US20010014991A1 - Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region - Google Patents

Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20010014991A1
US20010014991A1 US09/768,333 US76833301A US2001014991A1 US 20010014991 A1 US20010014991 A1 US 20010014991A1 US 76833301 A US76833301 A US 76833301A US 2001014991 A1 US2001014991 A1 US 2001014991A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
region
head
tip
base
toothbrush
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/768,333
Other versions
US6442786B2 (en
Inventor
Hans Halm
Hans Kramer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/US1992/000696 external-priority patent/WO1992018509A1/en
Priority claimed from US08/437,759 external-priority patent/US5651158A/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9517450.4A external-priority patent/GB9517450D0/en
Application filed by SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH filed Critical SmithKline Beecham Consumer Healthcare GmbH
Priority to US09/768,333 priority Critical patent/US6442786B2/en
Publication of US20010014991A1 publication Critical patent/US20010014991A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6442786B2 publication Critical patent/US6442786B2/en
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B7/00Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body
    • A46B7/06Bristle carriers arranged in the brush body movably during use, i.e. the normal brushing action causing movement
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B5/00Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware
    • A46B5/002Brush bodies; Handles integral with brushware having articulations, joints or flexible portions
    • A46B5/0025Brushes with elastically deformable heads that change shape during use
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A46BRUSHWARE
    • A46BBRUSHES
    • A46B2200/00Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
    • A46B2200/10For human or animal care
    • A46B2200/1066Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29CSHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C45/00Injection moulding, i.e. forcing the required volume of moulding material through a nozzle into a closed mould; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C45/16Making multilayered or multicoloured articles
    • B29C2045/1693Making multilayered or multicoloured articles shaping the first molding material before injecting the second molding material, e.g. by cutting, folding
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29LINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/42Brushes
    • B29L2031/425Toothbrush

