U.S. patent application number 12/492231 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-30 for toothbrush.
Invention is credited to Shou-Jen HUANG.
Application Number | 20100325827 12/492231 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43379143 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-30 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20100325827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUANG; Shou-Jen |
December 30, 2010 |
TOOTHBRUSH
Abstract
The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a bristle
support head having a plurality of bristles densely implanted
thereon and a brushing surface formed by ends of the bristles. The
contact area between the bristle support head and teeth can be
increased by virtue of the brushing surface. Reciprocal motion of
the bristle support head maintains contact between the bristles and
teeth so removes contaminants from inter-tooth spaces effectively
and with improved efficiency.
Inventors: |
HUANG; Shou-Jen; (SANCHUNG,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
43379143 |
Appl. No.: |
12/492231 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/167.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/026 20130101;
A46B 9/028 20130101; A46B 5/0095 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/167.1 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/04 20060101
A46B009/04 |
Claims
1. A toothbrush, comprising: a bristle support head having a
bristle surface with a bristle socket formed thereon; and a bristle
cluster having a plurality of bristles densely implanted on a
fastening flange and a brushing surface formed by ends of the
bristles, and securely embedded in the bristle socket of the
bristle support head.
2. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fastening
portion is formed on an outer edge of a wall of the bristle socket
by an inwardly protruding ridge.
3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brushing
surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an average width
of teeth.
4. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brushing
surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an average width
of teeth.
5. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristle
cluster is embedded in the bristle socket of the bristle support
head by injection molding.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a toothbrush, and more
particularly to a toothbrush increasing contact area between the
toothbrush and teeth for improved brushing efficiency.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] With reference to FIG. 4, an existing toothbrush has a
support head (90) having a mounting surface (91) formed thereon. A
plurality of bristle holes (92) are formed on the mounting surface
(91). Multiple tufts of bristles (93) are mounted respectively in
the bristle holes separated by a gap.
[0005] Since the tufts of bristles are spread over the mounting
surface (91) of the support head (90), the gap is formed between
the tufts. Hence, contact area between the bristles (93) and teeth
is reduced and reduces brushing efficacy. As such, an improved
toothbrush is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
toothbrush increasing contact area of between bristles of the
toothbrush and teeth for improved brushing efficiency.
[0007] A toothbrush has a bristle support head and a bristle
cluster. The bristle support head has a bristle surface with a
bristle socket formed thereon. The bristle cluster mainly has a
plurality of bristles and a brushing surface. The bristles are
densely implanted on a surface of a fastening flange. The brushing
surface is formed by ends of the bristles fitted in the bristle
socket of the bristle support head.
[0008] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in
accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the preferred
embodiment in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment
in accordance with the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bristle support head
in accordance with a conventional toothbrush.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention
is a toothbrush having a bristle support head (10) and a bristle
cluster (20).
[0014] The bristle support head (10) has a bristle surface (11). A
bristle socket (12) is formed on the bristle surface (11) and has a
wall. A fastening portion (13) is formed on an outer rim of the
wall of the bristle socket (12) and may be an inwardly projecting
ridge.
[0015] With reference to FIG. 3, the bristle cluster (20) has a
fastening flange (21) and multiple bristles (22). The fastening
flange (21) corresponds to and is mounted in the bristle socket
(12) and may engage the fastening portion (13). The bristles are
densely attached securely to the fastening flange (21), may be
densely formed in the fastening flange (21) by injection molding
and each bristle has an end adapted for cleaning teeth. The ends of
the multiple bristles align to form a brushing surface (23). The
brushing surface (23) may undulate with a wavelength equivalent to
an average tooth width to aid cleaning between teeth. Since average
tooth width changes with age and genetic makeup, brushing surfaces
of different wavelengths may be commercially available.
[0016] Given the aforementioned structure, the fastening flange
(21) inside the bristle socket (12) can endure and distribute shear
forces generated between the bristles (22) and the bristle support
head (10) so that the bristles (22) are firmly mounted on the
fastening flange (21). The design of the fastening portion (13) on
the bristle socket (12) can further prevent the fastening flange
(21) from detachment from the bristle socket (12), ensuring that
the fastening flange (21) is steadily mounted in the bristle socket
(12). Doing so can prevents the fastening flange (21) and bristles
(22) disengaging during use.
[0017] When the bristle support head (10) is used to clean molars,
the contact area between the bristles (22) and the teeth can be
augmented due to the brushing surface (23) constituting the ends of
all the bristles (22) densely implanted in the fastening flange
(21). Especially, reciprocal motion of the bristles (22) on the
bristle support head (10) maintain contact with the teeth and
remove contaminants from inter-tooth spaces, the contaminants may
be food debris, sugars, plaque, tartar or the like. Therefore, a
cleaning effect of the toothbrush is improved to maintain oral
hygiene under an economical use of time and effort.
[0018] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
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