U.S. patent application number 11/815665 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-26 for toothbrush shaft.
Invention is credited to Henrik Falk.
Application Number | 20080148501 11/815665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36777527 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080148501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Falk; Henrik |
June 26, 2008 |
Toothbrush Shaft
Abstract
A toothbrush shaft (1) designed to carry a polishing member (7;
107) that includes an element (15) of microfibre fabric. The
toothbrush shaft according to the present invention may relate both
to a manual toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where an operator
manually performs the brushing motion, or to an electrical
toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where the motion of the brush head is
generated by an electrical power source. The polishing member (7)
is intended to be detachably mounted on the brush head, and
includes a cup shaped portion (9; 109), in which the element (15)
of microfibre fabric is received.
Inventors: |
Falk; Henrik; (Stockholm,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
209 Madison Street, Suite 500
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
36777527 |
Appl. No.: |
11/815665 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2006/000164 |
371 Date: |
August 7, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/22.1 ; 15/105;
15/167.1; 15/207.2; 15/210.1; 401/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 15/0002 20130101;
A46B 2200/1066 20130101; A46B 15/0032 20130101; A46B 17/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/22.1 ; 15/105;
15/167.1; 15/210.1; 401/22; 15/207.2 |
International
Class: |
A46B 13/00 20060101
A46B013/00; A46B 15/00 20060101 A46B015/00; A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04; A47L 25/00 20060101 A47L025/00; A46D 1/00 20060101
A46D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2005 |
SE |
0500268-8 |
Claims
1. Toothbrush shaft (1; 101) that is designed to carry a polishing
means (7; 107) that comprises an element (15) of microfibre fabric,
characterised in that the polishing means (7; 107) comprises a cup
shaped portion (9; 109), in which the element (15) of microfibre
fabric is received.
2. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that
the element (15) of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped
portion (9; 109).
3. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that
the polishing means (7) comprises a fastening portion (10) for
detachable mounting of the polishing means (7) on a brush head (3)
of the toothbrush shaft (1).
4. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that
the brush head (3) has a cavity (12), in which the fastening
portion (10) of the polishing means (7) is received.
5. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that
the fastening means (10) is equipped with flexible barbs (11).
6. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 1, characterised in
that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the
toothbrush shaft (101).
7. Polishing means (7) intended to be detachably mounted on a
toothbrush shaft (1), characterised in that said polishing means
(7) comprises a cup shaped portion (9), a fastening means (10)
integral with the cup shaped portion (9) and an element (15) of
microfibre fabric that is received in the cup shaped portion
(9).
8. Polishing means (7) according to claim 7, characterised in that
the element (15) of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped
portion (9).
9. Polishing means (7) according to claim 7, characterised in that
the cup shaped portion (9) is manufactured from a flexible
material.
10. Polishing means (7) according to claim 8, characterised in that
the cup shaped portion (9) is manufactured from a flexible
material.
11. Toothbrush shaft (1) according to claim 2, characterised in
that the polishing means (7) comprises a fastening portion (10) for
detachable mounting of the polishing means (7) on a brush head (3)
of the toothbrush shaft (1).
12. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 2, characterised in
that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the
toothbrush shaft (101).
13. Toothbrush shaft (101) according to claim 3, characterised in
that the polishing means (107) is permanently mounted on the
toothbrush shaft (101).
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a toothbrush shaft that is
designed to carry a polishing means that comprises an element of
microfibre fabric. The toothbrush shaft according to the present
invention may relate both to a manual toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush
where an operator manually performs the brushing motion, or to an
electrical toothbrush, i.e. a toothbrush where the motion of the
brush head is generated by an electrical power source. The
invention relates also per se to a polishing means that is intended
to be detachably mounted on the brush head.
PRIOR ART
[0002] There exist several different known methods to achieve
whiter teeth. A toothpaste on the market promises whiter teeth in
connection with regular use. Chemical treatments are also known
where a paste or a gel is applied to the teeth in one or several
steps.
[0003] It is also known toothbrushes that are especially designed
to give the user whiter teeth. Thus, several manufacturers market
toothbrushes that have rubber profiles that are integrated between
the bristle bundles in the brush head, the object of said rubber
profiles being to provide polishing of the teeth simultaneously as
the teeth are brushed. These rubber profiles may be designed in
several different ways. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose
S-shape, H-shape or zig zag shape may be mentioned.
[0004] As regards electrical toothbrushes it is previously known to
have the brush head equipped with a cup shaped rubber portion that
is located in the centre of the brush head.
[0005] In connection with polishing means made out of rubber it is
a general disadvantage that the polishing effect of such polishing
means is not too good. In connection with polishing of the teeth by
rubber material it is common that one pushes too hard and with
bristle straws located beside the rubber profile the pressure on
the gums will be too hard. This will eventually result in
contracted gum and shooting/icing pain in the neck of the
teeth.
[0006] It is also previously known a toothbrush where two
"polishing cups" are created by dense bristle that is surrounded by
longer, more spaced, angled bristle that holds the toothpaste.
However, there is a risk that the surrounding, longer, more spaced
bristle hurts the gums if the polishing is effective.
[0007] It is also previously known a toothbrush that has a serrated
rubber surface on the portion of the brush head that faces away
from the bristle bundles, said serrated rubber surface being
intended for removing bacteria from the tongue.
OBJECTS AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A primary object of the present invention is to present a
toothbrush shaft that enables polishing of the teeth of the user in
an efficient but light way.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is that the
polishing function is limited to the teeth of the user, i.e.
irritation of the gums is avoided.