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to toothbrushes having a flexibly linked region in their head.
  • Toothbrushes having a flexibly linked region in their head are known.
  • WO 92/17093 discloses a toothbrush in which the head is divided into two or more segments which are flexibly and resiliently linked to each other and/or to the handle of the toothbrush.
  • a particular form of the toothbrush of WO 92/17093 has a head which has grooves in the reverse face of the head from which the bristles extend, these grooves being filled with an elastomeric material to modulate the flexibility.
  • the embodiments disclosed in have their grooves distributed in a generally uniform distribution over the reverse face of the head, or around the longitudinal mid point of the head, so as to enable the whole head to accommodate itself to the curved shape of the teeth.
  • a toothbrush comprises a handle with a head, the head having a base end facing the handle and a tip end remote from the base end, the head adjoining the handle at the base end of the head, the head and handle being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis, the head having bristles extending from a bristle face to the head, characterised in that the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush handle and extending from the base end of the head to a link region situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, both the base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region.
  • the linking of the tip region and base region is preferably in a manner which enables the tip region to fold or pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing.
  • the link provided at the link region between the tip region and the base region allows the tip region to fold or pivot during use about a fold or pivot axis which is in the plane of the bristle face and generally transverse to the longitudinal toothbrush axis such that bristles on the tip region can lean backwards, i.e. so that the free ends of bristles in the tip region swing toward the handle, assisting the bristles to clean surfaces of the teeth which face the back of the mouth.
  • the flexible linking also helps to prevent excessive brushing pressure from being applied during toothbrushing.
  • the head of the toothbrush will adjoin the handle of the toothbrush via a neck region between the base of the toothbrush head and the part of the handle which is held during use.
  • the base region is substantially rigid, that is, during the operation of brushing the teeth the base region does not significantly flex beyond the usual limits of flexing of a plastics material toothbrush head.
  • the link region is preferably in the longitudinal half of the head furthest from the base of the head.
  • the base region extends for at least 60%, for example at least 75% of the distance between the base end of the head and the tip of the head.
  • the tip region may also be substantially rigid, so that the tip region does not itself significantly flex apart from its folding or pivoting relative to the base region.
  • the tip region may be of a variety of shapes accommodated to the shape of the tip of the head, e.g. circular, triangular (including ogival), rectangular, elongate, lozenge shape etc.
  • the bristle face of the tip region and base region of the toothbrush of this invention may be substantially coplanar, i.e. with a substantially 180° angle between them.
  • the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region, e.g. 150°-179°, suitably 155°-170°.
  • a suitable angle is one in which the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to, e.g. touching, the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region.
  • the link region between the tip region and the base region may comprise a composite region between the tip region and base regions, the composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material.
  • the composite region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of a combination of thin spines, strips or a continuous membrane of a both flexible and resilient plastics material, e.g. integral with the head, and also by an elastomeric material in the aperture, space or chasm.
  • These spines, thin strips or membrane may be in the same plane as a substantially planar head, or may slope or may be curved or folded out of planarity. In this construction the head is effectively in two regions linked by such links, and the links are embedded in a covering layer of rubber.
  • Such a composite region may for example comprise a net, ladder, latticework, cellular or trellis structure of plastics material integral with the material of the head, with interstices containing the elastomeric material.
  • Such a composite region may for example comprise one or more, for example two, strips of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head, and extending between the tip region and base region to bridge an aperture, space or chasm between the tip region and the base region, the aperture, space or chasm also containing an elastomeric material, suitably bonded to the sides of the space and to the strips and suitably substantially filling the aperture, space or chasm, optionally also bulging above the surface of the surrounding plastics material of the head.
  • the strips in such a construction may be closer to the bristle face than to the back of the head.
  • the plastics material parts in such a composite region may be thick enough to contribute materially to the flexibility and resilience of the link region, or alternatively they may be so thin as to contribute little to the flexibility and resilience of the link region, and may thus serve simply to retain the tip and head regions together before the elastomer is added.
  • the link region between the tip region and the base region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged solely by means of a complete or partial filling of an elastomeric material.
  • the head is effectively in two regions with a gap between them containing the elastomer.
  • This elastomeric material is preferably bonded to the tip region and base region on opposite sides of the aperture, space or chasm so as to hold the tip region and base region together.
  • the above-mentioned apertures or spaces may comprise a slot, chasm or cut out across the width of the head, dividing the base region from the tip region.
  • Such an aperture may be open at the bristle face of the head and/or at the opposite face of the head, and may pass completely through the head.
  • Such apertures, spaces or chasms may be of various shapes, for example widthways slots. These may in plan be substantially straight aligned widthways, curved or angular, e.g. generally “C”, “U” or “V” shaped. In such a construction the convex bulge of the “U” or “C” or the apex of the “V” may point either toward the handle or toward the tip of the head away from the handle.
  • such aperture, space or chasms may be narrow at the edges of the head and widen toward the centre of the head or vice versa.
  • the aperture, space or chasm may comprise one or more, preferably one, grooves with a depth of part of the thickness of the head such that the remaining plastics material at the bottom of the groove forms a thin link of plastics material.
  • the groove may then be filled wholly or partly with elastomeric material to form a composite region.
  • the aperture, space or chasm may pass, in places at least, completely through the thickness of the head, for example leaving bridges of head material crossing the aperture, space or chasm between places where the aperture, space or chasm passes completely through the thickness of the head.
  • Such an aperture, space or chasm may be wholly or partly filled with elastomeric material to thereby form a composite region.
  • the aperture, space or chasm pass completely through the thickness of the head for the whole of their length they may be wholly or partly filled with an elastomeric material.
  • the aperture, space or chasm may extend widthways to the sides of the toothbrush head, and elastomeric material therein may be extended around the tip region of the head and/or around the base region of the head to form an elastomeric buffer around the toothbrush head to soften any impact of the toothbrush head with the gums of the user, and also to gently massage the gums.
  • elastomeric material may be provided around the tip region of the head to form an elastomeric buffer in a known manner e.g. as in FR 442832 and DE 36 28 722.
  • the outer surface of this elastomeric material may have a corrugated surface, which may further help to control the flexibility of the link region.
  • the head is constructed such that the tip region may fold backwards resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head in the link region.
  • the fold axis may cross the head in or on the edge of an aperture, space or chasm as described above.
  • the aperture, space or chasm may be shaped such that the widthways oriented fold axis crosses the head of the toothbrush entirely within the aperture, space or chasm.
  • the link region is a composite region as described above, the folding may occur by bending of the above described plastic material parts, or bending at the point where such a part meets the edge of the aperture, space or chasm.
  • Such a construction can cause the entire tip region to fold in the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, so that the tip region in effect folds backwards towards the base region during use in toothbrushing.
  • This folding can facilitate tooth cleaning, for example enabling the toothbrush head to accommodate itself better to the curved shape of the row of the teeth.
  • the tip region and/or link may be constructed and positioned such that the tip region can pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end.
  • Such a construction causes pivoting of the tip region about this axis intermediate along its length, i.e. causes the tip region to have a “see-saw” action in which during toothbrushing part of the tip region toward the tip of the head pivots in the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, and the part of the tip region toward the base region of the head pivots in a direction opposite to the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, or vice versa.
  • such pivoting may for example be achieved in a construction of head in which the tip end of the base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the tip region which extends in the base direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region.
  • the tip end of the base region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, with a part of the tip region between the two prongs of the fork, and a link between the tip region and base region.
  • the base end of the tip region may be in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the base region which extends in the tip direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region.
  • the base end of the tip region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, with a part of the base region between the two prongs of the fork, and a link between the tip region and base region.
  • the tip region may be made generally “C”, “U” or “V” shaped with its limbs toward the base region, or “Y” shaped with the upper limbs of the Y towards the base region.
  • the part of the base region which extends in the tip direction may lie between the said limbs.
  • such bridges may be provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other to define a pivot axis and to encourage pivoting in a plane in which the longitudinal axis lies. Additionally or alternatively such bridges may be provided at other points in the aperture to encourage pivoting about other axes.
  • the elastomeric material may be an elastomeric material as commonly used in two-component toothbrushes, e.g. that described in EP 0336641, which can be bonded to plastics materials used for toothbrush handle manufacture. Such an elastomeric material can be injected into the toothbrush mould shortly after injection moulding of the plastics material parts of the toothbrush so that the hot plastics material fuses and bonds with the elastomeric material. This is a generally known process.
  • the bristles may be disposed in discrete generally circular section tufts in patterns which are generally known in the field of toothbrushes, for example in longitudinal or widthways rows at a generally conventional spacing. If fused in, the bristles may additionally or alternatively be disposed in “mats” of a cross section which may be circular or other than circular.
  • the bristles may be disposed in discrete generally circular section tufts, or if fused in, the bristles may additionally or alternatively be disposed in “mats” of a cross section which may be circular or other than circular.
  • the bristle tufts in either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally “C” or “U” shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the “C” or “U” aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the “C” or “U” facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle.
  • the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face may be substantially coplanar. Alternatively the ends may undulate about a plane to accommodate the ends of the bristles to the undulating profile of the teeth or to lie in a “battlemented” shape to help clean the interdental spaces. Such undulating surface bristles are known. Additionally or alternately the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the tip region may lie in a different plane to the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the base region of the head. For example the plane of the said ends on the tip region may slope upwards away from the bristle face in the direction away from the handle. This may for example be achieved in the preferred embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention in which the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region.
  • the handle may be of generally conventional construction, and may for example include a folded flexible region, and grip pads of elastomeric material, as exemplified in EP 0336641. Elastomeric grip pads may alternatively or additionally be located on other parts of the toothbrush handle as convenient.
  • the toothbrush of the invention may be made by generally conventional injection moulding techniques, for example in which a plastics material “skeleton” is first made by injection moulding, then elastomer parts if present, are introduced by a subsequent injection moulding step, in which the elastomer is injected as a hot fluid and bonds to the plastics material.
  • a plastics material “skeleton” is first made by injection moulding, then elastomer parts if present, are introduced by a subsequent injection moulding step, in which the elastomer is injected as a hot fluid and bonds to the plastics material.
  • Such techniques, and suitable plastics materials and elastomer materials are well known. If the link region includes an elastomer material then this may be injected with the same injection step as is used to inject elastomer grip pads, and these various regions of elastomeric material may be connected by moulding channels in a known manner.
  • the toothbrush is preferably made as follows. Firstly the plastics material skeleton is made by injection moulding, with the bristle face substantially flat, then the tip region is folded to the desired angle with the base region, then the elastomer is injected into the link region.
  • the bristles may also be of generally conventional construction and materials, and may be fastened into the bristle face by generally known techniques. For example small metal clips around the ends of bristles to be fixed into the head, which are then wedged into sockets in the bristle face. Alternatively the bristles may be fused into the head material, again using known techniques.
