U.S. patent application number 11/513632 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for electric toothbrush head.
Invention is credited to William R. JR. Brown, Thomas Christman, Georges Driesen, Thomas Fritsch, Michael Roberts, Armin Schwarz-Hartmann.
Application Number | 20060282963 11/513632 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25241073 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282963 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; William R. JR. ; et
al. |
December 21, 2006 |
Electric toothbrush head
Abstract
A head for an electric toothbrush includes a support member
having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough. A
plurality of tufts of bristles each extends through one of the
holes. A first brushing end of each tuft projects from a first side
of the support member. Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn
from its hole when a tensile force is applied to the first end of
each tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is
positioned adjacent a second side of the support member such that a
second end of each tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive
force is applied to the first end of each tuft along the long axis
of each tuft, each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction
into the cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion
causes each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction
substantially opposite the first direction.
Inventors: |
Brown; William R. JR.;
(Peabody, MA) ; Christman; Thomas; (Lexington,
MA) ; Driesen; Georges; (Weilrod, DE) ;
Fritsch; Thomas; (Eppstein, DE) ; Roberts;
Michael; (Brookfield, CT) ; Schwarz-Hartmann;
Armin; (Wendelsheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 161
6110 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Family ID: |
25241073 |
Appl. No.: |
11/513632 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09824310 |
Apr 2, 2001 |
|
|
|
11513632 |
Aug 31, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
15/28 ; 15/167.1;
15/180; 15/DIG.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1066 20130101;
A46B 9/025 20130101; A61C 17/222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/028 ;
015/167.1; 015/DIG.005; 015/180 |
International
Class: |
A46B 7/08 20060101
A46B007/08 |
Claims
1. A head for an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support member;
and a plurality of tufts of bristles supported at their base by the
support member, two of the tufts having their bases adjacent to
each other, the two tufts being tilted away from each other at an
acute angle relative to the support member.
2. The head of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two tufts has a
cross-section which is other than round in shape.
3. The head of claim 1, wherein at least one of the two tufts has a
cross-section which is oval in shape.
4. The head of claim 1, wherein the plurality of tufts includes a
third tuft which has a different cross-section than either of the
two tufts.
5. The head of claim 4, wherein the third tuft is also tilted at an
acute angle relative to the support member.
6. A head for an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support member
having a plurality of holes extending completely therethrough; a
plurality of tufts of bristles, each tuft extending through one of
the holes, a first brushing end of each tuft projecting from a
first side of the support member; means for preventing each tuft
from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied
to the first end of each tuft along a long axis of the tuft; and a
resilient cushion positioned adjacent a second side of the support
member such that a second end of each tuft can contact the cushion,
whereby when a compressive force is applied to the first end of
each tuft along the long axis of each tuft, each tuft can move in
its hole in a first direction into the cushion, and when the
compressive force is removed the cushion causes each tuft to move
in its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first
direction.
7. The head of claim 6, wherein the preventing means includes a
thickened portion at the second end of each tuft, the thickened
portion being larger than the tuft's respective hole such that the
thickened section cannot be pulled through the hole.
8. The head of claim 6, wherein two of the tufts are tilted away
from each other at an acute angle relative to the support
member.
9. The head of claim 6, wherein at least one of the tufts has a
cross-section which is oval in shape.
10. A head for an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support
member; and a plurality of tufts of bristles supported at their
base by the support member, the support member having a
substantially circular surface from which the tufts project, a
first one of the tufts being tilted along an imaginary radius which
projects from a center of the circular surface and passes through a
base of the first tuft, a second one of the tufts being tilted
along an imaginary circumference which encircles the center of the
circular surface and passes through a base of the second tuft.
11. The head of claim 10, wherein a base of the first tuft is
located closer to the center of the circular surface than a base of
the second tuft.
12. The head of claim 10, wherein the first tuft and second tuft
are tilted at different angles relative to the circular
surface.
13. The head of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and
second tufts has a cross-section which is other than round in
shape.
14. The head of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and
second tufts has a cross-section which is oval in shape.
15. A head for an electric toothbrush, comprising: a support
member; and a plurality of tufts of bristles supported at their
base by the support member, a pair of the tufts being tilted in
substantially the same direction relative to the support member, a
first tuft of the pair having a different cross-section than a
second tuft of the pair.
16. The head of claim 15, wherein the first tuft has a different
length than the second tuft.
17. The head of claim 16, further including a third tuft which is
tilted relative to the support member, the third tuft having a
different length than the first and second tufts.
18. The head of claim 15, wherein the first tuft has a different
number of bristles than the second tuft.
19. The head of claim 15, wherein the first tuft has a different
length than the second tuft.