[0010] Still an object of the present invention is to achieve the
polishing function without the use of chemical additives.
[0011] At least the primary object of the present invention is
realised by means of a toothbrush shaft and a polishing means that
have been given the features of the appending claims. Preferred
embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Below embodiments of the invention will be described,
reference being made to the enclosed drawings, where:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a manual toothbrush, a
cavity in the toothbrush shaft being shown for clarity reasons
although it is not visible in side view; and
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of an electric
toothbrush.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The toothbrush shown in FIG. 1 comprises a shaft 1 and a
brush head 3, said shaft 1 and brush head 3 being integral. The
brush head 3 comprises bristle straws, preferably in the shape of a
number of bristle bundles 5 that in a known way are fastened to the
brush head 3.
[0016] On the side of the brush head 3 that faces away from the
bristle bundles 5 the brush head 3 is equipped with a polishing
means 7 that comprises a cup shaped portion 9 and a fastening
portion 10, by which the cup shaped portion 9 detachably may be
fastened to the brush head 3. A waist 8 connects the cup shaped
portion 9 with the fastening portion 10. The cup shaped portion 97
the waist 8 and the fastening portion 10 are manufactured from a
flexible material, e.g. plastic. As is evident from FIG. 1 the
fastening portion 10 is equipped with barbs 11 that are intended to
cooperate with a cavity 12 of the brush head 3. The cavity 12 has a
hole 13 that has a smaller across dimension than the cavity 12.
This enables the barbs 11 to cooperate with the portion of the
cavity 12 that adjoins the hole 13. Since the fastening portion 10
is manufactured from a flexible material the barbs 11 may be
deformed in connection with the removal of the fastening portion 10
from the brush head 3.
[0017] The polishing means 7 also comprises an element 15 that
constitutes microfibre fabric, said element 15 being received in
the cup shaped portion 9 and permanently connected to the cup
shaped portion 9. In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose it
may be mentioned that the element 15 of microfibre fabric may be
embedded in the cup shaped portion 9.
[0018] Microfibre is a fibre material that consists of
polyester/polyamid, said fibre material being cut in radial
direction in a number of sections that in cross-section is in the
shape of circular segments. These sections have external corners
that are sharp and these sharp portions give the material its
characteristic to plane off/polish coatings on the teeth without
damaging the enamel.
[0019] When the element 15 of microfibre fabric is worn out the
polishing means 7 is removed from the brush head 3, this being
effected by removing the fastening portion 10 from the cavity 12.
In connection therewith the barbs 11 are deformed when the
fastening portion 10 passes through the hole 13. A fresh polishing
means 7 may now be mounted in the cavity 12, the barbs 11 of the
fastening portion 10 being deformed when passing through the hole
13.
[0020] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 relates to an electric
toothbrush, the shown embodiment having a detachable toothbrush
shaft that normally carries a permanently mounted brush head (not
shown) that performs oscillating or rotating motions.
[0021] In FIG. 2 a detachable toothbrush shaft 101 is shown, said
shaft 101 being designed to be attached to a power unit 102 that
comprises a power source. At its remote end the toothbrush shaft
101 is equipped with a coupling portion 104 for a polishing means
107 according to the present invention, said polishing means
preferably being permanently mounted on the brush tooth shaft 101
via the coupling portion 104. The polishing means 107 comprises a
cup shaped portion 109 and a flexible waist 108, by which the cup
shaped portion 109 is connected to the coupling portion 104. Also
the cup shaped portion 109 is preferably manufactured from a
flexible material, e.g. plastic.
[0022] The polishing means 107 comprises also an element 15 that is
manufactured from microfibre fabric, said element 15 may in
principle be identical with the element 15 in the embodiment
according to FIG. 1. For that reason said elements have been given
the same reference numeral. The element 15 of microfibre fabric is
received in the cup shaped portion 109 and permanently connected to
the cup shaped portion 109. When using the device shown in FIG. 2
the polishing means 107 will perform the corresponding motions as
the not shown brush head, said motions being generated by the power
source of the power unit 102.
[0023] In exemplifying and non-restricting purpose it may be
mentioned that the element 15 of microfibre fabric may be embedded
in the cup shaped portion 109. When the element 15 of microfibre
fabric is worn out the toothbrush shaft 101 is exchanged and
replaced by a new toothbrush shaft 101 having an unused polishing
means 107.
Feasible Modifications of the Invention
[0024] In connection with the embodiments described above the
element 15 of microfibre fabric is embedded in the cup shaped
portion 9; 109. Within the scope of the present invention it is
also feasible that the element 15 of microfibre fabric is provided
in the cup shaped portion 9; 109 in an alternative way. In
exemplifying and non-restricting purpose gluing may be
mentioned.
[0025] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the polishing means 7 is
detachably provided on the brush head 3 of the toothbrush shaft 1.
Within the scope of the present invention it is also feasible that
the polishing means is permanently mounted on the brush head 3,
i.e. it has a life that to the highest possible extent corresponds
to the life of the brush head. A further feasible alternative is
that the polishing means is detachably mounted relative to the
toothbrush shaft by some kind of thread coupling.
[0026] As regards an electric toothbrush the polishing means may be
detachably mounted on the shaft as an alternative to the entire
shaft 101 being detachable from the power unit 102.
[0027] Generally the present invention relates to a toothbrush
shaft that has a separate polishing means that may be provided
adjacent to the brush head or at some other location of the
toothbrush shaft. In connection therewith it is important that the
polishing means is given such a location and such dimensions that
the toothbrush shaft continues to be highly user-friendly.
* * * * *