  • FIGS. 1 to 36 show various plan, side and perspective views of toothbrush heads of the invention, and views without the elastomeric material, thereby showing the underlying construction of the head.
  • FIGS. 1 to 4 a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head at the edge of the tip region which faces the base region is shown.
  • This toothbrush comprises a handle 1 with a head 2 integrally adjoining the handle at a base end 3 of the head, the head 2 and handle 1 being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis A-A, the head 2 having bristles 4 extending from a bristle face 5 of the head in a general bristle direction B.
  • the head 2 comprises two regions.
  • a substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head.
  • a tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6 . Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 8 .
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2 , and extending transversely across the entire width of the head 2 .
  • the groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10 .
  • the flexible link between the tip region 7 and the base region 8 consequently is provided by the composite region comprising the thinned plastics material at the base of the groove 9 , combined with the elastomeric material 10 .
  • the flexible link enables the tip region 7 to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6 backwards towards the handle 1 during toothbrushing, in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1.
  • the tip region 7 is of a substantially circular shape, bounded by the curved perimeter of the tip 8 of the head 2 over part of its perimeter, and by a curved edge of the aperture 9 over the part of the perimeter of the tip region 7 facing the base region 6 .
  • the opposite edge of the aperture 9 on the side nearest the base 3 , extends in a straight edge across the width of the head 2 , and the tip region can fold about the axis C-C, which crosses the head 2 transversely in the aperture 9 between the tip region of the head 2 and the base region, so that the tip end of the tip region 7 moves in the bristle direction B.
  • the bristles 4 are arranged in a generally polygonal pattern of tufts which comprises a central tuft surrounded by a regular hexagonal pattern of tufts symmetrically arranged, such that there are equal numbers of tufts i.e. three of the surrounding tufts disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis A-A of the toothbrush.
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a groove which extends part way through the thickness of the head 2 , so as to leave a thinned region of the plastics material of the head 2 of the toothbrush at the bottom of the groove.
  • FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 an alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6 , during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head at the edge of the tip region which faces the base region is shown in plan views and a side view.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 the head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly.
  • the tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape.
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a straight line shaped slot extending widthways across the head 2 of the toothbrush and entirely through its thickness, but incorporating thin integral bridges 11 .
  • the tip region 7 can fold about the axis C-C, which crosses the head 2 transversely in the aperture 9 .
  • the elastomeric material 10 is extended around the tip 8 of the head 2 to form an external buffer around the tip 8 of the head 2 .
  • FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown.
  • the toothbrush head is shown without the elastomeric material.
  • bristles are omitted from the base region 6 for clarity. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 8 are correspondingly numbered.
  • the head 2 comprises two regions.
  • a substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 to the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head.
  • a tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6 . Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 8 .
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2 , and extending transversely across the entire width of the head 2 .
  • the groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10 , which extends around the tip end of the tip region 7 to form a buffer.
  • the base region 8 integrally extends in the tip direction in the form of two limbs forming a two pronged fork which partly surrounds the tip region 7 which lies between the limbs.
  • the aperture 9 partly surrounds the tip region 7 both on the side which faces the base region 8 , and around part of the longitudinal sides of the tip region 7 , e.g. a generally crescent shaped aperture.
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a slot extending widthways across the head 2 of the toothbrush and entirely through its thickness, but incorporating thin integral bridges 11 , shown in FIG. 10, which are provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other on either longitudinal side of the tip region, and which provide pivot points about which the tip region 7 can pivot, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9, about the axis C-C shown in FIG. 11.
  • FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown.
  • the toothbrush head is shown without the elastomeric material.
  • the bristles are omitted from the base region for clarity. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 - 11 are numbered correspondingly.
  • the head 2 comprises two regions.
  • a substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head.
  • a tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6 . Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 .
  • the aperture 9 is open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2 , and extends widthways across the entire width of the head 2 , and entirely through its thickness, but incorporates thin integral bridges 11 , shown in FIG. 13, which are provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other on either longitudinal side of the tip region.
  • the aperture 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10 which is continued around the tip end of the tip region to form a buffer.
  • the aperture 9 is essentially “V” shaped in plan, with its apex pointing toward the tip 8 of the toothbrush head.
  • the base end of the tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs which partly surround the tip end of the base region 6 which integrally extends in the tip direction.
  • the tip region 7 is thereby of generally a “Y” shape with the tip end of the base region 6 lying between the upper limbs of the Y.
  • the tip region 7 can pivot about the axis C-C, about the pivot points provided by the bridges 11 , so that as the tip end of the tip region 7 moves in the direction of the bristle direction B the base end of the tip region 7 moves downwards in the opposite direction as shown by the arrows in FIG. 12, i.e. in a see-saw action.
  • FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 a variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1 - 8 is shown, corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly.
  • Bristles 4 are shown in the form of rectangular or polygonal “mats”, but may equally well be round tufts.
  • the aperture 9 extends all the way through the thickness of the head material.
  • An elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together.
  • FIG. 17 the folding of the tip region 7 during toothbrushing to clean the rearward facing surfaces of teeth 12 .
  • FIGS. 18, 19, 20 and 21 a variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 17 is shown, corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly.
  • the bristles 4 are located in “mats” of generally rectangular shape in the base region 6 and accommodated to the shape of the tip region 7 but could equally well be round tufts.
  • the base end of the tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs, the tip region 7 being generally in a “V” shape which partly surround a part 13 of the base region 6 which extends in the tip direction between them, with an aperture 9 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 , extending between the limbs and the part 13 , the aperture containing an elastomeric material 10 .
  • the elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together.
  • the elastomeric material 10 is extended along the outer edge 14 of the composite region to assist in massaging the gums and in protecting the gums against impact with the toothbrush.
  • the tip region 7 can fold relative to the base region 6 to accommodate itself to the teeth as shown in FIG. 20.
  • FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25 another variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 20 is shown, with corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly.
  • the bristles 4 are located in “mats” of generally rectangular shape in the base region 6 and accommodated to the shape of the tip region 7 , but could equally well be round tufts.
  • the base end of the tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs, the tip region 7 being generally in a “V” shape which partly surround a part 13 of the base region 6 which extends in the tip direction between them, with an aperture 9 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 , extending between the limbs and the part 13 , the aperture containing an elastomeric material 10 .
  • the elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together such that the tip region 7 can pivot about axis C-C during use.
  • This pivoting may be directed by the provision of plastics material bridges (not shown) between the base region 6 and tip region 7 aligned in the axis C-C.
  • the tip region 7 can pivot about the axis C-C relative to the base region 6 to accommodate itself to the teeth as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.
  • FIGS. 26, 27, 28 and 29 a toothbrush in which the tip region 7 is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region 6 , during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis C-C that crosses the tip region 7 intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 - 25 are numbered correspondingly.
  • the head 2 comprises two regions.
  • a substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head.
  • a tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6 . Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 .
  • the aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at both the bristle face 5 , and the opposite face, of the head 2 .
  • the groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10 .
  • the base region 6 integrally extends in the tip direction in the form of two limbs forming a two pronged fork which partly surrounds a part 15 of the tip region 7 which extends towards the base region 6 and which lies between the limbs.
  • the elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together such that the tip region 7 can pivot about axis C-C during use.
  • This pivoting may be directed by the provision of plastics material bridges (not shown) between the base region 6 and tip region 7 aligned in the axis C-C, and thereby accommodate itself to the shape of the teeth during toothbrushing.
  • FIGS. 30, 31 and 32 an alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6 , during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head is shown on plan and in side views.
  • FIGS. 30 and 31 the head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly.
  • the tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape with a rounded tip.
  • a link region is provided by a chasm 16 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 which is bridged by two strips 17 of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head 2 , and extending between the tip region 7 and base region 6 to bridge the chasm 16 . Relative to the thickness of the toothbrush head 2 the strips are closer to the bristle face 5 than to the back of the head.
  • the bristle face 5 of both the tip 7 and base region 6 are provided with socket holes 18 for the insertion of bristles 4 .
  • the holes 18 are disposed to arrange bristles 4 in a pattern of discrete tufts 4 A arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, around a central tuft 4 B.
  • the “skeleton” so formed has been folded about the axis C-C so that an obtuse angle of about 165° is formed between the bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and of the base region 6 .
  • An elastomeric material 10 has been injected into the chasm 16 , whilst the head is in its folded state, and is bonded to the sides of the chasm 16 and to the strips 17 , filling the chasm 16 and covering the strips 17 .
  • the toothbrush head is retained in its folded state, and the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 .
  • the bristles 4 have been inserted by a conventional process, and the angle between the bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and the base region 6 is such that the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region. As shown in FIG. 32 the plane of the ends of bristles 4 on the tip region 7 slope upwards away from the bristle face 5 of the base region 6 in the direction away from the handle.
  • the elastomeric material 10 is extended around the tip 8 of the head 2 to form an external buffer 19 around the tip 8 of the head 2 .
  • a moulding groove 18 is provided in the outer surface of the tip region 7 .
  • FIGS. 33, 34, 35 and 36 another alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6 , during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head is shown on plan and in side views.
  • FIGS. 33 and 34 the head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly.
  • the tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape with a rounded tip.
  • a link region is provided by a chasm 20 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 which is bridged by two strips 21 of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head 2 , and extending between the tip region 7 and base region 6 to bridge the chasm 20 .
  • the chasm 20 is essentially “V” shaped in plan looking down onto the bristle face 5 , with the apex of the “V” pointing toward the handle 2 . Relative to the thickness of the toothbrush head 2 the strips are closer to the bristle face 5 than to the back of the head.
  • the strips 21 are not planar, but are curved in and out of the plane of the base region 6 and tip region 7 .
  • the bristle face 5 of both the tip 7 and base region 6 are provided with socket holes 22 for the insertion of bristles 4 .
  • the holes 22 are disposed to arrange bristles 4 in a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, around a central tuft.
  • the “skeleton” consisting of just the plastic material parts of the head has been made by an injection moulding process, with the bristle face 5 folded about the axis C-C so that an obtuse angle of about 165° is formed between the bristle face 5 of the tip region and of the base region 6 .
  • An elastomeric material 10 has been injected into the chasm 20 , whilst the head is in its folded state, and is bonded to the sides of the chasm 20 and to the strips 21 , filling the chasm 20 and covering the strips 21 . Thereby the toothbrush head is retained in its folded state, and the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 .
  • the outer surface of the elastomeric material 10 has a corrugated surface as seen in FIG. 36.
  • the bristles 4 shown in FIG. 36 have been inserted by a conventional process, and the angle between the bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and the base region 6 is such that the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region. As shown in FIG. 36 the plane of the ends of bristles 4 on the tip region 7 slope upwards away from the bristle face 5 of the base region 6 in the direction away from the handle.

Abstract

A toothbrush comprising a handle with a head includes a base end facing the handle in a tip end remote from the base end. The head adjoins the handle at the base end of the head, and the head and the handle are disposed along the longitudinal toothbrush axis. The head also includes a substantially rigid base region joining the toothbrush handle and extending from the base end of the head to a link region situated between the base end and the tip end. The head further includes a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, such that the tip region is flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region and the base region extends for at least 60% of the distance between the base end of the head and the tip of the head.

Description

  • This invention relates to toothbrushes, in particular to toothbrushes having a flexibly linked region in their head. [0001]
  • Toothbrushes having a flexibly linked region in their head are known. For example WO 92/17093 discloses a toothbrush in which the head is divided into two or more segments which are flexibly and resiliently linked to each other and/or to the handle of the toothbrush. A particular form of the toothbrush of WO 92/17093 has a head which has grooves in the reverse face of the head from which the bristles extend, these grooves being filled with an elastomeric material to modulate the flexibility. The embodiments disclosed in have their grooves distributed in a generally uniform distribution over the reverse face of the head, or around the longitudinal mid point of the head, so as to enable the whole head to accommodate itself to the curved shape of the teeth. WO [0002] 96/02165 discloses toothbrushes with flexible heads similar in construction to those of WO 92/17093, and having a generally concave profile of bristle ends. DE-G 87 05 474.4 discloses a toothbrush in which the tip region of the head is hinged to a base region of the head and an operating button on the handle allows the tip region to fold relative to the base region.
  • It is an object of this invention to provide a toothbrush in which the flexibility of the head is concentrated in the tip of the head remote from the handle, so as to improve the ability of the toothbrush to clean surfaces of the teeth which face the back of the mouth. [0003]
  • According to this invention a toothbrush comprises a handle with a head, the head having a base end facing the handle and a tip end remote from the base end, the head adjoining the handle at the base end of the head, the head and handle being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis, the head having bristles extending from a bristle face to the head, characterised in that the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush handle and extending from the base end of the head to a link region situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, both the base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region. [0004]
  • The above-described construction of toothbrush concentrates flexibility of the head at the tip end of the toothbrush, the linking of the tip region and base region is preferably in a manner which enables the tip region to fold or pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing. The link provided at the link region between the tip region and the base region allows the tip region to fold or pivot during use about a fold or pivot axis which is in the plane of the bristle face and generally transverse to the longitudinal toothbrush axis such that bristles on the tip region can lean backwards, i.e. so that the free ends of bristles in the tip region swing toward the handle, assisting the bristles to clean surfaces of the teeth which face the back of the mouth. The flexible linking also helps to prevent excessive brushing pressure from being applied during toothbrushing. [0005]
  • Normally the head of the toothbrush will adjoin the handle of the toothbrush via a neck region between the base of the toothbrush head and the part of the handle which is held during use. [0006]
  • The base region is substantially rigid, that is, during the operation of brushing the teeth the base region does not significantly flex beyond the usual limits of flexing of a plastics material toothbrush head. [0007]
  • The link region is preferably in the longitudinal half of the head furthest from the base of the head. Suitably the base region extends for at least 60%, for example at least 75% of the distance between the base end of the head and the tip of the head. [0008]
  • The tip region may also be substantially rigid, so that the tip region does not itself significantly flex apart from its folding or pivoting relative to the base region. The tip region may be of a variety of shapes accommodated to the shape of the tip of the head, e.g. circular, triangular (including ogival), rectangular, elongate, lozenge shape etc. [0009]
  • In its non-stressed condition, i.e. when not being used, the bristle face of the tip region and base region of the toothbrush of this invention may be substantially coplanar, i.e. with a substantially 180° angle between them. In a preferred embodiment of the toothbrush of this invention the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region, e.g. 150°-179°, suitably 155°-170°. A suitable angle is one in which the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to, e.g. touching, the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region. [0010]
  • The link region between the tip region and the base region in one embodiment of this invention comprises an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of one or more thin links of flexible and resilient plastics material. In this construction the head is effectively in two regions linked by such links. Such links may comprise thin spines, thin strips, or a continuous thin membrane, made of a both flexible and resilient plastics material. These spines, thin strips or membrane may be in the same plane as a substantially planar head, or may slope or may be curved out of planarity. The plastics material may be the same plastics material as the tip and base regions but being flexible by virtue of thinness, e.g. the tip, base and bridge(s) may be integrally moulded. [0011]
  • In another embodiment of this invention the link region between the tip region and the base region may comprise a composite region between the tip region and base regions, the composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material. For example the composite region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of a combination of thin spines, strips or a continuous membrane of a both flexible and resilient plastics material, e.g. integral with the head, and also by an elastomeric material in the aperture, space or chasm. These spines, thin strips or membrane may be in the same plane as a substantially planar head, or may slope or may be curved or folded out of planarity. In this construction the head is effectively in two regions linked by such links, and the links are embedded in a covering layer of rubber. [0012]
  • Such a composite region may for example comprise a net, ladder, latticework, cellular or trellis structure of plastics material integral with the material of the head, with interstices containing the elastomeric material. Such a composite region may for example comprise one or more, for example two, strips of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head, and extending between the tip region and base region to bridge an aperture, space or chasm between the tip region and the base region, the aperture, space or chasm also containing an elastomeric material, suitably bonded to the sides of the space and to the strips and suitably substantially filling the aperture, space or chasm, optionally also bulging above the surface of the surrounding plastics material of the head. Relative to the thickness of the toothbrush head the strips in such a construction may be closer to the bristle face than to the back of the head. The plastics material parts in such a composite region may be thick enough to contribute materially to the flexibility and resilience of the link region, or alternatively they may be so thin as to contribute little to the flexibility and resilience of the link region, and may thus serve simply to retain the tip and head regions together before the elastomer is added. [0013]
  • In another embodiment of this invention the link region between the tip region and the base region may comprise an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged solely by means of a complete or partial filling of an elastomeric material. In this construction the head is effectively in two regions with a gap between them containing the elastomer. This elastomeric material is preferably bonded to the tip region and base region on opposite sides of the aperture, space or chasm so as to hold the tip region and base region together. [0014]
  • The above-mentioned apertures or spaces may comprise a slot, chasm or cut out across the width of the head, dividing the base region from the tip region. Such an aperture may be open at the bristle face of the head and/or at the opposite face of the head, and may pass completely through the head. Such apertures, spaces or chasms may be of various shapes, for example widthways slots. These may in plan be substantially straight aligned widthways, curved or angular, e.g. generally “C”, “U” or “V” shaped. In such a construction the convex bulge of the “U” or “C” or the apex of the “V” may point either toward the handle or toward the tip of the head away from the handle. Alternatively such aperture, space or chasms may be narrow at the edges of the head and widen toward the centre of the head or vice versa. [0015]
  • Suitably for example the aperture, space or chasm may comprise one or more, preferably one, grooves with a depth of part of the thickness of the head such that the remaining plastics material at the bottom of the groove forms a thin link of plastics material. The groove may then be filled wholly or partly with elastomeric material to form a composite region. [0016]
  • Alternatively the aperture, space or chasm may pass, in places at least, completely through the thickness of the head, for example leaving bridges of head material crossing the aperture, space or chasm between places where the aperture, space or chasm passes completely through the thickness of the head. Such an aperture, space or chasm may be wholly or partly filled with elastomeric material to thereby form a composite region. When the aperture, space or chasm pass completely through the thickness of the head for the whole of their length they may be wholly or partly filled with an elastomeric material. [0017]
  • The aperture, space or chasm may extend widthways to the sides of the toothbrush head, and elastomeric material therein may be extended around the tip region of the head and/or around the base region of the head to form an elastomeric buffer around the toothbrush head to soften any impact of the toothbrush head with the gums of the user, and also to gently massage the gums. Alternatively elastomeric material may be provided around the tip region of the head to form an elastomeric buffer in a known manner e.g. as in FR 442832 and DE 36 28 722. [0018]
  • When the aperture, space or chasm contains an elastomeric material the outer surface of this elastomeric material may have a corrugated surface, which may further help to control the flexibility of the link region. [0019]
  • In one embodiment of the toothbrush of this invention, the head is constructed such that the tip region may fold backwards resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head in the link region. The fold axis may cross the head in or on the edge of an aperture, space or chasm as described above. In such a construction, the aperture, space or chasm may be shaped such that the widthways oriented fold axis crosses the head of the toothbrush entirely within the aperture, space or chasm. When the link region is a composite region as described above, the folding may occur by bending of the above described plastic material parts, or bending at the point where such a part meets the edge of the aperture, space or chasm. [0020]
  • Such a construction can cause the entire tip region to fold in the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, so that the tip region in effect folds backwards towards the base region during use in toothbrushing. This folding can facilitate tooth cleaning, for example enabling the toothbrush head to accommodate itself better to the curved shape of the row of the teeth. [0021]
  • In an alternative embodiment of the toothbrush of this invention, the tip region and/or link may be constructed and positioned such that the tip region can pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end. [0022]
  • Such a construction causes pivoting of the tip region about this axis intermediate along its length, i.e. causes the tip region to have a “see-saw” action in which during toothbrushing part of the tip region toward the tip of the head pivots in the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, and the part of the tip region toward the base region of the head pivots in a direction opposite to the bristle direction away from the plane which lies between the bristle face and the opposite face of the head, or vice versa. [0023]
  • In this embodiment such pivoting may for example be achieved in a construction of head in which the tip end of the base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the tip region which extends in the base direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region. For example the tip end of the base region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, with a part of the tip region between the two prongs of the fork, and a link between the tip region and base region. [0024]
  • In an alternative construction of the head of this embodiment the base end of the tip region may be in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the base region which extends in the tip direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region. For example the base end of the tip region may be made in the shape of a two pronged fork-like frame, with a part of the base region between the two prongs of the fork, and a link between the tip region and base region. [0025]
  • For example the tip region may be made generally “C”, “U” or “V” shaped with its limbs toward the base region, or “Y” shaped with the upper limbs of the Y towards the base region. The part of the base region which extends in the tip direction may lie between the said limbs. [0026]
  • In a construction of head in which the tip end of the base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the tip region which extends in the base direction between them, with an aperture between the tip region and the base region, thin links of flexible and resilient plastics material as described above may be provided between the said limbs and the respective tip region. In a construction of head in which the base end of the tip region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the base region which extends in the tip direction between them, with an aperture between the tip region and the base region, such bridges may be provided between the said limbs and the base region. Suitably in such toothbrushes such bridges may be provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other to define a pivot axis and to encourage pivoting in a plane in which the longitudinal axis lies. Additionally or alternatively such bridges may be provided at other points in the aperture to encourage pivoting about other axes. [0027]
  • The elastomeric material may be an elastomeric material as commonly used in two-component toothbrushes, e.g. that described in EP 0336641, which can be bonded to plastics materials used for toothbrush handle manufacture. Such an elastomeric material can be injected into the toothbrush mould shortly after injection moulding of the plastics material parts of the toothbrush so that the hot plastics material fuses and bonds with the elastomeric material. This is a generally known process. [0028]
  • In the base region the bristles may be disposed in discrete generally circular section tufts in patterns which are generally known in the field of toothbrushes, for example in longitudinal or widthways rows at a generally conventional spacing. If fused in, the bristles may additionally or alternatively be disposed in “mats” of a cross section which may be circular or other than circular. [0029]
  • In the tip region the bristles may be disposed in discrete generally circular section tufts, or if fused in, the bristles may additionally or alternatively be disposed in “mats” of a cross section which may be circular or other than circular. In the tip region it is preferred to dispose the bristle tufts in either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally “C” or “U” shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the “C” or “U” aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the “C” or “U” facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle. [0030]
  • The ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face may be substantially coplanar. Alternatively the ends may undulate about a plane to accommodate the ends of the bristles to the undulating profile of the teeth or to lie in a “battlemented” shape to help clean the interdental spaces. Such undulating surface bristles are known. Additionally or alternately the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the tip region may lie in a different plane to the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the base region of the head. For example the plane of the said ends on the tip region may slope upwards away from the bristle face in the direction away from the handle. This may for example be achieved in the preferred embodiment of the toothbrush of the invention in which the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region. [0031]
  • The handle may be of generally conventional construction, and may for example include a folded flexible region, and grip pads of elastomeric material, as exemplified in EP 0336641. Elastomeric grip pads may alternatively or additionally be located on other parts of the toothbrush handle as convenient. [0032]
  • The toothbrush of the invention may be made by generally conventional injection moulding techniques, for example in which a plastics material “skeleton” is first made by injection moulding, then elastomer parts if present, are introduced by a subsequent injection moulding step, in which the elastomer is injected as a hot fluid and bonds to the plastics material. Such techniques, and suitable plastics materials and elastomer materials, are well known. If the link region includes an elastomer material then this may be injected with the same injection step as is used to inject elastomer grip pads, and these various regions of elastomeric material may be connected by moulding channels in a known manner. [0033]
  • In the embodiment of the invention in which the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region, when the link region comprises the above-described composite region between the tip region and base regions, the composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material, the toothbrush is preferably made as follows. Firstly the plastics material skeleton is made by injection moulding, with the bristle face substantially flat, then the tip region is folded to the desired angle with the base region, then the elastomer is injected into the link region. [0034]
  • The bristles may also be of generally conventional construction and materials, and may be fastened into the bristle face by generally known techniques. For example small metal clips around the ends of bristles to be fixed into the head, which are then wedged into sockets in the bristle face. Alternatively the bristles may be fused into the head material, again using known techniques. [0035]
  • The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which [0036]
  • FIGS. [0037] 1 to 36 show various plan, side and perspective views of toothbrush heads of the invention, and views without the elastomeric material, thereby showing the underlying construction of the head.
  • Referring to FIGS. [0038] 1 to 4, a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head at the edge of the tip region which faces the base region is shown.
  • This toothbrush comprises a [0039] handle 1 with a head 2 integrally adjoining the handle at a base end 3 of the head, the head 2 and handle 1 being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis A-A, the head 2 having bristles 4 extending from a bristle face 5 of the head in a general bristle direction B.
  • The [0040] head 2 comprises two regions. A substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head. A tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6. Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • The [0041] tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 8. The aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2, and extending transversely across the entire width of the head 2. The groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10. The flexible link between the tip region 7 and the base region 8 consequently is provided by the composite region comprising the thinned plastics material at the base of the groove 9, combined with the elastomeric material 10. The flexible link enables the tip region 7 to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6 backwards towards the handle 1 during toothbrushing, in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 1.
  • The [0042] tip region 7 is of a substantially circular shape, bounded by the curved perimeter of the tip 8 of the head 2 over part of its perimeter, and by a curved edge of the aperture 9 over the part of the perimeter of the tip region 7 facing the base region 6. The opposite edge of the aperture 9, on the side nearest the base 3, extends in a straight edge across the width of the head 2, and the tip region can fold about the axis C-C, which crosses the head 2 transversely in the aperture 9 between the tip region of the head 2 and the base region, so that the tip end of the tip region 7 moves in the bristle direction B.
  • In the [0043] tip region 7 the bristles 4 are arranged in a generally polygonal pattern of tufts which comprises a central tuft surrounded by a regular hexagonal pattern of tufts symmetrically arranged, such that there are equal numbers of tufts i.e. three of the surrounding tufts disposed on either side of the longitudinal axis A-A of the toothbrush.
  • As shown more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4 which show the [0044] head 2 without the elastomeric material 10 in the groove 9, the aperture 9 is in the form of a groove which extends part way through the thickness of the head 2, so as to leave a thinned region of the plastics material of the head 2 of the toothbrush at the bottom of the groove.
  • Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, [0045] 7 and 8, an alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head at the edge of the tip region which faces the base region is shown in plan views and a side view.
  • In FIGS. 7 and 8 the [0046] head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly. The tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape. The aperture 9 is in the form of a straight line shaped slot extending widthways across the head 2 of the toothbrush and entirely through its thickness, but incorporating thin integral bridges 11. The tip region 7 can fold about the axis C-C, which crosses the head 2 transversely in the aperture 9.
  • The [0047] elastomeric material 10 is extended around the tip 8 of the head 2 to form an external buffer around the tip 8 of the head 2.
  • Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and [0048] 11 a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown. In FIG. 10 the toothbrush head is shown without the elastomeric material. In FIGS. 10 and 11 bristles are omitted from the base region 6 for clarity. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 8 are correspondingly numbered.
  • The [0049] head 2 comprises two regions. A substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 to the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head. A tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6. Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • The [0050] tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 8. The aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2, and extending transversely across the entire width of the head 2. The groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10, which extends around the tip end of the tip region 7 to form a buffer. The base region 8 integrally extends in the tip direction in the form of two limbs forming a two pronged fork which partly surrounds the tip region 7 which lies between the limbs. The aperture 9 partly surrounds the tip region 7 both on the side which faces the base region 8, and around part of the longitudinal sides of the tip region 7, e.g. a generally crescent shaped aperture.
  • The [0051] aperture 9 is in the form of a slot extending widthways across the head 2 of the toothbrush and entirely through its thickness, but incorporating thin integral bridges 11, shown in FIG. 10, which are provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other on either longitudinal side of the tip region, and which provide pivot points about which the tip region 7 can pivot, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 9, about the axis C-C shown in FIG. 11.
  • Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and [0052] 14 a toothbrush in which the tip region is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown. In FIG. 13 the toothbrush head is shown without the elastomeric material. In FIGS. 13 and 14 the bristles are omitted from the base region for clarity. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1-11 are numbered correspondingly.
  • The [0053] head 2 comprises two regions. A substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head. A tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6. Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • The [0054] tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 6. The aperture 9 is open at the bristle face 5 of the head 2, and extends widthways across the entire width of the head 2, and entirely through its thickness, but incorporates thin integral bridges 11, shown in FIG. 13, which are provided at points widthways diametrically opposite each other on either longitudinal side of the tip region. The aperture 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10 which is continued around the tip end of the tip region to form a buffer. The aperture 9 is essentially “V” shaped in plan, with its apex pointing toward the tip 8 of the toothbrush head.
  • The base end of the [0055] tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs which partly surround the tip end of the base region 6 which integrally extends in the tip direction. The tip region 7 is thereby of generally a “Y” shape with the tip end of the base region 6 lying between the upper limbs of the Y.
  • The [0056] tip region 7 can pivot about the axis C-C, about the pivot points provided by the bridges 11, so that as the tip end of the tip region 7 moves in the direction of the bristle direction B the base end of the tip region 7 moves downwards in the opposite direction as shown by the arrows in FIG. 12, i.e. in a see-saw action.
  • Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 and [0057] 17 a variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1-8 is shown, corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly. Bristles 4 are shown in the form of rectangular or polygonal “mats”, but may equally well be round tufts. In the toothbrush of FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 the aperture 9 extends all the way through the thickness of the head material. An elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together. In FIG. 17 the folding of the tip region 7 during toothbrushing to clean the rearward facing surfaces of teeth 12.
  • Referring to FIGS. 18, 19, [0058] 20 and 21 a variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 17 is shown, corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly.
  • The [0059] bristles 4 are located in “mats” of generally rectangular shape in the base region 6 and accommodated to the shape of the tip region 7 but could equally well be round tufts. The base end of the tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs, the tip region 7 being generally in a “V” shape which partly surround a part 13 of the base region 6 which extends in the tip direction between them, with an aperture 9 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6, extending between the limbs and the part 13, the aperture containing an elastomeric material 10. The elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together. The elastomeric material 10 is extended along the outer edge 14 of the composite region to assist in massaging the gums and in protecting the gums against impact with the toothbrush. In use as shown in FIG. 17 the tip region 7 can fold relative to the base region 6 to accommodate itself to the teeth as shown in FIG. 20.
  • Referring to FIGS. 22, 23, [0060] 24 and 25 another variant of the toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 20 is shown, with corresponding parts being numbered correspondingly.
  • The [0061] bristles 4 are located in “mats” of generally rectangular shape in the base region 6 and accommodated to the shape of the tip region 7, but could equally well be round tufts. The base end of the tip region 7 is in the form of two limbs, the tip region 7 being generally in a “V” shape which partly surround a part 13 of the base region 6 which extends in the tip direction between them, with an aperture 9 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6, extending between the limbs and the part 13, the aperture containing an elastomeric material 10. The elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together such that the tip region 7 can pivot about axis C-C during use. This pivoting may be directed by the provision of plastics material bridges (not shown) between the base region 6 and tip region 7 aligned in the axis C-C. In use the tip region 7 can pivot about the axis C-C relative to the base region 6 to accommodate itself to the teeth as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25.
  • Referring to FIGS. 26, 27, [0062] 28 and 29 a toothbrush in which the tip region 7 is constructed to pivot resiliently relative to the base region 6, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis C-C that crosses the tip region 7 intermediate between its tip end and its base end, is shown. Parts corresponding to FIGS. 1-25 are numbered correspondingly.
  • The [0063] head 2 comprises two regions. A substantially rigid base region 6 integral with the toothbrush handle 1 extends from the base end 3 of the head 2 to a distance in the longitudinal half of the head 2 furthest from the base 3 of the head. A tip region 7 extends from the extreme tip 8 of the head 2 toward the base region 6. Both the base region 6 and tip region 7 are bristle 4 bearing.
  • The [0064] tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6 by a flexible link which comprises an aperture 9 in the head 2 material between the tip region 7 and the base region 6. The aperture 9 is in the form of a groove, open at both the bristle face 5, and the opposite face, of the head 2. The groove 9 contains a resilient elastomeric material 10. The base region 6 integrally extends in the tip direction in the form of two limbs forming a two pronged fork which partly surrounds a part 15 of the tip region 7 which extends towards the base region 6 and which lies between the limbs.
  • The [0065] elastomeric material 10 wholly fills the aperture 9 and is bonded to the opposite edges of the base region 6 and tip region 7 so as to hold the base region 6 and tip region 7 resiliently together such that the tip region 7 can pivot about axis C-C during use. This pivoting may be directed by the provision of plastics material bridges (not shown) between the base region 6 and tip region 7 aligned in the axis C-C, and thereby accommodate itself to the shape of the teeth during toothbrushing.
  • Referring to FIGS. 30, 31 and [0066] 32, an alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head is shown on plan and in side views.
  • In FIGS. 30 and 31 the [0067] head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly. The tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape with a rounded tip. A link region is provided by a chasm 16 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 which is bridged by two strips 17 of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head 2, and extending between the tip region 7 and base region 6 to bridge the chasm 16. Relative to the thickness of the toothbrush head 2 the strips are closer to the bristle face 5 than to the back of the head. The bristle face 5 of both the tip 7 and base region 6 are provided with socket holes 18 for the insertion of bristles 4. As shown in FIG. 31, in the tip region 7 the holes 18 are disposed to arrange bristles 4 in a pattern of discrete tufts 4A arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, around a central tuft 4B.
  • As shown in FIG. 31 the “skeleton” consisting of just the plastic material parts of the head has been made by an injection moulding process, with the [0068] bristle face 5 substantially planar.
  • As shown in FIG. 32, the “skeleton” so formed has been folded about the axis C-C so that an obtuse angle of about 165° is formed between the [0069] bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and of the base region 6. An elastomeric material 10 has been injected into the chasm 16, whilst the head is in its folded state, and is bonded to the sides of the chasm 16 and to the strips 17, filling the chasm 16 and covering the strips 17. Thereby the toothbrush head is retained in its folded state, and the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6.
  • The [0070] bristles 4 have been inserted by a conventional process, and the angle between the bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and the base region 6 is such that the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region. As shown in FIG. 32 the plane of the ends of bristles 4 on the tip region 7 slope upwards away from the bristle face 5 of the base region 6 in the direction away from the handle.
  • The [0071] elastomeric material 10 is extended around the tip 8 of the head 2 to form an external buffer 19 around the tip 8 of the head 2. For this purpose a moulding groove 18 is provided in the outer surface of the tip region 7.
  • Referring to FIGS. 33, 34, [0072] 35 and 36, another alternative construction of the head 2 of a toothbrush of this invention in which the tip region 7 is constructed to fold resiliently relative to the base region 6, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis C-C that crosses the head is shown on plan and in side views.
  • In FIGS. 33 and 34 the [0073] head 2 is shown without elastomeric material. Parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 to 4 are numbered correspondingly. The tip region 7 is generally triangular in shape with a rounded tip. A link region is provided by a chasm 20 between the tip region 7 and the base region 6 which is bridged by two strips 21 of a plastics material integral with the material of the head, the strips being thinner than the thickness of the head 2, and extending between the tip region 7 and base region 6 to bridge the chasm 20. The chasm 20 is essentially “V” shaped in plan looking down onto the bristle face 5, with the apex of the “V” pointing toward the handle 2. Relative to the thickness of the toothbrush head 2 the strips are closer to the bristle face 5 than to the back of the head. The strips 21 are not planar, but are curved in and out of the plane of the base region 6 and tip region 7.
  • The bristle [0074] face 5 of both the tip 7 and base region 6 are provided with socket holes 22 for the insertion of bristles 4. As shown in FIGS. 33-36, in the tip region 7 the holes 22 are disposed to arrange bristles 4 in a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, around a central tuft.
  • As shown in FIGS. 33 and 36 the “skeleton” consisting of just the plastic material parts of the head has been made by an injection moulding process, with the [0075] bristle face 5 folded about the axis C-C so that an obtuse angle of about 165° is formed between the bristle face 5 of the tip region and of the base region 6.
  • An [0076] elastomeric material 10 has been injected into the chasm 20, whilst the head is in its folded state, and is bonded to the sides of the chasm 20 and to the strips 21, filling the chasm 20 and covering the strips 21. Thereby the toothbrush head is retained in its folded state, and the tip region 7 is flexibly and resiliently linked to the base region 6. The outer surface of the elastomeric material 10 has a corrugated surface as seen in FIG. 36.
  • The [0077] bristles 4 shown in FIG. 36 have been inserted by a conventional process, and the angle between the bristle face 5 of the tip region 7 and the base region 6 is such that the free ends of the bristles on the handle side of the tip portion are in close proximity to the free ends of bristles on the tip side of the base region. As shown in FIG. 36 the plane of the ends of bristles 4 on the tip region 7 slope upwards away from the bristle face 5 of the base region 6 in the direction away from the handle.

Claims (15)

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle with a head, the head having a base end facing the handle and a tip end remote from the base end, the head adjoining the handle at the base end of the head, the head and handle being disposed along a longitudinal toothbrush axis, the head having bristles extending from a bristle face of the head, characterised in that the head comprises a substantially rigid base region adjoining the toothbrush handle and extending from the base end of the head to a link region situated between the base end and the tip end, and a tip region extending from the tip end of the head to the link region, both the base region and tip region being bristle bearing, the tip region being flexibly and resiliently linked at the link region to the base region.
2. A toothbrush according to
claim 1
characterised in that the link region is in the longitudinal half of the head furthest from the base of the head.
3. A toothbrush according to
claim 2
characterised in that the base region extends for at least 60% of the distance between the base end of the head and the tip of the head.
4. A toothbrush according to
claim 1
,
2
or 3 characterised in that in its unstressed state the bristle face of the tip region forms an angle of less than 180° with the bristle face of the base region.
5. A toothbrush according to any preceding claim characterised in that the link region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of one or more thin links of flexible and resilient plastics material.
6. A toothbrush according to
claim 5
characterised in that the link region comprises a composite region between the tip region and base regions, the composite region having structural elements made of both plastics material and an elastomeric material.
7. A toothbrush according to
claim 6
characterised in that the composite region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged by means of a combination of thin spines, strips or a continuous membrane of a both flexible and resilient plastics material and also by a partial (to the extent that the aperture, space or chasm is not completely filled by the said plastics material parts) filling of an elastomeric material.
8. A toothbrush according to any one of
claims 1
to
4
characterised in that the link region between the tip region and the base region comprises an aperture, space or chasm in the head material between the tip and base regions which is bridged solely by means of a complete or partial filling of an elastomeric material.
9. A toothbrush according to any of the preceding claims characterised in that the head is constructed such that tip region may fold backwards resiliently relative to the base region, during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented fold axis that crosses the head in the link region.
10. A toothbrush according to any one of
claims 1
to
10
characterised in that the tip region and/or link are constructed and positioned such that the tip region can pivot resiliently relative to the base region during toothbrushing, about a widthways oriented pivot axis that crosses the tip region intermediate between its tip end and its base end.
11. A toothbrush according to
claim 10
characterised in that said pivoting is achieved by a construction of head in which the tip end of the base region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the tip region which extends in the base direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region.
12. A toothbrush according to
claim 10
characterised in that the base end of the tip region is in the form of two limbs which partly surround a part of the base region which extends in the tip direction between them, with the link between the tip region and the base region.
13. A toothbrush according to any preceding claim characterised in that in the tip region the bristles the bristle tufts are disposed in either (i) a pattern of discrete tufts arranged in a generally circular or polygonal pattern, or (ii) a single tuft of generally rounded cross section perpendicular to the bristle face, or (iii) a tuft of generally “C” or “U” shaped cross section perpendicular to the bristle face having at least one of the limbs of the “C” or “U” aligned generally parallel to the longitudinal toothbrush axis and with the rounded bend of the “C” or “U” facing the end of the bristle face remote from the handle.
14. A toothbrush according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the tip region lie in a different plane to the ends of the bristles remote from the bristle face on the base region of the head.
15. A process for making the toothbrush as claimed in
claim 3
characterised in that firstly a plastics material skeleton of only the plastics material parts is made by injection moulding, with the bristle face substantially flat, then the tip region is folded to the desired angle with the base region, then the elastomer is injected into the link region.
US09/768,333 1992-02-06 2001-01-25 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region Expired - Fee Related US6442786B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/768,333 US6442786B2 (en) 1992-02-06 2001-01-25 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US1992/000696 WO1992018509A1 (en) 1991-04-11 1992-02-06 Biologically active thiazine
US12240893A 1993-09-27 1993-09-27
US30684294A 1994-09-14 1994-09-14
US08/437,759 US5651158A (en) 1991-03-27 1995-05-09 Toothbrush with resiliently flexible head
GB9517450.4 1995-08-25
GB9517450 1995-08-25
GBGB9517450.4A GB9517450D0 (en) 1995-08-25 1995-08-25 Toothbrush
US09/029,274 US6178582B1 (en) 1992-03-25 1996-08-22 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US09/768,333 US6442786B2 (en) 1992-02-06 2001-01-25 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/029,274 Division US6178582B1 (en) 1992-02-06 1996-08-22 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010014991A1 true US20010014991A1 (en) 2001-08-23
US6442786B2 US6442786B2 (en) 2002-09-03

Family

ID=45560585

Family Applications (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/029,274 Expired - Fee Related US6178582B1 (en) 1992-02-06 1996-08-22 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US09/736,381 Expired - Fee Related US6675428B2 (en) 1992-03-25 2000-12-15 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US09/768,333 Expired - Fee Related US6442786B2 (en) 1992-02-06 2001-01-25 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/029,274 Expired - Fee Related US6178582B1 (en) 1992-02-06 1996-08-22 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US09/736,381 Expired - Fee Related US6675428B2 (en) 1992-03-25 2000-12-15 Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (3) US6178582B1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005039858A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-05-06 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Process for making toothbrushes
US20060130257A1 (en) * 1996-01-18 2006-06-22 Cann David V Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head
WO2008017703A1 (en) 2006-08-11 2008-02-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US7707676B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2010-05-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US8156600B2 (en) 1995-11-09 2012-04-17 The Gillette Company Gum massaging oral brush
US20130276252A1 (en) * 2010-12-21 2013-10-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US8584299B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2013-11-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
US8869340B2 (en) * 2011-05-09 2014-10-28 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

Families Citing this family (79)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB9106511D0 (en) * 1991-03-27 1991-05-15 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Novel article
US6178582B1 (en) * 1992-03-25 2001-01-30 Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Gmbh Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US6219874B1 (en) * 1994-07-13 2001-04-24 The Procter & Gamble Co. Resiliently flexible bristle bearing head toothbrush
US6514445B1 (en) * 1996-12-24 2003-02-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Brush making
US6178579B1 (en) 1998-09-30 2001-01-30 Dr. Johns Products, Ltd. Electric toothbrush
US6564940B2 (en) 1998-09-30 2003-05-20 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrush
USD456998S1 (en) 1999-01-25 2002-05-14 Lawrence A. Blaustein Head portion of an electric toothbrush
US6574820B1 (en) * 1999-10-22 2003-06-10 The Gillette Company Brush head for toothbrush
US6553604B1 (en) 2000-03-16 2003-04-29 Gillette Canada Company Toothbrush
US20030084525A1 (en) * 2001-11-07 2003-05-08 The Procter & Gamble Company Complex motion toothbrush
USD499884S1 (en) 2002-03-15 2004-12-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrush
DE10164336A1 (en) 2001-12-28 2003-07-17 Trisa Holding Ag Triengen Toothbrush and method of making such a toothbrush
US8806695B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-08-19 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US8151397B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2012-04-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having flexibly supported cleaning elements extending in opposite directions
US20060026784A1 (en) 2002-08-09 2006-02-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8990996B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2015-03-31 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7614111B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2009-11-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US7757326B2 (en) * 2003-10-30 2010-07-20 Cologate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush with enhanced cleaning effects
US6931688B2 (en) * 2002-08-09 2005-08-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
US7841041B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2010-11-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8876221B2 (en) 2002-08-09 2014-11-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US7020928B2 (en) * 2002-08-27 2006-04-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
BRPI0315723B1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2015-06-09 Colgate Palmolive Co Toothbrush
DE10259723A1 (en) 2002-12-19 2004-07-01 Trisa Holding Ag Toothbrush and process for making it
US7934284B2 (en) 2003-02-11 2011-05-03 Braun Gmbh Toothbrushes
US20040177462A1 (en) * 2003-03-14 2004-09-16 The Gillette Company Toothbrush head
US20060272112A9 (en) * 2003-03-14 2006-12-07 The Gillette Company Toothbrush
US7941886B2 (en) 2003-09-19 2011-05-17 Braun Gmbh Toothbrushes
US7275277B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2007-10-02 Colgate-Palmolive Company Flexible toothbrush head
GB0415871D0 (en) * 2004-07-15 2004-08-18 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healt Toothbrush
BRPI0517855A (en) * 2004-11-17 2008-10-21 Colgate Palmolive Co oral care implement
DE102005024082A1 (en) * 2005-05-25 2006-11-30 M + C Schiffer Gmbh Brush and method for its manufacture
US8281448B2 (en) 2005-10-24 2012-10-09 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having one or more moving sections
DE102007014675B4 (en) 2006-03-28 2021-08-12 M + C Schiffer Gmbh toothbrush
USD637400S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-10 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
USD637003S1 (en) 2006-05-08 2011-05-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
DE102006024874A1 (en) * 2006-05-24 2007-11-29 Bürstenmann GmbH Toothbrush for operating a multipart brush head has an elongated brush handle verging into a tapering brush neck holding the brush head
DE202007002855U1 (en) 2007-02-27 2008-07-10 M + C Schiffer Gmbh Brush, in particular toothbrush
US8006342B2 (en) 2007-04-12 2011-08-30 Dr. Fresh, Inc. Illuminated flashing toothbrush and method of use
US8079109B2 (en) * 2008-09-02 2011-12-20 Sunstar Americas, Inc. Illuminated toothbrush
USD651407S1 (en) 2009-01-23 2012-01-03 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush
ATE546062T1 (en) 2009-03-18 2012-03-15 Braun Gmbh TOOTHBRUSH
USD657569S1 (en) 2010-02-26 2012-04-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Head portion of an oral care implement
USD657568S1 (en) 2010-02-26 2012-04-17 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
WO2011116295A2 (en) * 2010-03-18 2011-09-22 Ecolab Usa Inc. Cleaning tool
RU2560002C2 (en) * 2010-12-21 2015-08-20 Колгейт-Палмолив Компани Device for oral care
GB201104024D0 (en) * 2011-03-09 2011-04-20 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healt Novel device
MX2014005085A (en) * 2011-10-27 2014-08-22 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healt Toothbrush.
MX352234B (en) 2012-03-01 2017-11-15 Colgate Palmolive Co Oral care implement.
US9044083B2 (en) 2012-08-15 2015-06-02 Children Oral Care, Llc Illuminated multi-light flashing toothbrush and method of use
CN105744856B (en) 2013-11-05 2018-04-20 高露洁-棕榄公司 Oral care implement
WO2015069221A1 (en) 2013-11-05 2015-05-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD764804S1 (en) 2013-11-05 2016-08-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD749855S1 (en) 2013-11-05 2016-02-23 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD751295S1 (en) 2013-11-05 2016-03-15 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
MX2016005474A (en) 2013-11-05 2016-08-03 Colgate Palmolive Co Oral care implement.
EP2873343B1 (en) * 2013-11-13 2024-01-24 The Gillette Company LLC Oral care implement and method for manufacturing the same
US11089862B2 (en) 2013-11-13 2021-08-17 The Gillette Company Llc Oral-care implement and method for manufacturing the same
US20160353871A1 (en) * 2013-11-25 2016-12-08 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
DE102014008318A1 (en) 2014-05-30 2015-12-03 M + C Schiffer Gmbh Body care brush
AU2014414810B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2018-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US11291293B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-04-05 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD780457S1 (en) 2014-12-23 2017-03-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
EP4023106A1 (en) 2014-12-23 2022-07-06 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
RU2656207C1 (en) 2014-12-23 2018-05-31 Колгейт-Палмолив Компани Oral care device
US10595628B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2020-03-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
MX2017007266A (en) 2014-12-23 2017-10-16 Colgate Palmolive Co Oral care implement having multi-component handle.
WO2016105364A1 (en) 2014-12-23 2016-06-30 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement having multi-component handle
CA2967289C (en) 2014-12-23 2022-04-12 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US10455931B2 (en) 2014-12-23 2019-10-29 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
CN106998896B (en) 2014-12-23 2019-11-05 高露洁-棕榄公司 Oral care implement
RU2664278C1 (en) 2014-12-23 2018-08-15 Колгейт-Палмолив Компани Device for oral cavity care, having a multicomponent handle
CN108471868A (en) 2015-12-28 2018-08-31 高露洁-棕榄公司 oral care implement with adjustable cleaning element
AU2017251908A1 (en) 2016-04-20 2018-11-01 Trisa Holding Ag Brush product and method for the production thereof
USD822388S1 (en) * 2016-12-13 2018-07-10 Denise Barsoum Brush
US10709533B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2020-07-14 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement and handle and refill head thereof
US10631964B2 (en) 2017-12-12 2020-04-28 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
USD891784S1 (en) 2018-12-18 2020-08-04 Colgate-Palmolive Company Electric toothbrush handle
USD960582S1 (en) 2020-12-10 2022-08-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care refill head

Family Cites Families (73)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA520692A (en) 1956-01-17 F. Dellenbach Edward Tooth brush
CA508049A (en) 1954-12-14 R. Bressler Louis Toothbrush with a flexible head
CA508048A (en) 1954-12-14 R. Bressler Louis Toothbrush
US1924337A (en) 1933-08-29 troupa
DE353949C (en) 1922-06-01 Hermann Gernert Auxiliary device for driving dental drills or the like.
US759490A (en) 1902-12-08 1904-05-10 Florence Mfg Company Tooth-brush.
US914501A (en) 1908-04-06 1909-03-09 Donald Mceachern Tooth-brush.
FR442832A (en) 1912-04-18 1912-09-10 Georges Prevost Flexible toothbrush
US1327807A (en) 1918-10-26 1920-01-13 Paul B Burleigh Toothbrush
US1466723A (en) 1921-11-12 1923-09-04 Izawa Riichiro Toothbrush
DE393882C (en) 1923-06-14 1924-04-19 Otto Honnef Dr Toothbrush
FR707727A (en) 1930-03-19 1931-07-11 Brushes improvement
US1928328A (en) 1931-11-25 1933-09-26 Erik Dempster Lindegren Toothbrush
US1927365A (en) 1933-03-15 1933-09-19 Frolio Natal Toothbrush
US2003243A (en) 1933-07-29 1935-05-28 Ann Watson Toothbrush
US2172624A (en) 1937-08-25 1939-09-12 Gabriel Romani Y Robert Tooth brush
US2266195A (en) 1938-12-13 1941-12-16 Hallock Robert Lay Toothbrush
US2254365A (en) 1939-06-06 1941-09-02 Edward E Griffith Convertible toothbrush
US2445657A (en) * 1945-05-08 1948-07-20 Paul G Bennett Toothbrush
US2438268A (en) * 1946-06-03 1948-03-23 Louis R Bressler Flexible bristle head toothbrush
US2443297A (en) 1947-02-08 1948-06-15 Louis R Bressler Toothbrush
GB647916A (en) 1947-11-08 1950-12-28 Louis Richard Bressler Improvements in and relating to tooth brushes
US2685703A (en) 1949-04-27 1954-08-10 Edward F Dellenbach Toothbrush
US2631320A (en) 1950-05-12 1953-03-17 Louis R Bressler Toothbrush
GB673516A (en) 1950-06-05 1952-06-04 Louis Richard Bressler Improvements in and relating to tooth brushes
US2650383A (en) 1952-03-07 1953-09-01 Louis R Bressler Toothbrush with a flexible head
US2722031A (en) 1952-06-21 1955-11-01 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US2730747A (en) 1952-06-21 1956-01-17 Louis R Bressler Brush having relatively movable bristle carrying sections
US2807820A (en) 1952-07-01 1957-10-01 Dinhofer Milton Flexible brush head and means to retain it in a predetermined position
US2676350A (en) 1953-03-16 1954-04-27 Stanley Home Products Inc Toothbrush with a flexible head
US2864111A (en) 1955-02-11 1958-12-16 Rotceig Charles Tooth brushes
US3000030A (en) 1958-06-13 1961-09-19 Du Pont Brush
US3152349A (en) 1963-07-22 1964-10-13 Du Pont Toothbrush
US3188672A (en) 1963-12-18 1965-06-15 Johnson & Johnson Brush
US3253292A (en) 1964-05-15 1966-05-31 Arthur M Herschensohn Hair brushes
DE1233821B (en) 1964-10-02 1967-02-09 Du Pont Toothbrush
FR1524055A (en) 1966-05-18 1968-05-10 Leclerc Sa Des Ets Improvements made to the production of brush heads and in particular toothbrush heads
CH459144A (en) 1966-09-16 1968-07-15 Arpac S A S Giovanni Sassoli D Toothbrush for dental hygiene
US3616170A (en) 1969-08-05 1971-10-26 Addison W Closson Jr Foamed sheet for making stiffening elements
FR2085227B1 (en) 1970-02-26 1974-08-09 Labaz
US3821333A (en) 1973-03-21 1974-06-28 American Optical Corp Gasket for lens mold from a blend of epdm and ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer
FR2254240A5 (en) 1973-11-21 1975-07-04 Kleber Colombes
DE2500132A1 (en) 1975-01-03 1976-07-08 Ludwig Engelhardt Electric toothbrush with vertical vibration system - allowing more gentle massage for sensitive gums
US4263691A (en) 1979-03-07 1981-04-28 Seree Pakarnseree Brush
US4488328A (en) * 1983-01-24 1984-12-18 Hyman Richard M Floating head toothbrush
US4520526A (en) 1984-06-22 1985-06-04 Peters Charles W Resiliently flexible toothbrush
US4575894A (en) 1984-11-02 1986-03-18 Joy Stevens Vertical action tooth brush
US4654922A (en) * 1985-05-28 1987-04-07 Chen Horng Y Brush with universal joints
US4691405A (en) 1985-07-29 1987-09-08 Reed Joseph C Toothbrush having adjustable bristle-mounted tabs
DE3628722C5 (en) 1986-08-23 2005-04-14 Coronet-Werke Gmbh Dental cleaning device
US4712267A (en) 1986-12-04 1987-12-15 Cheng Peter S C Convertible toothbrush
US4776054A (en) * 1987-03-04 1988-10-11 Samuel Rauch Toothbrush
FR2621466B2 (en) 1987-03-23 1991-11-08 Bois Paul TOOTHBRUSH WITH OSCILLATING HAIRS
DE3737223A1 (en) 1987-11-03 1989-05-18 Heinrich Schaiper Toothbrush
USD302492S (en) 1987-12-30 1989-08-01 Emilio Ambasz Toothbrush
GB8807673D0 (en) 1988-03-31 1988-05-05 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Novel article
ATE105154T1 (en) 1988-12-13 1994-05-15 Rolf Barman PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURE OF TOOTHBRUSHES AND MOLDING THEREOF.
DE3923495C1 (en) 1989-07-15 1991-01-24 M + C Schiffer Gmbh, 5466 Neustadt, De
FR2652245A1 (en) 1989-09-25 1991-03-29 Camilieris Thomas Articulated toothbrush
NZ238565A (en) * 1990-06-15 1993-08-26 Humphries Victor A Toothbrush: weakened region in head part allows stable deformation
GB9106511D0 (en) * 1991-03-27 1991-05-15 Lingner & Fischer Gmbh Novel article
DE69219608T2 (en) * 1991-03-27 1997-10-02 Smithkline Beecham Consumer TOOTHBRUSH WITH FLEXIBLE TEXTURED AREA ON THE HEAD
DE4202312A1 (en) 1992-01-29 1993-08-05 Helmut Piller BRUSH
US6178582B1 (en) * 1992-03-25 2001-01-30 Smithkline Beecham Consumer Healthcare Gmbh Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
US5774923A (en) * 1993-09-27 1998-07-07 Smithkline Beecham Plc Toothbrush having a flexibly linked zone in its head
US5373602A (en) 1993-12-15 1994-12-20 Bang; Kook B. Toothbrush
USD365209S (en) * 1994-04-25 1995-12-19 Cleon Plummer Toothbrush
GB9414140D0 (en) 1994-07-13 1994-08-31 Procter & Gamble Toothbrush
GB9524580D0 (en) * 1995-12-01 1996-01-31 Unilever Plc A toothbrush with flexibly mounted bristles
TW384214B (en) * 1995-12-29 2000-03-11 Colgate Palmolive Co Contouring toothbrush head
US5946759A (en) * 1996-01-18 1999-09-07 The Procter & Gamble Company Brush head
US5839148A (en) * 1997-04-17 1998-11-24 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush with both stationary and moving tufts
US5946758A (en) * 1997-06-24 1999-09-07 Colgate-Palmolive Company Toothbrush having contouring multi-component head with peel-resistant joint and limited flexibility

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8156600B2 (en) 1995-11-09 2012-04-17 The Gillette Company Gum massaging oral brush
US7962992B2 (en) 1996-01-18 2011-06-21 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head
US20060130257A1 (en) * 1996-01-18 2006-06-22 Cann David V Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head
US8327492B2 (en) 1996-01-18 2012-12-11 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush with elastomer filled flexible head
US7707676B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2010-05-04 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US8060970B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2011-11-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US8332985B2 (en) 1999-06-14 2012-12-18 The Procter & Gamble Company Toothbrush
US8584299B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2013-11-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
US8955186B2 (en) 2003-04-23 2015-02-17 The Procter & Gamble Company Electric toothbrushes
WO2005039858A1 (en) * 2003-10-22 2005-05-06 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Process for making toothbrushes
US7744360B2 (en) 2003-10-22 2010-06-29 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co., Kg Process for making toothbrushes
US20090313779A1 (en) * 2006-08-11 2009-12-24 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US8539632B2 (en) 2006-08-11 2013-09-24 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co Kg Toothbrush
WO2008017703A1 (en) 2006-08-11 2008-02-14 Glaxosmithkline Consumer Healthcare Gmbh & Co. Kg Toothbrush
US8578544B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2013-11-12 The Gillette Company Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US9504312B2 (en) 2007-02-02 2016-11-29 The Gillette Company Llc Oral hygiene implements having flexible elements, and methods of making the same
US20130276252A1 (en) * 2010-12-21 2013-10-24 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral Care Implement
US9167887B2 (en) * 2010-12-21 2015-10-27 Colgate-Palmolive Company Oral care implement
US8869340B2 (en) * 2011-05-09 2014-10-28 Neob Co., Ltd. Toothbrush

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6675428B2 (en) 2004-01-13
US6178582B1 (en) 2001-01-30
US6442786B2 (en) 2002-09-03
US20020017003A1 (en) 2002-02-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6442786B2 (en) Toothbrush comprising a resilient flex region
CA2227923C (en) Toothbrush
AU737732B2 (en) Toothbrush
US8060970B2 (en) Toothbrush
AU726803B3 (en) Toothbrush
AU738305B2 (en) Toothbrush
AU743341B2 (en) Toothbrush
AU737239B3 (en) Toothbrush

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20140903