20. The head of claim 15, further including a third tuft which is
tilted a an angle which is different from the angle of tilt of the
first and second tufts.
21. The head of claim 6, wherein at least one of the tufts is
oriented at an acute angle to a surface of the support member from
which the at least one tuft projects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
09/824,310 filed on Apr. 2, 2001, which is herein incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to the field of oral care,
and in particular to toothbrushes. More specifically, the invention
relates to electric toothbrushes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Electric toothbrushes are well known and have been on the
market for years. With typical electric brushes all of the tufts of
bristles on the brush head are vertically oriented relative to the
top surface of the head. The tufts are oscillated, rotated and/or
translated in order to provide enhanced tooth cleaning
capability.
[0004] German Gebrauchsmuster 8807968.6 discloses a head for an
electric toothbrush. A first group of circular tufts 18 are arrayed
in a first ring about the center of rotation of the head. A second
group of taller circular tufts 16 are arrayed in a second ring
which is outside the first ring and also encircles the center of
rotation of the head. All of tufts 16 and 18 are circular in
cross-section and are canted away from the center of the head at an
acute angle relative to a top surface of the head
[0005] A problem with this brush is that all of the tufts have a
circular cross-section. Such tufts are not that effective at
penetrating between teeth to clean the interdental or approximal
areas of the teeth. Further, all but one of the tufts are angled
away from the center. Such a tuft pattern tends to flair (flatten)
out even more than designed during use, thereby having the same
brushing characteristics as a worn-out standard brush.
Additionally, none of the tufts are angled along the direction of
the rotational circumference which results in even poorer
interdental penetration of the bristles.
[0006] European Patent 0765642 also discloses a head for an
electric toothbrush. There are a number of bristle tufts 17 which
are vertically oriented on the head. Bristle tufts 13, 15 are
located about a perimeter of the circular head and are tilted at an
acute angle along a circumference of a top surface of the head. All
of the tufts on the head have a circular cross-section.
[0007] Again we see the problem of a brush head in which all of the
tufts have a circular-cross-section: such tufts do not penetrate
well in the approximal tooth areas. This head also has no tufts
which are angled away from the center to sweep along the gum line
or gingival margin of the mouth. Further, in two pairs of the tufts
13, the tufts are adjacent to each other and are angled towards
each other. These two tufts appear to be in contact. A downside to
this tuft arrangement is that the two adjacent tufts can tend to
interfere with each other during use of the brush. In addition, due
to the tuft configuration and shape, a lot of the available space
of the head is not used. This reduces efficacy and increases wear
of the head (flare) upon use. For effective brushing approximately
32-36% of the head surface must be covered with tufts/bristles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more
of the problems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to
one aspect of the present invention, a head for an electric
toothbrush includes a support member and a plurality of tufts of
bristles supported at their base by the support member. Two of the
tufts have their bases adjacent to each other and are tilted away
from each other at an acute angle relative to the support
member.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the invention, a head for an
electric toothbrush includes a support member having a plurality of
holes extending completely therethrough. A plurality of tufts of
bristles each extends through one of the holes. A first brushing
end of each tuft projects from a first side of the support member.
Each tuft is prevented from being withdrawn from its hole when a
tensile force is applied to the first end of each tuft along a long
axis of the tuft. A resilient cushion is positioned adjacent a
second side of the support member such that a second end of each
tuft can contact the cushion. When a compressive force is applied
to the first end of each tuft along the long axis of each tuft,
each tuft can move in its hole in a first direction into the
cushion. When the compressive force is removed the cushion causes
each tuft to move in its hole in a second direction substantially
opposite the first direction.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the invention, a head for an
electric toothbrush includes a support member and a plurality of
tufts of bristles supported at their base by the support member.
The support member has a substantially circular surface from which
the tufts project. A first one of the tufts is tilted along an
imaginary radius which projects from a center of the circular
surface and passes through a base of the first tuft. A second one
of the tufts is tilted along an imaginary circumference which
encircles the center of the circular surface and passes through a
base of the second tuft.
[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a head for an
electric toothbrush includes a support member and a plurality of
tufts of bristles supported at their base by the support member A
pair of the tufts is tilted in substantially the same direction
relative to the support member. A first tuft of the pair has a
different cross-section than a second tuft of the pair.
[0012] These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of
the present invention will be more clearly understood and
appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of an electric
toothbrush;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a is an exploded view of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 1 looking along the direction
of arrow 3;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of a cushion, support member and tuft
of bristles of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
head for an electric toothbrush;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the head of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along lines
A-A;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along lines B-B;
and
[0021] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of FIG. 6 taken along lines
D-D.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiment 1
[0022] Beginning with FIGS. 1 and 3, an electric toothbrush 10
includes a neck 12 and a head 14. As is well known to those skilled
in the art, head 14 is oscillated through an angle of preferably
.+-.20 to 50 degrees about an axis parallel to an arrow 3.
