bristles, or alternatively the one
or more projection may be longer or shorter than the conventional
bristles.
[0022] The projections of the invention may also be combined with
elastomer massage parts of other shapes, e.g. as conventionally
known in the art.
[0023] The invention will now be described by way of example only
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows part of a projection of the invention having a
generally cylindrical body.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows part of a projection of the invention having a
generally frustro-conical body.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows toothbrushes having the projections of this
invention.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1 a projection is shown generally 10.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views at right angles to each
other, and FIG. 1C is a downwards view in the opposite direction to
arrow designating the length direction "L" in FIG. 1A. The
projection 10 is elongated in the length direction "L" generally
perpendicular to the face (not shown in FIG. 1) of a toothbrush
(not shown in FIG. 1). FIGS. 1D, 1E and 1F show side views
perpendicular to the length direction "L" of alternate
constructions of the part of the projection 10 remote from the face
of the toothbrush. The projection 10 is made of an elastomer
material such as Santoprene.TM..
[0028] The projection 10 comprises an elongated cylindrical body 11
extending in the length direction L and terminates in an end
surface 12 remote from the face. The end surface 12 as shown in
FIG. 1A is substantially planar.
[0029] The length of the body i.e. the dimension from the face of
the toothbrush head (not shown) to the surface 12 is ca. 0.8-1.2
cm, and its cross section, i.e. the diameter of its circular
section, is ca 2-4 mm, preferably 3-4 mm.
[0030] A wiper blade 13 is integrally formed with the body 11 and
extends in the length direction "L" of the body from the said
remote surface 12. The wiper blade as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is a
generally planar blade having its greatest dimension ("width")
extending entirely across the remote surface 12 of the body 11
perpendicular to the length direction of the body 11 and
intersecting the central longitudinal axis in the length direction
"L" of the body 11. The view in FIG. 1A is generally looking in the
thickness direction of the wiper 13, the view in FIG. 1B is in the
width direction of the wiper 13, and the view in FIG. 1C is looking
in the length direction of the wiper 13. Therefore as viewed in
side view perpendicular to the length direction of the body 11 and
along the thickness direction of the blade 13, the wiper blade 13
is generally rectangular.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1D and 1E an alternative construction is
shown in which the remote surface 12 of the body 11 is a shallow
convex shape, i.e. shallow domed, bulging in the length direction
"L" of the body 11. The wiper blade 13 is of a generally
rectangular shape similar to that as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C.
The view in FIG. 1D is a side view perpendicular to the length
direction "L" of the body 11 and perpendicular to the width
direction of the blade 13, and along the thickness direction of the
blade 13. The view in FIG. 1E is a side view perpendicular to the
length direction "L" of the body 11 and perpendicular to the
thickness direction of the blade 13, and along the width direction
of the blade 13.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1F an alternative construction is shown in
which the remote surface of the body 11 is planar, and the wiper 13
is in the shape of an arc being a chord of a circle. The view in
FIG. 1F is a side view perpendicular to the length direction "L" of
the body 11 and along the thickness direction of the blade 13.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2 a projection is shown generally 20.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views at right angles to each
other, and FIG. 2C is a downwards view in the opposite direction to
arrow designating the length direction "L" in FIG. 2A. The
projection 10 has a body 21 which is frustro-conical in shape
elongated in the length direction "L", with its narrow end remote
from the face (not shown in FIG. 2) of a toothbrush (not shown in
FIG. 2), the length direction "L" again being generally
perpendicular to the face (not shown) of the toothbrush. The
projection 20 is made of an elastomer material such as
Santoprene.TM..
[0034] The projection 20 terminates in a surface 22 remote from the
face, being the narrow end of the frustro-conical shape. The remote
surface 22 as shown in FIG. 2A is substantially planar.
[0035] The length of the body 21 i.e. the dimension from the face
of the toothbrush head (not shown) to the surface 22 is ca. 0.8-1.2
cm, and its cross section, i.e. the diameter of its circular
section at its base end longitudinally opposite the surface 22, is
ca 2-4 mm, preferably 3-4 mm.
[0036] A wiper blade 23 is integrally formed with the body 21 and
extends in the length direction "L" of the body from the said
remote surface 22. The wiper blade as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B is
again a generally planar blade having its greatest dimension
("width") extending entirely across the remote surface 22 of the
body 21 perpendicular to the length direction "L" of the body 21
and intersecting the central longitudinal axis in the length
direction "L" of the body 21. The view in FIG. 2A is generally
looking in the thickness direction of the wiper 23, the view in
FIG. 2B is in the width direction of the wiper 23, and the view in
FIG. 2C is looking in the length direction of the wiper 23, i.e. in
the apex-base direction of the cone shape toward the base of the
cone shape. Therefore in shape as viewed in side view perpendicular
to the length direction "L" of the body 23 and along the thickness
direction of the blade 23, the wiper blade 23 is generally
rectangular.
