WO2000076370A1 - Twin-headed toothbrush - Google Patents

Abstract

A twin headed toothbrush (10) having an elongated handle (12L, 12R) with a first and second elongated neck (13L, 13R) extending from one end. A bristle support (14L, 14R) is at the distal end of each of the first and second elongated necks. A plurality of bristles (5) extends from each of the first and second bristle supports, arranged substantially parallel to one another. The elongated handle and the first and second elongated neck are formed of a material having a predetermined flexibility, resilience and bending resistance. The bristles have a predetermined stiffness which is set according to a predetermined relation with respect to the predetermined flexibility, resilience and bending resistance. A further embodiment includes a resilient thumb contact (16) inserted in a cavity (16C) formed in the elongated handle, protruding from the handle at a thumb contact location.

Description

TWIN-HEADED TOOTHBRUSH

BACKGROUND

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,520 and 5,499,421 issued to the present inventor,

Michael Bπce, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, to effectively

clean teeth and gum areas complex maneuvering of a toothbrush is necessary. It is generally

acknowledged that the great majority of individuals brush their teeth and gum surfaces

pri aπly in a horizontal and semi-circular manner, even though this particular technique is

not deemed to be the best way of cleaning the teeth and gum surfaces. There are two

reasons whv most individuals resort to this ineffective technique. First, conventional

brushing heads are not particularly designed to follow the contours of the teeth and gum

surfaces, and as an extension of the human arm do not permit complicated and exact

maneuvers to be performed. Second, most brushing takes place in the early morning when

one first arises and in the evening just pπor to retiring. This is a key factor, as demanding

complicated procedures for this time of day and night are beyond the tolerance of most

individuals. For these reasons, most individuals resort to a simple natural horizontal or

semi-circular conventional brushing technique.

Numerous attempts have been made ui the past as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat.

Nos. 860,840 to Strassburger, 3,742,549 to Scopp et A., and 4,67,360 to Marthaler et al. To

improve the design of the toothbrush. The bπstles and/or head of these pnor inventions

are angled relative to the handle portion. More particularly, U.S. Pat. No. 860,840 to

Strassburger discloses a toothbrush having two rows of bπstles which are sloped in opposite

directions relative to each other and a central section of bπstles arranged parallel and located between the two outside rows. However, these pπor inventions do not simultaneously

and/or independently accommodate different contours of the teeth.

In other pπor an patents, adjacent head portions of a toothbrush re made to

pivot or flex relative to the handle poπion so that the bπstles are better able to conform to

the contours of the teeth and gum surfaces. Such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos.

1,928,328 to Carpentier, 2,266,195 to Hallock,3, 152,349 to Brennesholtz, 4,333,199 to Del

Rosaπo, 4,488,328 to Hyman, 4,691,405 to Reed,and 4,776,054 to Rauch. More particuarfy,

U.S. Pat Nos. 4,333,199 to Del Rosaπo and 4,488,328 to Hyman disclose a toothbrush

having a single discreet brushing head that can be pivoted about the handle. The Del

Rosaπo patent, in addition, discloses a brushing head that can rotate about three planes.

U.S. Pat Nos. 1,928,328 to Carpentier, 2,266,195 to Hallock, 3,152,349 to

Brennesholtz and 4,691,405 to Reed show a toothbrush head capable of flexing or

articulating relative to the handle. Specifically, the brushing head compπses a plurality of

serially arranged flexing head segments, wherein the segments flex in union or relative to

each other.

Finaif)^*, U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,054 to Rauch discloses a toothbrush head having three

arranged brushing segments, whereby the central segment is aligned with the handle and the

two segments on either side are symmetrically arranged relative to the central segment. The

bristles on the outer sides of the Rauch patent have narrow, blade-like, contaα points which

are likely to induce excessive pressure to the gum due to the narrow contact points. In other

Λvords, the narrow blade-like bπstles inherently place higher excessive concentrated pressure on the gum more so than bπstles ith a largei contact ai ca w Inch can spread pressure e\ enh

to the larger contact area

None of the pπor art toothbrushes are du ected to

erconnng ineffective brushing

techniques. These pπor inventions do not disclose a toothbrush that overcomes the

individual's anatomically limited abilities to effectively clean the cuiwilinear surfaces of the

teeth and provide for gentle stimulation of the varying gum tissues without harm or

discomfort for the user by utilizing side-by-side arranged bπishing heads.

In addition, none of these pπor art toothbrushes provide for the discreet functioning

of twin-brushing heads as separate elements in

the object of th s invention through

addressing the force exerted by the user (The X Value), the resistance/resiliency

characteπstics of the molecular density of the mateπal used in conjunction with the

structural dimensions of the device (The Y Value), in conceπ with the resistance/resiliency

of the bπstle body as separate functioning elements of the uniform bπstle body mass (The Z

Value)

Moreover, none of the pπor an toothbrushes enables the varying of the bnishing

pressure, in accordance with the proclivity of the user, in order to prevent excessive pressure

from being applied to the gums and/or gingival tissue or from injury to the tooth enamel.