Electrical power is preferably supplied by rechargeable or single
use batteries. The batteries power an electric motor which, through
gearing or another linking element, oscillates the head. Further
details as to how the head is oscillated will not be provided as
this aspect of the brush is not the focus of the invention.
[0023] Head 14 contains a large number of tufts of varying lengths,
cross-sections and orientations. Although each tuft is shown as a
solid mass in the drawings, the tufts are actually each made up of
a great mass of individual plastic bristles. The bristles are
preferably made of 612 nylon. Each of tufts 16 are oval in
cross-section with a 6.1 mm height. The dimensions of the oval are
1.78 mm.times.3.05 mm. 5 or 6 mil filament can be used for tuft 16.
The tuft is vertically oriented relative to the top surface of the
head.
[0024] Each of tufts 18 are triangular in cross-section with
rounded vertexes (tri-oval in shape). These tufts are 6.35 mm in
height with a dimension of 2.03 mm from the rounded vertex nearest
the center of the head to its opposite side. Tufts 18 also have a
dimension of 2.28 mm between the two remaining rounded vertices.
Preferably 6 mil filament is used to make the bristles for this
tuft. The tuft is vertically oriented relative to the top surface
of the head.
[0025] Each of tufts 20 are oval in cross-section with a 7.62 mm
height. The dimensions of the oval are 1.27 mm.times.2.28 mm. 6 mil
filament can be used for tufts 20. The tuft is tilted away from the
center of the head at an angle of about 20 degrees relative to the
top surface of the head. The long dimension of the oval
cross-section lies along the direction of tilt of tuft 20.
[0026] Each of tufts 22 are oval in cross-section with a 7.37 mm
height. The dimensions of the oval are 0.76 mm.times.3.05 mm. 6 mil
filament can be used for tufts 22. The tuft is tilted along an
imaginary circular line whose center is concentric with the head's
center. The angle of tilt is about 20 degrees relative to the top
surface of the head. The long dimension of the oval cross-section
is aligned substantially towards the center of the head.
[0027] Each of tufts 24 are oval in cross-section with a 7.62 mm
height. The dimensions of the oval are 0.76 mm.times.1.52 mm. 6 mil
filament can be used for tufts 22. The tuft is tilted along an
imaginary circular line whose center is concentric with the head's
center. The angle of tilt is about 12 degrees relative to the top
surface of the head. The long dimension of the oval cross-section
is aligned substantially towards the center of the head.
[0028] Each of tufts 24 are oval in cross-section with a 7.62 mm
height. The dimensions of the oval are 0.76 mm.times.1.52 mm. 6 mil
filament can be used for tufts 22. The tuft is tilted along an
imaginary circular line whose center is concentric with the head's
center. The angle of tilt is about 12 degrees relative to the top
surface of the head. The long dimension of the oval cross-section
is aligned substantially towards the center of the head.
[0029] Each of tufts 26 are oval in cross-section with a 8.4 mm
height. The dimensions of the oval are 0.76 mm.times.1.52 mm. 6 mil
filament can be used for tufts 22. The tuft is tilted along an
imaginary circular line whose center is concentric with the head's
center. The angle of tilt is about 12 degrees relative to the top
surface of the head. The long dimension of the oval cross-section
is aligned substantially towards the center of the head.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, a more detailed description of head
14 will be provided. A plastic base member 30 is supported in neck
12 and is driven by gearing or another driving element (not shown)
to oscillate the head. A resilient cushion 32 is made of a
thermoplastic elastomer and is positioned within base member 30. A
plastic support member 34 has a number of wholes therethrough which
match in number and shape the number and shape of all of the tufts
of bristles. Base member and support member can be made of Delrin.
Cushion 32 can be made of GLS Dynaflex G 6703
[0031] A pair of catches 36 (only one is visible) in support member
34 engage a pair of openings 38 in base member 30 to secure the
support member to the base member in a snap-fit arrangement which
securely traps cushion 32 therebetween. Tufts 40 are supported at
their bases by the support member. The lower portions of the tufts
are not shown in FIG. 2 but will be described in further detail
below.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, cushion 32 is shown adjacent support
member 34. Only one of the tufts 18 is shown. The non-brushing end
of tuft 18 has been melted into a mass 42. Mass 42 prevents tuft 18
from being withdrawn from its hole when a tensile force is applied
to a brushing end 43 of the tuft along a long axis of the tuft. A
cylindrically shaped protrusion 44 is provided on cushion 32 and is
in contact with mass 42. At least one protrusion is provided for
each tuft on the brush.