[0037] In FIGS. 1B, 1E and 2B it is seen that the cross section of
the wiper 13, 23 cut across its thickness direction is generally
parallel sided, so that the wiper 13 of FIGS. 1A to 1C is generally
tetragonal in shape. In FIG. 1G the cross section of the wiper 13
cut across its thickness direction tapers, so that the wiper 13 is
generally wedge shaped.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, FIGS. 3A to 3I show toothbrushes 30
generally, having projections 10, 20 of the invention. Each
toothbrush 30 comprises a handle 31 and a head 32, moulded
integrally with the handle 31, with a neck region 33 in between.
FIGS. 3A to 3G are plan views looking along the length direction
"L" of the projections 10, 20. FIGS. 3H and 3I are side views
looking generally perpendicular to the length direction "L" and to
the longitudinal head-handle direction of the toothbrush.
[0039] Each head has a face 34 from which projects at least one
projection 10, 20 as described above. In each of the heads 32
shown, tufts 35 of conventional toothbrush bristles, e.g. known
Tynex.TM. filaments project in a direction generally perpendicular
to the face 34.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3A, projections 10, 20 are arranged in rows
perpendicular to the longitudinal head-handle axis of the
toothbrush 30. A row of tufts of bristles 35 is located between a
pair of rows of the projections 10, 20, so that rows of projections
10, 20 and tufts 35 alternate longitudinally.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3B, projections 10, 20 are arranged along
the side edges of the head 32, with tufts 35 between the
projections 10, 20 in the middle part of the face 34.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3C, tufts 35 are arranged along the side
edges of the head 32, with projections 10, 20 between the tufts 35
in the middle part of the face 34.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3D, projections 10, 20 are arranged in a
polygonal cluster 36, i.e. a hexagon of six projections surrounding
a central projection, at the end of the head 32 remote from the
handle 21. Between the cluster 36 and the handle 31 are rows of
tufts of bristles 35.
[0044] In the toothbrushes 30 shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D the wiper
blade 13, 23 of the projections 10, 20 are arranged with their
width direction parallel to the longitudinal head-handle direction
of the toothbrush 30. In FIG. 3E an arrangement of projections 10,
20 and tufts 35 similar to that of FIG. 3D is shown, with the
difference that the wiper blade 13, 23 of each projection 10, 20 is
oriented with its width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal
head-handle direction of the toothbrush 30.
[0045] In the toothbrushes 30 shown in FIGS. 3F and 3G the
arrangement of projections 10, 20 and tufts 35 is similar in plan
to that shown in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3F the wiper blade 13, 23 of the
projections 10A, 20A are arranged with their width direction
parallel to the longitudinal head-handle direction of the
toothbrush 30, but the projections 10B, 20B are arranged with their
width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal head-handle
direction of the toothbrush 30. In FIG. 3G the wiper blade 13, 23
of the projections 10A, 20A are arranged with their width direction
parallel to the longitudinal head-handle direction of the
toothbrush 30, but the projections 10C, 20C are arranged with their
width direction at an angle of 45.degree. to the longitudinal
head-handle direction of the toothbrush 30.
[0046] FIGS. 3H and 3I show side views of toothbrushes according to
this invention, the arrangement of projections 10, 20 and tufts 35
being similar to that shown in plan in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3H the
wiper blades 13, 23 of the projections 10A, 20A are arranged with
their width direction parallel to the longitudinal head-handle
direction of the toothbrush 30. In FIG. 31 the wiper blades 13, 23
of the projections 10A, 20A are arranged with their width direction
perpendicular to the longitudinal head-handle direction of the
toothbrush 30. In FIGS. 3H and 3I the alignment of the projections
10, 20 generally perpendicular to the face 34 is seen, and the
length of the projections 10, 20 being substantially the same as
the bristles 35 is also seen.
[0047] In use the toothbrush 30 of the invention is used with a
conventional toothbrushing technique, e.g. the known Bass
technique. The wiper blades 13, 23 are flexible relative to the
body 11, 21 and can assist in the removal of dirt etc from tooth
surfaces.
* * * * *