Finally, none of the pπor an toothbrushes enables the varying of the brushing

pressure, in accordance with the proclivity of a user, m order to prevent excessive pressure

from bemg applied to the gums and/or gingival tissue or from injury to enamel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to achieve proper functioning of

the twin-bnishmg heads to function in such a manner as to provide alternate addressing and

penetration of the dento-gingival junction of the tooth/teeth/gum structures (the gingival

margin) so as to respond independently with the inside and adjacent rows of bπstles of each

head in ma taining contact and oπentation to such gingival-margtn areas of each individual

during brushing.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an unproved cleaning

instrument for cleaning teeth and gingival tissue that enables a user to achieve correct tooth

brushing pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toothb sh whose twin-heads

respond to the pressure exened by the user to enable effective tooth/gingival tissue cleaning,

without tooth or gingival damage.

Still another object of the invention is to coordinate the brushing force of a user (the

X Value) with the structural dimensions and the molecular density of the materials of the

twin-brushing heads of the device (the Y Value), in conjunction and conceπ with the twin

discreet and combined bristle body mass offering resistance and resiliency characteristics (the

Z Value).

The above-identified objects and features and advantages of the invention will be

better appreciated and understood from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a top view of the left and πght side handles of a toothbrush; Figs. 1A and IB show the insen of Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 2 shows a side view of the left and πght side handles in which the handles Λi e

slightly turned to enable a partial view of the top of the left and πght side handles of a

toothbrush;

Fig. 3 shows a top view similar to Fig. 1 but wherein the gap of Fig. 1 has been

significantly reduced and the left and πght side handles are shown in close proximity to

illustrate that except for the neck and brush head portions, each of the left and πght handles

are straight and parallel to each other.

Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of a brush, with the left and πght handles being slightly

separated;

Fig. 5 shows a top view of the bπish with slightly separated left and right handles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments described herein have been included for purposes of illustrating

the principals of the present mvention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to

the exact configurations and constructions as illustrated and/or set forth herein.

Also, throughout the illustrations of different embodiments of the invention, the

same or equivalent elements have been identified with the same reference numerals.

Figs. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the left (L) and right (R) handles of a dual

headed toothbrush (10) of the present invention. Conventional molding equipment is used

to form the integral right handle (R) and integral left handle (L). The πght and left handles

of the invention, consisting of handles 12L and 12R, the neck portions 13L and 13R and the

brushing head 14L and 14R, are molded from polymers of amorphonc resins or

D - semi crystalline resms. Tliereafter the heads are held flat and holes for the brushes are drilled

and bπstles 15 plugged into the holes. The bristles have a certain stiffness which can range

from soft to hard to vary the resiliency and resistance presented by the bristles to the teeth

and gums during the bruslimg operation. The bπstles Λre cut to any desired length, shape or

profile, and then polished m accordance with commercially known techniques.

The left and right handles are then brought together and welded along the handle 12L

and 12R by conventional bonding and welding techniques. For example, the Branson

Ultrasonic Corporation, manufactures and sells commercial vibrational and ultrasonic

welding machines capable of welding vaπous types of plastics.

Tins invention is dependent upon understanding and addressing the force exened by

the user in brushing his or her teeth (the X Value), eetmg the resistance, resiliency

characteπstics of the molecular density of the mateπal used in conjunction with the

structural dimensions of the twin-bnishmg elements (the Y Value) achieving alternate

functioning of the twm-bnishing heads in concert with the resistance/resiliency

characteristics of the discreet and combmed uniform bπstle body mass (the Z Value) m

maintaining contact with the dento-gingival junction with the inside and adjacent rows of

bristles of each independently articulating twm-brushmg heads. Addressing each of these

factors (values), and the elements for carrying out each of these factors, provides for the

proper functioning characteπstics of the invention/device in use.

The mvention can be analogized to a machine whose moving parts are activated by a

power source, e.g. the user. The descπption which follows sets forth, addresses and

descπbes the elements needed to achieve proper functioning of the mvention/device. The im ention/deλ ite is wholh dependent on charactenstics of necks 13L and 13R,

and bnish heads 14L and 14R to achiev e the proper functioning m use, of the device.

Moreover, the bnish can work (function) equally w ell with or without the use of a cushioned

msen 16 in the handle. The cushioned insert is shown m the embodiment of Figs. 1-3. The

embodiments of Figs.4 and 5 illustrate the mvention without the use of a cushioned msert

16.