[0033] When a compressive force is applied to end 43 of tuft 18
along the long axis of the tuft, the tuft can move in its hole in a
first direction 46 into the cushion. Such movement occurs because
protrusion 44 acts like a spring, compressing under the force
applied to it by mass 42. When the compressive force is removed the
protrusion resumes its original shape, causing tuft 18 to move in
its hole in a second direction substantially opposite the first
direction. Such action assists in preventing damage to a person's
gums in the event excessive pressure is used during brushing of the
teeth.
[0034] Alternatively, mass 42 can be captured within support member
34 while the support member is being formed by injection molding
(known as hot-tufting). In this case, cushion 32 is not required.
In another alternative, member 34 is ultrasonically welded to base
member 30 after the tufts are secured to member 34. As such,
catches 36 and openings 38 are eliminated.
Embodiment 2
[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 5-9, a second embodiment of a head for
an electric toothbrush will be described. A head (support member)
50 supports a multiplicity of tufts of bristles. The bristles all
have a diameter of about 6mil. Of course different filament
diameters can be used (e.g. 6.0.+-.0.5 mil).
[0036] A first group of tufts 52 have a round cross-section and
extend perpendicular from head 50. Each tuft includes about 54
bristles per tuft. Tufts 52 rise about 7 mm above the head (the
tufts' length) and preferably include bi-filament bristles. Such
bristles are coextruded from two different materials, such as nylon
6.12 and nylon 6.10, and bend when exposed to water. All nylons
mentioned for this embodiment are preferably polyamid. Further
details on such bi-filament bristles can be found in PCT published
application WO 98/14092.
[0037] A second group of tufts 54 are oval in shape (i.e. fin
shaped) and also extend perpendicular from head 50. The filaments
of this tuft are extruded from a single material such as nylon 6.12
Tufts 54 rise about 7.4 mm above the head. There are about 108
bristles in each tuft 54.
[0038] A third group of tufts 56 are also oval in shape and rise
about 7.4 mm above head 50. Tufts 56 are preferably made of nylon
6.12 with each tuft including about 108 bristles. Tufts 56 are
angled away from vertical by about 6 degrees in a radial direction
away from the center of the head (see FIG. 8).
[0039] A fourth group of tufts 58 are round in cross-section and
rise about 7.4 mm above head 50. Such bristles are coextruded from
two different materials, such as nylon 6.12 and nylon 6.10, and
bend when exposed to water. Each tuft includes about 54 bristles.
Tufts 58 are angled away from vertical by about 7.5 degrees in a
radial direction away from the center of the head (see FIG. 8).
[0040] A fifth group of tufts 60 are oval in cross-section and rise
about 8.3 mm above head 50. Tufts 60 are preferably made of nylon
6.12 with each tuft including about 108 bristles. Tufts 60 are
angled away from vertical by about 7.5 degrees in a tangential
(i.e. circumferential) direction. Each tuft 60 is angled towards
its closest neighboring tuft 60 (see FIG. 8) which makes the tufts
more stable because the paired tufts support each other during
brushing. This also assists in reducing bristle wear for these
tufts.
[0041] A sixth and final group of tufts 62 are round in
cross-section and rise about 7.4 mm above head 50. Tufts 62 are
preferably made of nylon 6.12 with each tuft including about 54
bristles. Tufts 62 are angled away from vertical by about 6 degrees
in a tangential (i.e. circumferential) direction. Each tuft 62 is
angled towards its closest neighboring tuft 62 (see FIG. 5).
[0042] Endrounding of the bristles is accomplished after they are
secured to the head. As such, the angle of tilt away from vertical
for applicable tufts is limited to 7.5 degrees in order to obtain
the best endrounding. Conventional stapling techniques can be used
to secure the single tufts or segments to the head at an angle up
to 7.5 degrees. If a tuft angle above 7.5 degrees is desired, an
additional degree of freedom is required for the stapling tool (in
this case, endrounding will not be as good).
[0043] Tufts 56 and 60 preferably include blue or green wear
indicating bristles which are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No.
4,802,255. Oval shaped tufts 54, 56 and 60 are actually each made
up of two groups of bristles. The oval shape increase the stiffness
of these tufts and allows them to penetrate better between teeth
than circular tufts.. All of the oval shaped tufts have dimensions
of about 1.45 mm by 2.9 mm All of the tufts with round
cross-sections have a diameter of about 1.5 mm. The diameter of
head 50 is about 13.25 mm. In an alternative embodiment, all of the
tufts on the head range in length (the rise above the head) between
about 6.7 mm to about 8.6 mm.
[0044] The invention has been described with reference to preferred
embodiments. However, it will be appreciated that variations and
modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the
art without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0045] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written
document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a
document incorporated by referenced, the meaning or definition
assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
[0046] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *