US20100325827A1

US20100325827A1 - Toothbrush

Info

Publication number: US20100325827A1
Application number: US12/492,231
Authority: US
Inventors: Shou-Jen Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Acumen Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-26
Filing date: 2009-06-26
Publication date: 2010-12-30

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toothbrush having a bristle support head having a plurality of bristles densely implanted thereon and a brushing surface formed by ends of the bristles. The contact area between the bristle support head and teeth can be increased by virtue of the brushing surface. Reciprocal motion of the bristle support head maintains contact between the bristles and teeth so removes contaminants from inter-tooth spaces effectively and with improved efficiency.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toothbrush, and more particularly to a toothbrush increasing contact area between the toothbrush and teeth for improved brushing efficiency.
2. Description of Related Art
With reference to FIG. 4, an existing toothbrush has a support head (90) having a mounting surface (91) formed thereon. A plurality of bristle holes (92) are formed on the mounting surface (91). Multiple tufts of bristles (93) are mounted respectively in the bristle holes separated by a gap.
Since the tufts of bristles are spread over the mounting surface (91) of the support head (90), the gap is formed between the tufts. Hence, contact area between the bristles (93) and teeth is reduced and reduces brushing efficacy. As such, an improved toothbrush is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a toothbrush increasing contact area of between bristles of the toothbrush and teeth for improved brushing efficiency.
A toothbrush has a bristle support head and a bristle cluster. The bristle support head has a bristle surface with a bristle socket formed thereon. The bristle cluster mainly has a plurality of bristles and a brushing surface. The bristles are densely implanted on a surface of a fastening flange. The brushing surface is formed by ends of the bristles fitted in the bristle socket of the bristle support head.
Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a bristle support head in accordance with a conventional toothbrush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the present invention is a toothbrush having a bristle support head (10) and a bristle cluster (20).
The bristle support head (10) has a bristle surface (11). A bristle socket (12) is formed on the bristle surface (11) and has a wall. A fastening portion (13) is formed on an outer rim of the wall of the bristle socket (12) and may be an inwardly projecting ridge.
With reference to FIG. 3, the bristle cluster (20) has a fastening flange (21) and multiple bristles (22). The fastening flange (21) corresponds to and is mounted in the bristle socket (12) and may engage the fastening portion (13). The bristles are densely attached securely to the fastening flange (21), may be densely formed in the fastening flange (21) by injection molding and each bristle has an end adapted for cleaning teeth. The ends of the multiple bristles align to form a brushing surface (23). The brushing surface (23) may undulate with a wavelength equivalent to an average tooth width to aid cleaning between teeth. Since average tooth width changes with age and genetic makeup, brushing surfaces of different wavelengths may be commercially available.
Given the aforementioned structure, the fastening flange (21) inside the bristle socket (12) can endure and distribute shear forces generated between the bristles (22) and the bristle support head (10) so that the bristles (22) are firmly mounted on the fastening flange (21). The design of the fastening portion (13) on the bristle socket (12) can further prevent the fastening flange (21) from detachment from the bristle socket (12), ensuring that the fastening flange (21) is steadily mounted in the bristle socket (12). Doing so can prevents the fastening flange (21) and bristles (22) disengaging during use.
When the bristle support head (10) is used to clean molars, the contact area between the bristles (22) and the teeth can be augmented due to the brushing surface (23) constituting the ends of all the bristles (22) densely implanted in the fastening flange (21). Especially, reciprocal motion of the bristles (22) on the bristle support head (10) maintain contact with the teeth and remove contaminants from inter-tooth spaces, the contaminants may be food debris, sugars, plaque, tartar or the like. Therefore, a cleaning effect of the toothbrush is improved to maintain oral hygiene under an economical use of time and effort.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A toothbrush, comprising:

a bristle support head having a bristle surface with a bristle socket formed thereon; and

a bristle cluster having a plurality of bristles densely implanted on a fastening flange and a brushing surface formed by ends of the bristles, and securely embedded in the bristle socket of the bristle support head.

2. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fastening portion is formed on an outer edge of a wall of the bristle socket by an inwardly protruding ridge.

3. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brushing surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an average width of teeth.

4. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 2, wherein the brushing surface undulates by a wavelength corresponding to an average width of teeth.

5. The toothbrush as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bristle cluster is embedded in the bristle socket of the bristle support head by injection molding.