The inclusion of the "cushioned" insert, winch can be made of a rubber having a

stiffness winch vanes from soft to hard can mcrease the sensitivity for the user. The

mcrease m sensitivity occurs as a result of the pressure transmitted by the user through the

thumb being totally or partially absorbed by said insert. The insert can be of any shape or

design w Inch fits into a similarly shaped cavity provided in the L & R handles The msen 16

of Fig. 1 is shown to

e an oval top (See Fig. 1A) Moreover, the oval shaped insert 16 is

provided with a rectangular base 16B. The rectangular base 16B slides mto a rectangular

cavity 16C formed duπng the molding operation of the left and πght handles. Thus, while

separated the insert is slide mto cavitv 16C A suitable adhesive may be used to hold the

rectangular base 16A of msert 16 in cavity 16C of the handles. Thereafter the bondmg of

the left an πght handles will insure the permanent retention of insert 16 in the finished

toothbrush. Also, the insert is made of rubber and shaped to accommodate the thumb of

the user. The resiliency characteπstics of the rubber can be vaπed to accommodate the

pressure exerted on the brush through the thumb of the user. Thus the stiffness of the

rubber insert can be vaπed from soft to hard to provide a range of cushioning

characteπstics.

- / - Furth r, the poh mers used to make left and right handles can be selected to mcrease

or decrease the flcxibiLtv , lesiliencv and resistance of the necks 13L and f 3R of the left and

πght handles Sinularh , the stiffness of the bπstles 5 of the bruslimg heads 14L and 14R can

be selected to range from soft to hard to vary the resiliency and resistance presented by the

bnstle to the teeth and gum of the user.

The present m ention provides for the adaptation of brushing pressure to the

changing surfaces of the differing tooth/teeth/gmgiv al structures of the user encountered

during bnishmg bv the twin, self-respondmg self articulating brushing head of this mvention.

Fullv addressing and understanding the previously described X, Y and Z Values allow for he

full, proper . d safe functioning of said dev ice with the clear objective of accomplishing the

oπentation to the cπtical gingival -margin areas of each individual's particular

tooth/teeth/gmgiλ al structures by the inside and adjacent rows of each brushmg head.

The for going descπption is only illustrative of the principle of my mvention. It is to

be recognized . d understood that the invention is not limited to the exact configurations as

illustrated and descnbed herem. Accordingly, all expedient modifications can be made

within the scope and spiπt of the mvention

Claims

I cl im

1 A toothbnish compπsmg:

an elongated handle, shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a human hand, havmg

a first end and a second end;

a first neck extending from the second end of the elongated handle, having a

proximal end attached to the elongated handle and havmg a distal end;

a second neck extending from the second end of the elongated handle parallel to the

first neck, having a proximal end attached to the elongated handle and havmg a distal end;

a first bπstle support attached to the distal end of the first neck;

a second bnstle support attached to the distal end of the second neck;

a plurality of first bπstles extending m a first direction from the first bπstle support;

a plurality of second bnstles extending substantially parallel to .md m the same

direction as the first direction from the second bπstle support,

wherein the plurality of first and second bπstles are formed of a material having a

first stiffness, and the first and second elongated necks are formed of a mateπal having a

predetermined resiliency, a predetermined flexibility and a predetermined bendmg resistance,

and wherein the value of said first stiffness relative to said predetermined resiliency,

flexibility and bending resistance is set m accordance with a predetermmed bruslimg force to

be applied by said bπstles thereby achieving the full functioning of the tw n articulating

heads m making and maintaining contact with the dento-gingival junction.

2. A toothbrush compπsing:

<m elongated handle, shaped and dimensioned to be grasped by a human hand, havmg

a first end and a second end, said elongated handle havmg a cavity open at a location where,

when the elongated handle is grasped for using the toothbrush, the thumb of the human

hand would normally contact;

a resihent thumb contact structure mseπed m said cavity, dimensioned such that the

human thumb, when the elongated handle is grasped for usmg the toothbrush, exerts the

thumb pressing force primarily on the resilient thumb contact;

a first neck extending from the second end of the elongated handle, having a

proximal end attached to the elongated handle and havmg a distal end;

a second neck extending from the second end of the elongated handle parallel to the

first neck, having a proximal end attached to the elongated handle . d havmg a distal end;

a first bristle support attached to the distal end of the first neck;

a second bristle support attached to the distal end of the second neck;

a plurality of first bristles extending in a first direction from the first bristle support;

a plurality of second bristles extending substantially parallel to and in the same

direction as the first direction from the second bristle support,

wherem the plurality of first and second bπstles are formed of a material havmg a

first stiffness, and the first and second elongated necks are formed of a material havmg a

predetermined resiliency, a predetermined flexibility and a predetermined bending resistance, and wherein the value of said first stiffness relative to said predetermined resiliency,

flexibility . d bending resistance is set m accordance with a predetermmed brushing force to

be applied by said bnstles.